A picture of the leaves on the author’s university campus as they change color.
Since I was a child, I have always dreamed of living in Japan. For the past three to four years, I studied very hard to make this dream come true. When I finally was accepted to spend a year as an exchange student on a scholarship from the Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, I counted down the days with excitement. I felt that my life would change forever, and it truly has.
Understanding ‘ichigo ichie’
One of the most meaningful lessons I have learned in Japan is the idea of “ichigo ichie,” meaning a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Originating from the Japanese tea ceremony, this concept teaches that every meeting, moment, and experience is unique and cannot be repeated in the same way again. Therefore, we should cherish each moment, be present, and appreciate the people and time we share.
Before coming to Japan, I knew the words, but I didn’t yet understand the feeling behind them. My life in Japan helped me realize their true meaning.
Moments that can happen only once
A picture from the Global Business Contest.
Since arriving in Japan, I have seen so many beautiful things: Japan’s nature, history, culture, and everyday life. I have traveled around Tokyo and to other regions, discovering how each place has its own atmosphere and charm.
Living in an international dormitory has also allowed me to meet friends from Europe, America, and across Asia. Even though we come from different cultures, we all share one reason for being here: We love Japan and want to learn more about it. We cook together, explore together, and sometimes just talk late into the night about our dreams. Those moments seem to represent “ichigo ichie.”
I am also grateful for every Japanese friend I have met. Even though I am a foreign student, everyone has been so kind, helping me with daily life, encouraging my Japanese learning, and showing me the warmth of Japanese hospitality. It made me realize how generous people can be.
Growing through a community and taking on a challenge
Participating in a Noh theater workshop.
One of the best decisions I made was joining Global Village Yurakucho House, a community that connects Japanese and international students. Through programs such as the “Building a Global Mindset” course, career consulting, and various cultural workshops (for example, sushi making, ikebana, and Noh theatre), I experienced how delicate, refined, and deeply thoughtful Japanese culture is.
I also had the chance to join the Beyond Borders: Global Business Contest 2025, where I proposed an idea to help Japanese companies attract more international talent and succeed globally, and was awarded first place. It required two months of hard work, including researching about the Japanese economy, understanding workplace culture, and applying what I learned from living in Japan every day. It has been one of my proudest moments so far in Japan. If you are an international student in Japan and want to learn more about Japan and yourself while making new friends and creating good memories, Global Village may be the right choice for you. More information can be found on the Global Village website: https://www.globalvillage-yhouse.com
Hardship and self-discovery
Of course, life as an exchange student is not only beautiful. The past few months were also full of challenges: adjusting to the climate, dealing with illness, facing the language barrier, and learning how to live alone for the first time. There were days when I felt overwhelmed.
But overcoming these difficulties helped me discover new strength in myself. Living abroad teaches you independence in a way nothing else can.
Cherishing each season, each day
Time in Japan passes so quickly. Four months have already gone by. Summer turned into fall, and now winter is here. I still remember walking through the campus when the leaves were green, then suddenly golden, then bright red, and then falling. This natural cycle reminded me again of “ichigo ichie.”
When life is busy, we worry about the future, such as graduation, our careers, our responsibilities, and forget to appreciate the dream we are already living. I realized I sometimes forgot to enjoy my everyday life in Japan, the life I had wished for since childhood.
Now I finally understand the true meaning of “ichigo ichie.” Every day, every friend, every season, every small moment — I want to treasure all of them until I return to Thailand. Because these moments will never happen again in the same way. And that is what makes them beautiful.
Profile
A picture of the author wearing a kimono.
Nattha Pomankul (Khim) is a final-year student at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, currently studying tourism and business management as an exchange student at Rikkyo University.
AloJapan.com