After seventeen years in Japan, Richard has finally decided to make it back to Europe and settle in Germany with his “Japanese” family. Listening to this podcast we will learn about his trajectory as a professional translator and tourism consultant in Aichi, Tokyo and finally Kobe, where he presently lives. We will review all the theoretical culture shock stages for a foreign resident in Japan, and Richard will explain all the contradictory feelings you may have in each of them. Later, while we enjoy a sashimi dinner with bonito, the house specialty at this small restaurant in Sannomiya, he will candidly analyze the reasons why he resolved to leave Japan while still keeping professional, emotional and cultural ties with their people.