TOKYO FREAKING JAPAN!! It’s the biggest city in the world, a vast metropolitan area that’s home to more than 37 million people. A place where cutting edge modernity and deeply held tradition exist in close proximity.
WATCH OUR VIDEO ABOUT US LEAVING GERMANY:
HUGE CHANGES ARE COMING https://youtu.be/ksFi_mc4-tc
JUMP BACK TO WHEN WE MOVED TO GERMANY:
We’re moving to Germany 🇩🇪 Part 1 | WHY, WHERE, WHEN, HOW & MORE! Watch to learn how you can too! https://youtu.be/TZ48iF9YT58
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Tanner, Risa, Willa + Noa
41 Comments
How exciting 🥳 Enjoy your time in Japan!!
We are a Japanese-German family living in Northern Germany and traveling to Tokyo every year. Besides that you guys are so likeable, we now have another reason to stay with your channel.
A few recommendations near Yokosuka:
Kaojiro Forest in Miura-kaigan.
Kamakura for beaches, a huge Buddha statue, a bunch of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, terrific cafés, a German bakery, Creme Brulee ice cream, a bamboo forest.
Yokohama for Minato Mirai, red-brick warehouses and Chinatown.
Best of luck to you and your family. Learn some katakana, it translates directly to English (most of the time)! I think the culture shock will be rough at first if you have never experienced Tokyo but life is all about learning and growth. With your positive attitude and open mind, you will be fine. Auf Wiedersehen und 東京へようこそ！
I'm late today. I think it's such an incredible opportunity, not only for you, but for your kids also. They are not in school yet, so NOW is the best time to have an experience like this. Can you imagine being so young & already having travelled the world? The cultural knowledge these little girls will have cannot be compared. Best luck to you.
Wow, that's a surprise. That will be a big culture shock in many ways 😮 sad you're leaving Germany but funny that we actually go on a 3 week trip to Japan tomorrow 😂 wish you all the best of luck and if you're not happy there, here's a community that will welcome you back happily. Stay safe and healthy. Excited to see your updates ❤
It will be hard on your child. There is a direct relationship with moving a lot as a child and the development of mental health issues in adulthood. Each additional move at young age is associated with small declines in social skills and emotional and behavioral problems. And with a radical change like this there can be feelings of alienation and a sense of fundamentally not fitting in, which is so crucial for social development of growing kids. She will be different from her peers in nearly every way, when at that age all she wants is to be the same as her peers. And to fit in, she will have to start from scratch. Adventure is fun for an adult brain that can understand change and handle instability, but for a child it is different. Its not my place to tell people how to raise children, but I certainly would not have made this decision, as statistically it is likely the child will be negatively psychologically impacted and that can have lifelong implications. Makes me wonder why one would make that choice. Respectfully, to me it seems like following wrong priorities. But I genuinely hope for the best for all involved.
So excited for you guys! Moving from (little) Allgäu to the South of Tokyo is a BIG step. Looking forward to see, how life in Japan is going to be… I have always wanted to travel to Japan, but it is very expensive. Looking forward to you guys sharing your experiences! All the best for you. Sending lots of love. God's blessing. Love you!
My honest opinion: You should worry more about your children's future. It would be fine for two adults, but it's not possible with children. Children need a harmonious environment with friends and acquaintances. You should think a little more about your children in your own selfishness.
Its a selfish decision. You said yourself life was good in germany. You're uprooting your child who needs a stable life and connection with peers, and placing her in an environment where everything, from alphabet, to language, to even the way she looks, is different from all the rest. Children want to fit in. And there is no place you could have moved to that is harder for her to connect to and fit into at this phase. it has an isolating effect. it can cause loneliness. That young age loneliness can turn into depression. And for what? when life was already good? I dont care if people think im judgmental. I know you love your child more than anything. but I think its selfish. sorry. I hope she will be ok.
I have travelled all over the world and lived and worked in less developed countries as well as the most developed places. The only place I felt homesick and rejected was Japan. While not hostile towards foreigners, the Japanese are not easy to get acquainted with. You need to speak Japanese to be able to master the pitfalls of daily life. Now this was back in the 1980s and may have changed by now, but I wish you all the luck of the world – you will need it. I feel sorry for Willa, though – she will feel lonely.
Oh wow, what a great adventure! I'm so happy for you! I'm a little shocked by the amount of negative comments, please don't let them bring you down. You're a very lovely family and I'm sure you all will have the best time in Japan. I'm very excited and look forward to your next chapter. 💖
I'm an American as well and have had the amazing opportunity to live in Italy and Yokosuka, Japan. Took advantage of traveling to so many countries as well but Japan is by far the most amazing country. You guys are going to love it
Traveling is great but not the same as relocating. I grew up and experienced multiple moves and it was always hard. I didn’t have a normal life until we put down roots. Same schools, friends, church etc. I still travel and love the experience but never would uproot the kids because of my desire to travel. I do wish you the best.
Puuuhh that's crazy. Then say goodbye to bread and rolls etc. Noodle soup for breakfast) This will be very difficult. It will be difficult for the children to go to another country again and again. Then they have no real roots. But they are travelers. I wish you all the best and will continue to follow you
Question for both Risa and Tanner? Serious side, how do you feel making this big of a move with working on a us base during the chaos in the world right now, of course I know you found out before recent events. My biggest question would be for Tanner. Working as say, an Army Civilian, are you obligated to work the full 5 years like a soldier would do like 4, or can you just give your resignation letter and head back home? Would love to work as a Fitness Specialist in Landstuhl one day! 😃
I feel like I recall you before stating you’re a GS employee? Are you guys only going for a couple years for the 5 year cap or are you getting your time extended?
I’m currently in Germany as well and thought that might be an idea (to split the time up and see more of the world)
Awesome! Japan was my guess but I thought it may have been somewhere like Okinawa due to the US presence there. I think your at a perfect time to take these adventures, so good on you for taking the leap.
I knew it,,, I was guessing right🤩, good luck in new place
YOU guys will love Japan. Frist off, low crime. Another organized country. Can't wait to find out how you guys like it.
I believe this to be a huuuuge mistake.
As beautiful it is in Japan – it is not foreigner friendly , it is not child friendly, not western children at least, that are not used to super strict unwritten rules.
But best wishes anyway and good luck.
It sounds exciting and Japan is great! But it's really sad for Willa. She will lose all her german and probably won't learn that much japanese, since it's much more unlikely for her to be able to immerse into the normal japanese culture and life. I guess her further upbringing will be much more like in the US, except for geographically being in a different place…
Your home in Germany was so cozy, Tokyo region will be a huge difference! I wish you all the best!
Good luck guys 🍀 Germany will miss you 🥰
Looking fwd to see your vids from Japan! Great! All the best!
wow Japan, i assumed, because you mentioned that you originally had an offer to go there…. but still I do not anyone who moved to Japan or China and didn't struggle to adapt.. so Japanese culture is hugely different, and i'm not talking holidays but living. But you are young and you know what you're doing. So I'm sure you're gonna enjoy it. So all the best and i'm excited to see how you and especially Willa is dealing with it…. she's much older now and will be more expressive about her experiences. But it might all depend if you gonna put in an international or japanese kindergarten, preschool at one point…. so what an adventure to take on.
So happy for you. You are able to explore so many different new things. I can´t wait to see your videos from Japan and tasting the japanese food 😉. but, by everthing you do please notice – you are always welcome back in Germany ❤
Welcome(ようこそ)！ From Japan.
I really glad to hear that you will come to Japan! I live in Tokyo now, I wish I can meet you someday
Take advantage of the opportunity. Willa will cry at first and miss germany just like you guys will be sad and miss, but once in Japan, she will forget germany a bit. She is small and wont remember germany much later but you guys have videos to show her as she gets older.
Enjoy. Im an american from Texas living in Wiesbaden for 30 years. We enjoy your videos. Maybe oneday you can visit Wiesbaden.
I've followed your travels and growing family since you arrived in Germany. It's remarkable how much of Europe you have explored while also maintaining a professional career and all, including Willa, are to be commended for throwing yourselves into the German lifestyle. Your videos are consistently entertaining and technically excellent, so I am much looking forward to continuing adventures in Japan. A super modern country in many ways, yet with deep cultural links with the past, your commentary on life in Japan will no doubt be fascinating. Having experienced a German sauna, a Japanese onsen will hold no fears for you.
idk, they make it sound as if their future location within the country was more important than anything else. Tanner must be quite sought after if he can pick from several places within Japan. one would think his job preferences would override any location preferences or to put it another way: if considerations for his family (residing near the ocean, safer from the hustle and bustle of mega-cities like Tokyo etc) are that important, wouldn't this seriously limit his job offers? apparently not. lucky family
I wish you very well in Japan. Growing as a family indeed. And maybe even growing as a youtube channel and fading the children out of your content. They are precious and lovely and do deserve growing up in privacy, not in front of the eyes of so many strangers.
What an exciting new adventure!! All the best wishes go with you. Your videos here proved how much you care for the well being of your daughters and how their needs come first whatever you're planning. I am sure you'll all be fine and will enjoy that new chapter in your life. Also Willa will cope well as long as she's with you guys. I hope this is not a "Farewell" to Germany but a "Auf Wiedersehen". It's been great to watch you guys explore and enjoy central Europe. So please come back one day.
So it will be U.S. military base at Yokohama then, I guess…
Germany will miss you too. Wishing you the best of luck and looking forward to your new adventures in Asia!
ps. Kamakura, which is an hour away from Yokosuka, is my personal favorite
ps2. Visit Taiwan!
It sad to hear you guys are moving to Japan,but again I think Japan is so much safer than the western country these day and it’s good environment for the kids,and the country side will be nice and peaceful.I am excited for you guys.Children’s adapt quickly especially at younger age.All the best wishes for your family, take good care and God bless and be with you every steps.❤
i am excited for you. My work has taken me to Tokyo a few times, we loved it. Especially the food, public transport, etc. I would totally move to Japan if my job required it, wife is ready to go as well. Doing this while you are young is the best time. i moved to the US permanently when i was 35. for willa it will be good to have all the videos of her time in germany to keep it fresh in her mind. it will be interesting to see how your japanese skills are coming, i myself started on Duolingo about 6 months ago. Compared to my first trip to japan some 15 years ago or so, it is now MUCH easier, much more english signage in tokyo, many more people in japan speaking english now, and better, too. much like the germans, many japanese people are super critical of their english skills, but they should not be. Ask for help and you will see.
Yā, kawaī 4-ri, anata ga satte shimau no wa zan'nendesuga, ippōde wa kokorokara kansha shite imasu. Moshi watashi ni onaji sentakushi ga areba, watashi wa mattaku onajiyōni surudeshou. Izure ni seyo, watashi wa anata ga koko de sugoshita yō ni subarashī, seikō shita, soshite naniyori mo shiawasena jikan o sugoseru koto o negatte imasu! ! ! Soshite, itsu demo modotte kuru kachi ga aru koto o shitte imasu. Mijikai mono o 2tsu watashi kara shiboritotte kudasai, soshite u~ira ni totte shokku ga sorehodo hidokunai koto o hontōni negatte imasu! Maikeru hanōbā yori go takō o oinori mōshiagemasu!
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hey ihr 4 hübschen, einerseits ist es schade das ihr geht ,andererseits gönne ich das von ganzem herzen. hätte ich deiselben möglichkeiten würde ich es ganz genauso machen. ich wünsche euch jedenfalls ein ebenso schöne,erfolgreiche und vor allen glückliche zeit wie ihr sie hier hattet!!! und das es sich immer lohnt zurückzukommen wißt ihr ja. drückt die beiden kurzen von mir und ich hoffe sehr, das der schock für willa nicht so schwer wird! Alles Gute von Michael Hannover!
hey you 4 pretty ones, on the one hand it's a shame that you're leaving, on the other hand I appreciate it with all my heart. If I had the same options, I would do it exactly the same way. In any case, I wish you a time as wonderful, successful and, above all, as happy as you had here!!! and you know that it's always worth coming back. squeeze the two short ones from me and I really hope that the shock won't be so bad for Willa! All the best from Michael Hannover!
I just returned from Japan, it is indeed such a great country. The people are very polite, especially when you are a foreigner. I have never felt safer in another country, as it seems like everyone is following the rules. Also there is so much to explore, not only the cities but also the nature was mind-blowing. If you want to connect with Japanese people and also internationals I can highly recommend to go to the Hillsong church in Tokyo, as many Japanese people don't speak englisch in other places. All the best wishes for your family, Germany is going to miss you! God bless🙏
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
I think it is great you're doing that. Your children will grow up knowing that there is a big world with lots of different cultures. That alone is a big treasure. So many people would be much more open minded and tolerant if they had seen more of the world. People are scared of the unknown therefor it is great to see and get to know the world with all of the different ways of life.
I hope you have a great time and cannot wait to get some insights into life in Japan.
All the best for that new adventure 😊
😞
Hi! Thank you for sharing your time in Germany, I really loved our appreciation for German places, culture and food – it was really heartwarming! Also getting to know your wonderful family ! It's super exciting that you are going to Japan now – it sounds like the right thing now. Wishing you all the best 🫶