The idea of moving from Tokyo to Copenhagen had been a topic between my wife and me long before we had kids. I had lived in Japan my entire life, over thirty years, and during that time I experienced both the good and the bad of living there.
Tokyo is an incredible city. The food is excellent, with endless variety, and there are so many amusements and activities for children. Convenience is unmatched; new products come out constantly, and you can access almost anything at any time. In many ways, life in Tokyo is exciting and stimulating.
Over time, however, I started to feel worn down. Tokyo is deeply rooted in consumerism. At first, shopping feels fun, but eventually it becomes exhausting. Advertisements are everywhere. You see them on trains, while walking down the street, and even inside taxis. After a while, it made me feel like a social robot working, buying things, and repeating the same cycle.
Work-life balance became another major concern. Even though I tried to prioritize time with my kids, working roughly from 8:00 to 18:00 made it difficult. Despite having a good career, the cost felt too high. Time not spent with your children is something you never get back, and that realization started to weigh on me more and more.
I also noticed how shopping habits had changed over the years. What used to be about buying necessities slowly turned into constant exposure to sales and promotions. Weekly discounts, Black Friday sales even though Japan doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. It all began to feel excessive, and honestly, tiring.
Based on what my wife shared with me and what I read online, life in Denmark sounded more balanced. I began to feel that moving could help us refocus on what truly matters; spending quality time together as a family and living at a more sustainable pace. That became the direction I wanted to move toward, not only for my children, but for myself as well.
Now we’re starting a new life in Copenhagen, Denmark. There’s a mix of excitement and uncertainty in beginning again; learning a new language, meeting new people, and adapting to a different culture. But that challenge feels refreshing. For now, everything feels new, unfamiliar, and fun, and that’s exactly the feeling I was hoping to find.
