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- Our family lived in Japan for 3 years. We’re back in the US now and I really miss these 3 things. (businessinsider.com)
Local Resident Recalls Three Transformative Years in Japan, Still Misses Onsens, Sakura, and ‘Oishii’ Food
For local resident Heather Sweeney, a move to Japan in 2005, prompted by her then-husband’s military orders, initially brought a mix of nerves and excitement. With her first child barely a year old, the thought of living so far from friends and family in the United States was daunting. Yet, despite never having used a passport before, Sweeney bravely embraced the adventure that would unfold over the next three years.
Her family of three journeyed from Pensacola, Florida, to Sasebo, Japan, on the island of Kyushu. What followed was a period of deep cultural immersion and unforgettable experiences.
Sweeney’s family lived in a traditional Japanese house for a time before moving into U.S. Navy housing, exploring ancient shrines, temples, and castles.
She engaged in local life, shopping for pottery, singing karaoke, and staying in ryokans – traditional Japanese inns. Her travels extended to iconic cities like Kyoto, reached by the Shinkansen bullet train, and the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, with side trips to neighboring countries like Thailand and South Korea.
A truly unique memory includes giving birth to her daughter in a Japanese ladies’ clinic.
In 2008, the family relocated to Virginia, but the allure of Japan never faded. More than 15 years later, Sweeney still cherishes and deeply misses several aspects of her life abroad.
Onsens Provided a Unique Way to Relax
Among her most treasured memories are the Japanese onsens, or natural hot springs. These public baths, where guests relax unclothed, became Sweeney’s favorite form of self-care.
She discovered an affordable onsen within a fifteen-minute walk of her base housing, quickly becoming a familiar face among the Japanese women and children. Despite language barriers, she recalls appreciating their nods of approval when she correctly followed strict onsen etiquette, such as showering before entering and keeping her hair out of the water.
The family even took a road trip to Kurokawa, a town renowned for its onsens, soaking in baths carved into caves and others overlooking serene brooks and waterfalls. For Sweeney, the onsens offered unparalleled relaxation and remain a deeply missed luxury.
Cherry Blossom Celebrations Are a Sight to Behold
The annual cherry blossom, or sakura, season was another unforgettable highlight. In Japan, these delicate pink flowers are more than just pretty trees; they symbolize a vibrant cultural celebration.
People meticulously track weather forecasts to plan festivals and parties around their brief, week-long bloom. Sweeney reveled in these seasons, capturing countless photos in local parks and attending festive flower viewing parties.
She recalls evening strolls through a park near the military base, where lanterns illuminated the blossoms, and the delicate petals drifted down like “pink snow flurries” as their short lives concluded. While she now visits cherry blossom festivals in Virginia, she notes they simply don’t compare to the sheer beauty and celebratory spirit of Japan’s sakura.
Nothing Compares to the Food
And then there was the food. “Oishii” – delicious – was one of the first Japanese words Sweeney learned, and she used it often.
She savored melt-in-your-mouth sushi with fresh salmon and tuna, crispy shrimp tempura, and savory tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlets). She discovered new favorites like yakitori (chicken skewers) and shabu shabu (hot pots), and enjoyed countless bowls of ramen and udon, accompanied by miso soup, edamame, and seaweed salad.
Her favorite dining spots ranged from traditional tatami-mat restaurants to those with helpful picture menus, but the popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant was a frequent return. Though she continues to enjoy sushi today, she maintains that nothing has ever matched the exquisite taste of authentic Japanese sushi.
Though more than 15 years have passed since her family departed Japan, Heather Sweeney holds onto the hope of returning. When she does, she plans to time her visit for the cherry blossom season, seek out her beloved onsens, and, of course, indulge in as much of the incomparable Japanese cuisine as possible. Her three years abroad may have been brief, but the memories, flavors, and unique relaxation of Japan clearly endure.