Moving from Tokyo to KL — What Surprised Me Wasn’t the Culture

When I arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Tokyo for work, I expected to encounter a new culture, new food, and a new lifestyle. What I didn’t expect was to be surprised by the weather, the daily habits, and how quickly local life would grow on me.

Now, four months into my life in Malaysia, I'm reflecting on my early impressions, everyday challenges, and what makes this journey uniquely memorable.

The First Impressions: KL Wasn’t What I Imagined

Like many first-timers, I expected something completely different when I landed in Malaysia. The urban area was far more developed than I thought. There were so many malls and tall buildings — just like the condo I’m living in.

Coming from Tokyo, one of the most advanced cities in the world, I honestly didn’t expect Kuala Lumpur to feel so… modern.

A Blend of Cultures—but That Wasn’t the Biggest Shock

As a Japanese expat, I was already aware that Malaysia was culturally diverse. But seeing it in daily life was a truly new experience. The mix of religions and ethnicities—Malay, Chinese, Indian, and others—was very different from Japan.

Still, the real shock came not from people or customs… but from the weather.

In Japan, we have four distinct seasons. Here, it's just hot. Every single day. I was really surprised by that! And that wasn’t all. There are a lot of bugs too! I quickly learned that insect repellent and sunscreen became part of my daily essentials.

Falling in Love with Local Food

One thing that helped me settle in quickly? The food, absolutely.

I love rice, so Malaysian food like nasi lemak and nasi kandar really suits me. My passion for food didn’t stop at just tasting; I also picked up a few important Malay words early on. The first one was ‘makan’ (to eat), of course!

Other words followed, like “Nama saya…” for introducing myself. Slowly but surely, language barriers started to fade.

Climbing Stairs and Exploring Caves

I've also been discovering Malaysia through short trips. My favorite so far?

Batu Caves, for sure. It was my first time there, and I climbed all 272 colorful steps—it was beautiful, but my legs were definitely tired afterwards!

I also visited Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) with friends for a seafood adventure. We went there just to eat crabs—it was incredibly fun and memorable.

Language, Misunderstandings & Adapting at My Own Pace

Although I haven’t had many major misunderstandings yet, I’m realistic about what lies ahead. As I keep learning English, I’m sure I’ll face some funny or confusing situations—but that’s part of the journey.

I also have to say that I'm the kind of person who takes my time to adjust. Rather than my feelings changing dramatically, I think I’ve just slowly gotten used to life here.

And as I grow more comfortable, I’m really looking forward to even more experiences—both in Malaysia and around Southeast Asia.

Looking Ahead with Curiosity and Positivity

Living in Malaysia has introduced me to more than just a new work environment. I’ve discovered a different pace of life, diverse people, unique flavors, and small adventures around every corner.

I’m excited about traveling to nearby countries, but also about making more local friends and truly learning from the lifestyle here.