Hello Amelie-Marie, and welcome to our “Expat in Japan Interview” series! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi! I’m Amelie-Marie, I’m from France, and I’m 30. I currently live in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
How long have you been living in Japan? When did you arrive?
I’m celebrating my 5th year! I arrived in August 2013.
Wow, nice! Why did you come to live in Japan?
I moved to Japan to be with my Japanese boyfriend – who’s now my husband.
What surprised you the most when you came to Japan for the first time? And why?
The first time I travelled to Japan was in 2007. Even though I was familiar with the culture and the scenery thanks to Japanese animation, manga, and, generally speaking, thanks to Japanese pop culture, I must say, I was in shock during my first days in Tokyo! I come from a relatively small French town, so the vastness of Tokyo, the tall buildings, the super urban sceneries, etc surprised me. Next to that, I think I was mostly surprised by how kind people were to tourists. This has been said many times before, but locals are usually helpful if you’re in trouble, even if you can’t speak Japanese.
Do you speak Japanese or English during your daily life in Japan? (Maybe you’ve learned a bit of Japanese before coming?)
I speak both Japanese and English on a daily basis. I didn’t speak Japanese at all when I moved to Japan. I had tried studying a little, but without the immersion of being in the country, nothing would stick in my brain!
Ahh, I can understand that! What do you prefer about living in Japan?
Japan has become my home, so it’s hard to put a finger on what I really prefer. But I’d say that, as a woman, I feel safer in the street than I ever did in France. I don’t think Japanese society is the best place for women. But at least you don’t get catcalled, harassed, or criticized for the clothes you are wearing. Public places are clearly for both men and women, and I appreciate this respect.
What about the food? Do you like it? What are your favorite Japanese dishes? What do you think about food tours in Japan?
I like most Japanese dishes, especially the everyday homemade food. In summer, I’ll go for soba. In winter, my favorite dish of all is Japanese curry! I think food tours are a good way for tourists to get a better insight into Japanese food culture and a good way to navigate among all the restaurant choices here in Japan.
During my first trip to Japan, I didn’t really take the opportunity to try the food – not even sushi! I couldn’t speak Japanese and was very afraid to try dishes I didn’t have explanations about. We ended up eating at family restaurants or conbini food. That was one of my biggest regrets!
One place you would recommend to people coming to Japan for vacation and why?
That’s a tough one! I’ll say… Tokyo, in general! I can’t help it! I love my city. But there’s the Tokyo of the guidebooks and then, the “real” Tokyo, the local districts, and lesser-known stations and towns. Tourists shouldn’t be afraid to get lost outside of the famous sightseeing spots. That’s the best to get a feel for the local daily life. Finally, I think there’s really one place I love, and I can recommend particularly, it’s the small town of Kawagoe in Saitama. It’s a 50-minute ride from Shinjuku station, and that town has kept an old merchant district that is very popular.
For you, what is the best season to come to Japan and why?
Autumn! I know the Japanese cherry blossoms are said to be incredible, but the autumn leaves season – called Momiji, is absolutely breathtaking in some areas! Plus, the weather is usually nice – warm and sunny but not too much.
A lot of people love Autumn in Japan, right? Do you have a funny anecdote – lost in translation/culture shock story to share?
During my first trip, I got bad sunburns on my hands, and I stopped by a pharmacy to get some kind of cream. I spent almost 15 minutes trying to explain what I needed with hand gestures, and finally, she got what I had (or so I thought) and burst into laughter. She sold me some kind of weird cream, and it actually made my skin worse. It was some kind of peeler product!
Finally, do you have a personal message to add?
As an expat living in Japan, I know now that the best way to discover the culture and have great encounters is to take the time to explore less touristy spots, try local restaurants, and do local activities.
Japanese people are genuinely curious about tourists, and if given the opportunity, they will definitely want to exchange a few questions! Even if you are just coming for a short trip, trying to memorize a few simple sentences in Japanese will be useful to encourage people you meet to open up. Finally, it’s fine if you can’t see everything. Just pick places you really want to see and take your time.
Thanks, Amelie-Marie, for your time and for sharing your experiences!
If you’d like to follow her daily life in Japan, please be sure to follow her on:
Twitter: @AmelieinTokyo
Facebook: @Ameliemarieintokyo
Instagram: @amelieintokyo
Blog: Ameliemarieintokyo.com
Want to have a unique experience with locals? Why not join one of our 3-hour food tours in Japan?
