How does the childcare system in Japan work? In this episode, I explain the main types of childcare facilities and how parents apply for daycare. I walk through the differences between Hoikuen, Yōchien, and Nintei Kodomoen and private daycare options.

I also share our personal experience applying for daycare, including the point system, the application timeline, and what daily life in a Japanese daycare looks like.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• An overview of the different day care facilities: private vs. public options
• How the application process works (and why timing matters)
• And what daily life inside a Japanese daycare actually looks like

Contact Information:

Host: Tamara

E-Mail: [email protected]

Moving countries is one thing. Moving countries with a small child while working full-time across time zones is something else entirely.

In this first episode, I share our story of returning to Japan as a family: arriving in February 2024, starting work immediately, bridging two months without childcare, and navigating the cultural shock of Japanese nursery life.

I talk about:

• The reality of restarting work on a German contract while living in Japan
• The emotional and cultural differences between German daycare and Japanese hoikuen
• Watching a child learn a new language almost overnight
• The quiet social codes of everyday life around Tokyo and Yokohama
• And why building community as a working mother abroad can take longer than expected

This episode is an honest starting point about transition, identity, work, motherhood, and rebuilding a sense of belonging between cultures.

Welcome to Matcha Mum’s, a podcast about raising children in Japan as an international family.

Matcha Mum’s explores the everyday realities of parenting in a different country, understanding the Japanese system for families, and creating balance between career and home.

This podcast is a space for honest reflections, personal experiences, and conversations about what it means to raise children between cultures.

You can expect:

• Personal stories about building family life in Japan
• Reflections on navigating structures and expectations
• Conversations about identity, belonging, and mindful working parenthood
• Guest perspectives from other international mums and dads

If you are an international parent in Japan this podcast aims to connect, inspire, and open perspectives.

🎧 The first full episode is already online, where I share our story and what brought us here.