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Three ZenGroup Employees Share Their Stories of Building a New Life in Kansai.
Did you know?
Authentic Chinese & Dim Sum Spots in Kansai!
Looking for authentic flavors of home? Nipponbashi in Osaka is home to vibrant Chinese restaurants and specialty grocery markets, while Star Street in Kyoto offers top-rated authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum!
Hot Pot Connections Across Cultures
If you love Chinese hot pot, Japanese motsunabe (offal hot pot) is a must-try local alternative that delivers rich, comforting flavors during Kansai’s cooler seasons!
Hiking & Izakayas as Social Bridges
Finding local friends in Kansai doesn’t have to be daunting. Joining hiking groups in the mountains around Kansai or enjoying a counter meal at a cozy local izakaya are two of the easiest ways to start natural, warm conversations with locals!
Three ZenGroup Employees Share Their Stories of Building a New Life in Kansai
Moving to another country is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Every new experience, from finding an apartment and learning the train system to making friends and discovering your favorite local spots becomes part of building a new life.
At ZenGroup, an Osaka-based cross-border e-commerce company, our team is made up of professionals from more than 30 countries. Among them are several colleagues from China and Hong Kong, each with their own unique journey to Japan. Some first arrived as students, others relocated for work, and some came to build their long-term family lives here.
We asked three of our colleagues from China and Hong Kong what life has really been like living and working in Japan. While every story is unique, they all shared one thing in common: finding a home isn’t something that happens overnight—it’s something you build step by step.
First Impressions:
Warmth, Culture, and a New Pace of Life
For many of our colleagues, arriving in Kansai was both exciting and surprising. Osaka and the surrounding cities offered a warm, vibrant atmosphere that stood out immediately.
One employee recalled their initial reaction upon arriving in Osaka:
“When I first arrived in Osaka, the thing that struck me most was how warm and loud the city felt compared to what I’d imagined of Japan. People in Osaka chat with strangers, joke with shop owners, and nobody seems to take themselves too seriously. It was a pleasant surprise.”
Another colleague noted the relaxed feel of Osaka compared to other major cities:
“Compared to Tokyo, Osaka feels more relaxed and has a stronger sense of everyday life. People here are very warm and friendly, which made a great first impression on me.”
The cultural and lifestyle differences from back home also became apparent quickly:
“In terms of workplace culture, colleagues back home focus heavily on efficiency and direct, straightforward communication, while in Japan there is a focus on giving buffer and cushion words. In China, almost everything runs digitally on your phone, whereas in Osaka cash and cards are still widely used.”
Finding Connections and Overcoming Loneliness
Moving abroad can sometimes feel isolating, but our team members found various ways to build their own communities and build meaningful connections.
For some, an introverted nature made Japan’s respect for personal boundaries a comfortable environment:
“I am an introverted person, so I enjoyed having personal space and quiet time after work. At the same time, connecting through school events, church, and daycare communities helped build a strong support network once family life started.”
Others found that active hobbies and casual social spots were the key to making friends:
“Hiking has been the biggest way to meet people. Conversations start naturally when you’re enjoying the trail or sitting at the counter of a small izakaya. Stay positive and approachable—most people are happy to chat!”
Building friendships with both Japanese locals and international expats brought balance:
“Connecting with other expats who are going through the same experience is a great way to find community. Having fluent Japanese helps in forming deeper connections with locals, but the key is sharing genuine interests rather than just focusing on language exchange.”
Discovering the Best of Kansai
When asked about their favorite spots and memorable experiences, our colleagues highlighted a mix of traditional culture and local neighborhoods.
For everyday leisure and local atmosphere, Kansai offers endless variety:
“I really love Universal Studios Japan (USJ) for fun! For experiencing traditional Japanese atmosphere and culture, Kyoto is unbeatable. Walking through local spots like Nakanoshima in Osaka or European-style architecture in Kobe also feels wonderfully distinct.”
Exploring neighborhood life is another recommended way to feel rooted:
“Visiting local parks, supermarkets, and summer matsuri (festivals) gives you a true taste of everyday Japanese life beyond tourist attractions.”
Staying Connected to Home
Even while building a full life in Kansai, staying connected with Chinese culture and finding familiar comfort foods remains easy and enjoyable.
For authentic tastes of home, Kansai has thriving local hubs:
“Nipponbashi in Osaka has fantastic Chinese restaurants and grocery shops where you can find authentic dishes and ingredients. If you’re looking for authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum, Star Street in Kyoto is highly recommended!”
Staying connected digitally and through visits keeps home close:
“With friends visiting often and short travel distances to cities back home, it’s easy to maintain strong ties while enjoying life in Japan.”
Learning to Love Japanese Food
Adjusting to Japanese cuisine brings both new challenges and delicious discoveries.
Some foods required an adjustment period:
“Raw fish dishes like kaisendon or sashimi and foods like natto or horumon (offal) can take time to get used to if you aren’t accustomed to eating raw or organ meats in large amounts.”
However, many Japanese dishes quickly became comforting favorites:
“Chuka ramen is always a safe, comforting choice. Motsunabe (Japanese offal hot pot) is also wonderful because it offers a familiar comfort similar to Chinese hot pot. Grilled rice balls (yaki onigiri), nerimono, and oden are also great everyday favorites.”
Food advice for newcomers:
“Open your mind and try new things without comparing everything to back home too much—you’ll be pleasantly surprised!”
Growing a Career in Japan
Living and working in Kansai has provided high quality of life, financial independence, and rich professional growth.
Comparing living environments, colleagues appreciated the space and pace of Kansai:
“Compared to extremely high living costs and crowded environments in major metropolitan hubs, Kansai is comfortably paced and affordable. You can easily support yourself, enjoy spacious living, and experience high daily convenience and safety.”
Working at ZenGroup also offers unique professional opportunities:
“Working in an international company like ZenGroup with members from diverse cultural backgrounds provides incredible opportunities to learn, master language skills, and broaden your global perspective.”
One Final Piece of Advice
Before concluding, our colleagues shared words of encouragement for anyone considering relocating to Kansai:
“If the regret of not making the move is bigger than making it, then just move first! It’s not about whether a decision is right or wrong in advance, but about making the decision right for yourself.”
“Moving to a new place is all part of life’s experience. Don’t worry too much—give it a try and see how it goes!”
