Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
No amount of online content can truly capture the beauty and culture of a place like Japan, but for those of us unable to travel there, vlogs by Filipinos offer a fantastic window into the experience. These vlogs, which seamlessly blend visuals, audio, and personal narratives, are both inspirational and educational.
The country has a vibrant community of Filipino content creators. Some vloggers focus on showing what it's like to be a tourist, providing practical travel tips and showcasing popular attractions and hidden gems. Others offer a more in-depth look into what it's like to live and work in Japan as an expat. They share their experiences with everything from navigating daily life and cultural differences to career opportunities and the cost of living. This diverse content provides valuable insights into whether Japan truly lives up to its reputation as one of the best places for Filipinos to build a life abroad. By watching these channels, you can get a more authentic and relatable perspective on the "Land of the Rising Sun."
Also read: Why Do Filipinos Love Japan So Much? Here Are 15 Reasons
Heidi works as an English teacher in Japan and is based in the capital city of Tokyo. In one of her first Japan vlogs as a Filipina expat, she discusses how she was able to move to the country to attend a language school. Aside from work-related experiences, she also vlogs about Tokyo cafes, local shopping, and learning Nihongo for Filipinos.
Watch Heidi’s videos here.
Maaku or Marc is a Japanese interpreter and translator. He also works as a trainee supervisor and newspaper delivery guy. Aside from sharing his own experiences (including being a father and husband to a Japanese local), he features other Filipino workers in Japan. This has made him quite the go-to kabayan for those who want to start a life of their own in the country.
Watch Maaku’s videos here.
In one of his videos, JP explains how he earns over ₱100,000 (without deduction) as a factory worker in Japan. But that’s not all that he has been through. In the past, he was also an onion peeler, server, construction worker, and even traffic enforcer. On his channel, expect all sorts of videos featuring the YouTuber’s different gigs, plus other content for Filipinos.
Watch JP’s videos here.
If you’re a fan of sit-down videos, you will learn a lot from hearing Shek delve into her life experiences in Japan. Among the things she talks about are the happenings around her Japanese home, where she lives with her Japanese family. And like other Filipino YouTubers in the country, she also shares valuable tips on how to thrive here.
Watch Shek’s videos here.
Kenzo is a Filipino-Japanese high schooler who offers a somewhat lesser-known aspect of living in Japan as a foreigner — being a student. He has also made a name for himself as a younger singer-songwriter. His videos are fun and more on the casual side of vlogging. You can also see him vlog about travelling in Japan now and then.
Watch Kenzo’s videos here.
JA Hokson (university professor in Japan)
Andi Lazaro (university student in Japan)
Gaijin World (IT engineer in Japan)
Rodeayop Laxamana (hotel worker in Japan)
Love, Lucel (JET teacher in Japan)
Also read: What Not to Do in Japan, According to Frequent Visitor Robi Domingo
Are you looking for useful insights about how to be a Japan-based Filipino? Do yourself a favour by watching these vlogs by Pinoys living in the Land of the Rising Sun. Otherwise, they also make for great sources of inspiration, especially when you find yourself daydreaming about Japan more than 3,000 kilometres away in the Philippines.
Featured image credit: Emil Karlsson | Unsplash
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