Family Moves to Japan After 8 Years, Learns Lost Identity Isn’t on Google Translate
KEY POINTS
- •Kerri King and her family spent eight years preparing to move from New Zealand to Japan, including extensive language study and private tutoring.
- •They moved in 2023, expecting practical challenges but instead struggled with feelings of loss and loneliness despite Japan’s reliable trains and advanced healthcare.
- •Kerri found building friendships difficult due to language and cultural barriers, and overseas grieving was complicated by distance when her grandmother died in 2024.
Kerri King and her family executed an eight-year, meticulously choreographed dance from New Zealand to Japan, complete with university-level Japanese courses, private tutoring for their daughter, and stalking Tokyo grocery vlogs like it was the stock market. They imagined bulletproof plans covering specialized health clinics to city paperwork, yet still fell spectacularly into the identity void upon arrival in 2023. After living there for two and a half years, Kerri confesses that despite flawless train punctuality and noise-cancelling headphone battles at school, she’s officially the queen of Google Translate-induced panic and a parcel left undelivered for six months. Spoiler: Japanese community ≠ instant coffees and chitchat.
Share the Story
(1 of 3)Poised for the perfect Japan life after 8 years of prep, only to discover the real culture shock is forgetting who you even are without Kiwi backup.
Thought 8 years of prep meant conquering Japan. Nope, just mastered the art of pretending Google Translate is a trusted friend.
When your meticulously planned Tokyo move ends up as a 6-month undelivered parcel and a PhD in social imposter syndrome.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 3/9/2026 | Author: Kerri King
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