I'm Here. Simple Gaijin Has Arrived in Japan!

October 16, 2026 | Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

After years of planning, months of preparation, and more than a few sleepless nights, I can finally say something that I've been working toward for a very long time.

I'm back in Japan. And this time, I'm here to build a life.

On October 14, my wife, Ayaka, and I said our final goodbyes to Texas. After wrapping up the last of our responsibilities, we made our way to Austin, where we would begin our long journey across the Pacific.

Two days later, on October 16, we arrived in Japan.

And just like that, the next chapter of Simple Gaijin began.

Leaving Texas Behind

Leaving Texas was considerably more emotional than I anticipated.

For better or worse, Texas has been my home for most of my life. It's where I grew up, attended school, played football, graduated from the University of North Texas, and eventually established Simple Gaijin in 2015.

It's where I made some of my closest friends, met some extraordinary people, and discovered that teaching Japanese wasn't simply something I enjoyed. It was something I wanted to dedicate my professional life to.

Over the final few days, Ayaka and I worked tirelessly to prepare for our departure. Furniture was removed, belongings were shipped, accounts were closed, and our apartment was finally emptied.

After one last round of goodbyes, I turned in our apartment keys.

Eleven years after founding Simple Gaijin, I was preparing to take the business to the very country that inspired its creation.

There was sadness, certainly. But there was also an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

I had finally done what I said I was going to do.

Back to Where It All Started

My relationship with Japan didn't begin when I founded Simple Gaijin.

It began years earlier, when I was a kid fascinated by Japanese culture, history, language, and entertainment. That curiosity eventually led me to study Japanese at the University of North Texas and spend seven months studying abroad at Kansai Gaidai University.

I first arrived in Japan in 2011, not entirely knowing what to expect.

That experience changed the direction of my life.

I would eventually return to Japan to work, including my time as an Assistant Language Teacher in Akkeshi, Hokkaido, through the JET Programme.

But despite the years I spent living and working here, I eventually returned to Texas and established Simple Gaijin.

For more than a decade, I've helped students pursue their own interests in Japan, whether that meant learning the language for travel, preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, or developing a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

Now, after all those years of helping other people prepare for their journeys, I've begun another journey of my own.

Welcome to Tochigi Prefecture!

<escape>Our new home base is Kaminokawa (上三川町), a town in Tochigi Prefecture, not far from Utsunomiya (宇都宮市).</escape>

For those unfamiliar with the area, Tochigi is located north of Tokyo in the Kantō region. It's known for its beautiful countryside, historic destinations such as Nikkō, and, of course, Utsunomiya's famous gyōza.

After arriving in Japan, Ayaka and I boarded a highway bus bound for Utsunomiya, where her family would pick us up.

As I sat on that bus, watching the scenery pass by, the reality of everything finally began to sink in.

I was no longer preparing to move to Japan.

I had actually done it.

It was a strangely familiar feeling, reminiscent of my first arrival in Tokyo back in 2011. Except this time, I wasn't a university student discovering Japan for the first time.

I was a husband, a business owner, and a Japanese-language educator returning to a country that had already shaped so much of my life.

And I couldn't help but laugh.

After everything it took to get here, what else could I do?

What Happens to Simple Gaijin?

First and foremost, Simple Gaijin isn't going anywhere.

In fact, this move represents one of the most significant developments in the history of the business.

Simple Gaijin was founded in North Texas in 2015 with a straightforward objective: provide students with personalized Japanese-language instruction without treating them like just another number in a classroom.

That philosophy hasn't changed.

I'll continue offering private, one-on-one Japanese lessons online, including instruction for students in the United States. My existing curriculum, teaching approach, and commitment to helping students succeed will remain firmly in place.

However, there is one major difference.

I'll now be teaching Japanese live from Japan.

That means my students will have the opportunity to learn from an instructor who isn't simply teaching about Japan, but actively living here.

As I settle into life in Tochigi, I also hope to incorporate more firsthand experiences into my lessons, articles, and educational materials.

From everyday interactions and local customs to regional history and cultural observations, my surroundings will provide opportunities to bring even more practical knowledge into the classroom.

Simple Gaijin is scheduled to resume regular lessons on November 1, 2026, alongside the next phase of our website's development.

A New Chapter, Not a New Identity

There's something I want to make very clear.

Moving to Japan doesn't mean I'm turning my back on everything that came before it.

I'll always have my Texas roots. I'll always be a graduate of the University of North Texas. And I'll always remember the people who supported Simple Gaijin during its earliest years.

But I also believe that life requires us to take chances.

Sometimes those chances work out. Sometimes they don't. And sometimes, no matter how carefully you prepare, you simply won't know what awaits you until you make the decision to go.

There were plenty of reasons to remain comfortable in Texas. There were financial concerns, professional uncertainties, logistical problems, and countless moments when the entire move seemed overwhelming.

But I kept coming back to one thought:

I refuse to reach the end of my life and never know whether this could have worked.

So I went.

And now, here I am.

The Journey Continues

Over the coming months, I plan to share more about life in Tochigi, the challenges of settling into Japan, and the experiences that come with operating Simple Gaijin from overseas.

I'll also continue publishing articles about Japanese grammar, vocabulary, kanji, language proficiency examinations, and practical advice for anyone interested in studying Japanese.

This is not the end of Simple Gaijin's story.

It's the beginning of a new chapter, one that I've spent years working toward.

To everyone who has supported me, studied with me, encouraged me, or believed in what I was trying to accomplish, thank you.

I couldn't have reached this point without you.

Eleven years ago, Simple Gaijin began in North Texas.

Today, it continues in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Same teacher. Same commitment. New home.

And if there's one lesson I hope my journey demonstrates, it's this:

Bet on yourself.

— MikeFounder and Japanese-Language InstructorSimple Gaijin | Established 2015Now teaching live from Tochigi Prefecture, Japan