I LIVE IN JAPAN / Tami Mason / Assistant Language Teacher

February 2026 (VOL.220)

Tami Mason

• Home country/city: Trinidad and Tobago
• Occupation: Assistant Language Teacher (JET)
• Duration of living in Japan: 10 Months (I arrived in August 2024)
• Why do you live in Japan?:There are two reasons: firstly, I had never experienced living outside my country, and I wanted to try something outside my comfort zone. Secondly, I had been an English teacher in my home country and wanted to experience teaching speakers of other languages before I decided to commit to a MA TESOL or not.

Were you hesitant to relocate to Japan?

No because it has always been a dream of mine to come here. I was a bit concerned about moving to one of the snowiest parts of Hokkaido from the Caribbean though. 

What do you find different about living in Japan over the term compared when you first arrived or come as a tourist?

When I first came here, even though I came with Japanese proficiency, I was very self-critical of my use of the language and hesitated to speak; I needed it to be perfect. Now, I embrace my mistakes, and I speak with everyone from the clerk at Lawson to my coworkers without fear. I find that most Japanese people don’t mind and are happy to talk. 

What do you miss about your maternal country living in Japan?

I miss the beach quite a lot. Trinidad and Tobago is a small island, so the beach is always within reach. My city is quite some distance away from the sea, which is cold most of the year.

What do you do in Japan?Can you talk about your job in Japan?

I am currently an Assistant Language Teacher at a Senior High School in a city just outside of Sapporo, Hokkaido. My day-to-day tasks are creating supplemental resources to assist with the main teachers’ English language goals, creating and executing in class language activities, maintaining the school’s English related bulletin board, and lastly, I manage the English Club.

What is the distinctive difference between your country’s and Japanese lifestyle?

I would say the stereotype of Caribbean people being very laid back is true. Japan has set rules that create an atmosphere that is a bit reserved and very formal. Trinidad and Tobago is generally more relaxed, so the people are much chattier, and things are often quite informal. Trinidad and Tobago is also very cosmopolitan, due to our history with colonization. There are many cultures living together as compared to Japan which is largely ethnically homogeneous.

What parts of Japanese culture do you recommend that foreign people try to experience?

I think the culture of the Ainu makes the Japanese culture in Hokkaido special. I recommend when people visit Japan, that they visit the Ainu museums or Biratori which is a place you can experience many Ainu traditions.

Are there any aspects of the Japanese culture or its people that you find bizarre or unique?

To me, I find the idea of kuuki wo yomu” (空気読む) to be a bit difficult. I am used to things being bit more direct as people simply telling me what they would like me to do, what I did wrong etc, but in Japan there are unspoken cues that you have to constantly pay attention to and they may sometimes be misread.

What are your favorite Japanese foods?

I have a major sweet tooth, so I quite like wagashi like dorayaki and manjuu, especially when matcha is involved. Of course, I like all the good dairy-based desserts here in Hokkaido, especially cheese tarts!