[samurai007]

Yeah, that's a very broad question... maybe you could narrow it down a bit more?

I grew up in California, then moved to Japan for 2 years back in the 90's (small city 1 hr south of Osaka on the Kii Peninsula), and now I've been back in California for 10 years. I didn't have a car or computer when I was over there... I didn't really need a car because the trains are frequent and I also rode my bike a lot. I didn't have a computer because they weren't nearly as common 10-12 years ago as they are now. I was a lot more low-tech person back then.

My apartment was a tiny little place, but I got by. I cooked my own dinner most nights. I tried to get out and see something new in Japan each week if possible, whether it was a trip to Kyoto or Nara, or just a bike ride up the Kinokawa River where I crossed every single bridge I came to, back and forth, from 1 side of the river to the other, eventually stopping for a late lunch in some town I'd never been to before turning around and heading back home again. For me, living in Japan fired my adventurous spirit to do things like that, when I never do stuff like that here in America... I was always conscious that my time in Japan was limited (even if it was 2 years), and that I wanted to see and do as much as possible. I just can't seem to muster the same urgency to get out and explore here in the US.

There were more hassles (trouble reading signs, etc), some VERY hot and cold weather, some homesickness and wishing my friends and family could visit, but also, for me, a feeling that I was on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I went on 6 homestays, went to numerous festivals and parties, slept on Shirahama Beach, hiked in the Japan Alps, stayed up all night barhopping in Osaka, stayed at a Buddhist temple, and so many more things that I never imagined I would ever do. It was a great experience, if you are willing and able to adapt and go with the flow, and not stress too much about things.