ZenGroup Community
6 employees from Ukraine are currently shaping our global team in Osaka!
Did you know?
Ukraine and Japan are both famous for their rivers.
The Dnipro River is one of Ukraine’s most important waterways and runs through Kyiv. In Japan, rivers such as the Kamo River in Kyoto and the Dōtonbori River in Osaka are also deeply connected to local life and culture.
Ukraine has cherry blossoms too!
Japan is famous around the world for sakura, but cherry trees can also be found across Ukraine. For Ukrainians living in Japan, seeing sakura can be a familiar sight in a completely new environment.
Kyiv and Osaka have something in common:
They can feel big without feeling overwhelming.
Both are major cities with large populations, but many residents describe them as places where you can still find relaxed neighborhoods, local cafés, parks, and communities.
Both countries have a famous comfort food made from simple ingredients.
Ukrainians have borscht, while Japan has miso soup. Both are everyday dishes that can mean something different depending on the family, region, and ingredients used.
Five 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 café—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 Ukraine, each with their own unique journey to Japan. Some first arrived as students, others relocated to build their careers, and some made Kansai their new home following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
We asked five of our Ukrainian colleagues what life has really been like living and working in Japan. While every story is different, they all shared one thing in common: finding a home isn’t something that happens overnight—it’s something you build.
First Impressions:
“It Felt Like a Different World”
For many of our colleagues, arriving in Kansai was both exciting and surprising. Osaka was larger, faster, and more modern than anything they had experienced before, yet it quickly became a place they felt comfortable calling home.
One employee summed up their first impression perfectly.
“It’s a nice modern city with easy access across the Kansai region.”
Another immediately noticed how different everyday life was compared to Ukraine.
“Public transport is much more developed. In Kyiv we mostly rely on cars and buses, and much less on trains and the subway.”
Some appreciated that Kansai offered all the conveniences of a major city without feeling overwhelming.
“Kansai seems to me like the best point to start from. It has lots of places to visit, friendly people, and a pace of life that isn’t as fast as Tokyo, but is comfortable enough to enjoy every day.”
Others found unexpected similarities.
“Osaka in some way reminds me of Kyiv. It’s big enough to get lost when you need it, but not so big that you feel confused by its pace of life.”
And sometimes it was the little things that stood out most.
“Escalators are slow… but otherwise it is a completely different world.”
Finding Fellow Ukrainians Far From Home
Moving abroad doesn’t mean leaving your culture behind.
Several colleagues were pleasantly surprised to discover an active Ukrainian community across Japan.
One employee explained:
“There is actually a sizable Ukrainian community living in Japan, including here in Osaka. By attending a few meetups, I met many Ukrainians and have stayed in touch with some of them for years.”
Others found connections through ZenGroup itself.
“I actually met all of my Ukrainian friends through ZenGroup.”
Some friendships appeared in unexpected ways.
“I posted an Instagram Story from Kansai Airport. Another girl from my university saw it and realized she was moving here too. We hardly knew each other in Ukraine, but now we’re very close friends.”
For anyone worried about starting over, their advice was simple.
“If you join the ‘Ukrainians in Japan’ community and introduce yourself, someone will definitely reply.”
Discovering the Best of Kansai
Interestingly, when we asked about favorite places, our colleagues rarely mentioned famous tourist attractions.
Instead, they talked about places that became part of everyday life.
For one employee, it’s Utsubo Park and Nakanoshima Rose Garden.
Another loves Harborland and Sannomiya in Kobe.
Others mentioned neighborhood cafés, local bars, and simply walking through Kyoto.
One colleague reflected:
“Kyoto has a very long history, is located on a river, and after all, it’s a sister city of Kyiv.”
Another described a moment that reminded them of home.
“One warm evening beside the Kamo River, someone was playing guitar while overlooking the city. For a moment, it felt almost like being near the Dnipro River in Kyiv.”
Rather than focusing only on sightseeing, our employees encouraged newcomers to experience everyday Japan.
“Try pottery workshops, incense making, Japanese cooking classes, or simply walk around Kyoto instead of rushing between tourist spots.”
Staying Connected to Ukraine
Even after building a life in Japan, staying connected to home remains important.
For some, that’s through family.
For others, it’s through food, music, or cultural events.
One employee shared:
“Whenever Kyiv Ballet or Ukrainian exhibitions visit Japan, I always try to be there.”
Another enjoys cooking traditional meals.
“I learned how to cook Ukrainian dishes myself. Whenever I miss home, cooking helps.”
Finding authentic Ukrainian food can still be challenging.
As one colleague joked:
“There’s a restaurant near our office that serves borscht… somehow it’s a Chinese restaurant.”
Others recommended checking Kaldi or Jupiter for Eastern European ingredients, while some have even found Ukrainian vegetables through members of the local community.
Learning to Love Japanese Food
Adjusting to Japanese cuisine was different for everyone.
Some admitted natto took time to appreciate.
Others still miss dark rye bread.
One colleague laughed:
“‘Soup’ that you drink and salads made only of leaves are still hard for me to accept.”
But everyone eventually discovered favorite comfort foods.
- Ramen.
- Takoyaki.
- Okonomiyaki.
- Yakitori.
- Gyudon.
- Soba.
Even unexpected dishes brought back memories.
“Japanese sweet white bean buns reminded me of pastries my grandmother used to make in Ukraine.”
Another found familiar flavors elsewhere.
“Sea bream dishes remind me of the freshwater fish we eat back home.”
Growing a Career in Japan
For all five colleagues, moving to Kansai wasn’t only about experiencing a new culture.
It also created opportunities to grow professionally.
One employee summed it up perfectly.
“Location is just as important for a successful career as having a strong set of skills.”
Another reflected proudly on what they had achieved.
“Once upon a time we started a company in Kansai with my friends… we named it ZenMarket.”
Others spoke about launching creative careers, building businesses, or working in an international environment where colleagues from around the world support one another every day.
For many, ZenGroup became more than just a workplace—it became one of the first communities they built after moving to Japan.
One Final Piece of Advice
Before we finished our conversations, we asked each colleague what they would say to another Ukrainian who is thinking about moving to Kansai.
Their answers were reassuring.
“Moving to another country takes time, energy, and patience—but I believe the experience is worth it.”
“Kansai is a very nice and convenient place. You can enjoy a big city, beautiful nature, and rich culture all within easy reach.”
“Personally, I haven’t met a person—Ukrainian or otherwise—who regretted moving to Kansai. I’ve met a couple who regretted moving to Tokyo.”
And perhaps the best advice came from someone who has already made Japan their second home.
“You can change the direction of your life at any moment. If you’ve been thinking about taking this step, I believe it’s an experience worth trying.”
At ZenGroup, we’re proud to work alongside talented people from around the world who bring different perspectives, cultures, and experiences to our team every day.
We hope these stories have given you a glimpse into what life in Kansai can be like—not just as a place to work, but as a place to build friendships, discover new opportunities, and create a home away from home.
