When you first move to another country, everything feels new and unfamiliar. But over time, many of the things that once surprised you slowly become normal.

In this episode of The Expat Files, I reflect on my early experiences arriving in Japan in the 1990s — from incredibly clean cities and cash-based payments to vending machines everywhere and narrow neighborhood streets. I also share how learning the language and living within the culture eventually changed what “normal” felt like.

What are some things you noticed when you first moved abroad that you eventually stopped noticing?

Episode Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Episode Topic
01:13 – First Impressions of Japan (1990s)
03:43 – Adjusting to Everyday Life in Japan
07:01 – Small Cultural Observations
10:06 – Global Perspective & Listener Question

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