Hello from Australia. I just found your channel today, so I now have a lot of videos to catch up on. That is such a beautiful prefecture that you live in. I really enjoyed watching your mountain drive. The scenery was just breathtaking, especially with the fog drifting down the mountains. I'm hoping to someday live and work in Japan, so until then, I'm going to keep watching your videos. Your advice and information were very helpful and all made a lot of sense. Keep up the great work with your videos. They are very well done.
Amazing how you are on the other side of the planet, yet it looks like you have the same kind of journey i had for 35 years , driving through the countryside enjoying the scenery
Nice drive to work.👍 Moved from Germany to the US 13 years ago, now looking for a place in Japan. Gathering information for about a year. Videos like this help a lot.
Hello from Mie Prefecture. Since I live in a “semi-rural” area (about 15 mins out of a small city) not all the issues you mentioned apply to my area - but most still do! (Lots of Kei-trucks on the road, for example. 😆 ). I just wanted to add one point that applies to most rural or semi-rural areas in Japan. As I’m sure you know well, when you live in a small community you really become a PART of that community. Which means taking your turn at all the rotating neighbourhood committee jobs, participating community weeding and maintenance work, etc. It can be a pain sometimes, but overall I think it actually adds to the quality of life here. For those used to the anonymity of city life though, I imagine it could be a bit overbearing.
Having lived in Japan many years ago, I loved the concept of neighborhood participation within the community. I currently live in a newer small neighborhood in the USA (only 29 homes) & in the past 3 years, I only really gotten to know about 8 or 9 of my immediate neighbors. I've tried to arrange with our HOA to maintain our common areas as a community group (rather than hiring a landscape company to do the work), but no one is interested in spending a small amount of time helping in the community & would rather just pay extra fees to have the work performed. I think I'm resigned to just waiving at the neighbors as they drive by. I miss Japan tremendously & as retirement approaches am considering the possibility of purchasing a small rural akiya in Japan.
@@mrchuckles1552 I hear ya. It seems to me that the North American (I’m originally from Canada) obsession with individualism goes against the inherently interdependent nature of humanity. I mean sure, personal freedom and self-sufficiency are good things, to a point. But without that feeling of community interconnectedness I think it’s pretty hard for us to be happy, at least in the long run. Anyway, small-town Japan is working well for me. 👍
@@Jordan-inJapan I'm an expat Canadian myself. I've lived the past 25 years, first on the East Coast (Virginia & Florida) for 18 years & now about 7 years in the Pacific NW (Washington state). I've always had wonderful neighbors but not quite as friendly as I remember from Canada. What part of Canada did you originally come from?
Nice video. I dream of living that life, but I don't speak Japanese and at my age it is too late. So I was watching and on your journey to work I was imagining riding my bike (as living somewhere I can cycle is important to me), riding along the little path through the commerce area, waving at the lady cyclist as I politely and safely passed her, past the grocery store where I would get groceries etc. and just as we left that area I was trying to see if either choice at the y intersection would be safe, when all of the sudden the speed lurched forward and it literally scared the crap out of me for a second because I was so immersed in my imaginary life and bike ride. I look forward to making my way through your videos and living my imaginary alternative life through them! Thanks!
I've made the move to Oita and I'm set up in the mountains. I've been looking at Akiya's in the area and found some reasonable places - there are also nice subsidies to renovate Akiyas. I think I can find something in the 200-500man range & once I have a better understanding of costs, I'll get serious on picking up a quality property. I'm not sure I can afford a full renovation like you've done - yours is beautiful & inspirational.
@@cocolenchojapan I'll probably look at a few and then have someone inspect the house. I've seen a few with beautiful timber that looks like it would last.
Lots of great advice & considerations to consider when selecting a location out in the countryside. Personally, I think your situation is ideal, as it's a beautiful rural setting but you're still close enough to larger urban areas without having to travel too far. I love following along on your drives as Japan is such a beautiful country. I did a lot of driving all over northern Tohoku during a recent visit this past spring & experienced some of the most beautiful scenery of my life. One tip I could offer for anyone considering driving in Japan is that a majority of the roads in Japan are only two lane (IE. one lane each direction), even some of the Expressways. Hence, if you are in a hurry, you're going to be frustrated driving in Japan as it is a much slower pace than in other countries with systems such as the US Turnpike System, German Autobahn, Italian Autostrada, etc. The speed limits are also much lower than in other countries.
Having seen what's happened and is still happening in the US with massive flows of out-of-state people into other states, I've got mixed feelings about all these foreigners coming to Japan
Hello from Australia. I just found your channel today, so I now have a lot of videos to catch up on. That is such a beautiful prefecture that you live in. I really enjoyed watching your mountain drive. The scenery was just breathtaking, especially with the fog drifting down the mountains. I'm hoping to someday live and work in Japan, so until then, I'm going to keep watching your videos. Your advice and information were very helpful and all made a lot of sense. Keep up the great work with your videos. They are very well done.
Wow thank you so much, really appreciate the feedback and hopefully you can live in Japan soon!
Hello you Australian bastard love and respect from England good on you mate
This is all great advice! A nice video to watch and listen to while drinking a cup of coffee this morning. What a beautiful drive to work.
Thanks! Enjoy that coffee ☕️
Same as mate smoking a fat one cup of tea lovely jubbly
@@cocolenchojapan enjoy your tea making ceremony have you done one yet or seen it
@@johnhorse5551 thanks, yes I have!
What a beautiful area. Reminds me of the little villages around RAF Mildenhall, when I was stationed in the UK.
Hi glad you liked it. Thank you for your service!
@@cocolenchojapan Thank you! To you as well, Marine!
Semper Fi!
At least, i think you are. I vaguely remember a marine crest on your desk in a video?
@@Chuck8541 thanks! Army but I work the the USMC now.
@@cocolenchojapan Ahh, I see. 👍
Amazing how you are on the other side of the planet, yet it looks like you have the same kind of journey i had for 35 years , driving through the countryside enjoying the scenery
Absolutely loving the journey! Thanks for watching
Nice drive to work.👍 Moved from Germany to the US 13 years ago, now looking for a place in Japan. Gathering information for about a year. Videos like this help a lot.
Glad it help and let me know if there is anything I can try to answer for you. I spent some time in Germany too!
Lots of good information. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks and glad you enjoyed!
Hello from Mie Prefecture. Since I live in a “semi-rural” area (about 15 mins out of a small city) not all the issues you mentioned apply to my area - but most still do! (Lots of Kei-trucks on the road, for example. 😆 ). I just wanted to add one point that applies to most rural or semi-rural areas in Japan. As I’m sure you know well, when you live in a small community you really become a PART of that community. Which means taking your turn at all the rotating neighbourhood committee jobs, participating community weeding and maintenance work, etc. It can be a pain sometimes, but overall I think it actually adds to the quality of life here. For those used to the anonymity of city life though, I imagine it could be a bit overbearing.
Having lived in Japan many years ago, I loved the concept of neighborhood participation within the community. I currently live in a newer small neighborhood in the USA (only 29 homes) & in the past 3 years, I only really gotten to know about 8 or 9 of my immediate neighbors. I've tried to arrange with our HOA to maintain our common areas as a community group (rather than hiring a landscape company to do the work), but no one is interested in spending a small amount of time helping in the community & would rather just pay extra fees to have the work performed. I think I'm resigned to just waiving at the neighbors as they drive by. I miss Japan tremendously & as retirement approaches am considering the possibility of purchasing a small rural akiya in Japan.
Yup! I have not participated yet, but kinda looking forward to being the one foreigner out there weeding. Thanks!
@@mrchuckles1552 I hear ya. It seems to me that the North American (I’m originally from Canada) obsession with individualism goes against the inherently interdependent nature of humanity. I mean sure, personal freedom and self-sufficiency are good things, to a point. But without that feeling of community interconnectedness I think it’s pretty hard for us to be happy, at least in the long run. Anyway, small-town Japan is working well for me. 👍
@@cocolenchojapan Yes, I like that feeling too. 😆
@@Jordan-inJapan I'm an expat Canadian myself. I've lived the past 25 years, first on the East Coast (Virginia & Florida) for 18 years & now about 7 years in the Pacific NW (Washington state). I've always had wonderful neighbors but not quite as friendly as I remember from Canada. What part of Canada did you originally come from?
Nice video.
I dream of living that life, but I don't speak Japanese and at my age it is too late.
So I was watching and on your journey to work I was imagining riding my bike (as living somewhere I can cycle is important to me), riding along the little path through the commerce area, waving at the lady cyclist as I politely and safely passed her, past the grocery store where I would get groceries etc. and just as we left that area I was trying to see if either choice at the y intersection would be safe, when all of the sudden the speed lurched forward and it literally scared the crap out of me for a second because I was so immersed in my imaginary life and bike ride.
I look forward to making my way through your videos and living my imaginary alternative life through them!
Thanks!
haha thank you so much. I hope you enjoy some of the newer videos as well. Be safe ridging your bike :-)
Great video Lawrence. As for running red lights its one the national pastimes here no matter the situation.
Haha all about the timing and look 👀 for the popo 👮♀️
I've made the move to Oita and I'm set up in the mountains. I've been looking at Akiya's in the area and found some reasonable places - there are also nice subsidies to renovate Akiyas. I think I can find something in the 200-500man range & once I have a better understanding of costs, I'll get serious on picking up a quality property. I'm not sure I can afford a full renovation like you've done - yours is beautiful & inspirational.
Cool! Frankly if you find a house with good bones you really don't need that much renovation. Just make it your own!
@@cocolenchojapan I'll probably look at a few and then have someone inspect the house. I've seen a few with beautiful timber that looks like it would last.
@@xar007 definitely inspect in. A good old school carpenter could take a good look too.
Lots of great advice & considerations to consider when selecting a location out in the countryside. Personally, I think your situation is ideal, as it's a beautiful rural setting but you're still close enough to larger urban areas without having to travel too far. I love following along on your drives as Japan is such a beautiful country. I did a lot of driving all over northern Tohoku during a recent visit this past spring & experienced some of the most beautiful scenery of my life. One tip I could offer for anyone considering driving in Japan is that a majority of the roads in Japan are only two lane (IE. one lane each direction), even some of the Expressways. Hence, if you are in a hurry, you're going to be frustrated driving in Japan as it is a much slower pace than in other countries with systems such as the US Turnpike System, German Autobahn, Italian Autostrada, etc. The speed limits are also much lower than in other countries.
100% agree and I have never experienced any road rage in six years. Springtime is definitely the best time to visit Japan.
very interested in rural japan and your experience in it
Thanks for continuously watching!
Amazing drive to work......almost like driving Chicken Rd ;)
Haha forgot that road. I used to live in Pinehurst, so had a nice long drive. Did that commute for 10 years.
When you need house keeper I'm here
Having seen what's happened and is still happening in the US with massive flows of out-of-state people into other states, I've got mixed feelings about all these foreigners coming to Japan
I agree with you. Sometimes I wish Japan was more relaxed about immigration, but on the other hand I live the peaceful and safe way in Japan
@@cocolenchojapan The great thing about living where you live is you don't get all the amime, video game and porn addled guys immigrating out there.