| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Electronics and Telecommunication, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| A leading Japanese manufacturer specializing in industrial boilers and related equipment. |
| SUMMARY |
| After receiving a job offer, an engineering student from India is now living and working in rural Japan. In this story, she reflects on her experiences as one of the company’s first foreign employees: how she navigated cultural differences, local workplace norms, and finding her footing in a new community. Along the way, she shares the small, heartfelt moments that shaped her journey and reveals how living in Japan has changed her. |
This is a follow-up on one of our successful engineering candidates’ succesThis is a follow-up on one of our successful engineering candidates’ success story, “Key to Career Success in Japan: Learn Japanese!”
Life Update: 1 Year After & How Working In Rural Japan Has Changed Me
It has been more than a year since I came to Japan. Living and working in rural Japan has changed me in ways I could have never imagined. I now call Matsuyama City my home.
Matsuyama is a peaceful place where the streets become quiet by 8:00 PM. But even with the calm surroundings, my life here has been full of surprises and excitement. Let me take you through my first year of working and living in Japan.
Working As One Of The First Foreign Talents In A Japanese Company
When I first joined the company and started working in rural Japan, I was one of the first two foreign employees. Everything is new for everyone. This means I wasn’t the only one doing the adjusting.
My Japanese teammates also had to figure out how to work with someone from a different background. But from day one, they’ve been incredibly kind and welcoming. They’ve gone out of their way to make sure I felt included and comfortable in the workplace.
Bridging the language barrier
At first, my teammates thought we didn’t speak English but only Hindi. (Fun fact: India has many languages, and my native language is actually Marathi!) So, during our very first meeting, they thoughtfully translated all the presentations and documents into Hindi.
We had to clear things up and explain that we actually speak English and Japanese, so there was no need to translate everything into Hindi. It was a funny little misunderstanding, but also a nice reminder of how kind and considerate everyone was from the very beginning.
These days, most materials come with English translations, which helps us follow along in meetings. Still, I have to admit that even now, I can’t fully catch everything native Japanese speakers say, especially when they speak fast. So, I’ve learned to be honest and say when I don’t understand, and ask them to repeat or explain things.
Sometimes, it even gets to the point where they write things down on a notepad so I can understand. At first, it felt a bit awkward, and I felt like I was bothering them, but I’ve realized that true communication takes patience on both sides. It’s always better to clarify than assume!
Adapting to the Japanese ways of working
For me, the Japanese style of working is truly impressive. I’ve learned so much since joining a Japanese company. One thing I really admire is how much importance they place on teamwork. It’s not just about individual performance. Everyone works together and supports each other.
Another thing that stands out is the level of discipline. People manage their time and tasks so efficiently, often completing things well before the deadline. There’s a real sense of responsibility and commitment in everything they do.
And then there’s the planning. Before a project even begins, there can be months of careful preparation. Every detail is thought through. Because of that, once the actual work starts, things move smoothly and efficiently. It’s amazing how thorough planning can make execution look almost effortless. Overall, working in a Japanese company has taught me the true value of teamwork and discipline!
Getting acquainted with my Japanese colleagues
One thing I’ve learned from working here is that Japanese people can be quite shy at first. Sometimes, that shyness might be mistaken for snobbishness, but it’s not that at all. They’re often just a bit hesitant to speak English or to talk directly in the beginning.
But once that initial barrier fades, everything becomes much easier and more natural. These days, we work together smoothly and comfortably.
We even have company dinners every month called nomikai. What touches me most is how considerate everyone is. They always check first if the restaurant has vegetarian options for me. And best of all, there’s no pressure to drink. You can just relax, enjoy good food, and spend time with your teammates outside of work.
I Got to Travel to Different Parts of Japan
When I first came to Japan, one of the things I was most looking forward to was traveling and exploring the country. And I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to do just that even with a full-time job.
Starting close to home, I visited the famous Matsuyama Castle and the beautiful Dogo Onsen, which looks just like the bathhouse from Spirited Away. I’ve also had the chance to travel with friends to Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and visit incredible places like Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Most recently, I returned from Tokyo, which has such an exciting and lively vibe. I even got to see the Hachiko statue and experience the energy of Shibuya Crossing! Along the way, I’ve discovered so many new and delicious vegetarian dishes like gyoza, ramen, and okonomiyaki.
I’m really grateful that I get to explore Japan not just as a tourist, but as someone who’s living here!
Living In Japan as A Vegetarian
Where I’m living now, vegetarian options are somewhat limited, so I cook a lot of my meals myself. I usually get my ingredients from a nearby Indian store, and for harder-to-find items, my family either sends them by courier. You can also find many ingredients on Amazon Japan, which is a real lifesaver!
Some of my favorite Indian dishes to cook are Dal Chawal, Pani Puri, Pav Bhaji, Rajma Chawal, Chole, and Biryani. Yes, all of these dishes are totally possible to make here in Japan!
How Living In Rural Japan Changed Me
Before I came to Japan, I was very scared that I would get homesick. And when I came here, everything was new to me — the language, the people. At first, I was scared about how I would manage all these things. But over time, I was able to adjust to my new environment. And in the process, a new me also emerged.
- I became more active. I now walk up to 30,000 steps a day without complaining about it. Haha! Recently, I bought a bicycle to get around town more easily — something I probably would never have done back home, since the city I’m from is more car-centric.
- I improved my time management. Living and working here has taught me to be more disciplined and plan my days better.
- I got better at garbage disposal. Maybe this sounds random, but Japan’s strict rules for sorting waste have made me far more mindful about my own trash.
- I explored new hobbies. I’ve joined various clubs and tried activities like pottery, table tennis, and flower arrangement (ikebana). These experiences have made my life here more fun!
Making Friends In Japan As A Foreigner
I had to put effort into making new friends. Making local friends in Japan can be challenging due to the language barrier. However, once people realize that you speak Japanese, they can be very friendly and open. One thing I’ve noticed is that it takes time for Japanese people to warm up. Unlike in India, where you can strike up a conversation and quickly form a friendship, Japanese people tend to be more reserved, at least in my experience.
Of course, I also connect with the Indian community here. I’ve made several new Indian friends, and we often meet to catch up or even travel around Japan together.
I’ve also had the chance to meet people from all over the world, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. We chat after work, sometimes go to karaoke, and they even introduce me to their cultures, which has been a wonderful experience.
It’s been amazing to be able to meet people from all walks of life! It’s one of the things that I’m grateful for.
Beyond Career Success in Japan: A Life-Changing Experience Working In Rural Japan
Living and working in rural Japan has been a life-changing experience for me, to say the least. I’ve become a new, better person because of it. I was expecting to grow, but I couldn’t have anticipated it to be like this: better, beyond my imagination. Being in Japan, everything fell into place. Everything felt like it was where it should be, including me, an Indian thousands of miles away from home. Being in the right place at the right time kept me grounded yet inspired.
In Japan, I got to pursue “Life”. When I say “life”, I mean all its possibilities! All the places you can go to, new hobbies to try, new friends to make — everything is accessible. It pushes you to live life fully because everything is there just waiting for you to go for it. From the efficient trains and infrastructure to the cultural hotspots, to the magical natural wonders, and perhaps most especially to the people bubbling to share experiences with you if only you reach out.
You would think that after a year, I’d be disillusioned. But my experiences have made my idea of Japan even brighter and more vibrant. The image I have of Japan now, compared to last year, is even brighter. Today, I feel like Japan has carved its place into my heart and mind. Even if, for some reason, I need to leave tomorrow, Japan would remain that bright light in my memory. Thankfully, I plan on sticking here for longer, and I’m not going to take a second for granted. Every single moment of my life here is precious to me, and I look forward to making more memories.
Japan is this big, colorful book, and you just have to turn the page to experience it all.
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