Tokyo, Japan: How I'm making friends in a new city (at 29 y/o)

Making new friends in a new city can be daunting, but IT IS possible (AND exciting)! In this video, I'm sharing my plan for building a community here in Tokyo, Japan. I also want to know how YOU make new friends in a new city! Please feel free to share your tips and experiences in the comments below :)
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[@stephenharris]

I arrived about 47 years before you, I was a Bay Area boy but fell in love with Tokyo, I definitely agree that finding friends is a top priority, but ultimately your success here will hinge on your ability to navigate in Japanese. Once you have mastered Japanese to a certain degree, you will find that barriers fall.

[@KayyNova]

Considering it's a positive comment.. why not spread the love?​@@cia.department

[@MisakoEnvela]

Knowing that you’ve been here for so long makes me smile! ✨ I’m happy that you’ve been able to build a home here and I agree with your note about learning to navigate in Japanese. 🙏🏽

[@goodenergi]

The vibe of this video is so calming

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you, Queen! I’m trying!!🥹✨🙏🏽

[@johannachan9685]

Aw I love that you have Japanese heritage and want to be connected 💜My 7 yo is half Japanese/Chinese and she has such a strong pull towards her Japanese side. Over summer break she and I are doing Japanese language lessons because she wants to be able to communicate when we visit Japan. You have such a beautiful soul. Thanks for sharing it all.

[@TylerScott-Paige-xe8nv]

As a British non Japanese person who has lived, studied and worked in Japan, I have NEVER felt more comfortable, more at home & more accepted anywhere in the world than I have in Japan. Currently I am back in UK working on my new career alongside my health (physical, mental & spiritual). However, I plan to move back to Japan again (not for a good few years yet, until I have sorted my life out), but I LOVE Japan so much and I totally resonate with your journey so much. You have a new fan here! I have subscribed to your channel and I am loving your content and seeing your journey. NATSUKASHI!!!! (So nostalgic)! なつかしい！がんばってください！

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you for watching and for subscribing!! AHH you TOTALLY get how I'm feeling in this moment, and I am happy to read that you have also experienced this same joy. I'm wishing you the best of luck on your new career journey and applaud you for prioritizing your health in this moment as well. Japan will be here to welcome you with open arms whenever you return. I'm rooting for you! Thank you for your comment (and for teaching me a new Japanese word)! :)

[@emilybecker3672]

The way you move through life with such grace is so inspiring, Misako! Over a year ago, I moved from Mexico (where I had an overload of community and often felt my social battery running empty) to Costa Rica. It's been so tough to make friends in this new space, especially at the age of 29 when many people my age are having children and shifting their focus to their families. When I stopped putting so much pressure on myself to connect with people, I found that spiritually aligned friends found me. It's still hard sometimes, but I completely resonate with what you said about finding the magic in fewer, but deeper, friendships. Thank you for making this video

[@LottoLogista]

They have a black-owned soul food restaurant called Soul Food House in Azabujuban. You'll feel at home at the restaurant, and their owners are super nice.

[@hwynne]

I love the color saturation(?) you chose for the beginning of this video. It's very warm and inviting

[@TkeyahB]

I moved to Jamaica almost 4 years ago and the easiest way to find friends is to put yourself in environments that you already love or are interested in learning more about. Different classes, markets, neighborhoods +. The internet can also bring people into your life if you put yourself out there. And the traditional word of mouth lol friends introducing you to friends. It is encouraging seeing you go for it again! I'm answering the calling again also :)

[@MisakoEnvela]

I couldn’t agree more with all of your suggestions, especially the meeting friends through the internet and through other friends. ❤️ So to happy read you’re answering the call! ✨

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you for sharing. Quality is a must stay blessed enjoy the video

[@lazyvietboy24]

I've meet Tomoko before! she was teaching a cooking class in NYC and I'm glad to see her doing well!

[@tomokowellness2441]

I would love to go back to NYC to do classes again❤

[@cassidylivingstone9284]

As someone living abroad this is so reassuring 💚Thank you so much Misako, your videos are like a big breath of fresh air 🍃

[@BXbabbie]

I’m really glad I found your channel! I’m moving to Japan next month and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Your videos have put me more at ease and is giving me more confidence to learn as I go and take it a day at a time.

[@lisaward8024]

There will be culture shock on some level. Don’t think it’s going to be a breeze. There’s always a reason for feeling nervous.

[@_Onikuma_]

I'm also moving to Japan in a month! You've got this I believe in you!

[@sophiemarcaurele]

Wow, I need the recipe for that artemisia (yomogi) bread! My Naturopath said I need to use that medicinal herb yesterday 🌿 ❤ 🤗🍵

[@howaboutno2023]

Me tearing up from the beauty of this vid🙏🏾 thanks for sharing with us❤️

[@jorgecastaneda3289]

I feel sad because You left México but at the same time am happy for you cause We have to continue searching for our own destiny

[@orlandohtyler]

wowwww I mean… the cinematography😍

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you so much!!!✨🙏🏽

[@ishamisha]

Misako...I am TOTALLY convinced you definitely found your home! Your friend Tomoko is a gem and an angel. You seem soooo content already and not stressed or anxious as most of us would living in a brand new place. You've also sold me on Tokyo! I must go. I've always been a huge fan of Japan and its culture after having a close friend who was Japanese. What a special place / culture. And the city seems so chill as you walk the streets even though you're in a major city. Good luck with your studies, and thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[@15.johnsonangel]

My heart is so full for you Misako 😭💜😭💜😭💜 i honestly have no words. You seem so cozy and at peace. Continue to enjoy this new chapter Queen!

[@lz.leigh999]

Thank you, Misako.

[@dougm5490]

love your channel!

[@raihana.onfilm]

i love the calming vibes you captured 🧡

[@nicosanchez_music]

This is so damn cool. I’m 27 and feel the same way on making friends and choosing friends properly. I’m gona move outside my country soon and I also LOVE dance. Great way to express yourself and move the body Do you find it hard or easy to connect deeply with people in Japan? Having that soul connection with people?

[@hamiltona7]

Thank you for sharing! God bless you 💕🙏🏽

[@faithhayes7892]

What a lovely video! Thank you for the trip back.✨ I know Tomoko too and I’ve had the pleasure of sharing a meal with her- she really is a kindred spirit. I know you’ll keep finding all the beauty and magic that is Japan!❤️

[@tomokowellness2441]

I’m very happy that I had a chance to teach your son how to make Onigiri (rice ball) That’s the basic and traditional way to put LOVE in the food❤ I’m also happy that you saw me in this video🥹

[@charleslawson4792]

Thanks For The Advice.

[@jatinsvideos]

very beautifully filmed

[@Rayenjay]

This is very exciting! So happy for you! I hear nothing but good things about Japan, hope to make it there some day!

[@brendavasquez3019]

you ARE home!!! Loved this video so much.

[@dreamstraveled]

Watchung your video makes me feel like I’m back in Japan! Can’t wait to watch more😊

[@Caswell19]

Never stop making videos!!

[@apexxmia]

Wowww! look how beautiful your family is in that baby pic!

[@pawkyyy]

thank you!

[@GreenGuy-oy7ue]

I love your energy, experience, and content, which is the opposite of what I have read on Quora and Reddit. I also planning to study in Japan next year.

[@MisakoEnvela]

thank you so much for your kind words! i'm excited for you to begin your studies next year! sending you the best of luck - you're going to LOVE it!! 🤎🤎

[@SimplySango35]

Just came across your channel😍😍😍in love with the pacing and values!

[@YoFabGab]

Absolutely loved this vlog! I love how intentional and present you are. Mentioning the temperature of the room you had your dance class in reminded me of how wonderful it is to live in the moment and of other ways I can practice gratitude. Keep up the great work! ◡̈

[@gosikh]

Yeeeeeeees. I am 1000% grateful who make me feel like I belong.

[@HappyEnergyJourney]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey in beautiful Japan. I enjoy attending yoga classes and well-being workshops to meet people when I travel. Arigato, Misako!

[@katie9735]

I felt really overwhelmed with joy while watching this video. I had to pause a few times to take it all in. I’m really glad you feel like home there. I‘m excited to be a part of this new journey with you.

[@inkarlcerating]

I agree. There are so many ways to convey and communicate. Body language and a sweet sincere smile is the first step. It helps when you really have a burning interest with the culture. I tried talking to servers, locals in my broken Japanese and it made travels more meaningful.

[@MisakoEnvela]

A sweet smile is the first step!!! Love this ❤️ and you are totally right. Talking to people who work at the cafes or restaurants I’ve been has really made this experience more special.

[@luismk4021]

I am just in love with your videos. It’s so cozy and your voice is so soothing and the content is very inspirational 🥹

[@Cha4k]

My recommendation for making friends would be to join a sports team or a martial art. Before training you get to banter with your club members, As well constantly meet new Japanese people from other clubs. It can sometimes be awkward when your Japanese is bad, And those people you have never met before might be too shy to speak to you yet. During training there is almost 0 Japanese required so you're not restricted by language, Meaning you can interact fully within the bounds of the sport/martial art. People get to actually "know" you and you get to "know" them completely within this context. After training people will be more relaxed, For those people you had not spoken to before they'll now be more comfortable because you just trained together and have a feeling for each others personalities, They'll also have a reason to talk to you being that they'll want to thank you for training with them. If you trained seriously and put in max effort then they'll be endeared to you, You'll also be invited to social events. "Japanese is also my culture, I am part Japanese" I disagree with this, Having ancestry from a place doesn't make it your culture. You are very clearly an American and fully a product of American culture. I think if you start talking to Japanese with a "Hello fellow Japanese" attitude you'll be setting yourself up for some uncomfortable situations. This is their country, their culture. And we are guests here. We shouldn't forget that.

[@kobk9709]

Really appreciate your topic, your soul feels connected and at home in Japan. Also, you have great eyes capturing sceneries and how you edited the video. From the beginning it looks like you are watching a short film in Japan.

[@uwishiwasu]

Welcome to Japan I love you newbies

[@TiatheDreamer4ever]

I love your videos, I am moving back to Japan later this year and I am focusing on language learning, and I can’t wait to take dance lessons again there! So much fun! I also want to connect more with my best friend there in Japan, and speak more Japanese with her family.

[@ipsilonia]

this is a homegoing for you! as a first gen immigrant, i get it. your ancestors got you 💛 ty for sharing your journey

[@mariaj6551]

I love this journey for you. My husband and I are visiting Japan in the Fall and can't wait! I have an amazing sensei/tomadachi so I'm learning the language and doing other research. I look forward to more videos.

[@anakirola9204]

I’m so happy I stumbled upon your vlog. It is a joy to listen to your life journey and story. I think you will enjoy learning the language. It will bring you closer to your Japanese heritage.

[@IsaacNYC212]

Thank You for sharing Your videos have a very calming effect and I love it. It’s very refreshing in a see of “noise”. My husband and I are considering a move out of the US. It’s starting to have an affect on my mental and physical health, so it’s time to make a change. I’ve visited Japan twice and each time I’ve following more and more in love with the culture.

[@lisaward8024]

Working and living in Japan or just visiting are two different things. Holidays and study time are always wonderful there.

[@Explore-with-Isaac]

@@lisaward8024 I should have added that both visits were for work in Tokyo with a Japanese Production company, so I've had a more unique [immersive] experience than most. I also have friends in Tokyo.

[@LaDeidraLAllen]

I watched your first- day video. You looked so happy/ blissful.

[@UsagiMori]

This is the second video I've watched on your channel and I want to stick around to watch your successes in Japan! Definitely enjoying your vlogging style and wishing you the best!

[@sticky.manager]

This one is unlisted but I really loved it. You have a great perspective and ive been watching some of your journey leading up to this. I hope it really pays off for you.

[@kirstenmc7356]

I just moved to Tokyo about a month ago and I’ve been a bit worried about finding my community here but this gives me some hope thank you :’)

[@shaygreene2473]

Good for you! I am so impressed with you trying to first learn the language! I watch another KZbinr who has been there for 7 years and she does not study the language. She has no intention of leaving. Good for you!

[@shaniceroshee]

Hey Misako! I absolutely adore your videos. I'd love to go have lunch (hoping you like vegan food) and connect you to a few more resources . Much love and many blessings

[@NasirFleming]

You're glowing! Love this so so much for you! You're making me want to make my way to Japan.

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you, love!!! YES plzz!! 😍❤️

[@gosikh]

Homemade umeboshi, I loooooove this.

[@regina-fw9jj]

...in addition to your already wonderful journey, perhaps reach out to Oriental Pearl, she is very grounded, and could most likely give you tips on learning the language, culture and more... 💕 beautiful vlog....

[@containeduniverselow4790]

You should hook up with some of the foreign and mixed personalities like, The Black Experience Japan, Kemushichan and The Oriental Pearl.

[@gosikh]

I love Japan and have some dear friends in Japan. In my 50s, it is very tough to meet people for deep connections. I am not going to be able to do that with my Japanese language skills. I am so happy you are taking this journey.

[@PreciousDaigh]

Thank you for sharing! I’ve been thinking about leaving home for much too long. Fear of being different and taking up space has always kept me from leaving. You continue to be inspiration.

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you for watching! I completely understand what you are saying 💕but I want to remind you that you’re allowed to take up space, love!!💕

[@marineexp1629]

your vlog is very honest, touching, thanks very much. Also how do you meet Tomako? She seems very joyful

[@FreeRoaming]

The quality of your videos, creation, slow meaningful pace of your videos and everything has changed since Mexico, it is so great!

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you so much for watching and for recognizing my efforts! I really am trying to make better videos for you all ❤️ and I’m really, really happy to know that you’ve noticed!

[@lovenspired]

such a great video! do you mind showing how you order food (from the greetings, communication, and leaving) bc no one everrrrr shows that in their travel vlogs (its only shots of eating the food, but never the ordering process lol) in Japan and I'm so curious how do you navigate the language barriers in restaurants throughout Japan in detail.

[@yaminogame7805]

I'm enjoying your videos a lot, a little feedback though? The text on the screen is a bit hard to read in the font style :) I have to make the screen larger to read that style.

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you so much for watching and for kindly sharing your feedback! I really appreciate it ❤️ and I definitely see what you mean now. I will make sure that the text is more legible in future videos 🙏🏽

[@pastelcoloureye]

Misako thank you so much for sharing this video. I’m Japanese and this brought me to another perspective of Japan. My soul is so full right now🧡

[@MisakoEnvela]

Thank you so much for watching! ❤️ I’m happy to know that your soul feels full after watching 🥹 Mine feels full, too! 🇯🇵🫂

[@donnahogan2999]

❤

[@chrrislowe9919]

I enjoy your videos so much. There’s such a peaceful energy about you. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It’s so appreciated. 🫂🫶🏽

[@GolfWorld]

what camera do you film with? great videos, love this series!

[@hollaOlga]

You have a beautiful name)

[@dinodinosaur2930]

💚💚💚💚

[@cartier2312]

Speaking about family where is your dad and do you have siblings? 🤔🤔

[@masegraye]

Great color grading. Audio levels too low.

[@rayna463]

みさこさん

[@yuiao4048]

Nowadays cabbages are expensive in Japan, by the way.

[@Bofresco]

Japan is a country of “honne” “tatemae” so just be aware and continue to be you..

[@dahianaramirez3749]

Am I the only one that the sound is really low I can barely hear what she is saying?

[@qwertybirds]

I hope their population concerns can be resolved and it isn't too late. I want Japan to stay Japan in all the best ways. I hope this isn't taken poorly but I believe too much immigration will dilute this country's beautiful identity and unique culture but with an aging population it will become difficult economically without it

[@ipsilonia]

i’d actually love to hear more japanese ppl share their thoughts on this. ofc it’s not very related to misako’s journey as she’s japanese. but in general, travel and immigration deeply impact locals.

[@LeeGeeEd]

You won’t be able to do freely in America. Aren’t you?

[@katerose8393]

Excuse my nosiness, but was there a reason why your mom didn’t raise you to speak japanese? It seems strange to cut you off from her culture that way.

[@sirmione905]

I happened to see your video and got interested because my mother’s name is also Misako! I’m Japanese and I was wondering why you have a Japanese name. Thank you for sharing your family photo.😊 I think you will be asked by many Japanese people about your name. Talking about your Japanese family will definitely make them feel you closer and it will help making friends! Good luck!

[@thisandthat0000]

❤