August 1, 2025
Before going on a year-long Working Holiday, I made a post with my predictions about this year. Now, just one week before my visa expires, time to compare them with reality.
I think I will miss... (food edition)
What I wrote one year ago: I was never a fan of Polish cuisine so I don't think I'll miss anything... except maybe potatoes
Now: Surprisingly, kebab. I tried kebab a few times in Japan and it's just not it. I can't wait to come back, grab a beer, and stuff myself with a proper kebab...
Other than that, fruits in Japan are EXPENSIVE. Like, really, really expensive. On top of that, they are treated with a weird care—packaged in a platic and carefully selected to not have, kami forbid, a tiny natural little spot on them.
Oh, and a crusty bread. Almost all of the bread available here resembles a toast bread.
I think I will miss... (home edition)
What I wrote one year ago: DEFINITELY a whole apartment for myself. In Japan, I'll either live in hostels, sharehouses or with roommates. I love living alone with my plants, my skeleton Grim, going to sleep whenever I want (early)... Also, games! I'm leaving behind my laptop, PS5, DS and Switch... no games for a year except some iPad ones... sob
Now: I had some chances to live alone--I had a room for myself in Tokyo and a whole house in Sanuki--but I miss my own space a little. Or rather, I miss its quietness and cleanliness. Living in guesthouses wasn't as bad and draining as I thought it would be, honestly. Every time I felt overwhelmed, I found myself a spot in a park or a cafe where I would come back to recharge.
The only thing I really miss is operating my Etsy shop. I have many new designs for notepads and charms ready, but no way to ship it! Ahh!
I think I will miss... (people edition)
What I wrote one year ago: I'm not a social person and I rarely talk/meet even with my best friend. We usually meet, like, once a year, so I won't feel any difference. Family-wise, I know that my trip breaks my grandpa's heart and I can only hope he won't be too sad without me. I'll make sure to video call often
Now: I call my family once per two weeks, or even less. I send them photos online and maybe one message per day. Friends-wise, I haven't noticed any difference, since we contact and meet each other sparingly anyways. I can't say there was a time I missed anyone from back home, aside from one situation which I describe two points below.
I think I will struggle with...
What I wrote one year ago: 2 things: social interactions and weather. While I'm hopeful that this year may improve my first weakness, I'm not so sure about the second one. My tolerance for high temperatures is nonexistent and I don't know how my body will handle it...
Now: Weather, definitely. It is now summer, over 33C every day (37C today!). It's life-sucking, I hate it. Aside from this one season, it was more than okay. Not many rainy days and maybe one or two earthquakes strong enough to trigger the phone notification.
About social interactions... I am still weird and quiet and awkward, but I managed to made some friends. From some of my fellow volunteers, I've heard remarks about me being a huge loner, and that was even during the times when I made attempts to actually be sociable—interesting to know, but ultimately whatever. I am a loner, after all.
During this year, I had to visit many city halls and discuss official matters despite the language barrier. It used to be super stressfull to me, but then it turned just annoying. In that aspect, I think I got better.
I am most worried about...
What I wrote one year ago: getting sick or my family getting sick...
Now: Well, my worries came true. My grandma died. She suffered a lot, and I was so far away. It was a hard time for me—I quit one workaway after just a week, because I just couldn't work in the state I was in. I decided to reject my host's offer for a free and no-work stay (very appreciated!) and I spent another week in some guesthouse elsewhere, mainly crying and doing nothing. I just felt the need to be away from people who know about the situation—pity wouldn't do me any good and I would rather avoid dragging other volunteers' or guests' mood down.
I managed to stay rather healthy (aside from one time when I caught a cold in the winter) and wasn't in the clinic even once.
I think I might be disappointed with...
What I wrote one year ago: hmm, maybe after living in Tokyo for a while I'll find it boring? But I hope to be proven wrong!
Now: Not Tokyo. I love Tokyo with all my heart and would love to live there more. I don't think I have experienced any major disappointment, except maybe my winter work in a ski resort.
I think I will start loving even more...
What I wrote one year ago: FOOD FOOD FOOD
Now: I was wrong with this one. After about 9 months, I had enough of Japanese food and most of my lunches oscilated around indian cousine and some burgers. I still love gyudon, sushi and yaki-niku, of course... but maybe not every day.
The surprising love that found me in Japan was baseball, ha! Who would have thought?
I hope for...
What I wrote one year ago: improving my language to the conversational level and taking some a-ma-zing photos
Now: Did I? Ha. Ha, ha ha. My Japanese is still shit, but hey. Two years ago I couldn't speak at all, now I can hold an easy conversation and know more than 2000 kanji. I'll get there one day. I'm still learning daily.
I did take some great photos, though. I took so much that I had to buy another SD card and am thinking about some small physical exhibition once i'm back in Poland.
What's next?
Overall, I was thinking that leaving Japan would be harder, but I think I've satisfied my hunger (for now). I'm glad this country became my home for a full year and plan to come back in the future... I still need to see Hokkaido and make a trip around my beloved Shikoku!
Of course, I cannot recommend Working Holiday more. It's been the best year of my life, everything was way better than I expected! With proper preparations and reaching hosts early, it's quite easy to secure a job or volunteer even for a longer period, so money is hardly an issue (ofc it's wise to have something saved just in case). The one-in-a-lifetime opportunity is definitely worth it.
I'll be back with more posts about Japan. I still have to write about my adventures from Sanuki and Hiroshima, as well as share my new love for Japanese baseball.
But now, time for... 3 months in Korea!