Matcha Mum's
Stagione 1
Strollers, Stations & Playgrounds: The Reality of Family Infrastructure around Tokyo
Getting a Daycare Spot in Japan: Our Hoikuen Experience
Back to Japan with a toddler - Our Story
di Tamara
What changes once you have a baby in Japan? In this episode of Matcha Mums, I talk about everyday family infrastructure in the Tokyo area — from navigating trains with a stroller to baby rooms in shopping malls, child-friendly restaurants, and hidden playgrounds across the city. I also highlight Kosodate Hiroba (Child-Rearing Support Centers) — free community spaces where parents with young children can meet, play, and get advice from childcare professionals. This episode is especially helpful for: New parents in Japan Families who recently moved here Expecting parents wondering what daily life with a baby looks like A practical and honest look at getting around Japan with a baby or toddler. https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/lang/residents/en/child/20200325105507586.html https://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCFUKUSIA/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.fukushi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kodomo/kosodate/hiroba?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0 Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com
How does the childcare system in Japan work? In this episode, I explain the main types of childcare facilities and how parents apply for daycare. I walk through the differences between Hoikuen, Yōchien, and Nintei Kodomoen and private daycare options. I also share our personal experience applying for daycare, including the point system, the application timeline, and what daily life in a Japanese daycare looks like. What you’ll learn in this episode: An overview of the different day care facilities: private vs. public options How the application process works (and why timing matters) And what daily life inside a Japanese daycare actually looks like Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com
Moving countries is one thing. Moving countries with a small child while working full-time across time zones is something else entirely. In this first episode, I share our story of returning to Japan as a family: arriving in February 2024, starting work immediately, bridging two months without childcare, and navigating the cultural shock of Japanese nursery life. I talk about: The reality of restarting work on a German contract while living in Japan The emotional and cultural differences between German daycare and Japanese hoikuen Watching a child learn a new language almost overnight The quiet social codes of everyday life around Tokyo and Yokohama And why building community as a working mother abroad can take longer than expected This episode is an honest starting point about transition, identity, work, motherhood, and rebuilding a sense of belonging between cultures. Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com
Welcome to Matcha Mum’s, a podcast about raising children in Japan as an international family. Matcha Mum’s explores the everyday realities of parenting in a different country, understanding the Japanese system for families, and creating balance between career and home. This podcast is a space for honest reflections, personal experiences, and conversations about what it means to raise children between cultures. You can expect: Personal stories about building family life in Japan Reflections on navigating structures and expectations Conversations about identity, belonging, and mindful working parenthood Guest perspectives from other international mums and dads If you are an international parent in Japan this podcast aims to connect, inspire, and open perspectives. 🎧 The first full episode is already online, where I share our story and what brought us here.