12 months in Japan

Today marks one year in the land of the rising sun for me. I spent the day pondering exactly how that may have happened, but like every foreigner in my situation, I still can’t work it out. At times I feel like I have been here forever and forget how easy it is to function in the western world, but mostly everything is still as shiny, new and confusing as a Louis Vuitton bag in a display case. I often wonder how long it would take in this wacky country for anything to feel real because I still feel like I am on vacation.

In Nippon I live in a bubble. But a glorious one. Sure, I’ve learnt how to order my food at lunchtime without getting the double-extreme ultra-pork value set. I’ve mastered the train system and I can even stand peacefully on a packed commuter without wanting to punch the walls. I’ve stomached schools of raw fish, eaten creepy sea creatures and even raw horse, but strangely, still can’t bring myself to eat Natto (fermented soy beans) or anything that is still moving.

I’ve sung my heart out at Karaoke. Subjected myself to shopping torture in Shibuya. I penetrated the hideous crowds of glittering J-girls tottering about only to find that the L-size clothes may have fit me when I was eight years old but sure as hell aren’t going anywhere near me now. I’ve pushed the limits of Nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) and wondered when the establishments will realise that it’s like holding a red flag up to a bull by allowing gaijin to partake.

I’ve swum in fountains, scaled walls, frolicked in gardens and danced up a storm. I’ve drunk with tired old salary men, swapped horror stories with fellow gaijin, made mates with random strangers and accosted folk on the street. And everywhere I go I never fail to meet the most beautiful strangers each with a wicked story to tell.




I have been in Japan for one year and despite its flaws I can’t help but love the place. The past year has been an experience I will never forget. It’s had extreme highs and critical lows but never even remotely boring. I have the most gorgeous friends in the world. We live in the craziest city on earth and we know where to go to get free drinks. Why wouldn’t we love life?