Finding My Voice Between Two Cultures

When you think of Japan, clean streets, amazing food, and kind people may come to mind—and that’s true. But being born and raised in Japan, it didn’t feel like a fantasy every day.

I started to feel different from others in my early teens, but it really became clear during a one-week homestay in the U.S. That experience showed me that it’s okay to be different and to have your own opinions.

Back at school in Japan, though, I was often bullied for those same differences and for speaking my mind.

Lost Far From Home

After I came back from the U.S., I felt like I no longer fit into the Japanese school system or society. That feeling led me to enroll in an agricultural university in England, where I studied equine management (basically, the study of horses!).

I was excited to finally be out of Japan, but just a few months later, I found myself feeling lost and depressed. I desperately wanted to go back to Japan—I was young and naive, and I wasn’t ready to live abroad on my own.

My Second Beginning

I left Japan determined that I would never come back—but not long after, I found myself miserable and returning home.

Still, I hadn’t given up on the idea of living abroad. Luckily, I was able to restart my university life in Tokyo, studying business in an English-speaking environment where I was the only Japanese student in the classroom.

During that time, I met my current husband, Harrison, who is Canadian. After graduating, we decided to move to Vancouver together.

Rediscovering Japan Through Food

During my time in Vancouver, I started to miss Japanese food deeply—I found myself going to Japanese supermarkets and restaurants whenever I could. It was the first time I realized that no matter how much my way of thinking became more westernized, my taste preferences never really changed.

I also began to appreciate the good sides of Japan—affordable healthcare, delicious food at reasonable prices, and the cleanliness of the streets and even public toilets.

Turning Passion Into Purpose

Cooking had always been my hobby, but I never imagined turning it into a career. My friend Cheryl, a health coach, noticed my passion for cooking and kept encouraging me to start hosting classes—she never gave up on me.

About a year after returning to Japan—this time to Okinawa—I began hosting group cooking experiences for military-affiliated Americans living on the island with a local friend. That eventually led me to create and host private half-day retreats.

Finding Comfort in My Own Country

The bottom line is, my younger self never felt like she truly fit into Japanese culture and society. But living abroad helped me appreciate Japanese food on a deeper level—and made me realize that every country has its flaws; no place is perfect.

Now, for the first time in my life, I feel comfortable living in my own country—and a big part of that is thanks to the connection I’ve built through food.

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