Thread: The real Japan
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05-17-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by wasabijuice View Post
Hi everybodies, I'm new here

I just have to say that its great that a lot of young people are interested in Japan and its culture. However there is a significant portion of the country you are all overlooking. It is the backcountry. Yes there is more to Japan than Tokyo, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Roppongi or those other hell holes. The real Japan lives offf the beaten track in the mountains. The urban areas of Japan comprise only 25% of the land area. Conversely the rural areas comprise 75% and contain only 25% of the population!!! Take a look at a Japan from space picture and you'll see this beautiful green archipelago, not some awful concrete covered heat island that is the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya megalopolises. Better yet, take a train ride from the Pacific side to the sea of Japan side and you'll see the most amazing, rugged mountains, and beutiful valleys.

If you go to the real Japan the people are not interested in manga, anime, ninjas or such other crap that most of the people posting here care about.
To think that manga, anime , and ninjas are representative of Japanese culture would be to say that, beer, maple syrup and hockey sticks are representative of Canada. Yes they are part of the culture, but by no means all of it.

In the real Japan you can buy a house for a few thousand dollars! You can rent a house for a free or almost free. (provided you have a visa) But most of you young people here have only a limited idea of the TV image that you see or the internet image. Wake up young people! Get to Japan, travel outside of the hell on earth pressure cooker that is Tokyo and you'll see for yourself. Better yet go to Tokyo or any other major city in August, bring lots of white T-shirts and deodorant, cause your going to need it. Then imagine having to work in this awful heat and humidity, then imagine having to ride your bicycle to work and not turning into a puddle. Imagine yourself crammed into a subway car full of similarly sweaty, balding old guys . Not cool is it now?

I suggest making a list of about 20 words that are the most important for you for wanting to go to, or live in Japan. Take some time now and do it. If in your list of 20 words contain any of the following:

ninja, manga, anime, inuyasha, sushi, cute, hello kitty, cool, last samurai, kawaii, pink, cosplay, maid, youth tribe, Then please stay home.

If however, your list includes any or all of the following words:

nature, beautiful, snow, surf, ocean, beach, Hokkaido, Okinawa, hiking, mountain, outdoors, no cops, no rangers, no rules, cheap, free, inexpensive, healthy food, rent free, cheap rent, Then by all means come and explore the real Japan.

Oh and study Japanese and culture before you get here, keep your voice down and be polite. Leave your longboard and rollerblades in the coin locker in Tokyo. Do a homestay, as well as stay in a dorm or apartment. Stay in some youth hostels and gaijin houses, get a feel for the place before you decide to move. Better yet, get a job offer before you decide to come here , unless you can get a working holiday visa. And by alll means get outside of the megalopolis!! It's cool for a while, but it aint coool forever, trust me.

I welcome all questions, comments and criticisms, please.
Here is my comment - this is probably the best post i have ever seen on JF.


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