Matcha Mum's

Tamara

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.

Episodes

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

    1d ago

    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

    24 min
  2. Interview with Katie Hurd: Building a Business During Maternity Leave in Japan

    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

    45 min
  3. Are We Doing This Right? Raising Bilingual/ Multilingual Children in Japan

    May 9

    Are We Doing This Right? Raising Bilingual/ Multilingual Children in Japan

    In this episode, I explore what research really says about raising bilingual and multilingual children and how it compares to our own experience raising a German-Japanese child in Japan. We talk about common myths, language dominance, daycare, a third language, and why language development is often less about exposure and more about relationships, interaction, and everyday life. Key learnings in this episode: Why children are fully capable of learning multiple languages from an early ageThe difference between language exposure and real interactionHow language dominance can shift depending on environment and inputWhat our experience in Japan taught us about daycare and bilingual developmentPractical language options for families raising children in JapanHost: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    22 min
  4. Interview with Denitsa: The Balance Mothers Actually Need — Lessons from Wabi Tabi Living

    Apr 24

    Interview with Denitsa: The Balance Mothers Actually Need — Lessons from Wabi Tabi Living

    In this episode, I’m speaking with Denitsa, founder of Wabi Tabi, a holistic health and wellness practice rooted in the idea of balance. As a certified Macrobiotic Health Coach, she combines principles of Eastern healing, nutrition, and mindful living to support individuals in creating sustainable well-being. Originally from Europe and now based in Tokyo, Denitsa brings a cross-cultural perspective to health, family life, and personal growth. Her work is deeply influenced by the philosophy of finding simplicity and authenticity in everyday life. What we talk about: Why “balance” is often misunderstood, especially for mothersHow children can mirror the emotional state of their parentsNavigating motherhood and identity across different culturesThe role of imperfection and why letting go of perfectionism mattersHow Denitsa structures her daily life to create a more grounded rhythmKey takeaways for listeners: Balance is not something you achieve once - it’s something you continuously adjustEmotional awareness as a parent directly shapes the family environmentSmall, consistent lifestyle choices often matter more than big changesLetting go of perfection can create more space for connection and easeCultural perspectives can influence how we approach parenting, health, and work More Infos of Denitsa: Webside: https://www.wabitabime.com Alongside this episode, Denitsa is hosting an intimate two-day retreat by the ocean on April 25–26 — with more retreats planned in the future. The experience includes a one-night stay in a four-star oceanfront hotel, shared meals, a boat trip to an uninhabited island, a tropical garden picnic, onsen and relaxation time, guided reflection sessions, gentle Do-In exercises by the sea, a temple visit, and a few thoughtfully curated touches throughout. Contact Information: Host: Tamara E-Mail: matchamums@gmail.com

    44 min
  5. Strollers, Stations & Playgrounds: The Reality of Family Infrastructure around Tokyo

    Apr 10

    Strollers, Stations & Playgrounds: The Reality of Family Infrastructure around Tokyo

    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 JapanFamilies who recently moved hereExpecting parents wondering what daily life with a baby looks likeA 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

    20 min
  6. Getting a Daycare Spot in Japan: Our Hoikuen Experience

    Mar 27

    Getting a Daycare Spot in Japan: Our Hoikuen Experience

    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

    24 min
  7. Matcha Mum's Intro

    Season 1 Trailer

    Matcha Mum's Intro

    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 JapanReflections on navigating structures and expectationsConversations about identity, belonging, and mindful working parenthoodGuest perspectives from other international mums and dadsIf 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.

    3 min
  8. Back to Japan with a toddler - Our Story

    Mar 14

    Back to Japan with a toddler - Our Story

    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 JapanThe emotional and cultural differences between German daycare and Japanese hoikuenWatching a child learn a new language almost overnightThe quiet social codes of everyday life around Tokyo and YokohamaAnd 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

    16 min

Trailer

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
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tamara Kanazawa
  • Show Website
    Matcha Mum's

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