It’s been two months since I started living in Japan.
This time here has allowed me to slow down, reset, and focus on everything I’ve built and what I want to create next.
Looking back, last September and October were probably the toughest months of my life. I was so close to giving up on everything.
But after some difficult decisions, I’m glad we managed to keep the company growing and profitable, now with a fully remote team working at a sustainable pace, while maintaining our client base.
I got to the other side of the struggle, better than I imagined.
I’ve had more time to explore new marketing technologies, communicate with clients, and deliver better services to everyone who have been trusting us for the past few years.
In Tokyo, I’ve been attending more tech events and meeting people I probably would never have met in Hong Kong.
The tech scene here feels a bit more insulated from what’s happening in the West.
Trends and ideas from places like San Francisco don’t always reach Tokyo right away, partly because of the language barrier.
That gap makes it interesting to share what I know and bring in different perspectives. I feel I have something valuable to contribute to the people I meet here.
In reverse, the Japanese market is probably one of the most unique in the world.
Trust is everything, and success here depends on building credibility over time rather than chasing the next big trend, which is something I’ve come to really admire.
Life in Japan has actually been smoother than I expected (apart from not having a local phone number).
I’ve been working, making friends, doing sports, and traveling, similar to my routine in Hong Kong but in an entirely new environment.
I’ll be heading back to Hong Kong in mid-February, then returning to Tokyo in early March for a couple of months before my tourist visa runs out.
Would love to hear your experience of living in a new country too!
(The picture is the area around where I rented a room)
