Marina Lizio
Author
"Overall, Nihongo Wakarimasen is a funny, candid, and very personal memoir about Marina Lizio’s thirteen years living in Japan after moving there from Sicily in her twenties. What begins with culture shock, a breakup, language barriers, and loneliness gradually becomes a story about independence, friendship, travel, belonging, and learning to understand a culture that initially seemed completely foreign."
Likely Story
Praise & Reviews
"As an outsider who remained in the country for more than a decade, she developed a deep understanding of Japanese culture while still recognizing how Westerners might react to certain aspects of it. Even when she personally disagrees with a custom, she explains clearly why it exists and what influences keep it embedded in modern Japanese life."
Lucas North - Reedsy
"Evocative and deeply immersive: A must-read travel memoir."
Damiano - verified reader
"Amazing insight into life in Japan as an expat."
Victoria - verified reader
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About Marina Lizio
Marina Lizio is a data scientist and a writer.
As an expat in Japan, she kept track of her daily struggles, first impressions, and cultural shocks by posting regularly on a blog titled ‘Nihongo wakarimasen’ – I don’t understand Japanese.
‘Nihongo wakarimasen’ is also the title of her first book, a memoir of her 13-year experience living and working in Japan as a foreign woman.