#2 The Story Behind Our Sendai Trip | Ashtaroovia’s Life in Japan #JapanVlog

#2 The Story Behind Our Sendai Trip | Ashtaroovia’s Life in Japan #JapanVlog

hi everyone! welcome to ashtaroovia 
youtube channel. with me cikita. Happy New Year from Japan!
This was our New Year’s Eve dinner. We haven’t cooked anything yet since 
we just got back from Sendai. But before I share more about our Sendai trip, let me tell 
you a little story of why we choose Sendai. The reasons were, First, our 
son is a huge fan of trains, as I mentioned in the first video. He draws 
them daily, plays with his train diorama, and loves train-themed mobile games. Living 
in Japan has amplified his fascination with the Shinkansen, so we planned a ride from Tokyo 
to Sendai. Second, our daughter dreams of being a Frozen princess and building a snowman. 
Since the Kanto area lacks snow in winter, we traveled further north. Lastly, my husband and 
I have personal reasons for choosing this city. This was my first winter in Japan, and I was 
spending it with my family in Sendai. It’s such a nostalgic place for my husband because it’s 
where he had his first job. We got married in Indonesia a year after he started working 
there, but we lived apart—me in Indonesia, him in Japan—for what was supposed to 
be just a year until his contract ended. After we got married, I thought about visiting 
him in Sendai because, seriously, LDM is hard, isn’t it? But our talks about whether I 
should go or not hit a dead end because, I found out I was 4 weeks pregnant 
with our first baby. Long story short, I didn’t go to Sendai. Instead, I had 
another baby, and we lived a normal life as a married couple with two kids, 
trying to build our life in Indonesia. It was a bittersweet struggle. I couldn’t 
even think about traveling to another city in Indonesia, let alone Japan. But hey, delayed 
gratification is real. When our youngest turned 4, my husband got another job offer from 
Japan. That’s when life flipped upside down. Seven years of marriage 
already felt like a struggle, but moving to Japan? That brought a whole new 
level of mental and financial stress for us. My husband had to go to Japan first since 
the job started sooner. He also needed to prepare a Certificate of Eligibility 
for family members entering Japan, while I stayed back with the kids, waiting 
for it. Yes, another LDM—it’s really hard, I’m not lying! Waiting for 8 months with 
no updates from immigration was so tiring. We rented out our house, lived like nomads, and 
had to pull the kids out of school for a while. It was painful, but I’m grateful for my husband’s 
support and our presence for each other. Every time I had a complete meltdown, he somehow calmed 
me in a way I couldn’t do for myself. I’m also beyond thankful for my parents and in-laws. 
Honestly, I’d be a mess without their help. By spring 2024, when my daughter turned 
5, I couldn’t believe we were already living in Japan. I pinched my skin to make 
sure it wasn’t a dream. After waiting in vain, the hardest part had finally passed, and we were 
ready for the new adventure. I tried to get used to the new environment, learned Japanese again, 
and the kids started going to school. They seemed so happy, even making so many new friends. 
Our first encounter with Japan went smoothly. That same year, in winter 2024, we went to 
Sendai together. Not only my husband and I, but also our kids—what a full-circle moment! 
I had to wait 8 years to make my postponed plan a reality. I couldn’t believe that the 
black shawl I bought for that winter trip, left unused in my closet with the tag still on, 
was finally worn for the first time in Japan. This is such a miraculous moment for me. I’m 
sure God is the best of planners. My husband introduced me to his friends in Sendai and took 
me to familiar places. He smiled ear to ear, describing how happy he was. Though the trip was 
short, it was incredibly memorable for all of us. If your wishes haven’t come true yet, 
please don’t lose hope and keep doing good things every day. What you do today 
will lead you to the path you’re walking on. Life is beautiful and full of love 
if you believe in it. It might take time, but trust me, it will come. Always 
BELIEVE you can create the life you want. Thank you so much for listening to my story until 
the end. Please subscribe if you’d like to follow my drawing journey or see more of my daily life 
in Japan. Let me know in the comments if we share any common interests, so I can subscribe to 
your channel and follow your journey too. see you in the next video. Bye-bye!

Hi, I’m Cikita. After a decade of being a graphic designer, I’ve returned to my first love: drawing. Now living in Japan with my little family, I’m learning to live slower, create deeper, and find beauty in the everyday. If you love stories told through visuals and quiet moments, you’re warmly welcome here. ☺️

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