Every summer, Ehime bids farewell to a cohort of ALTs who arrived as strangers and leave as a part of a community. Whether you stayed for a year or five, your footprint stays behind.
Welcome to the first edition of The Departure Lounge! In this annual feature, we highlight long-term reflections alongside the collective wisdom, hilarity, and core memories from our departing JETs. We hope that with this time capsule, we can celebrate our senpais’ fulfilling journeys, and learn a thing or two.
Here, we spotlight two very different reflections on what it means to live, work, and eventually say goodbye in Japan. From five years of deep roots in Imabari to a vibrant, laughter-filled year of embracing the art of the blunder at seventy, these essays capture the heart, humor, and inevitable bittersweetness of their JET journeys.
When I first accepted my placement on JET, I told myself I would stay for three years.
Three years felt like the perfect amount of time. Long enough to experience life in Japan, grow as a person, travel, make memories, and then return to the Philippines to begin the next chapter of my life.
At least, that was the plan.
Three years became four. Four became five. And somehow, five years still does not feel like enough.
As my final weeks in Ehime approach, I find myself wishing I could slow time down. What I never expected was how deeply this place would become a part of me.
Like many JETs, I arrived in Japan excited for the adventure ahead. I expected to discover a new country, experience a different culture, and grow professionally. What I did not expect was to discover a new version of myself.
Over these five years, I discovered parts of myself that I did not know existed. I learned that I was stronger and braver than I thought, but I also learned that it was okay to be vulnerable. I discovered that I could be gentle, kind, and resilient all at the same time.
I knew from the beginning that JET would not last forever. I thought that if I gave myself enough time to prepare, I would be ready when the goodbye finally came. But here I am, just a month away from the end of my contract, staring at a stack of empty moving boxes sitting untouched in my apartment.
At first, I told myself I was just procrastinating. That I was busy. That I would start packing tomorrow. But I realized it was never really about the boxes.
Packing meant accepting that this chapter was ending. And even after five years of knowing this day would come, I still find it difficult to fully embrace.
The truth is, the people around me made leaving difficult in the best possible way.
My students, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and everyone who welcomed me into their lives showed me a kindness and acceptance I will never forget. What began as a temporary chapter of my life became a life filled with meaningful connections, unforgettable memories, and people who made me feel like I truly belonged.
I never expected that I would find family here too. Not by blood, but one that is built through shared meals, long conversations, celebrations, challenges, and ordinary moments that slowly became precious. The friendships I made on my JET journey became the kind of friendships I never expected to find so far away from home.
Perhaps that is why saying goodbye feels so heavy. It is not because I forgot that JET was temporary. It is because I never expected something temporary to mean so much.
I spent years preparing myself to leave, but I accidentally built a life I did not want to leave behind.
To future Ehime JETs, my advice is simple: invest in the people around you.
You will come to Japan to teach, but make sure you leave room to learn as well. Learn from your students, your coworkers, your neighbors, your fellow JETs, and the community that welcomes you. Learn from the version of yourself that you’ll eventually outgrow, too. Some of the lessons that stay with you the longest might not come from teaching at all.
Say yes more often than feels comfortable. Attend the festival. Accept the invitation to dinner. Visit the places people recommend. Try something unfamiliar, even if it feels a little scary.
Open yourself up to meeting new people, but also nurture the relationships that become your constants. Keep the people who make you feel at home close. Show kindness freely. You will be surprised how often the kindness you give comes back to you, sometimes tenfold.
The risk of getting attached is that saying goodbye hurts. But the reward is that you build a life worth missing.
As I prepare to leave Ehime, I find myself filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the students who taught me patience and joy. Gratitude for the coworkers who supported me. Gratitude for the friends who became family. Gratitude for every challenge, mistake, and unexpected moment that shaped me into the person I am today.
Five years ago, I boarded a plane believing I was leaving home behind. What I did not know was that home is not always the place you are born into. Sometimes, home is something you build slowly through familiar faces, morning greetings, shared laughter, inside jokes, and people who choose to welcome you into their lives.
The boxes will eventually be packed. The apartment will be emptied. My contract will end. The routines that shaped my life for the last five years will become memories. But endings do not erase what came before them. The people I met, the lessons I learned, and the person I became in Ehime will travel with me wherever I go next.
For a long time, I thought the hardest part of JET would be learning how to live far away from home.
It turns out the hardest part is leaving a place that became one.
My major accomplishment since moving to Japan last year has been to dramatically improve my ability to screw up. On my first day driving backwards in Japan, I discovered why water drainage mizo are called “gaijin traps.” I frequently missed appointments, forgot to bring important documents to meetings, sat reading in the staff room when I should have been teaching, and inadvertently offended colleagues with my lack of cultural awareness.
A notable highlight was narrowly avoiding being arrested for trespassing by a very angry police officer.
The cumulative humiliation, embarrassment, and erosion of self-esteem created by these episodes may have crushed a younger me, but I have come to realize, after 70 years, that most of life’s problems can be overcome with a positive attitude, a large glass of scotch, and a good night’s sleep.
Having fallen in love with Japan and Zen philosophy in my 20s through reading D.T. Suzuki, Alan Watts, and Eugen Herrigel, I was keen to further my study of Japanese culture. Watts advised that it was a waste of time to try and understand this exotic mode of thought by reading books. He suggested practicing a traditional Japanese art form such as Shodo, Ikebana, Chado, or perhaps one of the martial arts. I stored this information away until a violent episode at a drunken New Year’s party indicated an urgent need for anger management therapy.
A fellow musician introduced me to his karate Sensei. The physical intensity of karate combined with the numerous Japanese rituals was catnip to me and proved a perfect medium to sublimate my aggressive tendencies, allowing me to function as a somewhat civilized Canadian. A fulfilling 36-year career teaching karate, four trips to Japan, and several occasions hosting Okinawan karateka in Toronto deepened my respect and passion for Japanese culture and traditions. I wanted more and wrote down this goal: “I will live in Japan for an extended period.”
I sold my dojo and retired in 2024, and for just over a year I settled into a blissful daily routine of Tai Chi and archery in the mornings, music in the afternoons, and dinner with my family in the evenings. This carefree lifestyle ended when my Japanese-Canadian spouse expressed her desire to explore her family’s roots by working as a teacher in Japan for “a year or so.”
I immediately agreed to accompany her, and we submitted our applications. We blinked and arrived excited and exhausted in Matsuyama in August 2025.
My initial impression was that everything in Japan seems smaller than in Canada. My JTE’s Kei car looked like it belonged in a cartoon. How can they be so small outside and so big inside? I christened it the Tardis.
I also realized quickly that Japan is a land of contradictions. Not everything makes sense. It’s illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in Japan, but please feel free to watch television. Sensei’s car had a screen bigger than my iPad, and she monitored a baseball game all the way to Imabari. The Tigers won the game, we arrived safely, and after a few days acclimatizing to the vicious heat, we went to work.
I love teaching and was excited to have the opportunity to try my hand at teaching English. I had an idea to use music and humor to motivate my students into becoming skilled English conversationalists. My first three weeks were encouraging. I taught a couple of self-introduction classes each day, and the students seemed to enjoy my schtick. I was shocked when, after having met every kid in the school, my schedule suddenly went blank.
My role became assessing group presentations, helping the occasional contestant in an English speech contest, and marking essays and exams. This was not what I’d signed up for, but I deduced that it was because what I had to offer was useless to both students and teachers. A high school ALT can add little value to the Japanese method of teaching English, as the system’s primary goal is to prepare students for university entrance exams. English language proficiency is judged by reading and writing, and there is no need to speak a single word of English. The teachers didn’t even invite me into their classrooms, in spite of my requests.
I accepted my fate and chose to use the creative energy that this new environment was sparking in my brain to write songs, poems, and lesson plans during my long days in the staff room. I had already written a couple of songs for my Jiko Shokai and had performed my “Ode to Imabari” on the local radio station during an interview. I was inspired by small-town life. Riding past rice fields on my clunky mama-chari, I found myself singing out loud as new lyrical and musical ideas continually sprung into my mind. I awarded myself the honorary position of writer-in-residence and greedily searched for and consumed the cultural tidbits that floated through the staff room atmosphere.
I visited the Karuta after-school club to find students playing a high-energy card game based on thousand-year-old poems. The Shodo, Kendo, and Kyudo clubs welcomed me as an honored guest whenever I dropped by for a dose of bunka.
Another byproduct of my desk-warming days was the tremendous respect I developed for Japanese teachers. I felt humbled by the dedication of my colleagues, who routinely put in twelve-hour days and work weekends with enthusiasm and without complaint. The culture may change, as I have been told there is a problem recruiting new teachers because of the insane workload demanded by the profession.
Having settled into a routine, I could now look around more calmly and think about what was happening to me. This was the second time I had been an immigrant, and my first as a visible minority. It is wonderfully liberating to leave one’s home environment and surround yourself with new people. You can reinvent yourself and become whoever you want to be. Nobody knows you, and nobody tells you what you should or shouldn’t do. However, you also cannot speak, read, or understand a thing. You must resort to communicating with gestures, tone of voice, broken Japanese, and telepathic instinct. You may be sophisticated, witty, and charming (or think you are) in your native tongue, but in Japanese, you are just a bumbling fool.
This old fool decided, “If they won’t let me teach, I’m still going to interact with the students.” I’d eat an early lunch, grab my ukulele, and sit in the garden singing songs to the kids who were enjoying an outdoor lunch break. I love these kids. They are super-bright, small-town kids with few inhibitions and a charming naïveté that Canadian kids don’t have. They’d sing along with me and suggest songs they liked. I’d do my homework and come back ready to go, which delighted them almost as much as it thrilled me.
The bell to end lunch would ring, and I would run back to the staff room for my favorite activity of the day: Soji. In Canada, the daily ritual cleaning of my karate dojo was ingrained into my identity through long practice, and I happily accepted my assignment to the staff room cleaning crew.
Another myth was soon to be busted: Japan’s legendary cleanliness. I realized that although staff and students enthusiastically clean for ten minutes daily, the school is essentially filthy. In my Canadian dojo, although we cleaned daily, I still paid a professional cleaning company to come in three days a week. Not once in the past ten months did I see a cleaning crew enter my Japanese high school, yet it was obvious that their services were desperately needed.
And what’s up with brushing your teeth and spitting in public?
Being on the lowest rung of the staff room status ladder, I have the seat next to the sinks. On my first day of school, I heard gargling and horking behind me and turned to see a teacher facing me as he brushed his teeth. It seemed wildly inappropriate to me, but after witnessing it dozens of times daily, I am now proud to announce I can also brush my teeth in public without embarrassment—though I cannot bring myself to gargle and spit noisily. I also face away from the staff room, looking at my slightly embarrassed image in the mirror. The most confident staff toothbrushers stand facing the staff room, gazing blankly into midair as they work on getting a good mouthful of frothy toothpaste away before turning to hork and dribble into the sink.
I have been treated with both kindness and indifference by many of my fellow staff members, while others have actively—and in some cases aggressively—ignored me. I had returned from a trip and brought little treats to share. Being unsure of good form and wishing not to disturb people who were working, I placed my offerings on desks while the staff room was mostly empty. Most teachers thanked me and some ignored the gesture, but one took it upon themselves to demonstrate the right way to do it by handing out omiyage loudly and ostentatiously to every teacher in our seating area except me. I later realized it was a Japanese lesson in etiquette.
Rather than becoming upset and withdrawing into my essay marking, I chose to set myself the task of winning them over by demonstrating my respect for the privilege of being admitted to their workplace. I bowed formally every time I entered or left the staff room. I took on the lunchtime Soji duty of emptying each teacher’s garbage can and replenishing the staff kettle. These jobs I stole from other teachers by starting cleaning two minutes before they usually did, and they didn’t complain. I also understood and appreciated that some teachers’—and my own—reluctance to interact was because their English and my Japanese were insufficient for a pleasant chat. But I smiled and bowed a lot and studied my Duolingo. At the end-of-term nomikai, I discovered that both their English and my Japanese improved with a couple of drinks, and we had pleasant, mostly coherent conversations.
There were ten English teachers in my school, so I had few opportunities to speak Japanese, which was frustrating as I wanted to make as much progress as possible. A solution offered itself through my musical activities: I met some bluegrass musicians. Yes, that’s what I said—American bluegrass fanatics! They were skilled musicians, and they generously introduced me to their community. I found myself commuting to Matsuyama monthly to sing country songs in a basement bar and hang out afterwards in an izakaya. This was more my style, and it led to other opportunities.
I played a St. Patrick’s Day gig in the streets of the Imabari Ginza, singing “Molly Malone” to a handful of enthusiastic Guinness drinkers. I was invited to a house party in Oshima where talented musicians socialized over a potluck dinner and then took turns doing 20-minute sets. A highlight was going on the road to perform at the “Blue Brew Brewery Bluegrass Festival” in Nyodogawa (I’m not kidding, that was the name!).
In all of these situations, I was treated with great kindness, respect, and genuine warmth. I felt a closeness to people I could barely understand, like they were long-lost friends, and almost always there turned out to be some curiously similar interest or experience that we had shared in our very different lives. I often used the phrase “there are no coincidences” to remark on the many synchronous events that my life in Japan offered up.
Occasionally, I found myself in the presence of someone who made it clear through body language that they disapproved of my presence. My white privilege hackles were raised by their actions, but rather than being aggressive or ignoring them, I drew attention to myself by bowing deeply to them and excusing myself with my assorted apologetic expressions. I still don’t know which to use when, so I run them together into a “Shitsurei, sumimasen, gomen nasai” verbal stew.
Being only able to function at the verbal and literary level of a child, I have found that, happily, my sense of wonder has been sharpened. I take photos of flowers and bushes, ears of rice, and weeds. I am fascinated that new blossoms appear every month of the year (doesn’t happen in Canada). As I ride by the two tiny ancient ladies who tend a huge garden near my apartment, my soul sings with joy for reasons I don’t understand. People on the street say “Konnichiwa” as I ride by, and the bliss button is pressed again. I love it when the old lady at the grocery store giggles every time she cashes me out and I try to thank her in Japanese.
I sing out loud when I ride my bike because I feel so damned happy to have been privileged to spend a year absorbing this ancient culture and having an insider’s view of the culture shock the younger generations are going through. They eat McDonald’s for lunch and Grandma’s oden for dinner.
Japan has captured my heart, and I plan to return to Imabari annually for my St. Patrick’s Day gig and to watch the sakura bloom and die.
I am grateful to my wonderful wife Margaret for the inspiration and support to make this trip. Without her love and care, I would not have been able to float through this magical year. I love you, Margaret. I am also grateful to my fellow JETs who have been so kind to “the old guy.” I wish you all well and leave with a tinge of jealousy for your youth. If I were 23, I would be figuring out how to stay here permanently.
What an amazing country. What an amazing opportunity.
Don’t waste a second of this wonderful life. Carpe Diem.
We asked our departing 2026 cohort to look back on their time in Ehime, share their funniest mishaps, and offer advice to those following in their footsteps.
Chuyo ALT, 2024-2026
Cooking and minding your own business LOL
When I first landed in Japan, it felt more like entering the first stages of any video game. You will expect the rest of the levels to be harder as you progress, but finally having to chance to put my own life skills into a test (such as living along, taking care of myself). I cannot be more excited to see whether I live up to my own expectations (or completely fail LOL). As I approach my final days of staying in Japan, I always remind myself, similar to what Tobey McGuire Spiderman said: “Trying to do better” I wouldn’t say I did a fantastic job or really proved myself, I always look for improvement. But from what I can slightly conclude from my time here, I know I did not let myeslf down.
Waking up at 9:30 a.m. on a school day.
Getting held hostage by a group of 12 elementary school boys in the summer camp. Got pinned down in a tatami room during bed time and had both my arms used as a pillow, thus paralyzing me. Is this what it’s like to be a Dad?!
I don’t really feel “belonged” here, and I think the gap between me and the coworkers/students is what makes it special. A student went up to me once and said ”先生、電車の中に先生みたいな中国語喋る人がおります” which to me is one of the biggest ROASTS, but I found it super funny. I believe that the fact that I don’t belong here is what made this special relationship… memorable. We can roast each other, compliment each other; it’s part of what a beautiful relationship/memory should look like.
Happy place? JR Matsuyama Toilet (I’m telling you, 11/10 toilet, best toilet of Ehime. It’s always clean, high-quality urinals and all. Top-notch convenience as well).
Just kidding. My house. And occasionally Surugaya, Tam Tam, or Hobby/Hard Off.
I would tell myself: “Know when to look forward, and when is enough. You have people waiting for you at home.”
Every ALT should try Iriko (dry sardines >:) ) and Shishamo (the slightly larger sardine).
Stay real, learn to read the room, be grateful of where we are and the people we are surrounded with. I always remind myself how lucky I am to be even hired into the JET programme, let alone being placed in a school IN Japan. We are getting paid more than most teachers yet we are likely working less than 50% of their workloads. Some circumstances may be different, but just saying. Be grateful.
First off, physically, I’m 5 kg heavier on average LOL (eating well? Maybe?). I’ve definitely learnt quite a lot about life, having met some of the GREATEST co-workers (shout out to y’all), learning from each other, working together. I think now I am more clear on how the world works (at least I think, can’t be very sure), how people act and how I should act in different situations. The person at the airport back then just saw a random soy sauce bottle with my name on it? (cough) and knew I was in for a treat. Aside from that, I never thought teaching would have such a big effect on my life, now I want to do it to help the next generation of children.
ふ る さ と 体 験
The Gouf, The Zeong and The Gelgoog, all cuddled up. We are one team. We will win together. We will go down. Together.
Chuyo ALT, 2021-2026
Surprisingly, making maps through Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
My first few weeks in Japan was extremely rough, I barely made it in to the country before then Prime Minister Kishida closed it again for the Omicron variant. Something also happened in Canada that I rather keep to myself and a few very close friends that still affect the way that I see people. On top of that one, I was one of the last people to leave Narita Airport that night because I brought my drone to the country. Now that there’s only a few weeks left, all I can say is that the experience here definitely made up the times during COVID, and this is something that I’d tell future generations of.
I still don’t know the difference between Kirby and Jigglypuff. CBF
I was blessed with having a strong tight knit network of friends and family, even though I don’t thank them enough. The many iterations of the IYO GANG, a supportive city, the Filipino community, the martial artists, the people in my town, my students, the volunteers, Japanese friends I made back in Canada, my Canadian friends that visited here, the friends I first met while I was playing SimCity 4 (that was 20 years ago!) that visited Japan, Pablo and David from down under, Uchiko and Ozu GANG, Ehime University People, etc. There was literally a wall of happy faces that I had to now sadly dismantle. Every single moment that I hang out with them will be something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
In the beginning, I said to myself that I don’t “belong” here because for me, the word “belong” has a very negative connotation to it. I’d rather use the word ‘presence’. Instead, I think of myself as a diplomat, a liaison or a delegate, and I’m proud to represent both Canada and the Philippines here in my town. To me, having all of the students of my town appreciate my presence brings me happiness. No specifity needed because I live through it in the everyday.
My home.
Don’t trust the people around you, but at the same time, also BE HONEST. Let those people gain your trust and respect.
This is a question I’d rather not answer. You have the technologia to check Instagram or Tiktok. Leave me be in peace.
Drawing in two-point perspective. No, seriously. It’s an exercise in holding two truths at once:
– One point is yourself.
– The second point is everything around you.
“Zanshin” — staying aware of both without losing either. The line only works when you respect both points. If you ignore one, the whole thing fails.
A former co-worker taught me the real meaning of ‘global competency’ — it’s not what you claim, it’s what remains after you leave.
What am I still doing here?
The sun is setting on the land of the rising sun.
Toyo B ALT, 2023-2026
Definitely navigation. I’ll never be lost again after all the trains, cars, buses, and boats I’ve taken here.
The first few weeks were crazy. On top of the normal “new town, new school” experience everyone goes through I had very active JET senpais (Talia & Charlotte). They had me climbing Mt. Ishizuchi, wake boarding, swimming in hidden river spots, and more in my first two months. It was a lot more than I expected but it made for the most memorable year of my life.
My use of the word 親分 instead of 上司 when referring to my old boss. Both mean “boss” but the former specifically refers to a gang boss while the latter is how you’d normally say it. So, you can imagine the city hall supervisor I was talking to was pretty shocked to hear I had been working as criminal before JET. I was able to clarify later and we laughed it off. But yeah. Be careful which word for “boss” you’re using.
I have become really good friends with my co-worker. He’s an older Japanese support teacher who sits across from me and his friendship has been one of the best parts about working in Ehime. He doesn’t speak much English so it has forced me to get a lot better at Japanese. Even so, I’ve learned a lot about Japan thanks to him and it has made life here a lot easier. I’ll be forever grateful for that.
When my co-workers invited me to go skiing with him. It’s one thing to go to all the nomikais but another when you cross that barrier and actually start doing things outside of work together just as friends.
My happy place in Ehime would be Kiri no Mori (Misty Forest) in Shikokuchuo. While the city is famous for paper, we actually have a second famous export which is tea. In the mountainous Shingu area we have lots of beautiful tea farms and a cafe that that sells a wide assortment of tea-related goods like the Kiri no Mori Daifuku. It’s an overall beautiful area complete with a river under the red bridge that many people go swimming in. In the summer there’s no better “happy place” around.
I honestly had such a good first year I wouldn’t want my future advice to spoil anything. So, sorry past Justin.
One can’t-miss local experience is Takaya Shrine – otherwise know as “The shrine in the sky”. It’s actually in Kagawa Prefecture, but since Shikokuchuo is so close you can literally see it from the city. It’s a beautiful white torii gate high up on a mountain that has stunning views of the surrounding coastline. It’s a pretty steep hike but it’s more that worth the effort.
When i go back to the “real world” I plan to keep studying Japanese as much as I can. Regardless of whether it’s immediately useful in my new life, it has been an incredibly fun challenge. I’m finally at the point to where I can realistically use it. So, at the very least I’ll try and incorporate it into my downtime – even if it’s just playing the Witcher 3 all in Japanese lol.
I feel much more confident than I did that first day. When I first came to Japan I was testing what I “could” do. Now I know what I “can” do and can’t wait to use what I’ve learned to build an even better life after JET.
Paper, oranges, udon, castles, mountains, benkyou
The Gouf, The Zeong and The Gelgoog, all cuddled up. We are one team. We will win together. We will go down. Together.
Nanyo A ALT, 2020-2026
Instagram: @kuliaikapono95
Email: jameshko95@gmail.com
Bowing.
I spent it in quarantine! Lots of cold bentos at my hotel door in those first two weeks then it was lots of konbini yakisoba boxes in my apartment quarantine. After a year and a half of waiting, when that plane hit the tarmac in Haneda it finally felt like the adventure had begun.
My fly was open when I met the head of the BOE on my first day of work. I was so nervous meeting him I didn’t realize he kept subtly pointing down at my fly until he told me as I left the office.
I worked with the home economics teacher to talk about the connection between Hawaii and Japan and how it’s expressed through food. Through those lessons, I had a chance to talk about my roots (my ancestors from Niigata). It was really moving to see how the students who at first were interested in the food itself and then come to understand how food can be a way we connect with ourselves. I also taught them how to make spam musubis too. Seeing them enjoy something they were able to make made me feel thankful I could share that moment with them.
Last year, I asked my cousins to come perform at the Uwajima Hawaiian Fesitval. As part of their trip, I got to take my lesson time at elementary school to become a hula lesson. Uwajima and Hawaii have connections that are quite deep and bringing those sides together and sharing that with the students helped me fulfill the promise I made when I learned about the Ehimemaru.
I know it’s a cliche but it’s my home. Waking up each morning to see my wife, my baby and my dog is a blessing I cherish more with each passing day.
aloha aku a aloha mai
Carrying the ushioni. Hands down still some of the most fun I’ve had here. It’s heavy and my back is folded like those metal chairs at graduation but being in the energy of a matsuri is a key Japan experience.
Experience is the best teacher and an even better listener.
The person 5 years ago at the airport has look in his eyes that says he’s holding a promise in his heart to someone who wishes he could meet again. Now, that same person still wishes he could meet that someone but only now to introduce his nephew to him.
ʻEliʻeli kau mai- dig deep.
The fashion show we did for the Uwajima Hawaiian festival last year. My family are seated on the chairs. I’m on the ground lol.
Chuyo ALT, 2021-2026
Instagram: @pogizaki
Email: ryanokazaki@gmail.com
Pickling vegetables! It was one of my goals coming to Japan, and I can now say I’ve pickled cucumbers, eggplant, daikon, carrots, cabbage, watermelon rinds, and more!
I arrived in Matsuyama on the day of my 24th birthday after a 2-week quarantine in Narita (it was in summer 2021). I was just happy to be able to see cars driving down the street, interact with people, and touch grass again. I had been to Japan a few times, but never to Matsuyama, and it was much more city and much less inaka than everyone in Tokyo made it out to be. I was so focused on coming into a new job, a new workplace, and a new life, but what I didn’t expect was to find so much community outside of work too! Part of the joy of living in Matsuyama has been the badminton and volleyball groups I’ve joined and the friends, both local and international, that I’ve made.
While grabbing my backpack from the overhead shelf on the Shinkansen, I accidentally dropped my metal hydroflask directly on an old man’s head! I was mortified and apologized profusely, but the woman sitting next to him burst out laughing and made the whole interaction feel lighter.
Shikoku Ballroom held a Vogue Workshop at BB Dance Studio in Matsuyama! I had participated in balls and vogue workshops in America and Tokyo, but it was our first time bringing queer ballroom culture to Matsuyama. So many ALT friends came, so did one of my coworkers from the school office!
My student invited me and a social studies teacher to form a 3-piece band for Culture Festival two years in a row! I was on the drums, while the student played bass, and the other teacher played electric guitar. We performed “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi and “Basket Case” by Green Day. It was priceless seeing the posters advertising our performance and hearing the students cheer us on.
Ehime is full of incredible spots, but my favorite has to be the Mitsuhama Shotengai. The shop keepers are so friendly, and they WILL remember you. Some of them are really good at English too! Small family-owned businesses like Penguin Hotel, Tanakado, and Gyoza Nobu have so much heart and personality. Also, the sunset by Mitsuhama Port is divine. I’ve spent many hours there staring out at the islands, watching fireworks, and even gazing at shooting stars!
You’re gonna love it here, and you’re gonna stay much longer than just 2 years, so invest in a good mattress/futon and room decor to make your apartment as comfy as possible.
Get yourself up to the observatory at Matsuyama Comprehensive Park (Matsuyama Sogo Koen). You know, the one on the hill, modeled after a German castle. The view is amazing, and you get bonus points if you go during sakura season.
Wearing sunscreen every day.
The person I am now has been through a lot more paperwork! While filling out forms is not the most fun, taking care of the boring, bureaucratic stuff sooner rather than later will save you from more worry and headache in the long run. Reaching out for help has also made the process much smoother than trying to go through it alone, and you’d be surprised how willing people are to help.
Mican is love, Mican is life
The Okazaki family visits Japan! I had a great time showing them around my second home, and they were proud to see the life and the community I've built out here.
Nanyo B ALT, 2023-2026
Instagram: @verzunbc
Discord: grookeyandrew
Being a insect exterminator
I came to Japan expecting to hang out with my Japanese friends from before a lot, but I only saw them a few times during my three years in rural Japan. I’ve learned that you should always prioritize yourself, but even if you don’t things usually work out for the better if you stay driven and committed to the moment.
I didn’t know the nurse’s name from another school so I started spitting out random descriptors to the PE teacher at my main school during a nomikai. One of the words I said was “oka-san?” (shes older, about the same as my own mom) and he was very unhappy with me. “DAME! Don’t say that!” No ammount of salvaging worked that day but it was alright in the end.
One day during my first few months, while waiting in the hallway before heading upstairs to class with 4th graders, a tiny 2nd grader came up behind me and held my hand without saying anything. It was adorable. She is now a 5th grader!
One of the students who I frequently talked with invited me to her recital during her final year at JHS. All the students asking for my instagram that I told them I couldnt give them was also reassuring.
The card shop in Ozu. I drove ~40 minutes there multiple times a month just to play games with some local Japanese friends.
Don’t make your expectations and happiness reliant on things you can’t control.
Ask to join a mikan farmer and/or a fisherman for a day!
Being more agreeable and “harmonious”.
I am more comfortable being alone and less reliant on spending as much time as possible with other people.
Say yes and do the thing!
This is a photo from our lunch at Star Wars Celebration Japan; thanks to the original plan with my family falling through, it led to deepening bonds with some great friends instead. Many great memories came from last minute decisions wih friends during my time here.
Nanyo B ALT, 2024-2026
Instagram: @teabrownie13
Email: teaghanbrownie@gmail.com
Gutting fish (some of my students taught me when I first met them!)
When I first came here, I was very nervous and excited! I was the first ALT for my school, and also in a very isolated location (Misaki, Ikata!), so you can imagine the daunting challenge it was. Right after moving it, I had to quickly adapt to living by myself, dealing will all of the summer bugs (at first I was creeped out by cockroaches but now I kill them like a pro), using Japanese as my primary language, cooking with Japanese ingredients, and also renting a car and driving by myself for the first time!
I thought it was going to be so hard to live here, especially considering I have to drive about 45min to go to the nearest supermarket! But after getting a car, I found it was much easier and I adapted way better than expected.
From the start I had expectations I would make an impact though, and be able to get along well with the community – which I have!! I was also expecting to study hard and get to N2 JLPT level, as well as focus on exercise and health despite not having a gym in my area.
I’ve realised these goals and more, and I’ve had a ton of fun getting involved in my local community!
I have two moments that I also thought were funny at the time:
First, is that after coming here I would often mix up 給料（きゅうりょう, kyuuryou）and 恐竜（きょうりゅう, kyouryuu) when I was talking to the members in my school’s administration office. The former word means salary, but the latter means dinosaur. Which means I would often be asking about and discussing dinosaurs by accident.
Second, I once broke down the only Iyo Bank ATM in my town. It stayed broken for an hour which my accounting book stuck in it while someone had to drive all the way to fix it. One of the teachers at my school couldn’t use it during that time either…….it was unfortunate but very funny!
This coworker has already left now, but we used to sit opposite each other in the staff room for about 7 months. After they left, they told me that in truth they were having a hard time and were planning to quit much earlier. But, after I came they had so much fun and found friendship talking with me, and I was the reason that they decided to stay until the end of the school year. They said I was the best part of being at the school. I was SO so touched and moved, and I still see that coworker for little roadtrips from time to time! 🙂
I think joining the local choir and them treating me as an integral part of the Misaki community really made me feel like I belong. We had a big performance more recently, and having so many local people recognise me and come up and talk to me as a normal member of the community was so moving! My choir group is also saying they need to plan a send-off party for me, which makes me feel like people treasure me and that I truly belong here 🙂
For sure, my happy place would be Misaki!! I love the ocean, the mountains, the nature and the breeze. The people are SO nice, and whenever I leave the house I’m always running into someone I know! (and often receiving mikans from the lovely elder population in my area).
I swear, my town is just like Animal Crossing haha. You can fish, run into bugs, enjoy the trees and the ocean, sail on the ferry to another island, go the small local town hall, go to the one local coffee shop, and trade gifts with neighbours! Of course the town fruit is oranges too! This place is genuinely so wholesome <3
Challenge yourself and get out there! Don’t be afraid to talk to people and travel around to do things you want to do.
Visiting the Seto Windmill Park at the top of the sada-misaki peninsula! The view is absolutely gorgeous and you can get super close to the wind turbines.
I think I will keep trying to talk to people and form more local connections……don’t be afraid to put myself out there and just go for trying things I want to do!!
The me I know from two years ago was a bit more insecure, less independent and lacked a lot of inner confidence to handle things entirely by myself (I had never lived entirely by myself before!). But now, I have become such a confident and independent person! Along with the improvement of my Japanese, I now walk in with confidence, make difficult decisions that I know will benefit me, and know things will be okay as long as I challenge things 🙂
Nature rejuvenates,
Community fosters,
Adventure awaits <3
This is Misaki! My home for the past two years, and will be one of my second homes forevermore~!
Toyo A ALT, 2024-2026
Email: zosiaeast@gmail.com
Being independent!
I remember it being way too hot. I was a bit overwhelmed as the first full-time ALT at my school. Now I feel like I have really adapted to life in Japan and to my school.
Instead of saying “can I pay by card?” I said “can I hang up this card?”.
A student changed their mind and decided to study English at university.
My supervisor said it feels like I’ve been working here for at least 4/5 years!
Saijo! Also Himi Climbing Centre.
Don’t wear your suit jacket when you arrive. You will boil.
Climb Mt.ishizuchi – the highest mountain in Western Japan. It was very fun!
I truly feel like I can adapt to anything.
The independence. Sometimes you just have to take a breath, keep calm, and solve whatever comes your way. You can’t let being shy or uncomfortable stand in your way.
An unforgettably challenging but exciting experience.
I just finished the Ohenro - 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage - with my friends after doing it for 1.5 years. There have been so many fun journeys with a variety of people, and now it's finished!
Nanyo B ALT, 2024-2026
Instagram: @gnz_vanessa
Email: vanessagona@gmail.com
Convenience store runs. I think I’ve mastered the art of grabbing a surprisingly good meal from a convenience store in under three minutes.
During my first few weeks in Japan, everything felt exciting but overwhelming at the same time. I had never lived abroad before, so I was adjusting not only to a new country but also to a completely different work culture, language, and way of life. I expected there to be culture shock, but I also thought I’d settle in much faster than I actually did.
Looking back now, in my final weeks, I realize that adapting wasn’t about becoming “Japanese” overnight, it was about learning to appreciate a different way of living. Over time, I became more comfortable with the daily routines, built relationships with my coworkers and students, and found confidence navigating life on my own.
My expectations definitely evolved. I came expecting an adventure, and I got one, but I also gained resilience, independence, and a much deeper understanding of both Japan and myself. Those are lessons I’ll carry with me long after I leave.
Early on, I was so nervous about speaking Japanese that I’d rehearse simple phrases in my head. Then someone would ask me an unexpected question, and I’d completely freeze before blurting out something that didn’t make much sense. At the time I was embarrassed, but now I can laugh at how hard I was trying.
I was really moved by the kindness of my coworkers, especially my found-friend at my local elementary school (Nakagawa ES). Even though there was a language barrier at times, they always made an effort to include me, answer my questions, and help me feel like part of the team. Those small acts of kindness made Japan feel like home.
One moment that really made me feel like I belonged was during lunch with my students. In the beginning of the year, conversations were a little awkward because of the language barrier, and everyone was still getting to know each other. But over time, the students started treating me like I was just another part of their school community. They would excitedly wave when they saw me in the hallways, invite me to join their conversations, and ask me about my weekend or teach me new Japanese words. One day, I realized I wasn’t the “new foreign teacher” anymore, I was simply “Vanessa-sensei.” That small shift meant a lot to me because it showed I’d become part of their daily lives.
Suzaki Kannon
I’d whisper, “Take more pictures. Say yes more often. Don’t let fear keep you from trying something new.” At the airport, I thought the biggest challenge would be adjusting to a new country. I didn’t realize the hardest part would be saying goodbye to a place and people who would eventually feel like home. So I’d tell myself to soak in every ordinary moment, because one day those ordinary moments will become your favorite memories.
One experience every ALT should try before leaving is a local school or town festival—the kind that isn’t meant for tourists. Whether it’s a school cultural festival, sports day, or a small neighborhood matsuri, it’s where you really see the community come together.
I’ve become much more aware of how my actions affect the people around me. Whether it’s being quieter on public transportation, cleaning up after myself, or just being more considerate in shared spaces, it’s something I want to carry back with me. It’s changed how I think about being part of a community.
On my first day, everything felt big, foreign, and a little overwhelming. Now, it feels like part of my story. The world didn’t get smaller, I just grew more capable of moving through it.
Foreign place turned into second home.
My students surprised me for my birthday! The co-worker turned close-friend gifted me a Chiikawa plushie in front of the entire class.
Chuyo ALT, 2024-2026
Instagram: @will.ru
Email: wrtaylor2000@gmail.com
I cried a lot in my first few weeks, lol. Not because I was sad, really, but more because it was disorientating and I felt so far away from everything I knew. Before I came, basically every night I would facetime my friend Joshua and we would crawl through Matsuyama on Google maps, finding cool little places or restaurants or things to do. I remember feeling so uniquely excited, but totally unable to conceptualise this place I was going to live.
One of the places we found together was Gogoshima, an island just off Matsuyama. Joshua and I were both excited about how tropical it looked. The island met my expectations and then blew them out of the water. It’s become such an important place for me in terms of relaxing, swimming, and getting out of the city. In Shikoku, the ‘inaka’ is never far away, but Gogoshima really feels like such a breath of fresh air. DEFINITELY VISIT!
Also, I had high, high hopes for all the onsens in Matsuyama and they were all fab.
My instagram is @will.ru if you want to ask for recs or chat about Matsuyama 🙂
Girl… Probably oversleeping by two hours on day 2 and waking up to the BoE knocking on my door.
There are too many to talk about in any succinct way, but the 5 or 6 students in my JHS special educational needs class periodically said some of the most profound, beautiful, and heartbreakingly sweet things I’ve ever heard. Teaching isn’t really in my future plans, but in that class I was constantly reminded about how beautiful and important it can be.
Towards the end of my first year, I really hit a groove with my elementary students. One capital-H-Hot day at Kubota ES, one of my 6th graders and I somehow entered a duel over how many mushroom-themed monsters we could come up with. Every new addition had the class erupting in fits of laughter. The game went on for quite a while, but ultimately I guess I put on a particularly good voice, because ‘Eringi-mon’ won me a landslide victory.
It’ll have to be a top 5, ごめん:
1. Gogoshima.
2. Mt. Ishizuchi. Seriously, you need to climb those chains.
3. 喰心坊, a restaurant near Tachibana run by the sweetest grandma. Try the karaage.
4. Soratomori Onsen. A jewel in the crown of my beloved Kume.
5. Hōjō. Don’t sleep on this area. Hike Mt. Takanawa or hit up Seapa onsen.
When people invite you to stuff, GO!
I spent so long worrying about how I was going to communicate with people that I missed out on a load of friends and experiences with local people in my first year. Get out there!
Onsen! Get naked! Do it!
Just keeping my eyes open to everything around me. There’s so much beauty everywhere.
I’m more bald now.
Won’t stop thinking about this ever.
As much as I wanted to choose some beautiful, perfect picture, what really defines and encapsulates my experience here is a series of unexpected moments and chance meetings. Open your heart and prepare to take selfies with a lot of strangers.
Toyo A ALT, 2021-2026
being early/on time 😉
I came here initially planning to stay for about three years at most. I didn’t know that I will fall in love with the people, the place, and the kind of life I have built here so much so that if I could slow time down, I would.
My first trauma in Japan happened when I was in the quarantine hotel. We were served cold obentos three times a day. As a true blue Asian, I love rice. The first bento we were given was a hinomarubento – the one with a piece of umeboshi (pickled plum) on a bed of white rice. I thought it was a cherry, so I intentionally ate it last as a dessert. As soon as I cleared my bento, I excitedly bit that oh so red, oh so sweet-looking cherry. What I didn’t know is that it was so sour and salty, but more sour than salty actually. Since it was my last bite, I didn’t have anything else to munch on to wash away that painfully sour taste in my mouth. My tastebuds got so traumatized that I avoided umeboshi for the next couple years.
I was blessed to have very good relationship with my Japanese coteachers. Even long after they got transferred to new schools, we still keep in touch and go out for meals together every once in a while. They also welcome me to their private homes and that is something that really warms my heart.
“You are one of us.” This was the line that my first JTE told me when I asked her if I could participate in a school event that was going to happen at that time. As someone having a shy and reserved personality, I always second guess things and overthink my actions. At that time, I wasn’t sure if ALTs like me are welcome to join events like such. Her words hit a soft spot, and I understood what she meant by that because more than words, teachers at my school showed it through actions. They always appreciated me and valued me as a part of the team. For that, I will always be grateful. It gave me confidence to be myself and inspired me to give my best and do one for the team.
For weekdays, my happy place is our school’s English room.
For weekends, it is my apartment, my sanctuary.
For my yearly New Year’s routine, my happy place is the Shimanami Kaido where I watch the first sunrise.
Be kind to yourself. The road will be bumpy, the first months will be shaky, and even after years you can still be overwhelmed by the waves and sudden plunges. But hang in there for soon you’ll find your footing and enjoy the ride.
Cycling on the Shimanami Kaido is really A MUST for Ehime ALTs. Personally, it took me four years to make it happen but thankfully I was able to tick it off my list before I leave. Bonus is I got to ride along with ALT friends, and it was such a fun and memorable experience.
I love the Japanese tradition of Hatsumode (watching the first sunrise) and Kakizome (choosing and writing your kanji for the year). I did that every year, for five years. I like it because it grounds me, helps me set my mind on the goals I set, and manifest them. I like a peaceful, mindful, and hopeful start for my year. I intend to continue that little tradition/routine of mine in the years to come, wherever I may be.
Like many JETs, I arrived in Japan excited for the adventure ahead. I expected to discover a new country, experience a different culture, and grow professionally. What I did not expect was to discover a new version of myself. Over these five years, I discovered parts of myself that I did not know existed. I learned that I was stronger and braver than I thought, but I also learned that it was okay to be vulnerable. I discovered that I could be gentle, kind, and resilient all at the same time.
a chapter I didn’t wanna end
Finally accomplishing the Shimanami Kaido goal that was 4 years in the making. The cycle was tough; the journey was long and the uphill was tiresome; but making it to the end made everything worthwhile.
Toyo A ALT, 2025-2026
Email: margaretishii@gmail.com
The August heat made me delirious and I could barely speak or understand Japanese. Normal daily transactions like ordering food became stressors. The long hours of commuting and being at work left little time to ramp up my Japanese. I thought immersion would make it happen naturally. I am not as proficient as I had hoped to be by now. But, I have improved, and perhaps my JET experience here will provide a solid foundation for future building of my language skills.
Intent on getting my Daily Quest on Duolingo, I got on my morning bus forgetting to silence my phone. So embarrassed that the driver stopped the bus and asked me to turn off it off in consideration of the other riders.
I asked a student to explain her Tshirt slogan and image, “Take a Break” beneath a popular Ukiyo-e figure holding her head and hand in a peculiar way. With the help of other classmates/JTE, they explained how she had connected the visual Japanese meaning “relax” with a popular English caption. I was blown away by this totally unexpected turn in the lesson! It’s cool she conceptualized something sophisticated and was eager to learn how to articulate it.
A young soccer coach dressed up as a samurai with plastic sword invited me to follow him into his Social Studies class. He Introduced me as the samurai’s “mother” . He periodically went “off script” on his lesson plan to ask me questions in “broken” English. Topic was about local rice tradition and production, so I could respond in Japanese. Very easy flow of Eigo-Nihongo ever.
Riding my bike every morning past flooded rice fields listening to the crows and running water.
Be a passenger; Enjoy the ride.
Ride a bike on the Shimanami Kaido with lunch at Iki-Iki Kan bbq!
Buy a different flavour or try a new product from the Konbini…a cheap thrill.
I arrived as a grown up; I leave as a child with open heart.
Fully embraced serendipitous moments of wonder.
A 3-minute crossing to the Kashima seaside restaurant with a hike to the hilltop look-out. Magical in its former glory.
Whether you’re heading across the world or embarking on your next chapter right here in Japan, the Departure Lounge is here to keep your memories warm and your legacy alive. Thank you to all our departing JETs for making Ehime brighter, bolder, and truly unforgettable. Wishing you clear skies, smooth landings, and endless mikan wherever your journey takes you next! 
Edited by Vince Madriaga