I'm heading back to Canada after living in Japan for a year. I'm excited to return, but there are a few things I'll miss.
A Canadian expatriate reflects on her year living in Japan, noting the cultural and financial differences between the two countries. She highlights the lower cost of living and high-quality food in Japan while expressing excitement about returning home to Canada.
Why it matters
Provides personal insight into the economic realities of expatriate life and the comparative cost of living between Japan and Canada.
I moved to Japan nearly a year ago, and now, I'm getting ready to head home. Alessa Hickman I'm a Canadian who lived in Japan for a year — and now, I'm getting ready to head home. I'll miss Japan's transportation system and how affordable it is to have a quality dinner out here. However, I'm excited to reunite with my friends and explore my home country like a tourist. When I moved to Japan in 2025, I knew I wouldn't be here forever — but having a full year ahead of me felt like an infinite amount of time. Now I'm getting ready to head back to my hometown in Canada , and I can't believe how quickly my year passed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in