When Malaysia implemented a Covid-19 lockdown on March 18, 2020, Cheesie made an impulsive decision to move to Japan. She managed to secure the last flight out on the 17th because she believed that if she had to be in lockdown, she would rather be in Japan. This 39-year-old blogger had an intense love for Japan even before moving to Tokyo. She had visited the country 56 times and explored all 47 prefectures.
Cheesie’s obsession with Japan grew over time, leading her to give up traveling to other countries. She always found herself longing to be in Japan whenever she was elsewhere. Her infatuation with the country extended beyond its delicious food and rich culture. Cheesie found that Japan’s practices and philosophies greatly enriched her life. She shares three of them with CNBC Make It.
Firstly, Cheesie emphasizes the importance of gratitude in Japanese culture. In Japan, it is ingrained in daily life to find something new to be thankful for each day. Simple gestures like saying “itadakimasu” before a meal, which means receiving food with humility and gratitude, exemplify this practice. Additionally, saying “otsukaresama desu” to colleagues after a long day of work acknowledges and appreciates their hard work. These small acts fascinated Cheesie and made her appreciate things more easily in life.
Secondly, Cheesie credits Japan for teaching her the value of unconditional acceptance. She notes that people in Japan are generally kind and courteous, and this kindness naturally inspires reciprocal behavior. This contrasts with the person she used to be, a harsh self-critic who never felt good enough. Through her experience in Japan, Cheesie transformed into a person she truly liked. She shares a significant moment from her life when she underwent four days of “Yamabushi training” in the sacred mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. This training, originally practiced by ascetic monks, involved praying silently in the mountains without speaking. The only word permitted was “uketamo,” which symbolized accepting one’s surroundings unconditionally. This transformative experience enabled her to master the art of acceptance, regardless of life’s challenges.
Lastly, Cheesie appreciates Japan for preserving the traditional way of life amid modernization. Compared to Singapore and Malaysia, Japan still offers opportunities to experience a traditional way of life close to nature, away from the bustling cities. She recounts her visit to Kudaka, a remote island in Okinawa, where she witnessed islanders catching poisonous sea snakes barehanded, without any tools or nets.
Cheesie’s love for Japan encompasses more than just surface-level attractions. Her admiration for Japan’s practices and philosophies has profoundly impacted her life. From the daily practice of gratitude to the concept of unconditional acceptance and the preservation of traditional ways, Cheesie’s experiences in Japan have shaped her outlook and made her appreciate the country even more.
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