Cross Shore is a first-hand guide to living and traveling between Japan and Thailand. I split the year between Kamakura, Japan and Chiang Mai, Thailand, and I write about the practical side of a two-base life — relocation logistics, costs, connectivity, flights, stays, and the day-to-day details, tested in person.
Who writes this
I spent 18 years (2008–2026) at TOPPAN Inc., one of Japan’s largest printing and communications companies, working in sales-promotion planning and production management. My work centered on merchandising and production — promotional goods for a major beverage brand, and merchandise for a domestic professional sports team. That background is product-level and detail-driven: sourcing, quality, specifications, and how things are actually made. I apply the same standard here, evaluating products and services on specifics rather than marketing claims.
The two-base setup
In 2026 I relocated my base to Chiang Mai, Thailand, while keeping my base in Kamakura, Japan. I moved with my family and our dog. The logistics covered on this site — visas, housing, driving licenses, banking, connectivity, schooling, and pets — are processes I have completed myself, not researched from a distance.
What I know well
Living across two countries means I book long-haul flights and accommodation constantly, so I write about routes, timing, and stays from repetition rather than theory. My production background also means I understand Japanese craft and food at the level of how they are made — from Nambu cast ironware to matcha — which shapes how I judge quality anywhere on this site.
How I work
Everything here is first-hand. I write about services I have used, products I have paid for, and processes I have completed on the ground. The figures are the amounts I actually paid, and the photos are my own. If I have not used something, I say so.
Some pages contain affiliate links: if you buy through them I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend things I have used myself.
Wataru Otsubo — Founder, Cross Shore. Based between Kamakura and Chiang Mai.
Get in touch: For questions, corrections, or partnership inquiries, email info@cross-shore.com. I read every message.