Life in a Tropical Paradise – Living in Fiji

Bula! Hello from Fiji.

It’s been a little while since my last post!

On Bula Lifes, I share everyday moments and little things I’ve noticed while living here in Fiji.

And today, just as the title says—let’s talk about what it’s really like to live in this tropical island nation.

First, a quick self-introduction.
I moved to Fiji last August.

Before that, I lived in the heart of Yokohama and Tokyo Japan. I’ve always loved nature, but I didn’t dislike the convenience and energy of city life either.

So when I imagined “living in the tropics,” I thought I had an idea—but the reality was something else entirely.

Now, after almost 9 months of living here, I’d love to share what “living in the South Pacific” means to me.

This is a beach I often go to in the Nadi area.

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Living in Nature, Every Day

Above all else, the nature here is incredible.

Swaying coconut trees, the scent of the ocean in the air, the sound of gentle waves—spending time by the sea with the ocean breeze is truly relaxing.

The markets are full of fresh, juicy bananas and pineapples that taste completely different from the ones I had back in Japan.

They’re harvested right before they’re sold—no wonder they taste so much sweeter!

Most fruits and veggies here are grown without chemicals, so they’re naturally organic—what a luxury.

I used to think the climate here was the same year-round, but I’ve learned that the rainy season (from November to April) brings more rain than expected, and the types of produce change subtly with the seasons.

During the day, the sun can be intense, but the nights are cool—like being in a peaceful mountain resort surrounded by fresh air and negative ions.

Sometimes I can hear cows mooing in the distance.

Yes—there are wild cows and horses in Fiji!

Living surrounded by this kind of nature gives you a deep sense of presence—like you’re truly part of the land.

In Fiji, even avocados are locally grown and can be harvested in certain seasons.

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The Warmth of Fijian People

Another thing I love about Fiji is the people and their genuine warmth.

A simple “Morning~!” from a neighbor makes me smile every time.

Back in my Yokohama apartment, I didn’t even know who lived next door. So this kind of everyday interaction feels fresh and heartwarming.

Sometimes a neighbor will share freshly harvested veggies from their garden.

Just-picked okra? I don’t think I ever had that in Japan!

What stands out the most, though, is how much Fijian people love children.

I have three sons who are pretty energetic, but not once has anyone here complained or said they were being noisy.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite—store staff smile and say “Oh, so cute!” all the time, and they’ll even open the kids’ juice and pop in a straw for them (even if there’s a line behind us!).

At the market, people peel bananas and hand them straight to the kids—or sometimes even give us a whole bunch to take home.

It’s not just that they’re tolerant of children—they genuinely adore them.

This is the view from the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.

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Entertainment and Weekend Life

Compared to Japan, there’s definitely not as much to do in terms of entertainment.

There’s just one shopping mall on Denarau Island, a popular tourist spot.

No zoos, no aquariums, no theme parks.

In Japan, weekends were all about deciding where to go next.

Here, people tend to spend their weekends relaxing at home or spending time with family and friends.

Even McDonald's in Nadi has become a weekend outing spot for us.

Once a month, there's a market held at Vunda Marina. It's such a lovely space!

 

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Appreciating My Homeland from Afar

Living abroad has given me a deeper appreciation for the unique beauty of my home country, Japan.
One of the things I miss most is the changing of the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—each with its own charm and atmosphere.

Not every country has such a clear cycle of seasons, and being away has made me realize just how special that is.

Here in Fiji, we have two main seasons—wet and dry—and while the climate is tropical and beautiful in its own way, it’s made me appreciate Japan’s seasonal transitions even more.

There’s something deeply comforting about the rhythm of nature back home, and I now see it with fresh eyes.

Every country has its own beauty, but the night sky in Fiji is truly something special.

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Life in Fiji is a very different kind of richness than what you find in a busy city.

It’s slower, surrounded by nature, and filled with kindness and connection.

There’s no “better or worse” between Japan and Fiji—both have beautiful qualities in their own way.

But there’s no doubt that living on a remote island like Fiji offers a completely different lifestyle from urban Japan.

I’ll keep sharing more glimpses of life here in Fiji in future posts, so I hope you’ll stay tuned!

If you’ve ever lived in Fiji, I’d love to hear your stories too—please feel free to share your “Fiji moments” in the comments!

Vinaka! 🌺

And yes, there are of course cafés in Fiji where you can enjoy delicious cakes.