Matcha Mum's

Tamara
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  • Kids & Family

Matcha Mum’s is a podcast for international families raising children in Japan. This podcast explores the everyday realities of building family life in a different country, understanding the Japanese system for children and families, adjusting to social structures and expectations, and finding your own rhythm between cultures. Hosted by Tamara, a German working mother living in Japan with her Japanese husband and their daughter, the podcast combines personal experience with thoughtful reflections on parenting abroad. Across episodes, you’ll hear about: Navigating Japan’s structures for familiesEveryday parenting in a cross-cultural contextMindful working parenthood and balancing career and homeConversations with international mums and dads sharing their journeysWhether you are already living in Japan, preparing for the move, or simply interested in raising children between cultures, Matcha Mum’s creates a space to connect, reflect, and explore new perspectives.

  1. Oct 2

    Postpartum Care in Japan: The First Months for Mum, Baby & Family

    Postpartum Care in Japan: The First Months for Mum, Baby & Family What happens after you leave the hospital with your newborn in Japan? In this episode, I’m looking at the first months postpartum from three perspectives: Mum, Baby and Family. Using Yokohama as an example, we’ll talk about postpartum and baby health checks, home visits, vaccinations, and the support available for new families — from professional Mother & Baby Care to practical help at home. Because one thing I learned while researching this episode is that there is actually a lot of support available. You just need to know where to find it. Please keep in mind that services and procedures vary between cities and wards. For more information about pregnancy, postpartum and family support in Yokohama: https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/lang/residents/en/child/following_childbirth.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamara_matcha_mum/

    Postpartum Care in Japan: The First Months for Mum, Baby & Family

  2. Sep 19

    From Bassinets to Sticker Books: Flying with Kids

    Is flying with a baby really as stressful as everyone says? In my experience, the baby stage might actually be the easy part. We’re back in Japan! And after flying from Germany to Japan with my three-month-old baby, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from years of flying between the two countries with my children. From bassinets and breastfeeding to sticker books, snacks and screen time — what you need on a 14-hour flight changes completely as your child grows. I’ve flown with my daughter from around 11 months old to four years old, often on my own, and every age has come with its own challenges (and some pretty memorable moments!). In this episode, I talk about why I prefer night flights, when a bassinet can be a lifesaver, whether it’s worth booking an extra seat for a child under two, and why I eventually stopped using priority boarding with a toddler. I also share how I organize my hand luggage when flying alone, what actually kept my daughter entertained at different ages, why snacks are sometimes the best activity on board, and how our latest flight with a three-month-old went. And of course, not everything always goes according to plan. From almost missing a flight because of a diaper change to forgotten pencils and unexpected acts of kindness — flying with kids has definitely given me a few stories to tell. If you’re preparing to fly with a baby, toddler or young child, I hope our experiences give you a few ideas — and maybe make you feel a little more relaxed about your next flight. ☕ What’s your most memorable experience flying with kids? Send me a message on Instagram @tamara_matcha_mum. I’d love to hear your stories and share some of them in a future episode.

    From Bassinets to Sticker Books: Flying with Kids

  3. Sep 5

    Born Abroad & Returning to Japan with a Newborn: Passports, Paperwork & Citizenship

    Returning to Japan with a Newborn: Passports, Paperwork & Citizenship What does it actually take to move to Japan with a newborn who was born abroad? ☕ Welcome back to Matcha Mum’s — a podcast about raising kids and navigating family life in Japan as an international family. In this episode, I’m sharing our experience of returning to Japan with our three-month-old son after giving birth in Germany. From getting his German birth certificate and passport to registering his birth in Japan and Japanese citizenship including what didn’t go according to plan and why I recommend starting the process as early as possible. I’ll also share how we prepared his health checks and vaccination records for Japan and what we needed before travelling to Japan with our baby. Topics: moving to Japan with a baby, newborn in Japan, baby born abroad, Japanese citizenship, birth registration in Japan, German-Japanese family, passport for a newborn, vaccinations in Japan, international parenting in Japan.

    Born Abroad & Returning to Japan with a Newborn: Passports, Paperwork & Citizenship

  4. Jul 18

    Interview with Katheryn Gronauer: Between Motherhood and Entrepreneurship - The Hidden Reality

    My guest of of this episode is with Katheryn Gronauer: executive coach, corporate trainer, and founder of the Tokyo-based networking community Leadership Latte. Her work focuses on supporting professionals through transitions, from career shifts to leadership growth. This conversation explores her personal transition into motherhood while running her own business. Katheryn shares what it really looked like to navigate pregnancy, self-funded maternity leave, and the pressure to maintain business momentum as a solo entrepreneur. She speaks openly about the gap between expectations and reality and how quickly plans can fall apart once a child arrives. Listeners can expect honest insights into: The challenges of balancing client work, income stability, and early motherhoodWhy “doing it all” often comes at a hidden costHow redefining work structure from full-day trainings to more flexible formats created a better long-term fitThe role of community, and how her initiative Leadership Latte grew out of a personal need for connection This episode offers a grounded look at ambition, identity, and how priorities — and definitions of success — can shift in a new life phase. Link to Katheryn's Homepage: https://www.katheryngronauer.com Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    Interview with Katheryn Gronauer: Between Motherhood and Entrepreneurship - The Hidden Reality

  5. Jul 4

    Interview with Tracy Northcott: A Mother's Journey - Hospitals, Paperwork & Life with a Newborn

    What is it really like to give birth in Japan as an international parent? In this episode of Matcha Mum's, I'm joined by Tracey Northcott, who has called Japan home for more than 25 years. Together, we look back on her journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and the first weeks of motherhood in Japan. Tracey shares her personal experience of navigating the Japanese healthcare system, the moments that surprised her, and the practical realities that came after her son was born. From the importance of finding a supportive community to handling paperwork for a two-week-old baby, this conversation is filled with honest reflections and valuable insights for anyone expecting a child in Japan or simply curious about what the experience is like. In this episode, we talk about: Tracey's experience with pregnancy and prenatal care in JapanGiving birth in a Japanese hospitalThe surprises and challenges she encountered along the wayWhy building a support network is so importantThe administrative process after birth, including applying for a newborn's visaWhat she wishes she had known before becoming a mother in JapanHer advice for expectant parents navigating the Japanese system Whether you're currently pregnant, planning to start a family in Japan, or simply interested in life between cultures, this episode offers a thoughtful, personal perspective on one family's journey. 🎙️ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following Matcha Mum's, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful. Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    Interview with Tracy Northcott: A Mother's Journey - Hospitals, Paperwork & Life with a Newborn

  6. Jun 20

    The Japanese Birth Experience: What Surprised International Parents Most

    In this episode of Matcha Mum's, we explore what childbirth in Japan is really like: from choosing the right hospital or maternity clinic to creating a birth plan, understanding the role of midwives and doulas, and navigating the postpartum period. In this episode, we cover: • The different birth options in Japan: private clinics, public hospitals, university hospitals, and international hospitals • How to choose the right facility for your pregnancy and priorities • The role of midwives and doulas in Japan • What a birth plan is and how Japanese hospitals approach birth preferences • Epidurals, natural birth, and pain management options • Partner involvement during labor and hospital policies • The famous Japanese maternity hospital stay, recovery support, and postpartum care Whether you're expecting a baby in Japan, planning a future pregnancy, or simply curious about how childbirth differs across cultures, this episode offers practical insights and real stories from international families navigating the Japanese system. Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    The Japanese Birth Experience: What Surprised International Parents Most

  7. Jun 6

    Pregnant in Japan: My Experience with Check-Ups, Paperwork, and Cultural Surprises

    What is it really like to navigate pregnancy in Japan? In this first episode of my Japan pregnancy series, I share my personal experience with the Japanese prenatal care system—from the first positive pregnancy test to completing my check-ups at 35 weeks. Along the way, I explain how the system works, what surprised me, and some of the cultural differences I noticed. In this episode, we cover: • Registering your pregnancy and receiving the Boshi Techo (Maternal & Child Health Handbook) • The maternity mark and public transport culture • Financial support, coupons, and birth allowances • How prenatal check-ups are structured in Japan • Frequent ultrasounds and routine screenings • Weight management and nutrition advice • Language barriers and navigating appointments as a foreigner • Why I changed hospitals during my pregnancy • What I appreciated about the Japanese system—and what I found challenging This episode combines practical information with my own experience as a foreign mother navigating pregnancy in Japan. Whether you're expecting a baby in Japan, planning a move, or simply curious about how pregnancy care differs around the world, I hope this episode gives you a helpful and honest insight into the journey. Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    Pregnant in Japan: My Experience with Check-Ups, Paperwork, and Cultural Surprises

  8. May 23

    Interview with Katie Hurd: Building a Business During Maternity Leave in Japan

    In this episode of Matcha Moms, I’m speaking with Katie Hurd — coach, entrepreneur, and mother of two — about the realities of building a business while raising children in Japan. Katie shares her journey from corporate life into entrepreneurship, what it was like to grow a business during maternity leave, and how her life and work changed after becoming a single mother of two sons. We talk openly about the challenges behind the scenes: navigating the Japanese childcare system as a self-employed mother, balancing financial pressure and family life, creating structure in everyday chaos, and learning when to ask for support. This conversation is an honest look at resilience, self-organization, motherhood, and the emotional and practical realities of building a career while raising a family abroad. In this episode, we cover: Building a business during maternity leaveEntrepreneurship and motherhood in JapanLife as a single mother of twoOutsourcing, support systems, and self-organizationAdvice for mothers considering entrepreneurshipThe importance of resilience, mindfulness, and self-care Link to Katie's Homepage: https://neurofitglobal.com Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    Interview with Katie Hurd: Building a Business During Maternity Leave in Japan
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About

Matcha Mum’s is a podcast for international families raising children in Japan. This podcast explores the everyday realities of building family life in a different country, understanding the Japanese system for children and families, adjusting to social structures and expectations, and finding your own rhythm between cultures. Hosted by Tamara, a German working mother living in Japan with her Japanese husband and their daughter, the podcast combines personal experience with thoughtful reflections on parenting abroad. Across episodes, you’ll hear about: Navigating Japan’s structures for familiesEveryday parenting in a cross-cultural contextMindful working parenthood and balancing career and homeConversations with international mums and dads sharing their journeysWhether you are already living in Japan, preparing for the move, or simply interested in raising children between cultures, Matcha Mum’s creates a space to connect, reflect, and explore new perspectives.

Information

  • Creator
    Tamara
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tamara Kanazawa
  • Show Website
    Matcha Mum's