- Cyrus Yongbanthom moved from Kentucky to Japan.
- He loves the culture and noticed a few key differences.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cyrus Yongbanthom, a 27-year-old assistant language teacher who moved from Kentucky to Japan. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My mom was in the military, so we moved around a lot — it's hard to say where I'm from exactly. But Kentucky is where I spent most of my time growing up and even as a young adult.
Then, when I became old enough, my best friend and I got a little apartment together where we lived for four years and worked as full-time substitute teachers.
During this time, he began to express interest in moving abroad and teaching as an assistant language teacher, which quickly sparked my interest in moving and teaching abroad, too. Assistant language teachers are native-level English speakers who work in classrooms. The basic requirements are a bachelor's degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate.
Although he chose Peru, I've always wanted to go to Japan, and I wondered what I needed to do to make it happen. The deeper I looked into it, the more I saw it as a possibility, but a tedious one.
The process of moving to Japan was lengthy and filled with a lot of paperwork. It also required me to sell my car and most of my possessions. But after a year's worth of preparation, I boarded a plane in 2023 with one big suitcase, a backpack, and a carry-on.
I headed for Kagoshima, Japan, a vibrant seaside city located at the southern tip of Kyushu, the southwesternmost island of Japan. Compared to Tokyo, it's much quieter and definitely more scenic, as it's right next to a volcano.
Since moving here, I've noticed a few key differences between Kagoshima and Kentucky.
1. The language
You must know the Japanese language to do anything here — you can't get around it. For example, doing simple tasks like ordering food at McDonald's or asking for directions can be challenging without knowing how to speak Japanese.
I've been studying the language for about a year now, and I also have a language exchange partner, and together, we practice regularly. We correct each other's mistakes as we both learn. Although I knew there would be a significant learning curve before arriving, the language change has been the most challenging difference for me.
2. Groceries
For the first time in a long time, I actually have a fridge and pantry full of groceries — something I could never do in America. In Japan, I can buy two weeks' worth of groceries for $60, but two weeks' worth of groceries in the US was anywhere from $150-200.
With my $60 budget, I can buy most of the same simple foods I bought in the US, like chicken, fish, and Ramen, but my money stretches further here in Japan. Food prices are relatively the same anywhere in Japan, which is also super nice.
3. Going out and nightlife
I find going out more rewarding in Japan. It seems like Japan encourages people to go out more than the United States does.
For example, going to a bar in the States might cost about $20 or $30 for a drink, whereas in Japan, you could get six drinks for that price. Even eating out is nice, and you don't tip in Japan, so you save lots of money when dining. Going out to bars and karaoke bars seems more popular here, and I think it's because they're more affordable.
I'll also just take a ferry ride and head over to see a beautiful volcano near me called Sakurajima. Because I'm from Kentucky this feels different and fun to me. I just think: Oh, it's a random Saturday, and I'm heading to a volcano — it's great.
I do miss food from home
Now that I've been in Kagoshima, Japan for four months, I'm used to many of the differences, including driving on the left side of the road, having the ability to walk from place to place, and the differences in food, too.
Since moving here, the one thing I miss is food from home. While there is seafood, Italian, and Mexican food here, I can't get a steak or mashed potatoes as easily, and gravy is less common, too.
Even though I sometimes miss those foods, I love living in Japan. I feel like I'm really living life, and I'm focusing on the work and hobbies I want to do. Leaving America and moving to Japan was the greatest decision I made last year.
If you moved states or countries and want to share your story, email Jennifer Eum at jeum@businessinsider.com.