Title: Is learning Japanese actually worth the time investment?

I’m picking a third language and keep circling back to Japanese even though I barely know anything about the culture.

Part of the appeal is honestly that it’s hard. But before I commit to kanji misery, I want to know what makes it worth it for people who’ve put in the years.

If you’re at a level where natives actually chat with you (and don’t immediately switch to English), what keeps you motivated?

I’m also curious how people deal with the time zone issue when trying to practice.