but what happens when you it no longer feels “foreign?”

気が付けば 第二の故郷です

This weekend it's our annual men's retreat up in Okutama,

今週末は奥多摩で メンズ・リトリートです

And it looks like we might even see some snow here, we'll see.

雪が降るかもしれないです

While we're weren't born Japanese, is it possible for us to truly become Japanese?

外国生まれの私達は 「日本人」になれるでしょうか？

It's "Life in Japan," you know?

Life in Japan だよ

[Life in Japan Theme Song]

- Life in Japan 第251話 - 愛する日本に根を下ろすために?

After all it snowed up the mountain.

やっぱり山の上は降ってんだ

That's right.

そうですね

But it's not collecting on the road, so that's good, isn't it?

- 道に積もってなくて良かったですね - そうですね

That's right.

来日して10年 カルチャーショックは減り 日本での生活が 我が家の日常になりました

Having lived in Japan for almost 10 years now, the cultural shock of Japan has worn off,

いいピアノです！ 演奏が大好きです！

and now if anything, the Japanese way of doing things has become quite normal.

元気ですか？！

Oh yeah, look at this piano. I love playing a real piano!

勿論 日本育ちの大先輩達がいます

Everyone good?! Yeah!

私は日本で生まれて育ちはしました…

Yet there are others still who have been here a lot longer than me.

「メイド・イン・ジャパン」の男性は 何人位いますか？

I was born and raised in Japan...

日本で育った外国人もいれば 海外歴が長い日本人もいるので 事情はそれぞれです

How many "Made in Japan" men are there?

「表紙で本を判断してはいけない」という諺のように 見た目だけで分からない事もあります

Who else was Made in Japan?

素晴らしい景色です

I've met many people along the way that I had no idea were Japanese,

山頂の方は雪でしょう

and others I presumed were Japanese were not actually at all.

今は氷点下2度くらいなので 凍っている場所もあります

The old saying “You can't judge a book by it's cover” holds true,

すごいです！

and it makes you stop and wonder what does it truly mean to be Japanese?

日本の文化や価値観は この自然から生まれた部分もあるでしょう

The scenes out here this morning are absolutely majestic,

日本ならではの山や谷 海の自然を理解しないと 真髄を見逃すでしょう

Just the snow, up above us on the mountains,

朝のコーヒータイム

And you get down here and it actually froze last night, it's like -2C (28 F) out right now

繊細な感性から生まれたコンビニは 世界的なビジネスになりました

There's a little bit of ice, you gotta be careful.

鉄道もそうです

But, wow!

日本発のビジネスの精緻さには 私も大きな感銘を受けています

There's no doubt about it — Japan's geography itself has had a huge impact on what it means to be Japanese.

日本ならではの感性があります

From the very beginning, the people living here have been defined by mountains, valleys and ocean.

日本のクリスチャンにも 私は大きな尊敬を寄せています

It's almost impossible to imagine Japan without these things.

昨夜はここに宿泊して 今日もセッションがあります

And now it's coffee time. Oh yeah.

世界共通のことは 家族の大切さかもしれません

Careful attention to detail has made Japanese businesses— like convenience stores— become world renown

日本の素晴らしい感性が 日本の家族が強くなる鍵かもしれません

Not to mention the train system here! Wow!

- どうだった？ - 最高！

That pursuit of perfection is something beautifully woven into the fabric of Japan and something I have grown to admire.

そう？

Ideas often come to Japan and get perfected here.

テストは？

It's been exciting to apply that same Japanese pursuit of perfection to church life and see the results.

体育が良かった

A pretty sweet place where we got to stay last night,

そう？

Now we have one more session and here we go.

50点中 40点くらいだったかな

But the true test of any society is at it's base unit — and that's the family.

体育のマスター！

Imagine taking the same pursuit of excellence prevalent in Japan, and applying it to the family.

ママちゃんにあげる

Well, that's what we're aiming to do.

まだ秘密だよ

How was today? Really good.

パパが渡す時 撮影してくれる？

Was it good? Yea, pretty good.

ベッカがカメラ担当 パパの撮影をします！

You had your big test today, huh?

何？

Yep. I did really good at P.E.

ママの好きな いちご大福

Oh yeah?

ママは会議中！

I think there's like 50 points and I think I got like 40 about.

家族を愛することが 社会を愛することになります

P.E. Master.

ハッピー・バレンタインデー!

Did you see what I got for Momma chan?

- もしかして？ - いちご大福と…

She doesn't know yet.

パパはレーズンサンド

So I'm going to take and give it to her, you guys can film for me, ok?

パパ！バレンタインデーだね！

This is the Becca cam. I'm going to record for Daddy.

来月にお返しだね

What's in that?!

これは小さな花束

Strawberry Mochi things that Momma chan loves.

キス！

Shhh! She's in a meeting!

すごいわ！

One of the greatest contributions you can make to society is to treat your family well.

とても綺麗ね

So, Happy Valentines Day!

- 本物の花？ - もちろん！

Is this what I think it is? Some strawberry mochi.

今夜はベンとデビーと ダブルデートに出掛けます

And a Raisin Sando for me.

日本では 世界中の祝日をお祝いします

Daddy! It's Valentine's Day! Well it's Valentine's Day! It's for both of us!

出掛けます！

No, she's going to give it back to you in a month.

ベッカとアナが 留守を守ってくれます

And then just a nice little, cute little bouquet of flowers

束の間のお出かけです

Kissy kissy kissy! Yes!

ジョシュア！ リップスティックだね！

I love it! Thank you.

初めてに見えない！

Those are beautiful. They're so red! Yea, I know!

日本の習慣は興味深いです 我が家の習慣にもなりました

Are those real flowers? Of course!

- これは… - 説明してくれる？

Tonight we are going out, we're going to double date with Ben and Debbie as well,

ひな祭りの特別な人形

Holidays around here often take on a hodgepodge of traditions from many places.

繊細な芸術品

Alright, we're heading over

リアルな剣もある

Becca and Anna are going to watch the kids tonight

すごいな！

While we adults go out and celebrate. Yes!

本当に！

Alright, the Dude Razor-Ripsticking for the first time!

「ひな人形」

Look at you, just going all over the place!

「ひな人形」

Truly one of the interesting parts of living in Japan is learning Japanese customs along the way.

「ひな祭り」よ

Some of them even find their way into our homes.

布地が繊細に作りこまれている

Dude, so — what have we got going on here, man?

いつまで？

We have a special Japanese display which is to celebrate daughters.

3月3日まで その後に仕舞わないと

And it's very elaborate.

ひな祭りの飾りよ

Including a real sword here.

バーイ！

Oh Dude, look at that!

バーイ！

It's amazing!

シンガポールには もう行かないで

They're called "Hina Ningyo."

さみしい

"Hina Ningyo"

分からないよ！

Wow- For Hina Matsuri (festival)

ニコールがシッターしてくれる！

Look at how elaborate the fabric is here. Isn't that wild?

ベイビー！

So how long is this up?

日本のバレンタインデーは チョコを贈るのが定番です

Until March 3rd. March 3rd is girls day, and then you should not leave it up much longer than March 3rd.

前回のダブルデートは シンガポール旅行の計画だったね

I see. Tradition says you need to take it down like the 4th or the 5th.

サラは「またシンガポールに行かないで！」 って感じだった

Oo curry!

行こう！

Mmm. Tchau!

その土地の文化の中で 相応しく生活するためには？

Bye!

聖書からは 家族のことを沢山学べます

Please do not plan to go to Singapore again!

近代の教会は西洋で成長しましたが 本来の起源は中東や東洋にあります

I cannot take it.

日本の文化との共通点もあるかもしれません 私自身 来日を契機に沢山学びました

You never know what will happen when we go out!

異文化の中で生活するからこそ 可能な成長があります

And Miss Nicole could come babysit then! Yes!

入った！

Yea baby!

お祝いしましょう

Tchau Tchau

どうやって出すんだろう？

While Valentines Day isn't much more than a day to give chocolates in Japan, we're taking it up a notch.

すごいね！

So I think the last time we double-dated we planned a trip to Singapore.

ママちゃんが予約してくれました

Is that right? Yes.

ベンがリストを作ってくれた

Sarah was like "Don't you dare plan a trip to Singapore!"

写真から選んだ

Let's go! Let's go!

ベンと私も 結婚を通して成長しました

So how do we decide what part of culture, whatever culture it may be, to incorporate into our life?

カントリーミュージックが好きな姉妹と結婚したから 僕らも好きになったね

We filter everything through the Bible, as it gives the original blueprints for society, starting with the home and moving out from there.

見て下さい！

Although the church has grown to be really big in a lot of western countries,

ディナーです！

the actual context for most of the Bible is Eastern — Middle Eastern to be precise,

ベンは子羊 デビーと僕はビーフ

and usually fits better into a Japanese context as opposed to a Western one.

ルースはパスタとチキン

Now that's been something I've been so surprised to learn.

君が僕のバレンタイン

I've said it before and I'll say it again — living in another country and culture different from your own is one of the best things you can do to grow as a person.

ルースも！

There it goes!

バレンタイン・ディナーでした

And tonight we're celebrating just that!

子供服を物色中…

Hope you guys get it back.

こうなるよね

It's gone!

僕らには7人子供がいるから

Well girlfriend, she booked this place for us, how about this?!

ハッピー・バレンタインデー

Yes, but Ben selected it. I just threw out a bunch of options.

ベンの車が 無事生還しました！

Yea- the pictures looked great!

その通り

But one of the biggest things that changes you as a person is marriage itself, as both Ben and I can attest to.

行こう

Since we married sisters here, they both got us into country music, didn't they? Yeah.

もうすぐ帰るわ

They like their country music and well, we had to start liking it too.

ジョシュアとサラは寝た？

Look at this! This looks so amazing!

ボブ・ロスを見てる

Dinner has come! Yea!

- ボブ・ロスを見てる？ - そうだよ

Ben with the Lamb Shanks, Debbie and I with the beef

日本について 色々と学びました

And Ruth! Going pasta. With the chicken.

例えば日本の冬

My forever valentine. Awww.

日本では こたつが何世代に渡って愛されています

And mine, aww!

毛布で覆われた 暖かいテーブルです

Valentine's Day Dinner is done, Yea, what is happening?!

我が家の冬の定番です

We're in the kids section... Shopping.

こたつで仕事？

You knew it was bound to happen too. That's right,

こたつは暖かい

Between us we've got seven kids, we've gotta be here. Yea.

そうよ

It's gotta happen.

暖かいこたつでは 冬の家族団らんが生まれます

Happy Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day.

我が家も愛してやみません

Alright, Ben got his car back, and that's just the way we like it.

ハーイ

That's just the way we like it.

こたつでアイス？

Here we go.

すごい暴風です！

We're headed home, OK? OK.

何してるの ママちゃん？！

Are Joshua and Sarah almost asleep?

外の備品の確認！

They're watching Bob Ross now.

大変！部屋に戻るよ！

They're watching Bob Ross? OK Yea, Bob Ross

- 入って！ - 風が凄い！

The longer we're here, the more we learn about Japanese solutions to common problems.

本当だね！

Take the chill of winter for example.

我が家は今年 日本の永住権を申請する予定です

For generations Japanese people have been warming up under heated tables called Kotatsu

国籍が日本になる訳ではありませんが 日本との関係が深化する 特別な意味を感じます

tthat sit just above the ground and envelope you with a warm blanket.

久しぶりに作るの

This has become a winter staple in our house

ママのレシピよ

I see you have moved your office.

- それは？ - 揚げパン

To the warm confines of the Kotatsu... Yes.

最初に食べたい！

I have.

サラちゃんが狙ってます

You will often find the family huddled around the Kotatsu on any given winter day, and it serves as a great gathering point for all things family.

ママちゃんは大忙し！

Talk about a fantastic Japanese tradition we have adopted!

ブラウニーとシナモンロール

Hi.

夕食のカレーと揚げパン

Hi. Is it ice cream time here? Watching the iPad and some Dude Perfect?

大変！

Oh my goodness, it's like wind city!

日本での税金の申告も 大変だったからね

What are you doing Momma chan?!

そうなの？

I'm checking my stuff!

税率が高いから

My goodness! Everybody back inside!

料理でストレス解消！

Back inside! Oh it's so windy right here!

サラが食べてる ジョシュアは？

I know! Back inside!

美味しい

This year we are reaching a very important milestone — we will be applying for permanent residence in Japan.

もう食べた？

While this doesn't mean we become Japanese on paper, it is one step closer to making Japan our permanent home,

国籍が日本では無くても 私達は 日本の友人と文化を心から愛しています

which is very exciting, even if the taxes are not.

「よい一日を！」

Well I have to see honey, I haven't made this for so long!

いい感じ？

I mean, my mom used to make this when I was a kid.

うん！

What are you making? Fried bread.

今日も楽しむよ！

Can I be the first one to eat it? Oh boy!

日本での我が家の旅を 皆さんと共有できるのも 喜びです

Sarah chan is like "Let me have at it!"

忙しそうだね

Momma chan has been busy in the kitchen,

- ユニコーン - 誰の？

We have brownies, cinnamon rolls,

エリアナ！

She's frying up some bread with our curry rice tonight.

エリアナ！ 色とりどり！

I'm stressed.

ユニコーン・ケーキ

She's stressed. We just did our taxes and, well, Japan is not very kind when it comes to taxes.

きっと気に入るね

Really? Why?

そうね！

They charge a high percentage to live here.

運ぶわよ

So I'm cooking to de-stress.

ケーキができたけど 外は雨だね

Sarah likes it. Joshua?

レベッカ？

I like it. I like it.

いいね

You like it? You tried it?

カップケーキ！

Whether we can actually become Japanese at some point or not, I don't know.

じゃあね

But I do know that we love Japan, it's people and nature, and if we live here long enough, you never know what may happen.

アナ 傘を持った？

Gonna have a good day around here.

エリアナはきっと ケーキを気に入るでしょう

That's good. Huh guys?

誕生日の主役だね

Yeah.

誕生日おめでとう！

I'm going to have a good day!

素晴らしい食卓です！

And one of our greatest joys in living in Japan is sharing this journey with you with all it's ups and downs.

楽しそうだね！

We are busy again. What is this?

夕食は？

A unicorn... For?

美味しい！

Eliana!

写真を撮るわよ！

Eliana. Whoa, look at that! It's multicolored!

ハッピーバースデーだよ！

The ever-popular unicorn cake.

世界中に素晴らしい文化が存在しますが

Very cool. She's going to love it!

その中心に 愛があるならば 特別な力となります

That's the plan!

「愛」こそ 世界を変える力です

Gotta deliver the cake.

♪ハッピーバースデー・トゥーユー♪

The cake is ready. It's raining outside, of course, right? Of course.

いいね！

Rebecca? Come. Yea?

Ooo- alright.

Cupcakes, cakes, oh yea!

See ya! Bye bye.

Hey! Does Anna have an umbrella? Yea.

I am sure little miss Eliana is going to love her birthday cake,

Whoa look, it looks like we have the birthday girl here, huh?

Happy birthday! Happy birthday.

And look! What a fun table. Everyone's eating their food here. Yea!

Very nice. Let's go see what's happening over here.

Hi guys! How's dinner?

Good. Amazing.

Good?

I'm going to take a picture of you ladies.

Let's sing Happy Birthday! Let's sing it.

The world is full of cultures, and every culture has it's strong points and weak points.

But in whatever culture you find yourself, if love is at the center of who you are and what you do, you will find a way to express it to those around you.

And that Love has the power to change the world.

[Singing Happy Birthday]

Get 'em all!