Japan's Seasons Through a Bangladeshi Student's Eyes: Sakura to Momiji

The first morning I opened the window of my tiny apartment in Nakano Ward, Tokyo, it was the first week of April. Sakura lined both sides of the street, and the air smelled faintly sweet. I was standing there with my bag still unpacked, jet-lagged from a 14-hour flight — and somehow the tiredness just melted away. That's the thing about studying in Japan: it's not only classes and exams. You live through the year in distinct chapters, and each one teaches you something.

I often tell students — the best reason to choose Japan isn't just the university ranking. It's that this country gently teaches you a rhythm of life. Let me walk you through it season by season.

Spring: When the Academic Year — and Your New Life — Begins

In Japan, the school year starts in April, not September. So sakura season isn't just pretty scenery — it's new classes, new classmates, a new bicycle, a new train pass. Whether you're at JLPT N5 or N2, language school classes in April and May feel the most alive.

One of my former students, Nusrat, joined a language school in Osaka. By the end of her first week she messaged me: "Sir, walking to class under the sakura is now my favourite part of the day." Her school was a 12-minute walk away, along the Yodogawa riverbank. That's the beauty of Japan — the scenery isn't in a museum, it's on your commute.

Hanami: More Than a Picnic

In the first two weeks of April, parks fill with blue plastic sheets and bento boxes. Junior employees arrive at 7 a.m. to hold spots for their seniors — that itself is a form of etiquette. You can join in with friends, but don't break branches, and take your rubbish home with you. That last part matters a lot here.

Summer: Humidity, Matsuri, and Your First Part-Time Job

From mid-June to September, it's hot and humid — familiar to a Bangladeshi, but stickier. 35°C with wet air, plus crowded trains, hits many first-year students hard. My advice: always carry a water bottle and a small hand towel in your bag.

This is also matsuri season — fireworks, yukata, takoyaki stalls. The Sumida River fireworks in Tokyo draw huge crowds every year. And it's when most students start their first part-time job — convenience stores, restaurant kitchens, konbini shifts. Pay is roughly ¥1,100–1,300 per hour depending on the area (Tokyo's minimum wage rises from time to time, so confirm current rates before you plan your budget).

One honest caution: on a student visa you can work up to 28 hours a week (more during official holidays). But that doesn't mean you'll comfortably earn ¥200,000 a month — after tax, bills and class load, the math is tighter than it looks.

Autumn: The Most Comfortable Season to Study

October and November are my favourite. The air dries out, the sky clears, and from mid-November the momiji (maple leaves) turn red and orange. Kyoto's Tofuku-ji, Tokyo's Rikugien Garden — they get crowded, but it's worth it.

This is also the season to actually focus on your books. Many universities hold entrance exams, EJU tests, or interviews in December, so starting prep in October gives you breathing room.

Winter: Cold, Quiet, and New Year Prayers

By late December, Tokyo drops to 2–5°C, and Hokkaido goes below zero. First winters are tough for many Bangladeshi students — a heater, a long coat, and hot soup get you through. On 31 December, temples ring their bells (joya-no-kane), and on 1 January people visit Meiji Jingu or a local shrine for their first prayer of the year.

This is also when homesickness hits — Eid, family gatherings, your mother's cooking. I tell students: call home, and also join a Japanese friend's New Year meal. Both help.

Everyday Life: What Nobody Tells You Upfront

• Costs: Living alone in Tokyo, rent runs about ¥50,000–80,000 a month (less in a share house), food ¥30,000–40,000. Osaka or Fukuoka can be 20–30% cheaper.
• Transport: Student commuter passes (teiki) can save ¥5,000–10,000 a month.
• Safety: Yes, lost wallets do get returned here more often than almost anywhere — but that doesn't mean every area is safe at every hour. Don't wander alone late at night in unfamiliar places.
• Food: For halal food, head to Okubo or Shin-Okubo in Tokyo, or Tsuruhashi in Osaka. It's not available everywhere, so learning to cook helps a lot.

For the practical side — visa, housing, work rules — read our living in Japan guide and the part-time jobs guide. The full cost breakdown is in this guide.

And if you're still deciding between Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka or Sapporo, the Japan cities page gives you a feel for each one — seasons and daily life differ quite a bit.

Choosing to study abroad is never a small decision, and Japan gives you more than a degree — it hands you a whole way of living. From sakura to momiji, each season quietly teaches you how to make this country your own.

I counsel students at Inochi Global Education Institute's Narayanganj office on Chashara, College Road — we sit down, talk through your budget and goals, and work out a realistic plan. If that helps, you can read more about our study in Japan counselling.