Konichiwa Tokyo!

So, 2014 has started of beautifully. And this will most certainty be one of the most exciting times of my life yet! We just moved to Tokyo, Japan. A country and a city I’ve been longing to visit ever since the age of 10 when I got to know one of my best childhood friends, Satoko. I have since then been fascinated both the people, and by the culture. To now have the opportunity to experience the country up front for the coming 6 months feels like a blessing. And at the same time it feels overwhelming to be here. It is so big!

My husband just started working in Akihabara, also known as “Electric city”. A part of the city where all kinds of tech devices can be found and experienced, together with gaming and manga houses recently popping up everywhere.  Starting next week we will attend Japanese classes together daily. As I am a freelancer, I have the possibility to keep on working with some of my Swedish clients even though we’ve now changed continents. I also hope to learn as much as possible about the Japanese digital landscape.

From now on, I intend to use this blog as a platform to write about our stay in Tokyo. And also about trips we plan to take around Japan, and hopefully also around the APAC region.

Some observations from our first 6 days here:

• The Japanese have an amazing ability to follow rules, and cues are formed and respected even in the busiest rush hour when the trains are unbelievable packed.
• Trains always run on time. And they run all the time. I love it!
• There are book stores all over the city. Even though Japan is one of the most connected countries in the world, there is a true love for printed paper. And you can stroll around looking at the multi-floor bookstore shelves for hours.
• Food is cute! Happy faces and pink bows. Food can be just as cute as manga girls!
• Not everyone knows English. But all people are extremely helpful and do their very best in helping you out.
• People like beer. And I am very happy to already have gotten a chance to experience my first After Work aka “drinking party”.
• People love karaoke. And so do I! Feels like I’m in the right city to pursue a career as a professional karaoke performer!
• Fried baby squids can be ordered everywhere!
• The Japanese eat cow stomach (a dish known as Tripe – thank you Akiko for the link!). Although only the first three stomaches of the cow, not the fourth.  The taste is different. But actually okay.
• We really need to learn to speak Japanese…
• …and that will most probably be a challenge. But a fun one!