expat life
It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, if you’re an expat, there’s something from home you’re craving. Whether it’s chips and salsa or a good, strong beer, not having easy access to your favorite foods can put a damper on even the most enthusiastic of world travelers. That’s why knowing what to bring back after a visit home is so important, and Sharla, a university student living in Tokyo who makes videos about life in Japan, is here to help. Take a look at her video titled “What to Pack for JAPAN 日本に持っていくべき物!” and be prepared to take some notes. As an added bonus, Sharla speaks in English but includes subtitles in Japanese so anyone studying either language can get some extra practice.
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I’ve lived abroad three times in my life. Once was a homestay in France, once was a semester studying in Germany, and now I live and work in Japan. I don’t expect that I will ever move back to the States. I love Japan and have wanted to live abroad almost as long as I can remember. Even so, it has sometimes been challenging for a girl from suburban Arizona who didn’t even get a passport until she was 18, and lately I’ve been wondering what I would tell my younger self to better prepare her for this crazy expat life.
With the help of our globetrotting friends, we’ve come up with this list of seven things you should know before moving abroad.
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Now
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
Japanese man assaults wife after learning she trolled his YouTube videos for six months
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Weekly
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
- Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
- Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
Japanese man assaults wife after learning she trolled his YouTube videos for six months
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
New Japanese train etiquette point arises from high temperatures and high handy fan sales
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Wow, literature is cute! Hiroshima library designs anime mascots for decimal classifications
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Elementary and junior high students speak out on Japan’s strangest school rules
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
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