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Japan, without the hype

Thinking about moving to Japan?
Already living here and wondering if something is normal?
Or just curious what daily life in Japan is really like?

Join me for a relaxed one-on-one conversation where you can ask anything about living in Hokkaido and life in Japan.

No scripts. No hype. Just honest answers from someone who actually lives here.

$20 · 40 minutes · Online

[ Book a Session ]

A man smiling and holding a blue and silver mug in front of a background with a wooden cuckoo clock, a small teddy bear with an American flag, two teddy bears with winter hats and scarves, and a houseplant.

Hi, I’m John. I’m an American living in northern Japan. I learned most things here the hard way.

What Is This?

Hokkaido Life with John is a casual, 40-minute online chat about real life in Japan.

No lessons.
No hype.
No sales pitch.

Just an honest conversation based on lived experience.

This is a personal side project by the founder of A-1 English School, separate from English lessons.

A man and a woman taking a selfie outdoors in a snowy area with a clock tower and a building with people in the background.

Who Am I?

I’m John—an American living in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, with my wife, Mutsumi.

I don’t offer a “perfect Japan story.” I offer a real one—life in the north, far from the big cities, where Japan feels less polished and more wild.

A blue mountain bike parked in front of a panda sculpture statue on a stone base, with a brick building and a signboard in the background.

What Can You Ask About?

You can ask about anything related to living in Japan, especially from the perspective of someone living in Hokkaido.
Some common topics people are curious about include:

  • Daily life in Hokkaido — both the good and the frustrating

  • Culture shock and adjusting to life in Japan

  • Teaching English in Japan

  • Food, shopping, and everyday routines

  • What surprises foreigners most about Japan

  • Life outside Tokyo and other big cities (rural living in Hokkaido)

  • Cost of living and budgeting — especially since salaries are usually paid once a month

  • Housing and apartments (not everyone is willing to rent to foreigners)

  • Work culture and expectations — and the “work culture shock” many foreigners experience

  • Making friends and building a social life in Japan, and how understanding Japanese culture plays a part in it

  • Language barriers and survival strategies — can you live in Japan with zero Japanese? (yes and no)

  • Weather and surviving Hokkaido winters

  • Aging in Japan as a foreigner

  • Things you wish you knew before coming (for example, navigating city hall)

This is just a relaxed conversation where you can ask questions and talk about life in Japan.

If you're curious about life in Japan, feel free to book a conversation with John.

Book a conversation with John
A city street with trees and people walking, lined with various shops and signs in Japanese, with a clear blue sky.

What This Is (and Isn’t)

This is:

  • A relaxed, friendly conversation

  • Based on personal experience

  • Honest and practical

  • A safe place for “dumb” questions

This is not:

  • Legal advice

  • Visa or immigration consulting

  • Job placement

  • Government or official guidance

Red fire hydrant on snow-covered ground on a street in front of a house with snow and ice on the road and sidewalk, house with trees, and parked car.

How It Works

  1. Click Book a Session

  2. Choose a time using my scheduler

  3. Pay $20

  4. Meet online for 40 minutes

  5. Ask anything you want

Come with questions — or don’t.
We’ll just talk.

Stone steps leading up to a traditional Japanese shrine entrance with a large torii gate, surrounded by tall trees and forest.

Life in Japan isn’t just neon lights and big cities.

Sometimes it’s quiet, green, and unexpected.

Your Questions, Answered

  • No.
    This is not an English class. It’s a conversation about living in Japan.

  • No.
    Many people book sessions before moving or while deciding.

  • I can share personal experience, but I can’t give legal or official advice.

  • That’s fine.
    Questions usually come up naturally.

  • No — but I live in Hokkaido, so I can speak honestly about life outside major cities.

  • No.
    Sessions are private and not recorded.

  • I use Zoom.
    Details are sent after booking.
    DOn’t worry, you don’t need a Zoom account.

A man wearing a helmet and outdoor jacket giving a thumbs-up in front of a sign that reads 'Daishan Harbour District' in both Chinese and English, with trees and greenery in the background.

All answers are based on personal experience and opinion.

I am not a lawyer, immigration consultant, or government representative.

Ready to Talk?

If Japan is on your mind, let’s talk.

$25 · 60 minutes · Online

[ Book Your Conversation ]