Suzanne Perkowsky is Head of Education Expansion and Accreditation at Boundless Life. She plays a key role in the launch and support of our new Education Centers around the world. In this post, Suzanne shares her reflections from Kamakura, Japan, Boundless Life’s newest destination to open its doors.

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Why Kamakura? A Dream From Day Zero

From day zero, bringing Boundless Life to Japan felt like a shared dream.

Elodie Ferchaud, (Boundless Life Co-founder), had lived in Japan and built strong connections, and Mauro Repacci (Boundless Life Co-founder), had also visited multiple times and always returned inspired.

So from the beginning it was clear we had to open a location here, and when the opportunity in Kamakura came up, it felt meant to be.

Kamakura is close to Tokyo (less than an hour by train) but has a completely different energy and vibe. It’s a small coastal city full of history, it's culturally very rich, and there are over a hundred beautiful temples within walking distance.

There’s just something special about Kamakura. Even before we opened our doors, I could feel a peacefulness here that told me... this is it... we have picked the right spot!

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Sights and Surroundings: Temples, Beaches, and Beyond

Living in Kamakura has been pretty amazing. The weather alone keeps us on our toes. Only ten days ago I saw snow on the ground, and then yesterday I was walking on the beach in 16°C sunshine. How crazy is that?

Kamakura sits between the wooded hills and the sea, so you get the best of both worlds really. In the mornings I might hike a little trail behind my house, winding past shrines and through quiet forests. By afternoon, I can stroll down to the beach and get some sand between my toes.

The town is busy during the daytime, especially around the famous Hachimangu Shrine and Komachi Street in the center, which gives the place a lively energy. But an escape into nature, or a tranquil temple courtyard, is never that far away.

We even have a charming old-fashioned local train, the Enoden, that cruises down to and along the coast. It can take you to the little island of Enoshima, where there’s yet another shrine, an aquarium, and caves to explore, which makes for a perfect day trip for families.

And if we ever crave the big-city energy, then Yokohama is only a half-hour away and Tokyo just a bit further. Honestly, it’s the ideal balance of convenience and laid-back living.

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Quiet Trains and New Lessons in Respect

One of the first things we learned here is how deeply respect is woven into everyday life. There’s a cultural expectation in Japan to keep public spaces quiet and orderly. For example, on trains everyone speaks in hushed voices, and you’d never see children running around making a ruckus.

I actually love this aspect. It feels polite and considerate. On a recent field trip, I caught myself saying, “Okay, remember to use your indoor voice and keep your hands to yourselves,” which isn’t something I’d have to emphasize so strongly back in Spain or other places.

Here, it’s second nature: you look but don’t touch, you wait your turn patiently, you keep the volume down. And the amazing thing to me, is how quickly children adapt. They’re learning to be respectful in a new way, not because they were disrespectful before, but because each culture has its own take on what respect looks like.

I think that’s such a valuable lesson. Boundless Life families are getting a crash course in local Japanese etiquette just by living here and participating in everyday life in Kamakura.

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From Peach to Pomegranate: Starting Up in Japan vs. Spain

Setting up our Education Center in Kamakura has been a journey in itself. I compare starting something in Spain is like a peach soft and easy to bite into at first. Everyone smiles and says “Yes, not a problem, we can do this, we can do that,” and it all feels easy. But then you hit that hard pit: the nitty-gritty of deadlines, permits, renovations, and orders, and suddenly everything slows down.

In Japan, I found it to be almost the opposite, more like a pomegranate. It’s tough to break through that thick skin initially. There are more formalities, more paperwork, and you really need to build trust before you can take a real bite. Honestly, those first steps were slow and sometimes challenging at first.

But once we got past that tough outer layer, you find these amazing gems… all the sweet stuff just falls into place. It still amazes me, when our Japanese partners say “yes” and commit to something, they really truly mean it.

There’s a sense of pride and dedication in their work that I haven’t experienced quite like this anywhere else. One local contractor promised to finish our renovations by a certain date, and not only did he keep that promise, he actually delivered early.

In some other countries we’ve worked (Bali comes to mind), timelines can be more like friendly suggestions, you learn to add a few extra weeks as a buffer. Here, the schedule was almost sacred. This experience taught me that while it might take a little longer to earn trust in Japan, once you have it, things move like clockwork.

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Connecting with the Community: Kendo, Baseball, and More

What makes Kamakura special for us is how our Boundless families have been welcomed into the local community. It feels like we’re immediately becoming part of the community's daily life.

A great example is our extracurricular activities. Instead of typical after-school programs, our kids are trying out unique Japanese pastimes. We have a group of children doing kendo. That’s the traditional Japanese fencing with bamboo swords, and it’s so great to watch. Children discover firsthand the discipline and respect that are so core here.

Another family discovered the neighborhood little league baseball team. Their son is a pretty skilled baseball player for his age, and he was able to join a local team. They practice the whole of Saturday, and they’ve completely included him in all the drills and games.

Also one moment that really captured the spirit of connection happened early on with a neighbor who lives across the street from our Education Center. We invited him over to meet the children. He brought old photos of the land before the EC was built and he shared stories about its history. It was one of those simple interactions that showed what mutual curiosity and openness can do. Just that small gesture of invitation helped build trust and familiarity.

Seeing things like that makes me incredibly proud, it reminds me we’re forming real relationships with our neighbors and participating in authentic local life!

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The Magic of Kamakura

Looking back on these past weeks of launching Boundless Life in Kamakura, I’m filled with gratitude and a bit of awe.

Every Boundless location has its own flavor, our cohort in Spain has that easy-going Spanish vibe, while Bali teaches us to go with the flow.  And Kamakura has a way of blending tradition within busy Japanese city life. We’re learning everyday about the dedication people here bring to even the smallest tasks.

Kamakura has welcomed us with open arms, and I honestly feel so lucky to be part of this launch. It’s not just a new Boundless Life location, it is in fact... a whole new chapter!.

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