We moved to Japan after nearly a decade of careful planning. Living here is still nothing like we expected.

We spent eight years planning our dream move from New Zealand to Japan. No amount of research prepared me for the loss of my identity.

Kerri King

• After almost a decade of planning and researching, our family moved to Japan as we'd dreamed of.
• Knowing the language and culture is not the same as belonging, and we're far from home.
• Japan has been great in many ways, but convenience is a poor substitute for a sense of community.

After a two-week trip in 2015,...