life_in_tokyo 1. 98% of the population is Japanese. They act, think, and were raised differently — and no matter how long you stay (yes, I speak Japanese), you’ll always be an outsider.
2. Work culture? Tough. Promotions based on age, long hours, limited flexibility, and yes, salary gaps based on gender.
3. Being a woman and a foreigner? Let’s just say, not easy.
4. At some point, I started craving a more cosmopolitan environment.
5. And let’s talk money - even in high-skilled jobs, salaries in Japan often fall behind other countries.
6. Living in Japan and traveling in Japan are two completely different experiences. You won’t be sipping matcha in an onsen every day.

P.S. It’s still my favorite country - just one I now prefer to visit as a tourist.

#expatlife #travelife #mindovermatter #japan #japanlife #expats

life_in_tokyo 1. It’s tiny. And after a 2-year lockdown, it felt even smaller.
2. There’s only one season: hot and humid every single day.
3. Which messes with your sense of time - it can feel like Groundhog Day on repeat.
4. As much as I appreciate Singapore, the lifestyle didn’t quite fit me.
5. I love walking through cities, soaking in architecture, getting inspired by art, music, and spontaneous discoveries. Singapore has a bit of that, but its size and setup limit how far you can go.
6. Career-wise, it felt like I hit a ceiling. Most of the decision-making power sat in the West.

P.S. I still love Singapore. It’s an incredible place to live - I just outgrew it and needed something new 💚

#expatlife #travelife #mindovermatter #singapore

life_in_tokyo Two years ago, I found myself in the English countryside and instantly fell in love. Those fields, those views, those houses… straight out of a fairytale. I loved it so much I promised myself I’d come back. And let me tell you: in summer, it’s even more magical.

#england #countryside #summergarden #slowliving #cottagelife #thecotswolds #cotswolds_culture #cotswoldlife #beautifuldestinations #prettylittletrip

So here are my favourite villages in the most picturesque (and Instagrammable) part of the UK — the Cotswolds:
▫️Lacock
▫️Castle Combe
▫️Bourton-on-the-Water
▫️Snowshill
▫️Stow-on-the-Wold

life_in_tokyo Perfect kind of Sunday 💚
P.S.
I’m kind tired of polished videos, so here’s just snaps from life as it is. Let me know if I should do more like this.

#londonlife #london #outfitoftheday #doglovers #londonist #londondiaries #lifeabroad #boathouse #sundaymornings

life_in_tokyo Richmond, you were a dream. I’ll be back! probably in the same outfit💚

What I wore:
Sweater – mystery vintage from Melbourne
Skirt – same shop, same story
Boots – @celine (a little fancy never hurts)
Glasses – £10 magic from a London market

#londonlife #london #richmond #richmondhill #outfitoftheday #doglovers #bestparks #londonist

life_in_tokyo No color coding, no matching sets. Agree?

#couplefitcheck #thefitcheckcouple #fitcheck #outfitoftheday #coupleoutfits #europe #lookoftheday

life_in_tokyo 2 years ago, I had a wild idea - build a house in Bali.
At first? Dreamy.
Then construction started… and so did the chaos.

Building remotely in Indonesia is no joke - there were moments I thought we’d never finish.
Delays, miscommunications, unexpected costs - I probably aged a decade in one year.

But somehow, we made it.
@mezame.ubud is now welcoming guests, getting 5-star reviews, and becoming everything we dreamed of.

And me? I get to spend weekends like this 💚

#bali #balilifestyle #pinterestaesthetic #pinterestinspired #pinteresthome #balilife #balivilla #dreamhouse #airbnbhost

life_in_tokyo Dogs allowed on trains? Hallelujah!

life_in_tokyo My perfect Sunday morning in London. Call me old. Or, just old-fashioned😅

Who wants to join me?

#sundaymarket #farmersmarket #londonlife #farmersmarkets

life_in_tokyo Never take advice from someone who isn’t living a life you’d want. Honestly, the best advice ever.

#thisislondon #londonlife #visitlondon #london #movetollndon #londondiaries #lifeabroad #lifestyle #mindsetshift #bestadvice

life_in_tokyo A slow London morning, my way. Happy Friday!

#slowmornings #slowmorning #pinterestinspo #pinterestinspired #hydepark #slowmorningroutine #london #londonlife #hydepark

life_in_tokyo This is the 4th country I’ve lived in, and every time before a move, people around me would warn me about everything that could go wrong - all the reasons why I shouldn’t go. And they’re right: things can go well, or they can go very wrong. It is scary. But for me, the worst thing is staying stuck in a place that no longer serves you… and not even trying.

#thisislondon #londonlife #visitlondon #london #movetollndon #londondiaries #lifeabroad #lifestyle #mindsetshift