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Culture Shock and Its Stages

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Culture Shock and Its Stages

Moving to Japan is exciting, but it changes almost everything at once: language, food, weather, rules, and the people around you. The stress that comes from all these changes is called culture shock (カルチャーショック, karuchaa shokku). It is a normal reaction, not a weakness, and it happens to people from every country.

Four common stages

Many people go through stages like these. The timing is different for each person, and some people move back and forth between stages.

StageWhat it often feels likeWhat helps
1. HoneymoonEverything is new and interesting. You enjoy convenience stores, trains, and clean streets.Enjoy it, but keep regular sleep and meals from the start.
2. FrustrationAfter a few weeks or months, small problems pile up: instructions are hard to understand, you miss the food, rules feel strict. You may feel angry, sad, or tired.Remember that this stage is temporary. Talk to someone you trust and keep your routine.
3. AdjustmentYou start to understand the rules and the language a little better. Daily life becomes easier.Keep learning Japanese and notice your progress.
4. AdaptationYou feel at home in two cultures and can choose what you like from both.Share your experience with newer workers.

Signs that culture shock is affecting you

  • You complain about Japan or your workplace almost every day.
  • You feel tired even after sleeping, or you cannot sleep.
  • You avoid coworkers and stay alone in your room on days off.
  • You get angry easily about small things, such as noise or garbage rules.
  • You spend hours on the phone with people at home and feel worse afterwards.

Noticing these signs early is the first step. They do not mean that coming to Japan was the wrong decision.

Practical ways to get through it

  • Expect it. Knowing that the frustration stage is common makes it less frightening.
  • Learn the reason. Many Japanese rules exist for safety, hygiene, or consideration for neighbors. Asking "why" turns irritation into understanding.
  • Keep one familiar thing. Cook a dish from home, keep your worship habits, or join an Indonesian community event.
  • Find one new thing you like. A park near your home, a hot spring, or a seasonal food helps you connect with your new place.
  • Talk about it. Seniors who came before you have usually felt the same.

Reverse culture shock

When you return to Indonesia after some years, you may feel a similar shock in reverse: things that were normal before now feel strange. This is also normal, and the same approach helps.

This course gives general wellbeing guidance, not medical advice. If you are worried about your health, please see a doctor.

What culture shock is, its four common stages, warning signs, and practical ways to get through it.

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1. Sari has been in Japan for three months. Rules irritate her and she misses home food every day. Which stage of culture shock is this most likely?
Honeymoon Frustration Adaptation
2. Which of these is a common sign that culture shock is affecting you?
Getting angry easily about small things, such as garbage rules Enjoying convenience stores and trains in your first weeks Understanding more instructions than before
3. A Japanese rule at your dormitory irritates you. What is a helpful way to deal with it?
Ignore the rule when nobody is watching Complain about it to people at home every night Ask the reason behind the rule, such as safety or consideration for neighbors