2026 Kenn’s Blog

Before coming to Japan, I considered myself a fairly open-minded person because I enjoy learning about different cultures and traveling to new places. Since Thailand and Japan are both Asian countries, I expected many things to feel familiar. However, after spending time here, I realized that even when cultures share similar values, they can express those values in very different ways. One thing that immediately stood out to me was how people behave in public spaces. In Thailand, public places often feel lively and energetic. People chat on public transportation, street vendors call out to customers, and there is usually a lot of background noise. In Japan, however, trains and stations are much quieter. At first, I found the silence slightly uncomfortable because I was used to a more social atmosphere. Over time, I came to understand that many Japanese people remain quiet in public as a way of showing respect and consideration for those around them. Another cultural difference that sur...

Living in Thailand has made me notice how different social culture can be in Japan. In Thailand, inviting friends or relatives to your home is quite common and often seen as a warm way to build relationships. People enjoy sharing meals, spending time together, and creating a friendly atmosphere at home. In Japan, however, inviting guests to one’s house is much less common, even among younger generations. Most social gatherings usually happen at restaurants, cafés, or isakayas instead of private homes. One reason is that many Japanese homes, especially in large cities, are relatively small, making hosting difficult. There is also a strong cultural emphasis on privacy and cleanliness, so some people may feel pressure to prepare their homes perfectly before inviting others over. For someone from Thailand, this difference can feel unusual at first. However, it also shows how Japanese society values personal space and formality in social relationships. Interestingly, when a Japanese person ...

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Cultural “other” awareness is the ability to understand and respect people whose cultural backgrounds, behaviors, and social norms are different from our own. It encourages people to look beyond their usual perspective and recognize that habits considered “normal” in one culture may be very different in another. Developing this awareness helps reduce misunderstandings and allows people to adapt more easily when interacting with others from different societies. Living in Japan has made me more aware of how culture shapes everyday behavior in ways I never noticed before. Coming from Bangkok, I am used to a fast and social environment where people talk loudly, joke often, and interact casually with strangers. In Japan, especially in Osaka, I noticed that people are much quieter in public spaces. On trains, almost everyone stays silent, and even in elevators people rarely speak to each other. At first, the atmosphere felt distant to me, but over time I realized it is also a way of respecti...

  Game Review This game is a classic game that I used to play when I was younger and recently revisited it not too long ago. It's called "The House" and there are two parts in the series. Click below to play both parts for free online!! The House: Part 1 The House: Part 2 (Goal of the Game) The house series is a short point-and-click horror game which you are thrown into a haunted house with no background and you have to progress the game by finding clues and information on what's happening in the house. As you progress further and further you will start to unravel the truth behind the house. (Pros and Cons) Pros (+) Atmosphere is insanely strong The game builds tension without needing action. Just clicking around in silence makes it feel heavy and uncomfortable. Simple but effective gameplay You literally just click objects, but the way events trigger makes you feel like you’re uncovering something disturbing. Great use of jumpscares Not overused, but when they hit, ...

Learning about sleep culture in Japan was honestly surprising and a bit ironic. I found it funny that sleeping at work can actually be seen as something positive, because it signals that a person is working so hard that they didn’t get enough rest. At the same time, it also felt quite depressing, since it reflects how intense the work culture is and how little time some office workers may have to truly relax or take care of themselves.  From the video, it seemed like work often takes priority over personal well-being, which made me think more critically about work-life balance. It doesn’t feel like people are encouraged to rest properly, but rather to keep pushing themselves.  When I discussed this with the person next to me, we realized that sleep habits in our countries are actually quite similar. Even if the cultural expectations might differ, people still tend to sacrifice sleep due to busy schedules. Overall, this made me reflect on how important it is to find a healthier...