A Tale of Two Homes: Life Between Two Cultures

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to build a life in two different parts of the world? For twelve years, Japan was my home, and building a house there taught me so much about Japanese culture and craftsmanship. Now that I am back in Canada, I often look back at the fascinating differences in how we define "home."

Part 1: The Custom Build in Japan

Before a single board was cut for my Japanese home, we held a Jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) to appease the spirits of the land. It was a beautiful ritual that set the tone for the entire project. From frequent hospitality for the workers to building customized raised kitchen counters to fit my height, every detail was intentional. It was a wonderful modern Japanese house.

Part 2: The Edmonton "Time Capsule"

When I returned to Canada in 2007, I faced a very different reality. My new house in Edmonton was originally built in 1952, but the interior was a total "time capsule" trapped in the 1970s.
The Before: The room featured dated pinkish walls and wall-to-wall brown carpet that hadn't been touched in decades.

The Disaster: Because it was an older home, the demolition revealed asbestos, which required professional abatement and a high-stakes containment area wrapped in orange plastic.

The After: We gutted the room down to the studs, eventually transforming it into a clean, modern space.

Let’s Trade Stories!

Whether it’s the precision of Japanese construction or the "sweat equity" of a Canadian renovation, a home is a collection of stories. I would love to hear yours!

If you want to practice your Speaking or expand your Vocabulary, join me in my lesson: "The Bridge: Cross-Cultural Conversations." Let’s find our common ground together.