Why Did You Come To Japan?
Why did you come to Japan? Why are you in Japan?
People always ask me these questions. My professors, friends, family members, other students at TUJ, salarymen and women on the subway, fellow gaijin at parties, my landlord, the owner of the bar in my neighborhood–you name it. And even though I’ve heard this question a thousand and one times, I still can’t seem to come up with one, good answer. The longer I stay, the more complicated it gets.
My curiosity about Japan began in my freshman year of college at Temple University Main Campus in Philadelphia. I’ve always had my sights set on the study abroad program but out of all the places that were offered, Japan was the destination that attracted me the most. Maybe it was the mysteriousness. Maybe it was the order.
But at the time, I didn’t put much thought on those particular aspects. The only reason I had at that time was, “It’s not Europe.” I’ve always had this insatiable appetite to experience something different and “off the beaten path,” and I felt like Tokyo would be the place for me.
So in case you’re wondering: No, I’m not a big fan of manga or anime. I barely play videogames anymore. I only have a few J-Pop/J-Rock artists on my ipod, and I’m not a tech buff (who knows, maybe these things will change the longer I stay here).
I came to Japan without any real expectations of the country. Boarding the plane bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I only wanted to see another part of the world, and learn from the experiences I was bound to have. I’m happy to say Japan has not let me down; I have indeed learned a lot about myself as well as Japanese culture in the short amount of time I’ve been here: 6 months.
The funny thing is, I was only supposed to be here for 4 months. After exploring, living, and breathing Tokyo for 4 months, I realized my time here wasn’t up yet. It just didn’t seem right to leave a place as vibrant as Japan only after 4 months! There was so much to see, so much to do, and so much I wanted to do again. So, I made the impulsive (and well thought-out) decision to stay for good…or at least until I graduate.
My initial reason for coming to Tokyo was to experience something new and exciting… however my reason for staying is a little more complicated.
Why am I staying in the Land of the Rising Sun? My surface reasons are simple:
1) It’s fun!
2) I love learning Japanese
3) I love Japanese food
4) I love Japanese culture
However, my real reason is deeper than that, and it’s hard explain to people, especially through a computer.
When it comes down to it, living in Japan is great because there’s always something to do/think about. However, Japan has attached to it challenges that can be exhausting and extremely frustrating. I’m not fluent in Japanese, the train system still manages to confuse me, I hate crowded trains, and sometimes I do get homesick. Even the little things such as not being able to eat certain foods that are readily available at home can seem like a big issue here. Of course there are more challenges I face on any given day, but oddly enough, these are the exact reasons why I love living in Tokyo. These challenges, I feel, make me a broader, stronger person. And when I get frustrated, all I have to do is remember: I’M IN JAPAN!! One of the safest, strangest, most intriguing places in the world 
I have experienced so many things thus far– some great, and some not-so-great. But I know one thing: coming to Japan has got to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m so excited to see how this journey unfolds… and can’t wait to share it with you!
Shinjuku, my favorite urban place in Tokyo
