I'm heading back to Canada after living in Japan for a year. I'm excited to return, but there are a few things I'll miss.

When I moved to Japan in 2025, I knew I wouldn’t be here forever — but having a full year ahead of me felt like an infinite amount of time.

Now I’m getting ready to head back to my hometown in Canada, and I can’t believe how quickly my year passed.

Since moving here, I’ve been lucky enough to live in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kumamoto, visit more than a dozen cities and towns, and become a version of myself I really love.

I’m excited to go home and see the people I’ve missed, but saying goodbye to the life I’ve built here feels a lot harder than I expected.