Decluttering was half the battle—moving day was the real nightmare. Our huge mistake? We accidentally threw away my husband’s passport with the trash!

After feedback requesting more decluttering details, here are extra lessons learned from our move from Chicago to Japan.

1. Label Everything: Sort items into “Need,” “Might Need,” and “What’s the Point?” Setting aside essentials helps movers estimate costs accurately. Stick to 3-4 label types—too many just creates another mess.

When we moved from a 3-story house in Chicago (2,950 sq. ft.—3 bedrooms, living room, dining room, huge kitchen, basement, and garage) to a 3LDK apartment in Japan (835 sq. ft.—3 bedrooms, living room, and kitchen, no garage), it was a nightmare. Just picture the garage—overflowing with stuff we hadn’t touched in years!

Imagine receiving $3,000 monthly from US Social Security. As of March 5, 2025, with an exchange rate of $1 = ¥149.39 (for example purposes), that’s ¥448,170 deposited into your account!

In Japan, hospital rooms are typically shared with six, four, or two patients, unless you choose a private room (extra cost required).
If you get a bed by the window, you're lucky! But if you're in the middle or on the aisle side, you might not be able to see outside.

📖 In September 1967 (Vol. 132 No. 3), a 10-year-old American boy was enchanted by a @NatGeo picture of Itsukushima Shrine. 57 years later, he retired—and now he lives in Japan. 🇯🇵

An Australian friend once told me he never really liked the loud, New Year's Eve parties. Then, he spent New Year's Eve in Nara, Japan. It was completely silent—until midnight.

For international married couples, "where to live" is a major question—one that always lingers. Kids, housing, jobs, finances, aging... and so much more need to be considered!