As this is our first blog post, we would like to use this opportunity to tell you a little bit about the journey of YOKOSO Japan and what matters to us the most
Back to the Start
Our journey started a couple of years back when we left the comfort of our homes to chase a big dream: living abroad for the first time.
This goes for our Japanese staff, making their experiences abroad, as well as our international team members, that realized their long anticipated dream of living in Japan.
We certainly all had high expectations and at the same time barely had a clue what was awaiting us once we would take a step into the whole wide world. But what counts is that despite the uncertainty, we brought up the courage to give it a try, and figure out anything else along the way.
New Beginnings: Life in Japan
The first days, weeks and months of our journey were filled with first experiences. The first time living away from our parents, the first time walking over Shibuya Crossing and being way to excited about it, the first time staying out all night without having 6 missed calls from your mom, the first time having a full conversation in Japanese, the first doing our own laundry, the first time trying our luck at a claw machine and pull any of the prizes, and so many more.
I remember these days as a blend of excitement and independence. Now, I might be the type to romanticize my life to the fullest, but to me there was something truly empowering about starting a new life abroad, in a city with seemingly endless opportunities, where you can be whoever you want to be.
Experience of a Lifetime?
But I’ll tell you the truth, living in Japan was chaotic at times. We were all living on savings from our piggy banks and what we could make from our part-time jobs, and most of us had never had to cook for ourselves, so our favourite meal was Cheese Gyudon from the Sukiya at the corner for 400 Yen, or to save even more money for our travels we had “Rice with Spice” (the recipe is really easy: just cook up some rice and add whatever you have left in the fridge to spice it up a little).
We clearly didn’t have much life experience and were all kinda figuring stuff out as we went. At the same time it was extremely comforting to be surrounded by a community of young internationals that shared the same dream and were making the same experiences as you. Before long the sharehouse felt like a little second home, providing comfort and a sense of belonging in the middle of the bustling city of Tokyo.
The people we met soon became good friends, some of them best friends and eventually friends for a lifetime. We shared unique cultural experiences, long nights that lasted until the sun rose again and the most fun trips all over Japan. Even if some days were challenging and chaotic, we undoubtedly made the best memories. Living alone in a foreign country helped us learn to take responsibility and get to know ourselves and our own culture better.
Cultural Exchange Beyond Sightseeing
Through our time in Japan, we realized that traveling is not just about visiting famous sights or ticking off bucket-list items. It’s about connection—connecting with people, with new ways of thinking, and even with parts of yourself you hadn’t yet discovered. The moments we cherished the most weren’t just about standing in front of Mount Fuji or walking through the neon-lit streets of Shinjuku. They were about the conversations we had with locals, the small gestures of kindness from strangers, and the shared laughter over language mishaps.
With YOKOSO Japan, we want to make cultural exchange more than just a concept. We want to bring people together through authentic experiences, whether it’s staying with a local family, joining a traditional festival, or working in a Japanese environment. We know firsthand how intimidating it can be to take that first step into a new culture, but we also know how rewarding it is when you do.
Our Values: What Matters to Us
Discovering a foreign culture first hand puts your own beliefs into perspective and fosters intercultural understanding. We were given the opportunity to make this experience ourselves and we believe that you can benefit from it just as much. That’s why we founded YOKOSO Japan — to create a bridge between cultures, offering others the same life-changing experiences that shaped us.
At the heart of YOKOSO Japan is a belief in authenticity, curiosity, and inclusivity. We want to create meaningful opportunities for cultural immersion and help others navigate the challenges of living, working, and traveling in Japan. Our team has been through it all—from struggling to order at a restaurant to mastering keigo (polite Japanese). We’ve experienced the highs of exploring a new world and the lows of feeling out of place. That’s why we’re committed to making the process easier for those who come after us.
We are Your Gate to the World
Our experiences have taught us that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to incredible growth, and we’re here to help you make that leap.
‘Yokoso’ (ようこそ) is the Japanese word for ‘Welcome’, and this is our message to everyone out there curious to visit Japan. Whether you’re looking to travel, study, or work in Japan, we want to be your guide and support system. We are waiting for you with open arms, and an open mind and have made it our mission to help make Japan your chosen home.
This is just the beginning of our journey at YOKOSO Japan, and we can’t wait to welcome you into our community. Japan changed our lives, and we hope it will change yours too.
Stay tuned for more stories, tips, and insights from our team!
Best regards
Your YOKOSO Japan Team
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