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01-31-2009, 01:22 AM
Haha, see, that's why I'm starting in small doses. I went for ten days, and fell in love with it (granted, that was a guided tour with hotels and everything already set up for us, etc. etc.). Now I'm going back again as a study-abroad student (hopefully) for a year, to test if I could actually enjoy living there for an extended amount of time. Once the glamour of Japan wears off and it just becomes "where I live", will even the love of Japanese culture be strong enough to overcome my desire, if I have one, to go back to the American style of living? Granted, my situation is pretty crappy right now (though I say that as a teenager stuck in a dorm room, I realize it could be much, much worse) in comparison to how it was back at home, but we'll see how it goes.
I understand where you're coming from, though. A pet peeve of mine is seeing all these people who claim they want to do the JET programme and become English teachers in Japan, and they don't speak a word of Japanese. I, for one, cannot understand how people would want to live in a country for three years or so as a teacher when they can't even communicate with their neighbours, or the clerks at the convenience stores. It doesn't make sense to me. Plus, I don't think some of these people really realize just how hard being a teacher actually is--I think they should try learning the language first, being a teacher in America where everyone understands them, THEN attempting something like JET. I think Americans tend to have a common mindset that no matter where they go, people will mold to accommodate THEIR needs, speak English to help them, and that living in Japan will be just like living in America, only with more wooden houses and sushi. Everyone's experiences are different, though.  I can only wait and see how mine turn out.
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01-31-2009, 02:02 AM
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I DO wish to live in Japan, at least temporarily, because I want to work in translation, and I figure the best way to learn the language as close to perfect as I can is to go there, and immerse for a while. Not to mention, I can't imagine a little face-to-face absorbtion of the culture would hurt when it comes to facilitating international communications, you know? Squad 11 - Sanity isn't our style.
   Emilie Autumn, in the middle. She's amazing. That is all. "We're all puppets. I'm just a puppet who can see the strings."
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01-31-2009, 02:26 AM
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However, conversely, you tend to invest MORE than usual in experiences. Every weekend I tried to do something, go somewhere, try something new. I went on more trips, visited temples, museums, went biking and hiking, went on homestays, tried new foods, etc FAAAAR more than I normally do at home, precisely because I knew my time there was limited. Many times I'd ask my Japanese friends or the kids I taught about a place I'd visited that weekend, and they, who had lived there all their lives, had never been to it! So in that sense, I "invested in my life" there much more than at home, where you have a feeling that "ahh, I can go anytime, it's a local sight." But you never do. Or at least not as much as if you knew your time there was short. In a way, it's almost like "living as if you were dying"... "why invest in material things, you won't have them very long, but lets try and have new experiences as much as possible!" By the way, don't mistake my comments earlier as "you shouldn't go to Japan". I love my years there, and it was quite possibly the greatest time of my life. But there are hardships and differences to living in Japan that people should be aware of, it isn't some magical-girl fairy tale land, and people should prepare for that when they go.
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01-31-2009, 03:49 AM
Well, since quit a few people are telling about their experiences in Japan. I might as well give a go at it.
"Living in Japan", sure sounds nice to think or even say. While living in Japan I did begin to notice a lot of differences than how I lived in Canada. I'd even prefer Japan over anything else. Everything in Japan for me was like a new experience and filled me with joy. I don't know why I get extremely happy just by walking down the roads in Japan. The happiness is so extreme that I even get teary. Yeah it maybe weird to others but that is just how much I love Japan. I just tilt my head up, eyes wide open, smile on my face and than I take that first step out of my house right into Japan every morning. When I come home I go straight to the rice cooker and turn it on and prepare myself for yet another rice dinner. I don't watch much television. Maybe because I only have like 16 channels. I do like to turn it on and see what crazy random commercial or game show that may be on. At night I go into my modernized bed and move away the curtain blocking my view of the outside. I sit up with my back against the back board of my bed and take out a book to read. While I read I sometimes hear cars outside that sound like they're racing each other. Usually a minute after I hear sirens of the police going off. I always grin when that happens and just sigh and say "Those crazy Japanese". When actually going to bed I set my alarm early just for I can get up to see the sun rise above the city. Such a beautiful sight to see. Even though I don't work in Japan I often help my friends out if they need anything. On some days I like going on vending machine searches just to see how many different ones are out there. I remember seeing one that actually dispensed deep fried french fries. Of course I bought some and yes they tasted great. I often walk by the common drink machine and always buy myself a Royal Milk Tea whenever I can. I just can't get enough of those. I don't have a car here but I don't mind. Taking a bike or train are not to bother. I would understand how hard it is to live here sometimes just by seeing how some of my friends are. I don't see them that much during the weekdays. They're usually getting educated and working at the same time. Once the weekend starts the fun can begin! I love going to sushi bars and udon restaurants. There are also these cool mini-bars that are the size of a normal bedroom. No lies. Though, you have to be 21 to drink in Japan. Well, they do have Asahi vending machines. If you've been to Japan you would know what Asahi was. When festivals are going on or even events I will most likely go to them. When I was at the Sakura Festival in Okazaki I'd stop by a see all the amazing food that were being sold there. They call the "Corn Dogs" "French Dogs" here in Japan. The place would be crowded but I loved the fact that I was surrounded by my favorite type of people. The Japanese! I'd sit on the big open grass areas were people are scattered all over and just relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. Yet again I started to tear of happiness. The Mechanical Doll Festival was neat as well. I remember last time I went there the cherry blossoms would rain pedals gently onto you. They called it "sakura fubuki" I believe. It was such an wonderful sight when walking up to the main area of the festival. All I can say is that my experience of being in Japan is always unforgettable. I'd die for Japan.
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01-31-2009, 05:11 AM
Does Japan have no dryers or something? What is with you people not using a dryer? And is it true that to use the toilet, you have to squat over top of it?
If Japan is so bad, what country other than the US would be the best in which to live, then? I think Japan seems to have a lot of freedom and is rich in history, honor, and hard work. I am seeing a lot of push factors coming into my life making me want to 'shop around' and visit other countries to see where would be the next best place to live. I really don't think Japan is as bad as what you are saying. Maybe it is, but I am sure there is not many better places.  Quote:
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01-31-2009, 05:31 AM
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There are squat toilets, but those are only seen nowadays in train stations and much older homes. This thread isn't about "Japan is so bad" it is about taking another perspective. Many people here post saying "I want to live in Japan" and I decided to ask myself the question and for me the answer is no. If you got the impression this is a Japan-bashing thread, then I should have been more clear in my first post. I love Japan, and I loved living there...I just don't have the desire to do it again. Banzai, do you REALLY live in Japan?
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01-31-2009, 06:29 AM
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And squat toilets were thankfully not all that common. My school had them, as did the train station and a few other places (some restaurants, etc). I avoided them unless it was a dire emergency. But the majority of places had western style, and a few even had electrical gadgets like a seat warmer. But like MMM said, this isn't a "hate Japan" thread, we've all lived there, and loved it. Like I said, I wouldn't trade my time there for anything. But there are also some realities, some hardships, that never seem to be discussed with those eager to live there and who've never been, and that's the purpose of this thread, to point out some of the realities of living in Japan (and other foreign countries with very different cultures, languages, traditions, and amenities).
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01-31-2009, 06:29 AM
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01-31-2009, 06:33 AM
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Also, I believe those machines shut down after a certain hour, too. Not sure about that, as I don't drink alcohol (though the Japanese tried everything to get me to drink, I would at most have a small sip for the kampai then switch to non-alcoholic stuff.)
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01-31-2009, 06:36 AM
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