To those thinking of moving to Japan,
let me be honest with you.
On the train, we don’t talk on the phone.
In a quiet street, we don’t shout.
At a restaurant, we wait in line — even when no one is watching.
We bow to strangers.
We pay before we receive.
We apologize before we explain.
These aren’t rules. There’s no law for any of them.
They are just 1,500 years of small daily promises
we keep, without being asked.
If you can love that, you will love Japan.
And Japan will love you back.
If you can’t, please — think it through carefully.
For your sake, and ours. 🇯🇵
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