He Moved from Tokyo to KL — What Surprised Him Wasn’t the Culture

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

Now, four months into his life in Malaysia, Shogo reflects on his early impressions, everyday challenges, and what makes this journey uniquely memorable.

The First Impressions: KL Wasn’t What He Imagined

Like many first-timers, Shogo expected something completely different when he landed in Malaysia.

"The urban area was more developed than I thought," he shared. "There were so many malls and tall buildings—like the condo I’m living in."

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

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

As a Japanese expat, Shogo was aware that Malaysia was culturally diverse. But seeing it in daily life was a new experience.

"The mix of religions and ethnicities—Malay, Chinese, Indian, and others—was very different from Japan," he said.

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

"In Japan, we have four seasons. Here, it's just hot. Every day. I was really surprised by that!"

And that wasn’t all. “There are a lot of bugs too,” he laughed, admitting that insect repellent and sunscreen became part of his daily essentials.

Falling in Love with Local Food

One thing that helped him settle in quickly? The food.

"I love rice, so Malaysian food like nasi lemak and nasi kandar really suits me," Shogo smiled.

His passion for food didn’t stop at tasting—he 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 himself. Slowly but surely, language barriers started to fade.

Climbing Stairs and Exploring Caves

Shogo has also been discovering Malaysia through short trips. His favorite so far?

"Batu Caves," he said immediately. "It was my first time there. I climbed all 272 colorful steps—it was beautiful, but my legs were tired!"

He also visited Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) with friends for a seafood adventure.

"We went there just to eat crabs—it was fun and memorable."

Language, Misunderstandings & Adapting at His Own Pace

Although Shogo hasn’t had many misunderstandings yet, he’s 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."

He also shared that he's the kind of person who takes his time to adjust.

"Rather than my feelings changing a lot, I think I’ve just slowly gotten used to life here," he said.

And as he grows more comfortable, he’s looking forward to even more experiences—both in Malaysia and around Southeast Asia.

Looking Ahead with Curiosity and Positivity

Living in Malaysia has introduced Shogo to more than just a new work environment.

He’s 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 learning from the lifestyle here," he shared.