Lately, I’ve been consuming a lot of Japanese YouTube content—especially around cycling culture—and it looks incredibly fun and community-driven. I’m a game developer currently based in my home country, and I’m aiming to find a job in Japan within the next couple of years.
One thing I’ve been wondering is: if I learn Japanese well enough, is that enough to make friends, connect with people, and feel like I truly belong in Japanese society? I understand there might be cultural nuances beyond language, but I'm hopeful that being able to communicate well would open a lot of doors.
I’d love to hear from both foreigners living in Japan and Japanese locals—how much does language really matter when it comes to social integration? Especially for someone interested in both tech and cycling, do communities usually welcome newcomers if they speak the language and share similar interests?
Any thoughts, experiences, or advice would be greatly appreciated!
by psychalien41