Pros and cons of raising a family in Japan: An adventurous life, but an expensive one

From the outside, I have no doubt that expat life in Japan can look like one long adventure. I've had friends back home say it looks like my family and I are always visiting new places or exploring unique seasonal festivals, and yes, those everyday moments can feel more magical simply because they're different. I've been able to collect memories here that I would have never made back home, and my kids have grown up thinking it's normal.

The truth (as many of you are already aware) is that it's not always an adventure, and a lot of days look very ordinary. School runs, work deadlines, grocery shopping, and admin in a second language don't feel particularly Instagram-worthy.

That sense of novelty also comes at a cost. Travel is expensive, flights home are expensive, and even day-to-day experiences can add up quickly. Some parts of life in Japan are affordable, but the bigger picture often isn't cheap, especially when you're trying to maintain ties with people half way around the world while you do it.