I left Japan after 4 years, here’s why.

Sabrina’s Move to Montréal

After four years in Japan, Sabrina moved to Montréal, Canada, with her husband and daughter. Leaving was difficult: Japan had become home, where her daughter went to school, the family made friends, and they enjoyed local culture and experiences such as festivals (matsuri) and ryokans. Sabrina still loves Japan, but felt ready for new challenges in work, life, and study.

The move was also about finding a better balance. Daily life in Japan could be demanding because of cultural differences and the ongoing effort of learning Japanese. Meanwhile, France, where Sabrina grew up, no longer felt entirely familiar after the family had been away for 12 years.

Montréal appealed to the family as a French-speaking, multicultural city with a creative atmosphere, nearby nature, and a different pace of life.

A New Chapter

Sabrina plans to share the family’s adjustment to Canada, including everyday routines such as grocery shopping, navigating schools, and understanding road signs. She also wants to explore how Canada differs from Japan and what the family comes to appreciate about Montréal.

She misses Japanese food, though she was surprised by how many Japanese restaurants Montréal has. The channel’s format and name will change to reflect this new chapter.

Notable Details

• Speaker: Sabrina, a French creator who lived in Japan with her family before moving to Canada
• Locations: France, London, Scotland, Tokyo, and Montréal
• Notable experiences: Japanese festivals (matsuri), ryokans, and exploring Japanese food culture