There is a very specific type of panic that hits expat parents around 2:00 AM. It usually starts with a cough from the bunk bed, followed by the undeniable heat of a fever radiating off a small forehead. Back in Michigan, I knew the drill: call our pediatrician, maybe hit the 24-hour urgent care down … Read more
There are days when living in Japan feels like a beautifully curated movie—cherry blossoms falling into your tea, efficient trains gliding into the station, the kids laughing under a shrine gate. And then, there are days when you have to go to the Ward Office (Kuyakusho). If you’ve been following our journey from the chaotic … Read more
When we decided to leave Tokyo, the biggest question wasn’t “why” (we were tired of the rush hour crush and the concrete jungle), but “where” in Fukuoka we should actually plant our roots. My husband (the Kyoto-born, Michigan-raised outdoorsman) immediately pointed to the map where the green mountains met the sea and said, “There. Itoshima.” … Read more
The coffee on our dining table had gone cold hours ago. Spread out before us was a chaotic collage of pamphlets, tuition fee schedules, and scribbled notes on the pros and cons of “Nihongo” (Japanese) versus “English.” If you are reading our main guide, Living in Fukuoka with Kids: The Complete Expat Guide to Moving … Read more
I still remember the exact moment my husband and I decided we couldn’t do Tokyo anymore. It wasn’t a dramatic event. It was a Tuesday evening. I was staring at a receipt for three apples that cost more than my lunch, while my husband—fresh off a packed train from Shinjuku—was trying to comfort our crying … Read more
Meta Description: Planning a move to Japan? Discover why families are choosing Fukuoka over Tokyo. A complete guide to housing, international schools, visas, and the cost of living for expats in 2026. Introduction: Why Fukuoka is Japan’s Best-Kept Secret for Families When most families think about moving to Japan, they picture the neon lights of … Read more
