Meet Stephy, a Tokyo resident from the US, passionate about taiyaki and Japanese culture. Drawn initially by games and anime, she loves the city’s vibrant life and has visited 46 of 47 prefectures. Stephy enjoys traveling, writing, and is training to open a taiyaki shop back home.
Interview – Japan
- WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
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United States
- WHAT DO YOU DO IN JAPAN?
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Getting my Master’s and professional certification and working for a few years in the US has given me better opportunities in Japan, so my 9 to 5 is pretty decent. I also have some side projects going, like writing Japanese tourism articles, training to make taiyaki, and I’ve got a small business doing customer service English consulting.
- WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JAPAN?
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In high school I enjoyed games and anime, so that’s where my interest started. Now that I’m here, I love the scenery- cities and the countryside, everywhere you look it’s a feast for your eyes! It also seems like there’s always something surprising to see- like a chiropractor near my job recently got a huge stuffed gorilla to sit outside with a nurse’s uniform!
- WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS CITY?
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I used to live in Takasaki, Gunma before and I liked it- it was a nice balanced suburb. But ultimately there are more jobs in Tokyo. I never thought I’d be a city girl, but I really love it! In addition to being a convenient city with lots to do, because Tokyo is so huge, I’ve made so many friends from countries I never would have been able to meet in rural New Jersey.
- WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL RECOMMENDATION IN THIS CITY?
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In Takasaki- definitely the Shorinzan Daruma Temple. For Tokyo- check out the arts & culture scene! There are plenty of small galleries around the city, some even being free, and tons of events and museums. Oh, and of course, get some taiyaki!
- WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST WHILE STAYING ABROAD?
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The 2 T’s- travel and taiyaki! I’ve been to 46/47 prefectures, and I’ll conquer my last one this summer. I love learning more about Japan and its diverse culture. And taiyaki has brought me such joy, I can’t help but love it and try new ones when I’m out and about!
- WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE BEING IN JAPAN?
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Planning for the future- Japan has many laws that make planning for the long-term difficult. For example, you have to wait 10 years to apply for permanent residency (unless you have enough “points”). But also at 10 years you cannot claim a pension refund if you leave Japan, you have to wait until you reach retirement age and collect it overseas. So it’s possible that you’d apply for PR at 10 years and get denied, decide to move back home, but then can’t invest your pension money into a more lucrative option in your country anymore.
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JAPAN AND YOUR COUNTRY?
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Probably the “distance” between people. In the US, most people become friendly pretty quickly, but in Japan people are generally more reserved. Making friends takes longer, especially friends you can get deep with. That said, I do have some long-term Japanese friends, so it’s not impossible!
- DID YOU EXPERIENCE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS?
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Yes! When I was moving to Japan, I was planning to stay 3-ish years and then move to another country. But the longer I am here, the more invested I feel, so I have decided to stay in Japan until I move home someday.
- WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
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I want to open a taiyaki shop in the US! For now I am making connections with taiyaki shop owners, and I even train at taiyaki shops here sometimes. I will be happy to help spread Japanese culture to the US in such a fun way!
- MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS WHO WILL GO TO JAPAN.
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Don’t be intimidated by the crowded-looking photos, Japan has so many corners to explore! These days there are tons of ways to find lesser-known interesting things to see (like my IG *wink*), and a lot of it can be reached fairly easily even if you don’t speak Japanese. Every train station has English signage, so with Google Maps you’ll be fine!
- HOW DO YOU LEARN JAPANESE?
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I took 2 years of Japanese in college, and then did self study after coming to Japan. Taking 4 college classes before coming helped me immensely!
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