In this episode, I’m breaking down all the little mistakes I made living in Tokyo — the chopstick taboos, the wedding etiquette I didn’t know, the ramen “eat and bounce” rule, the last-piece awkwardness, and all the quiet cultural expectations you only learn after messing up in front of somebody’s grandma. These are the things I learned the hard way so you don’t have to, with some stories and a little guidance for anyone visiting or living in Japan.Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast Listen on Other Platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928---🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0cIndependent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!

Tokyo summer = HOT AF. Heat blasts off asphalt, ricochets off glass, and wraps you like a convection fan. After years of trial and error, I’ve built a setup that lets me function (and not stink) in this madness—no sponsors, no affiliate links, everything bought with my own yen.

Heat Survival Gear (Quick Hits):

• Underwear — BROS by Wacoal: Fast-dry fabric + targeted mesh = bye-bye swamp-itch.

• Shorts — Uniqlo boardshort-style hybrid cargo: Boardshort material, mesh cargo pockets, dries fast; pair with BROS for peak heat/humidity days.

• Cooling — Burtle fan shirt (Kyocera brushless) + sensu: Quiet wearable airflow; mesh back pocket fits a gel pack for extra chill.

• Passive “Ice” Neck Rings: ~30–50 min real cool, then steady heat-pull all day; rotate spares from a small insulated pouch—perfect for trains/cafés.

• Sunglasses + Cap: Polarized shades tame Tokyo’s glare “laser show”; cap blocks overhead leak-light.

• Weatherproofing: Sudden squalls? Pelican/Nanuk hard cases or weather-resistant packs (Peak Design/Hakuba) to protect your camera/tech.

• Socks — Uniqlo toe socks: Airflow between toes = less sweat, less stink.

• Shirts — Helikon-Tex TopCool Lite: Soft, quick-dry tees with practical pockets/loops.

  
  

If you’ve got a heat hack I missed, drop it in the comments. If this helped, follow/subscribe and tap the bell so it reaches folks living in—or soon melting in—Japan.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com

Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast

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🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c

Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet). Stay cool, drink water, stretch your hips.Until next time—excuse-me-massen. See ya!

After 14 years in Tokyo, I've built a real life here—but it hasn't always been easy. In this solo episode, I break down the honest love–hate relationship I have with living in Japan long-term. From the everyday rhythm and built-in movement I've come to rely on, to the silent pressure of unspoken rules and the feeling of always being seen as an outsider, even after more than a decade.If you're living in Japan, thinking about staying long-term, or just want a deeper understanding of what life here actually feels like beyond the surface, this one's for you. I talk cultural expectations, identity, mental adaptation, and how I've found peace with not always fitting in.Let me know what your experience has been—DM me on Instagram or reach out through the site.If you enjoy the show and want to help the algorithm recommend it to others living in Japan or considering the move, consider following (or subscribing) and turning on the bell so you don't miss future episodes.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com

Follow Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast