Hi, I'm Mog! 🤗
Ready to discover the real Japan through the eyes of someone who actually lives here?
About Me
I'm a working mom raising my daughter in Kyoto.
My career has taken me through education, web planning, and teaching at a computer school and I currently work in Quality Assurance (QA). Through dialogue with people from all kinds of backgrounds, I focus on process design and building management systems that help create safe, reliable products.
This blog started because of the friendships I made on HelloTalk, a language exchange app. As I connected with people from around the world, I kept getting questions about Japan and a short social media post was never enough to answer them properly. That desire to share the real Japan, in full, is what became Here in Japan.
What I Love
- 🌸 Feeling the shift of the seasons-
- 🎨 Appreciating beautiful design
- 📚 Reading, writing, and eating
- 🏺 Learning about craftsmanship and cultural heritage
About This Blog
I share the everyday side of Japan that guidebooks don't cover.
- 🍜 Japanese food and daily life
- 🌸 Seasonal events and traditional culture
- 📈 How Japan has changed over the past 30 years
- 🏢 Work culture and the Japanese mindset
- 🏫 School life and education in Japan
I believe in being honest — sharing not just what's wonderful about Japan, but also what
I personally find disappointing. This is my perspective, and I hope it feels like a letter from a friend who lives here.
Every topic carries layers of history, culture, and differing opinions. My articles are just one perspective among many. I encourage you to also explore official sources, data, and other voices and most of all, to form your own view of Japan.
How Blogging Has Changed Me
Since I started writing, I've become a much more careful observer of everyday life. Every day brings a new discovery! I've started questioning habits I once took for granted, and learning about different cultures and ways of thinking from friends abroad has truly expanded my world.
It's also given me a dream: to visit your country someday and experience your culture firsthand.
Please share it with me — I'm happy to connect with people from every corner of the world.
About Updates
My goal is to post every Friday.
That said, I want to keep this blog going for a lifetime, so I'm committed to a sustainable pace — without burning out.
Honestly? My biggest struggle right now is wishing I had more time to write! 😅
About the English
I write my articles in Japanese and translate them into English with the help of AI. I sometimes wonder if everything comes across the way I intend — but readers have been so kind in pointing out mistakes, and that support is truly what has kept this blog alive.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. If you spot anything unnatural or incorrect, I'd love to hear from you. I'm always happy to improve!
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end.
With love from Japan, Mog ☘️