Just wanted to comment on this because it is your most recent video. I ended up getting a job because of your advice from your first vid on datacenters and start in a month. Thanks so much mate
What's important also is the environment, if the environment or lifestyle makes it easy for you to be happy and I'm pretty sure most people would be much happier in a place where the biggest crimes are umbrella theft over mass pew pew at schools.
@@Hhhh22222-w But that environment also includes isolation. Japan has a more introverted society. Combine that with being a foreigner, and it becomes increasingly difficult for you to fit in. You'll always experience some-type of alienation as a foreigner in Japan, regardless of if you've lived there for 2 months or 20 years.
Hi. I'm Japanese. I hear many such comments from foreigners who have immigrated to this country. It is difficult to fit in with Japanese people and they feel alienated. It is difficult to make Japanese friends. This is my personal opinion, but to begin with, Japan is a country suited for “people who love solitude”. In fact, even Japanese people do not have many friends. Rather than inviting a lot of friends to a party, the value system is that it is better to have just one friend with whom you are comfortable. There is also a saying that describes the general Japanese value system: Even within a close circle, there is courtesy. A simple explanation is this. You have the right to freely decide how to spend your vacation this weekend. Others should not infringe on that. You may want to read a book quietly or go to a café. You may intend to enjoy cycling, or go hiking. You have the right to enjoy your hobbies without anyone else interrupting your time. That is why we Japanese are very cautious about taking other people's time. Weekday evenings and holidays are important time. We don't invite you because we respect your life. (We are taught by our teachers many times since elementary school that we should not take other people's time, its very rude. The same reason why Japanese are so strict about time) I want to go out to eat or have fun with my Japanese colleagues, but they don't invite me:( If this is the case, it is possible that they aren't avoiding you, but respecting your rights. If you feel that such a way of spending holidays is ideal for you after reading my writing, I think you are suited for Japan.
this explaination u gave in ur comment can be explained by the history of ur country. I'm talking about when ur country developed a culture Nara Period, Heian Period and mby the Kokufū Culture explains alot for why that is. Also the whole Shōen structure throughout Heian, Kamakura Period. I know later Periods and Eras may have a higher effect on the current Japan, yet as those times were how the culture really started not being a copy of Tang and Song China is why I think that is. As respect as a key factor of ur culture it all makes sense. Oh I wrote alot again,sorry 😅
i understand that Japanese respects others rights and comfort but i really wish that Japanese can be more social because as a living creature, we're not meant to be in solitude, if you go to science way, you will find out that the solitude or social isolation can make you more suffer to your body and brain than a any physical damage ever be... and social isolation is like a slow poison and socializing with others will also help us to grow mentally and spiritually as a human being
7:35 the fact that you're tlaking about feeling as an isolated outsider sometimes while at the same a local child sparks a conversation means there's still hope.
Moving to Japan and not learning Japanese before moving there is a new level of insane. If someone is serious about moving there you should learn a decent amount beforehand.
This first time I lived in Japan almost 20 years ago I spent 2 years here and never even started to try learning the language 🤣 But I also didn't socialize with other foreigners because there really weren't any where I was living at the time (Omiya and later Hadano). I would just grin and nod my way through every conversation.
It goes the same for any language or a country, I lived in Hungary for a year but before I left I got to A2 lvl of Hungarian while 95% of my ppl who came with me didn't speak a word of it, I needed around 2 weeks to fully adapt to my new life while it took others months, some of them didn't even manage to adapt and they moved back home, I agree with you, it's insane to not know at least basic stuff.
5 years coming up to 6; stayed in Chiba, Kobe, Tokyo, etc. That feeling that you’re “treated like an outsider”? It’s just how people are in Japan. They may come off as “shy” or distant, yes, but that’s mainly cause of their perception of time. Personal time is incredibly sought after and valued here. It took me around 4 months plus of “persistently” (read occasionally) inviting my coworkers and neighbors after having befriended them prior for them to start accepting my invitations. Nowadays they invite me to even the more mundane of stuffs. Hitting the library to just read side by side and barely chat? Come over for lunch/ dinner? Mario party sesh? Casual walk around Shibuya/ Akiba, etc? It’s all mega comfy and they often are the ones who invite me first. It takes a lot for Japanese prople in general to open up but once they do, you’ll have some of the best of friends you’ll ever make in a long while, probably for the rest of your life even.
Permanence paradox is real. I've been living here for nine years, and every somewhat big life choice still comes with a subconscious tag of "but you're not gonna live here forever".
It’s true. If you’re not happy or satisfied, you’re not happy nor satisfied wherever you live. Because life is what you make it. It’s not the place. If you decide to be happy and choose where you are, whether Japan or elsewhere, you’ll find a way to be happy. Japan is not bad at all if you decide to make it a great journey. Good food, infrastructure, safe, convenience, clean, kind people…rest is up to YOU!
Look, good food, convenience, good transport, nothing being stolen and not being harmed don't make you happy, but by god they do make it easier. The country makes a huge difference. Some places make ir way easier to socialize than others, some more reasy to save money, etc.
Total BS what if you’re in Ukraine or Palestine and get your legs blown off? Is that just you being a baby if you’re sad? Of course not. Japan has hikomori or hermits who don’t see other people for years at a time or leave the house. The culture creates them so for already antisocial people or lonely people Japan can be a horrible place to live.
I am half Japanese and half German, and I currently live in Germany. When I was really young, around 6 or 7 years old, my family moved to Japan for a year because my Japanese mom had to study there. I don’t really remember much anymore, but honestly, it wasn’t bad. Living in Japan is like a roller coaster. At first, everything is amazing and exciting, that's the high point of going to Japan. But after a while, everything starts to feel normal, and it can get a bit boring, that's the low. But then, over time, you accept it, adapt, and it just becomes a part of life. Japan is an incredible place where tradition and modern life blend in unique ways. If you have the chance, spend a few months there, you might really enjoy it!
I'm from Ukraine and I've been living in Czechia for 3 years and I can move to absolutely any country in Europe, but I want to move to Japan, I'll be going to apply for a visa in a few days. .
There's a third category of jobs that is slowly becoming more common, which is remote work (usually working for your home country while living in Japan). This is what I do now. It's by far the best option.
I’m not sure what OP is referring to here but if you stay in Japan longer than a few months you are considered a tax resident, you can’t legally work in Japan without a work visa which requires company sponsorship, I’m not sure what foreign companies would even be able to navigate the Japanese system to do this if they’re not in Japan. You need a residency permit to do anything like get an apartment, health insurance, a bank account, or basically anything. In my case I work remotely here but I am employed by the Japanese subsidiary of an American company. When employees of company in America or other countries come here to work for even just a few weeks or month, they need to get a working visa which the company arranges with the Japanese subsidiary. So I think this option is possible in particular circumstances but it’s not just as simple as being a remote worker in your own country then moving to Japan as that is almost certainly illegal so I would be interested to hear if there’s any way around this.
@@Retro-Japan I have a permanent resident visa, so I can live here and work for any company I want, regardless of whether they're in Japan or overseas. the bad news is... even though I'm paid by a foreign company, I have to pay regular taxes in Japan, just like if I was working for a Japanese employer.
I lived in Japan for 1.5 years and didn't really have a lot of problems, but I went to a lot of events, bars, clubs and just befriended a lot of people
@@missplainjane3905 It isn't long enough to discover a country.I have lived there for 6.5 years and didn't really "know" Japan until the third year and after bussing my butt learning Japanese..He left during the honeymoon stage so, his experience will be quite different.
@@elliot2177 I've lived here a couple of times since the mid 2000s, more than 6 years in total and I still love it. But I can understand why some people don't, Its a very specific kind of culture that not a lot of people can deal with long term and a lot of people have a very very warped and delusional view of it because of media.
I'm moving to Yokohama in a couple of months, and this video helped me solidify my feelings. I've done a good job researching the actual quality of life in Japan (I think), and I think that having healthy expectations and confidence in myself will play huge roles in keeping me sane in Japan.
As a long term resident of Japan one thing I try to get other foreigners to accept is the fact that they are the one who decided to be here. They have the choice to leave any time they feel like it. (A choice the Japanese around you don't reallly have) By choosing to stay you have to accept Japan as it is, not how you wish it would be. This may sound harsh but many years ago after I had been here a few years I went through that understanding and found that it took a weight off my shoulders.
I see so many westerners in Japan always talking about how Japan needs to "Improve" by becoming more like their home country and how they're going to "fix" it.
You make some very solid points in this one mate! I'm in my 25th year in Japan - can't believe the time has gone by so bloomin' fast!! Here for life now, but I do miss the UK.
I miss the UK very much too but maybe I’m seeing it through rose tinted lenses, whenever I turn on the news and see all those riots now it grounds me a bit haha. But the British countryside always has my heart!
@@Retro-Japan I hear that! I really miss Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Lakes and North Wales. But seeing the news on TH-cam - as I said in my vid yesterday, better off staying here!
UK is not what it used to be..and I’m not even British. Sad with immigration policies gone wrong. Same with where I grew up, Sweden, don’t recognize the beautiful childhood country I grew up in. Especially in the big cities..culture and traditions are important to each region that should be respected even if you bring people from other nations..this is what failed. 😞
You are spot on about the relationships segment. I reached out to as many people as I could about my hobby which is RC Racing. I’ve lived in Japan now for almost 30 years. I’ve known that there is so much more to discover once you establish yourself and find what you want to do in your free time. However, without knowing anyone most people may be scared to go out on their own. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet other foreigners who enjoy the same hobbies and I made sure to pay it forward by creating my own Facebook group and other groups letting people know about how they can truly enjoy life here. On a different note, I discovered that the Japanese wives who are married to some of my friends were extremely appreciative that their significant others have positive ways to enjoy living in Japan without falling into the pits of nightlife and partying. So get out there. Play golf, find arts and crafts that you are interested in, and if you are like me, get into R/C. These things definitely help.
I am confident enough to know that it's my dream to live and travel to Japan. I am an introvert myself so learning how the community is over there doesn't scare me at all. The only thing holding me back is the working culture, where I live it's becoming almost the same but not as badly as other countries. I want to work hard at my career but wouldn't want to be a slave for work either. I have read and seen a lot more companies that are doing a good amount of effort into changing that. Have any advice? or experience as well. God bless
This is what I experience outside Japan like an identical tiwns. I used to work in the UK, and you can't get a job there if you're not a native English speaker, and there are always visa issues as well. You also can't open a bank account or get a credit card. Maybe key to working outside world is to learn the language. And this is something you may experience where ever you go.
I have heard this statement more than a few times on similar videos. "Even if you've lived here for a long time and are fluent in Japanese, you'll still be treated (or feel like) an outsider." Japan is arguably the most homogeneous society on earth. It seems obvious that a westerner would experience that. For me, that's the fun part. Being different, in a country like Japan is a great thing, in my opinion. In Japan, I like being around people who are considerate and self-conscious. And it seems, Japanese people have something to learn from me, a westerner who has done things in life. I find Japanese people to be much more respectful in everyday life than Americans. I love that part, the most. Living in any foreign country is challenging, especially if you're not fluent in the language. It boils down to your mindset. Are you ready for a major life challenge or not?
I live in Thailand and I've been to Japan many times. Thailand is very social, especially Bangkok, and Thai people are quite friendly & curious, if you can speak a bit of Thai. In Japan they are introverted, but very kind and polite. Social rules apply in Thailand too, but in Japan it seems they have hundreds of social rules.
I love you whoever you are. This is precisely what every foreigner needs to hear. Exactly! I would say the whole reason to move to another country, especially Japan, would be for the experience, the chance of personal and professional growth, the memories, and if you have the right mindset. Personally I have yet to have the opportunity to live there, but the country seems to have a lot to offer if you approach with the correct mindset.
@@KyrosTherrund Thanks. That's very kind. I've spent good amount of time living abroad. I don't think my country is the best nor do I expect things to be done the way I'm used to. We are all students of life. Embrace it and explore.
I'm currently a college student in Oregon. I'm working at a community college to learn Japanese. I am transferring to a university upon graduation where I'll continue learning Japanese, as well as mangaka. It is very slow, but I am working to start a career in mangaka. Obviously, it's not an easy career, but it's definitely my passion. Eventually, I want to move to Japan and go to an art school there, currently I'm looking at Kyoto Seika.
I am starting my Japanese studies degree in January. I have the same goal that you have. if you go through with it maybe reply and I will give my contact info. I write here and there
Really solid video, I’m planning to pay a visit soon, but it is great to see an in depth perspective of a foreigner not only highlighting the day to day but rather the thought process and emotional sense of how one is perceived and living life in a country where feeling like home might not ever happen, thanks again. Subbed
I’m stationed in Japan, been here for 2 years and will be here for many more. I feel like I have the best of both worlds because I’m surrounded by my own country men while on base that speak English and are just like me, so I have a huge support system to fall back on, but I can also just go out on my own in Japan and explore until I get burnt out.
This video is worded very well. In the end it’s all about being happy where you live. I lives in the countryside, couldn’t say I had a lot of Japanse friends but I did feel accepted and welcome. To me that was also very important.
amazing video man, been waiting for your next video and here it is. your style allows people to see what Japan is really like without the screen in front, definitely moving later on when I get some more money and get a job set up. keep up the amazing content man, amazing quality.
Bro i hope you blow up! massively enjoyed this as a person that moved here under the same circumstances as you. Didnt really connect with the foreigners initially and had to make my own happiness. Your film style is also interesting. I'd love to connect man. But if not good luck !
I just wanted to comment and say I really appreciate all the videos of Kasai Rinkai Park! :) I lived in Kasai when I studied overseas for 9 months, and seeing those shots rushed my brain with a wave of recent nostalgia. Enjoy your life in Japan! :D
You are describing the common problems and feeling of an inmigrants. I moved from Spain to Sweden for over 9 years and what you are describing is basically what happened to me as well (except for job conditions)
If you are from the southern parts of Spain, I can see that being quite a "transition" from that culture to the one here in Sweden. Hopefully you fared better than most people, Sweden isn't really the easiest place to establish social contacts in.
I am very lucky with my work life balance here. Been here nearly 10 years now and have worked a mixture of jobs with nothing really secure but that has been my choice as I love living in Japan for the nature. Definitely it can be challenging sometimes but I couldn’t never imagine me living in my home country
Thanks for watching! Right, there’s good and bad points of living here just like anywhere else in the world but I feel the good points far outweigh the negatives. People’s own experience vastly differ too depending on their own situations with work and living.
@@Retro-Japan yep exactly! Sometimes when I get tired and need a break I just go for a wee holiday over to South East Asia and then it refreshes me when I come back to Japan and realize how good it is.
The permanence paradox part hits hard. Been living outside of my home country for more than 8 years (in various places) and I have never dared myself to buy something even as cheap as a desk with a chair to properly work or study. I don’t know how to explain it, but it is a crazy feeling that just messes with you every day…
Thanks! I’m aiming for a video every other week right now as it balances well with my work schedule. I’ll potentially increase that later on if possible
Im moving to Japan in September for a year! I lived in Osaka for 2 months last year for a study abroad and it felt alienating at first (it was also the first time i felt homesick) I always appreciate the perspectives that foreigners living there have given in the videos ive seen
I always did my shopping on craigslist. The free section is awesome. If you have a vehicle, it’s a great way to pick things up for free. I would always upgrade if I saw something nicer for free on craigslist. Then I would pass on what I was getting rid of to someone else. Japan is a very lonely country. You have to find your own place and be happy with it. I had a friend who would always ask new people that he would meet what their expiration date was. When are they leaving the country? I thought that was a pretty good way of looking at it.
I guess it’s a compliment to be compared to him, we went to the same school so maybe we both got influenced by the same film studies teacher haha Although I’m not sure I’d want to end up with a viewership like his that seems stressful 😅
I think the country is very nice visually, it's extremely clean and peaceful, but I think socially, you are always going to be a foreigner, I think it is nice, but very hard to live in Japan from my perspective, I don't think I could just go there, I also don't think it's the dreamland some people think it is. I think that Tokyo and the big cities are without a doubt some of the most amazing places in the world to live, I think spot on you gave realistically the DIFFERENCES, not a + or -, and I grew up in England too, currently still here, and while I really like Japan, it's culture, it's weather, how clean it is etc, I can't see it being the dreamland ppl make it out to be, because I just don't feel like I will have the comfort, friends or family I would have in other places, like you said. I think every country living in is just a country (unless it's suffering through wars or crisis), and your environment and circumstances are what really makes it great. I don't think for me staying for an extended period in Japan is ruled out, but I think I couldn't personally do it unless fluent in Japanese, and I think i'd want people around me to also go to Japan for a long term move because I can't tell if I would actually just be able to just fit in like that. I think Japan is great, but I feel it's very closed off to foreigners compared to other countries, like here in the UK, regardless if you are from England, or the moon, if you speak English, you are accepted. I would probably only move to Japan long term if (without others moving with me), I had made some good friends in vacations. I think it's somewhere in the future I can see myself spending 2-3 years in just to really relax and have it peaceful, and I would happily go Japan multiple times a year on holiday if I could, but I think going to live there is like you said, not the solution to all your problems, it's more of a side step to wherever you were before than a step forward or back I feel.
Been out here for almost 12 years now. I learned japanese for 5 years before even attempting to move here, so I don't have a lot of issues. I came here as an english teacher like everyone else, but I've branched out into IT work about three years in. I won't be leaving the country personally. It's vastly better than where I'm from originally, but I think it also prepared me to live here in a way since it was heavily socially secluded. I grew up in the middle of no where, and really enjoy the silence on public transits, and the manners. I fit in quite well and have never had any issues here. The only thing I've experienced here that I see as a potential issue is socializing with other foreigners, not because they're bad people or anything but I couldn't begin to tell you how many I've spoke to in the first 5-6 years here just for them to move back within 6 months. So I really don't go out of my way to establish a friendship with them. I found it pointless, and have started asking them how long they've been here. If it's around 5 years, I consider keeping in contact but jeez you just never see more than 95% of them again.
Speaking to anyone thinking about moving overseas or to Japan. You should come and live in Japan (and any other country btw) because you love the country as a whole (culture, peoples, environment) and not because that is currently fashionable/trendy or a "possible job opportunity". You should be interested and invested in that country. And strive to learn the language. If you just cherry pick what you like and overly focus on that, while trying to ignore the rest, you'll only end up frustrated. And you'll never be happy where you live because you'll never connect and fit in. Know your "why" and look at what things are and not at what you want them to be.
Great video man, I watched a lot of videos about this topic, and yours kinda covers perfectly all the points in both an objective and personal way. Good job
What a great video, super mature content (in a good way)... I hear you regarding not getting nice stuff because of the possibility or going back to your country, greetings from Costa Rica
this was brilliant, thank you for your input I'll definitely keep it in mind over the next three years. My plan is to come over on the JET Program once i finish uni I'm currently studying hiragana as well.
I will say it definitely doesn’t get easier unless you just accept the fact that you may have to sell all the things you buy and ultimately that’s not really a big deal. It’s far better to be comfortable now than to have constant dissatisfaction over not owning such items. I bought a cheap sofa in my old apartment and it was so painful to sit on that I’d just sit on the floor
thank you for your reply! I totally agree with you! sorry to hear that the sofa was not good :'( I was also tempted to buy a very cheap one but in the end I invested a bit more for my comfort. Do you know maybe where Japanese people sell their stuff usually?
@@lmzette the biggest app for personal selling is Merucari. Since it’s Japan you can almost be certain second hand good will be of good quality. I use it a lot myself for buying and selling things actually. It’s basically Japan’s eBay without the risk of being scammed haha
Homes are very cheap there and buying my very own home is a big pull for me moving there, plus the business opportunities from many market ineffiences and the amazing Healthcare are reasons as well.
Housing is super affordable here. My friend just got a loan at 0.2% and the house and land totals around $300,000 for a fully detached 4 bedroom house that you can customise to your liking.
I don't think you feel it so much now because of the weak yen, but I think land prices will go up more and more as development progresses in the future!
Work for a non-Japanese company’s Japan office/subsidiary, speak fluent Japanese and you can live quite comfortably. Japan has such a huge deficit in IT tech so the opportunities are significant naturally.
As for medical it sounds like heaven. In the US medical care is trash and your forced to see a new doctor every time you get a new job or whenever your employer changes your coverage without warning. You will probably go bankrupt if you get sick and you must do you best to delay doctor visits. Japan's system sounds absolutely amazing!
If your health problem is simple and can be prescribed a medicine, it works great. But if your problem is complicated or you have medicine allergies etc, it can be hell.
That permanence paradox is literally me! I've been living in Kyushu for 3 years as an ALT and have barely furnished my apartment because it's always been my goal to move to Tokyo or Osaka for another, better job 🤡 I think when it finally does happen I'll be happy that I didn't buy lots of furniture, but living without it now in the present is frustrating 😂
Yeah honestly I’m better with it now but I still struggle quite a lot. in hindsight though I regret not buying a lot of things earlier. I wanted to expand this whole section a bit actually maybe I’ll talk about it another time….but it’s not just purchasing material things but more so making big life decisions too. I have friends looking to buy houses or get married. I couldn’t make such decisions because it would cement ny position I’m here in Japan when I still want to know I have the option to easily leave someday!
I lived in Japan for 2 years and came already knowing the language to the point where it was never an issue (I grinded like crazy during quarantine) and to be honest making Japanese friends doesn't get much easier even if you're super fluent in the language. Obviously a lot of this varies depending on the type of person you are but even though I tried really hard to make Japanese friends nothing ever clicked. It all felt too surface level and robotic which was a very big shock to me coming from a western country where my friends are like brothers to me.
Yeah it can be very challenging and one thing that people often don’t realise is that Japanese people usually will take a lot longer to show you their true self. It can often take months of hanging out with someone because they start to come out of their shell with you whereas back in my own country people tend to be very open from get go. Also another issue I have is that Japanese people plan things very far in advance which doesn’t work well with many foreigners who are a bit more spontaneous with their planning. When I try to organise to meet my Japanese friends they always want several months warning in advance 😅
I am Japanese, but even for Japanese people, it is difficult to make deep friends as an adult. I found some very accurate comments from other people, so I will quote them here. I think Japan is a culture that loves solitude. It is considered rude to intrude too much into other people's private lives. Especially in modern times, young people tend to value this idea more than older people, and tend to value their own private time and enjoy hobbies. Also, modern young people are afraid of conflict and discord, so they choose inoffensive words and try not to interfere too much in their friends' lives so as not to offend others. For this reason, especially young people try to keep moderate relationships with their friends and not to take away their friends' private time. I am currently studying abroad in the UK, and I am a little wary of trivial conversations such as "How was your weekend?", but I think it is also a wonderful culture. I am sorry that you were hurt by life in Japan. Thank you for trying to adapt to life in Japan. I just wanted to convey that superficial relationships are part of modern Japanese culture and are not your problem.
As someone who is more of a loner anyway, I find Japan to be a good fit with my basic introversion. A recent relatively long visit drove this aspect home for me quite directly. The basic respect for others and the "we're in this together" homogeneity are quite appealing. When I see encounter a Japanese person I see the polar opposite of a US "Trumper", who only sees what's in it for them without seeing the larger picture of what's good for society and the country. I'm immersing myself in learning the language and hope to escape America soon. Be glad you're there, sir. Japan might have it's issues like everywhere else, but at heart, it would seem to be a profoundly decent culture. Thanks for a great video.
Thank you for living in Japan. The countryside is better than the city, right? Recently, riots in the UK have been in the news, and I understand how the British feel. There are always some crazy people, whether they are Japanese or foreigners, but when it comes to illegal immigrants committing crimes, it’s natural to feel anger toward those who come from outside. Japan is a country of forests, with the third-highest ratio of forest area to land area in the world. Let's work together to protect this peace and rich nature.
The story was false, and the attacker was a native-born UK citizen. The anti-immigrant rioters were far-right ultranationalists. I don't find their anger to be natural. I find their hate to be very small minded and harmful, and something I have never understood or felt. I feel the same about the far-right neo-imperialists in Japan or the alt-right in the US. Immigrants overwhelmingly commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens in every country. Because most immigrants fear retaliation and deportation. Also statistics often wrongly include immigration law violations as crimes--which are violations citizens cannot, by definition, commit, because they are citizens and not bound by such laws. "Lies, damn lies, and statistics" as the saying goes.
I do much prefer the countryside! It’s nice to live close to the city too as well. And yes, it’s a shame what is happening in the UK right now. Most of the rioters are just out looking for an excuse to smash things up.
@@nippolitica Exactly this, thank you! I was so scared that one of my friends or my (Japanese) wife would be assaulted by one of my so-called fellow countrymen last week. I feel that perhaps the outstanding counter-protests and feelings of love that came with that aren't being covered internationally as much as the initial violence committed by the rioters
One thing, even if you speak fluent Japanese it is still challenging to make friends and form deep connections with Japanese people. After 8 years, I have given up on finding Japanese friends or a Japanese partner (I am a lesbian so it is a bit more challenging)
A sensible and interesting discussion on living in Japan, and I think abroad as an expat in general. It seems that so many English and Americans want to leave their countries and live somewhere else in a way I have not seen before. I lived in Kyoto from 1998 to 2004. I did my PHD out there. I can't say it was easy, but that was more about me to be very honest than Japan. (The Japanese I think were quite incredible putting up with myself and I cringe when I remember how I behaved!) I went back to Kyoto for 18 months almost 10 years later, and loved it. A big reason for that I think though was that I had a lovely apartment in the best part of Kyoto had a lot of time and money and I was off skiing etc etc. So yes it will depend on your situation. Japanese friends? I found I always had a lot. But I think I was lucky that way (I was heavily involved in music and met a lot of people through this activity.) Japanese language: the secret is just enjoy it. Just enjoy learning more and being able to use what you have learned. Half full- not half empty. More advice : go for a 100 per cent score on Level 3 before worrying about Level 2 (or just don't worry about these tests at all - but do work through a good textbook.) This a much better investment: once you have really nailed the foundations, it is very easy to improve. Now I would love to go back to Japan again and live for 5-6 years, or maybe even longer. I miss it a lot.
I have lived in Japan for 5 years and arrived a couple months before the pandemic so I spent my entire time in flux but its been interesting and a learning experience. I do love living here but the countries inability to actually progress itself is a massive issue. A lot of the problems they have economically are driven by outdated customs in the workplace along with the propagation of archaic attitudes. Essentially, as time has passed and the world has progressed, Japan continues to plant its flag in a lifestyle that was built for the 70's and attitude appropriate in history in 2024. The whole system needs a makeover and people's attitudes need to take a different shape or else this country is essentially dying slowly from the inside. Beautiful country nonetheless but it needs help.
Considering how long life expectancy is in Japan, my guess is hospitals and doctors are merely being efficient, spending little time and resources on what is likely nothing is probably the correct choice. Outcomes in Japan are stellar, even more so considering how cheap their system is overall. And it's cheap despite how old the population is.
There are an increasing number of foreigners freeloading into Japan's medical system, consuming the country's financial resources. Foreigners living in Japan must pay health insurance premiums。
@@ExpertContrarian Look it up in Japanese. You'll find that the rate of non-payment among foreigners is very high in every municipality. You'll see that there are many foreigners who take advantage of the situation and don't pay their monthly health insurance premiums, but only pay for medical expenses. In the end, many foreigners receive treatment but don't pay and flee to their home countries.
What fucking non sense are you talking about. Japan goes to the dark age in 1 month if the world get to have O market with it. Remember that hard dpsht
I don't speak the language and i'm surprised it's difficult to work, get medical care or make friends... How surprising ! As a foreigner living in Japan and facing the same gruesome task of dealing with language barrier (although translation apps have dramatically made things easier), I'm still baffled at the sense of entitlement of many foreigners living in Japan. You want to come and stay there for a while ? Get a grip and adapt to the country, including learning japanese. If you're not ready to commit the time and effort for that, better not to come I guess...
Hi my dreams is to move to japan and I want to study in a Japanese university i choose to study abroad what i like about japan is the food the culture the anime the manga everything I like about japan i'm tired of living in puerto rico born and raised in puerto rico everything is not good
Life and work is all about the proverbial "carrot and stick", also 100% agree if you are lonely heading to a place that struggles with this problem as a nation might not be the best answer.
im still looking for a job. I've applied to 2 data center trainee jobs but got rejected. I'm not gonna stop because its always been my dream and to me the American dream of getting a job and working till 70 to buy a house and die isn't appealing. i would rather be rich in experiences and memories
Persistence is definitely key, don’t give up! If you can also look at alternative ways to move to Japan first before moving into IT that’s also another option!
@@bigwangslanger3000 the only time you don’t is when you limit yourself. I don’t think it’s easy for sure but also I don’t know anyone that I worked with that had an easy path to get where they are. I for sure didn’t have good Japanese when I got my first proper job here and many others I know were the same.
What if I'm genuinely not happy with life in U.S.? I'm introverted so I'm fine with the lack of social aspect how would life there compare? Sounds a lot more peaceful to me
really good video mate - I feel like I can relate a bit to the Permanence Paradox in the flat I live in in England haha. I'm sure it's way more amplified for you in Japan
First time on your channel, I didn't know Permanence Paradox was actually a thing - I thought I was the only one struggling with it..... Hahahha. Even in my home country (and when I'm not travelling) I feel the same. Thanks for the insight.
Really nice video mate. Most people come to Japan thinking it will, “be like anime” or be the best place they have ever imagined to live in. However the honeymoon phase will quickly dye out. And they will eventually want to go back to their native country.
I plan to live in Japan one day so the information in this video really helps, specially the health part, which was easily my biggest worry. I am not the most sociable guy, and sadly my japanese is still pretty basic, so my only real fear is getting seriously sick there and getting no help. Though I definitely do want to make friends there, hopefully at least one person who can speak english and lives near me. lol Other than that, I feel like Japan is probably great to live as long as you have money enough. It's always been a dream of mine to live there and I can't wait until I have enough income so I can move there and live comfortably.
My wife is Japanese, and she wants to move back; but, looking at CyberSecurity jobs in Japan is a bit disheartening...might end up applying for a Data Centre job after all, as they're one of the few jobs I can find that don't require Japanese language skills. (I'm still studying for JLPT N5 - so, a long way to go)
Data Center jobs can be pretty interesting and there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved in projects. The main thing is that you get to network with other teams and moving internally to other teams is always an option. An old colleague of mine did that and now he’s in cyber security here
@@Retro-Japan Well that's very encouraging. You and your Argentinian friend you interviewed the other day, made the job sound very satisfying to be honest, and given that there are a couple of large data centres out in Chiba Prefecture, that'd suit me down to the ground. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. It's really appreciated!
Right now I am job hunting on a recently acquired N3 JLPT level and my hopes are not high. I have been here the same time as you too and my Japanese proficiency level just has not gone up much since coming here. But here's to finding something that I can work with!
Man, not gonna lie. I watch a lot of Japan content, I live in Japan, speak some Japanese, etc. Your video got recommended to me but with the channel name as it is, I really excepted to watch it and go , "Another weeb living having his Japan dream broken is going to shed 'wisdom' like he's the main protagonist" But in all honesty, I'm glad TH-cam recommended me this video. Everything you said is quite on point and you express points in a thoughtful manner. So I subbed and looking forward to your other content.
Really good video mate, im heading over in September for a year and thinking that if i like it enough snd can actually handle the language side of it, then ill stay for awhile.
Thanks for watching mate. It’s definitely possible to live here without Japanese but learning the language unlocks a completely different side of life here so my advice is just spend as much time as you can now studying!
Japanese society is very hard on people with mid-level jobs and below... If the quality requirement is 50, then you're always expected to deliver 60, even 70 because the competition is tough for that level of jobs On the other hand, for high-level / high-skilled jobs,, If the quality requirement is 90, it's okay to occasionally deliver 85,, or even 80 since there is only few in the market that can deliver 90 anyway...
Couldn't agree with you more. As an Asian who lives in Japan, I also face discrimination from some people, because I don't come from a country they look up to.
I think Personally finding Friends can depend on being in Cities or not. I was Travelling Japan for a Year but also lived a somewhat normal life for many months in Akiyas or with Japanese Families. My experience of Camping for over 3 Months through Kyushu and spending 2 months on a pilgrimage around Shikoku. I think in the Countryside it is far far easier to make Japanese friends. Or I was lucky. Becaus in Cities I myself feel like an Anomaly. If i do something wrong like standing on the wrong side of the escalator because im deep in thought i feel super dumb. But in the Countryside my experience is that most people think its interesting. Some told me that they havent seen foreigners in their lives before and thought it was cool that I was there. I had a lot of luck being right in time for local festivals as well. I think thats where the Japanese Person is most approachable. And with local I mean festivals like a Sakura Festival in a small town near Nagato. There were 100 people tops and by the end of the day i was friends with a Hotel Owner, his Kids and multiple people at food stands. At this point i couldnt even speak basic Japanese i was just stumbling words and not understanding much. But my goal is for sure to live in the Countryside becuase in my Opinion it is far more beautiful. Tokyo and Hakata and Kyoto are nice. But my favourite places were small places like Aso in Kumamoto or Saijo in Ehime. So when it comes to Friends i think the cities do contribute to the diffirence between Foreigners and Locals. But in small towns and in the Countryside. I have found that people do enjoy Foreign Company and are more willing to invite them into local activities.
As a Japanese person, when I was a child, I loved playing outside and would always go when my friends invited me, but now I don't go out even if my friends invite me for strange reasons. Japan feels lonely. Most Japanese people live indoors. In that respect, I would like it to be as open as America.
You are so correct, Japan is a perfect country to visit, do sightseeing, party etc - but you don't want to live there. like almost all foreigners come to that conclusion after a few years.
Yep..Just like me.I lived in Japan for six years and mastered the language in which I work as a Japanese Interpreter.If one is fine with no growth , Japan is the place for you.If you have dreams and want to grow, forget about Japan.Most of those foreigners who have stayed in Japan for 29 years or more, couldn't have it in their home country so, they go there to feel good about themselves.Not all of them but a huge number of them.
I hate to admit it, but Autism-friendly jobs have only been recently introduced in Japan these days, unlike what I'm already used to seeing in the United States, thanks to their world-famous Americans With Disabilities ACT of 1990 law.
Video is well done and the first time I've come across your channel. One of the few videos I didn't catch any hiccups with the realties of living in Japan as a foreigner. I'm an American living here for the past 5 years. Working on the legal side for a major Japanese telecom company. The medical and personal relationships segments really stood out as I've experienced each in similar detail. On the medical side, I decided to go with doctors who are western educated as I've been misdiagnosed a few times and also told "It's just stress. Take these pills". No testing or anything. Personal relationships, I've also ended up with mostly foreign friends for the same reasons you mentioned. Btw, the big park area you're at...is that Rinkai Park in Urayasu?
It’s interesting to hear that many foreigners kind of have the same experiences though! The Japanese medical system especially gets me you’re right the goal is basically to get you prescribed something. The last part is in Kasai rinkai yes nice spot!
Just wanted to comment on this because it is your most recent video. I ended up getting a job because of your advice from your first vid on datacenters and start in a month. Thanks so much mate
Amazing news!
Hi, can you please tell me how you got it?
Were you already in Japan or applied from abroad?
@@dacookie5683 thanks for replying, which country if I may ask?
What's important also is the environment, if the environment or lifestyle makes it easy for you to be happy and I'm pretty sure most people would be much happier in a place where the biggest crimes are umbrella theft over mass pew pew at schools.
@@Hhhh22222-w But that environment also includes isolation. Japan has a more introverted society. Combine that with being a foreigner, and it becomes increasingly difficult for you to fit in. You'll always experience some-type of alienation as a foreigner in Japan, regardless of if you've lived there for 2 months or 20 years.
Hi. I'm Japanese.
I hear many such comments from foreigners who have immigrated to this country. It is difficult to fit in with Japanese people and they feel alienated. It is difficult to make Japanese friends.
This is my personal opinion, but to begin with, Japan is a country suited for “people who love solitude”. In fact, even Japanese people do not have many friends.
Rather than inviting a lot of friends to a party, the value system is that it is better to have just one friend with whom you are comfortable.
There is also a saying that describes the general Japanese value system: Even within a close circle, there is courtesy.
A simple explanation is this.
You have the right to freely decide how to spend your vacation this weekend. Others should not infringe on that.
You may want to read a book quietly or go to a café. You may intend to enjoy cycling, or go hiking.
You have the right to enjoy your hobbies without anyone else interrupting your time.
That is why we Japanese are very cautious about taking other people's time. Weekday evenings and holidays are important time. We don't invite you because we respect your life.
(We are taught by our teachers many times since elementary school that we should not take other people's time, its very rude. The same reason why Japanese are so strict about time)
I want to go out to eat or have fun with my Japanese colleagues, but they don't invite me:( If this is the case, it is possible that they aren't avoiding you, but respecting your rights.
If you feel that such a way of spending holidays is ideal for you after reading my writing, I think you are suited for Japan.
this explaination u gave in ur comment can be explained by the history of ur country.
I'm talking about when ur country developed a culture
Nara Period, Heian Period and mby the Kokufū Culture explains alot for why that is. Also the whole Shōen structure throughout Heian, Kamakura Period.
I know later Periods and Eras may have a higher effect on the current Japan, yet as those times were how the culture really started not being a copy of Tang and Song China is why I think that is.
As respect as a key factor of ur culture it all makes sense.
Oh I wrote alot again,sorry 😅
Thank you for the interesting comment. Do you also know why time is valued so much in Japan?
That was a great, valuable comment! ありがとうございます、みかわさん!
"We don't invite you because we respect your life"は完璧ですよね、ありがとうございます。
i understand that Japanese respects others rights and comfort but i really wish that Japanese can be more social because as a living creature, we're not meant to be in solitude, if you go to science way, you will find out that the solitude or social isolation can make you more suffer to your body and brain than a any physical damage ever be... and social isolation is like a slow poison
and socializing with others will also help us to grow mentally and spiritually as a human being
7:35 the fact that you're tlaking about feeling as an isolated outsider sometimes while at the same a local child sparks a conversation means there's still hope.
It came just right time👌🏼
The children haven't been completely brainwashed to stare at their phones 24/7 and talk to no one and focus only on work yet.
Moving to Japan and not learning Japanese before moving there is a new level of insane.
If someone is serious about moving there you should learn a decent amount beforehand.
This first time I lived in Japan almost 20 years ago I spent 2 years here and never even started to try learning the language 🤣
But I also didn't socialize with other foreigners because there really weren't any where I was living at the time (Omiya and later Hadano).
I would just grin and nod my way through every conversation.
Some people just didn't had the opportunity... besides, a lot of them purposely move there in order to learn the language
It goes the same for any language or a country, I lived in Hungary for a year but before I left I got to A2 lvl of Hungarian while 95% of my ppl who came with me didn't speak a word of it, I needed around 2 weeks to fully adapt to my new life while it took others months, some of them didn't even manage to adapt and they moved back home, I agree with you, it's insane to not know at least basic stuff.
5 years coming up to 6; stayed in Chiba, Kobe, Tokyo, etc.
That feeling that you’re “treated like an outsider”? It’s just how people are in Japan. They may come off as “shy” or distant, yes, but that’s mainly cause of their perception of time.
Personal time is incredibly sought after and valued here. It took me around 4 months plus of “persistently” (read occasionally) inviting my coworkers and neighbors after having befriended them prior for them to start accepting my invitations.
Nowadays they invite me to even the more mundane of stuffs. Hitting the library to just read side by side and barely chat? Come over for lunch/ dinner? Mario party sesh? Casual walk around Shibuya/ Akiba, etc? It’s all mega comfy and they often are the ones who invite me first.
It takes a lot for Japanese prople in general to open up but once they do, you’ll have some of the best of friends you’ll ever make in a long while, probably for the rest of your life even.
This is a great story!
自分は７年間で日本語と中国語を同時に勉強してきた。５年前に日本語能力試験N2に合格したんだけど、今まで長い間の日本の友達を作ったことがない（アメリカと日本の１４時の差は問題ともう）。 なんかその招待の書き方、自動発送の仕方とか興味があるなぁ。
Permanence paradox is real. I've been living here for nine years, and every somewhat big life choice still comes with a subconscious tag of "but you're not gonna live here forever".
Yeah it’s a tough one for sure!
So true. It got better when I actually bought a house here.
@@Retro-JapanI live in the permanence paradox
Just have a plan to give stuff away if you leave.
Then you can buy nice things and enjoy them
'til you pass them on (:
It’s true. If you’re not happy or satisfied, you’re not happy nor satisfied wherever you live. Because life is what you make it. It’s not the place. If you decide to be happy and choose where you are, whether Japan or elsewhere, you’ll find a way to be happy. Japan is not bad at all if you decide to make it a great journey. Good food, infrastructure, safe, convenience, clean, kind people…rest is up to YOU!
Wise words!
Look, good food, convenience, good transport, nothing being stolen and not being harmed don't make you happy, but by god they do make it easier. The country makes a huge difference. Some places make ir way easier to socialize than others, some more reasy to save money, etc.
Total BS what if you’re in Ukraine or Palestine and get your legs blown off? Is that just you being a baby if you’re sad? Of course not. Japan has hikomori or hermits who don’t see other people for years at a time or leave the house. The culture creates them so for already antisocial people or lonely people Japan can be a horrible place to live.
except for me where as I grew up in Japan so when I go live there it will be better.
@@AegisEdge Not necessarily. But would be nice of course.
I am half Japanese and half German, and I currently live in Germany. When I was really young, around 6 or 7 years old, my family moved to Japan for a year because my Japanese mom had to study there. I don’t really remember much anymore, but honestly, it wasn’t bad. Living in Japan is like a roller coaster. At first, everything is amazing and exciting, that's the high point of going to Japan. But after a while, everything starts to feel normal, and it can get a bit boring, that's the low. But then, over time, you accept it, adapt, and it just becomes a part of life. Japan is an incredible place where tradition and modern life blend in unique ways. If you have the chance, spend a few months there, you might really enjoy it!
I'm from Ukraine and I've been living in Czechia for 3 years and I can move to absolutely any country in Europe, but I want to move to Japan, I'll be going to apply for a visa in a few days. .
There's a third category of jobs that is slowly becoming more common, which is remote work (usually working for your home country while living in Japan). This is what I do now. It's by far the best option.
How does this work with visas and tax etc?
Do you do that under the digital nomad visa?
Oh that sounds dreamy. I was looking at remote jobs based out of Singapore even.
I’m not sure what OP is referring to here but if you stay in Japan longer than a few months you are considered a tax resident, you can’t legally work in Japan without a work visa which requires company sponsorship, I’m not sure what foreign companies would even be able to navigate the Japanese system to do this if they’re not in Japan. You need a residency permit to do anything like get an apartment, health insurance, a bank account, or basically anything.
In my case I work remotely here but I am employed by the Japanese subsidiary of an American company. When employees of company in America or other countries come here to work for even just a few weeks or month, they need to get a working visa which the company arranges with the Japanese subsidiary.
So I think this option is possible in particular circumstances but it’s not just as simple as being a remote worker in your own country then moving to Japan as that is almost certainly illegal so I would be interested to hear if there’s any way around this.
@@Retro-Japan I have a permanent resident visa, so I can live here and work for any company I want, regardless of whether they're in Japan or overseas. the bad news is... even though I'm paid by a foreign company, I have to pay regular taxes in Japan, just like if I was working for a Japanese employer.
I lived in Japan for 1.5 years and didn't really have a lot of problems, but I went to a lot of events, bars, clubs and just befriended a lot of people
Having a social life requires effort just like everywhere else same reason most people can't learn Japanese
That isn't long enough
exactly. it's not that hard
@@missplainjane3905 It isn't long enough to discover a country.I have lived there for 6.5 years and didn't really "know" Japan until the third year and after bussing my butt learning Japanese..He left during the honeymoon stage so, his experience will be quite different.
@@elliot2177 I've lived here a couple of times since the mid 2000s, more than 6 years in total and I still love it.
But I can understand why some people don't, Its a very specific kind of culture that not a lot of people can deal with long term and a lot of people have a very very warped and delusional view of it because of media.
I'm moving to Yokohama in a couple of months, and this video helped me solidify my feelings. I've done a good job researching the actual quality of life in Japan (I think), and I think that having healthy expectations and confidence in myself will play huge roles in keeping me sane in Japan.
Yokohama is fun. However, large cities in Japan are basically no different from those in other countries.
It’s the money rent issue for me
You are going to be depressed and isolated af
How’s it going over there??
How you doing there mate?
As a long term resident of Japan one thing I try to get other foreigners to accept is the fact that they are the one who decided to be here. They have the choice to leave any time they feel like it. (A choice the Japanese around you don't reallly have) By choosing to stay you have to accept Japan as it is, not how you wish it would be. This may sound harsh but many years ago after I had been here a few years I went through that understanding and found that it took a weight off my shoulders.
Yep. This is the last phase of culture shock --> acceptance.
i love this comment. i've lived in taiwan for ages and still struggle with it and i need to do what you say.
I see so many westerners in Japan always talking about how Japan needs to "Improve" by becoming more like their home country and how they're going to "fix" it.
@ it's shameful. japan is an extremely well run country.
I appreciate your balanced approach to talking about this stuff. Probably one of the better single video explanations I have seen on the subject.
Thanks I appreciate that a lot 🤝
That was a really relaxing video to watch and interesting points. That kid was funny too!
Yeah I wanted his bubble blower!
You make some very solid points in this one mate! I'm in my 25th year in Japan - can't believe the time has gone by so bloomin' fast!! Here for life now, but I do miss the UK.
Out of curiosity, what part of the UK? As a German we have a certain opinion of the English (especially in the last few years)
I miss the UK very much too but maybe I’m seeing it through rose tinted lenses, whenever I turn on the news and see all those riots now it grounds me a bit haha. But the British countryside always has my heart!
@@Retro-Japan I hear that! I really miss Yorkshire, Lancashire, the Lakes and North Wales. But seeing the news on TH-cam - as I said in my vid yesterday, better off staying here!
@@savejeff15 - although born in London, I grew up in North Yorkshire and North Wales. Parts of the UK I don't even recognise anymore!
UK is not what it used to be..and I’m not even British. Sad with immigration policies gone wrong. Same with where I grew up, Sweden, don’t recognize the beautiful childhood country I grew up in. Especially in the big cities..culture and traditions are important to each region that should be respected even if you bring people from other nations..this is what failed. 😞
You are spot on about the relationships segment. I reached out to as many people as I could about my hobby which is RC Racing. I’ve lived in Japan now for almost 30 years. I’ve known that there is so much more to discover once you establish yourself and find what you want to do in your free time. However, without knowing anyone most people may be scared to go out on their own.
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet other foreigners who enjoy the same hobbies and I made sure to pay it forward by creating my own Facebook group and other groups letting people know about how they can truly enjoy life here.
On a different note, I discovered that the Japanese wives who are married to some of my friends were extremely appreciative that their significant others have positive ways to enjoy living in Japan without falling into the pits of nightlife and partying.
So get out there. Play golf, find arts and crafts that you are interested in, and if you are like me, get into R/C. These things definitely help.
I am confident enough to know that it's my dream to live and travel to Japan. I am an introvert myself so learning how the community is over there doesn't scare me at all. The only thing holding me back is the working culture, where I live it's becoming almost the same but not as badly as other countries. I want to work hard at my career but wouldn't want to be a slave for work either. I have read and seen a lot more companies that are doing a good amount of effort into changing that. Have any advice? or experience as well.
God bless
This is what I experience outside Japan like an identical tiwns. I used to work in the UK, and you can't get a job there if you're not a native English speaker, and there are always visa issues as well. You also can't open a bank account or get a credit card.
Maybe key to working outside world is to learn the language. And this is something you may experience where ever you go.
Very true!
I have heard this statement more than a few times on similar videos. "Even if you've lived here for a long time and are fluent in Japanese, you'll still be treated (or feel like) an outsider." Japan is arguably the most homogeneous society on earth. It seems obvious that a westerner would experience that. For me, that's the fun part. Being different, in a country like Japan is a great thing, in my opinion. In Japan, I like being around people who are considerate and self-conscious. And it seems, Japanese people have something to learn from me, a westerner who has done things in life. I find Japanese people to be much more respectful in everyday life than Americans. I love that part, the most. Living in any foreign country is challenging, especially if you're not fluent in the language. It boils down to your mindset. Are you ready for a major life challenge or not?
I live in Thailand and I've been to Japan many times. Thailand is very social, especially Bangkok, and Thai people are quite friendly & curious, if you can speak a bit of Thai.
In Japan they are introverted, but very kind and polite. Social rules apply in Thailand too, but in Japan it seems they have hundreds of social rules.
@@kevinreily2529 Sorry but true, friend
I guess you have not lived in other countries. Being treated like a foreigner is also common in many countries.
I love you whoever you are. This is precisely what every foreigner needs to hear. Exactly!
I would say the whole reason to move to another country, especially Japan, would be for the experience, the chance of personal and professional growth, the memories, and if you have the right mindset.
Personally I have yet to have the opportunity to live there, but the country seems to have a lot to offer if you approach with the correct mindset.
@@KyrosTherrund Thanks. That's very kind. I've spent good amount of time living abroad. I don't think my country is the best nor do I expect things to be done the way I'm used to. We are all students of life. Embrace it and explore.
I'm currently a college student in Oregon. I'm working at a community college to learn Japanese. I am transferring to a university upon graduation where I'll continue learning Japanese, as well as mangaka. It is very slow, but I am working to start a career in mangaka. Obviously, it's not an easy career, but it's definitely my passion.
Eventually, I want to move to Japan and go to an art school there, currently I'm looking at Kyoto Seika.
Good luck 🎉
I am starting my Japanese studies degree in January. I have the same goal that you have. if you go through with it maybe reply and I will give my contact info. I write here and there
Hell no. I hope your dream fall off.
How wonderful to see your path so well - I wish you all the luck in making your dreams a reality 🙏💜
@@allisonB123 It has been a challenging road, but i hope not to stray.
Great video. Solid information. Awesome work.
Really solid video, I’m planning to pay a visit soon, but it is great to see an in depth perspective of a foreigner not only highlighting the day to day but rather the thought process and emotional sense of how one is perceived and living life in a country where feeling like home might not ever happen, thanks again. Subbed
I’m stationed in Japan, been here for 2 years and will be here for many more. I feel like I have the best of both worlds because I’m surrounded by my own country men while on base that speak English and are just like me, so I have a huge support system to fall back on, but I can also just go out on my own in Japan and explore until I get burnt out.
This video is worded very well.
In the end it’s all about being happy where you live. I lives in the countryside, couldn’t say I had a lot of Japanse friends but I did feel accepted and welcome. To me that was also very important.
amazing video man, been waiting for your next video and here it is. your style allows people to see what Japan is really like without the screen in front, definitely moving later on when I get some more money and get a job set up. keep up the amazing content man, amazing quality.
Thanks for tuning in again mate it’s much appreciated 🤝
Thanks for the insights! Very interesting video as always.
Thanks for tuning in again, have a great day ✌️
awesome vid, its nice to see a fresh perspective and i really like the way you presented everything and the way you shot it all
Bro i hope you blow up! massively enjoyed this as a person that moved here under the same circumstances as you. Didnt really connect with the foreigners initially and had to make my own happiness. Your film style is also interesting. I'd love to connect man. But if not good luck !
Thanks for the comment I appreciate it! Would be happy to connect 🤝
I just wanted to comment and say I really appreciate all the videos of Kasai Rinkai Park! :) I lived in Kasai when I studied overseas for 9 months, and seeing those shots rushed my brain with a wave of recent nostalgia. Enjoy your life in Japan! :D
You are describing the common problems and feeling of an inmigrants. I moved from Spain to Sweden for over 9 years and what you are describing is basically what happened to me as well (except for job conditions)
If you are from the southern parts of Spain, I can see that being quite a "transition" from that culture to the one here in Sweden. Hopefully you fared better than most people, Sweden isn't really the easiest place to establish social contacts in.
Man that washing machine bit really made me chuckle, wasn't expecting that
This stuff is great! I’ve been living in Japan for a while now and I really enjoy watching contents like this. ❤
Thanks for watching!
I am very lucky with my work life balance here. Been here nearly 10 years now and have worked a mixture of jobs with nothing really secure but that has been my choice as I love living in Japan for the nature. Definitely it can be challenging sometimes but I couldn’t never imagine me living in my home country
Thanks for watching! Right, there’s good and bad points of living here just like anywhere else in the world but I feel the good points far outweigh the negatives. People’s own experience vastly differ too depending on their own situations with work and living.
@@Retro-Japan yep exactly! Sometimes when I get tired and need a break I just go for a wee holiday over to South East Asia and then it refreshes me when I come back to Japan and realize how good it is.
The permanence paradox part hits hard. Been living outside of my home country for more than 8 years (in various places) and I have never dared myself to buy something even as cheap as a desk with a chair to properly work or study. I don’t know how to explain it, but it is a crazy feeling that just messes with you every day…
This is so interesting to see foreigner’s perspective of living in Japan.
I was wondering about the Healthcare System
in Japan. This Video addressed it Comprehensively. Thanks. 😊
Thanks for watching mate ✌️
Enjoyed your video man hope more is coming
Dude, if you can manage to make weekly video's your channel will really lift-off! There's just something so calming and unique about your format!
Thanks! I’m aiming for a video every other week right now as it balances well with my work schedule. I’ll potentially increase that later on if possible
Im moving to Japan in September for a year!
I lived in Osaka for 2 months last year for a study abroad and it felt alienating at first (it was also the first time i felt homesick)
I always appreciate the perspectives that foreigners living there have given in the videos ive seen
Thanks for giving it a watch! Best of luck on your move 🤝
Hows it been so far? Did you move back to Osaka and if so if you dont mind me asking, for a job or school?
日本人がひとりの時間が好きなのは、気を遣わないといけないから面倒なのと、労働に疲れて休みたいから だと思ってる。勿論本当に一人が好きな人はいると思うけど、大半の人はネガティブな理由でそうなっていると感じる。
Bro, the quality of your videos is just awesome. I love your videos ❤❤
Thanks for watching mate very kind of you to say ✌️
I always did my shopping on craigslist. The free section is awesome. If you have a vehicle, it’s a great way to pick things up for free. I would always upgrade if I saw something nicer for free on craigslist. Then I would pass on what I was getting rid of to someone else. Japan is a very lonely country. You have to find your own place and be happy with it.
I had a friend who would always ask new people that he would meet what their expiration date was. When are they leaving the country? I thought that was a pretty good way of looking at it.
great informative vid man💜
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for making this.
Thank you for watching ✌️
Well said, a very balanced assessment. Good luck to you living here.
Thanks for watching ✌️
Good video! Keep making them!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the video and thoughts. I have very similar feelings, living in Switzerland as a foreigner..
Thanks for watching ✌️
Great video. I know currently you have pretty small numbers but keep at it and you will be discovered more and more im sure of it.
Also farn that Chris broad style content to the max. You have the editing/filming skills
I guess it’s a compliment to be compared to him, we went to the same school so maybe we both got influenced by the same film studies teacher haha
Although I’m not sure I’d want to end up with a viewership like his that seems stressful 😅
@@Retro-Japan no way? What a coincidence. But yeah a couple of million followers must be a bit scary
I think the country is very nice visually, it's extremely clean and peaceful, but I think socially, you are always going to be a foreigner, I think it is nice, but very hard to live in Japan from my perspective, I don't think I could just go there, I also don't think it's the dreamland some people think it is. I think that Tokyo and the big cities are without a doubt some of the most amazing places in the world to live, I think spot on you gave realistically the DIFFERENCES, not a + or -, and I grew up in England too, currently still here, and while I really like Japan, it's culture, it's weather, how clean it is etc, I can't see it being the dreamland ppl make it out to be, because I just don't feel like I will have the comfort, friends or family I would have in other places, like you said. I think every country living in is just a country (unless it's suffering through wars or crisis), and your environment and circumstances are what really makes it great. I don't think for me staying for an extended period in Japan is ruled out, but I think I couldn't personally do it unless fluent in Japanese, and I think i'd want people around me to also go to Japan for a long term move because I can't tell if I would actually just be able to just fit in like that. I think Japan is great, but I feel it's very closed off to foreigners compared to other countries, like here in the UK, regardless if you are from England, or the moon, if you speak English, you are accepted. I would probably only move to Japan long term if (without others moving with me), I had made some good friends in vacations. I think it's somewhere in the future I can see myself spending 2-3 years in just to really relax and have it peaceful, and I would happily go Japan multiple times a year on holiday if I could, but I think going to live there is like you said, not the solution to all your problems, it's more of a side step to wherever you were before than a step forward or back I feel.
Been out here for almost 12 years now. I learned japanese for 5 years before even attempting to move here, so I don't have a lot of issues. I came here as an english teacher like everyone else, but I've branched out into IT work about three years in. I won't be leaving the country personally. It's vastly better than where I'm from originally, but I think it also prepared me to live here in a way since it was heavily socially secluded. I grew up in the middle of no where, and really enjoy the silence on public transits, and the manners.
I fit in quite well and have never had any issues here. The only thing I've experienced here that I see as a potential issue is socializing with other foreigners, not because they're bad people or anything but I couldn't begin to tell you how many I've spoke to in the first 5-6 years here just for them to move back within 6 months. So I really don't go out of my way to establish a friendship with them. I found it pointless, and have started asking them how long they've been here. If it's around 5 years, I consider keeping in contact but jeez you just never see more than 95% of them again.
Speaking to anyone thinking about moving overseas or to Japan.
You should come and live in Japan (and any other country btw) because you love the country as a whole (culture, peoples, environment) and not because that is currently fashionable/trendy or a "possible job opportunity".
You should be interested and invested in that country. And strive to learn the language.
If you just cherry pick what you like and overly focus on that, while trying to ignore the rest, you'll only end up frustrated.
And you'll never be happy where you live because you'll never connect and fit in.
Know your "why" and look at what things are and not at what you want them to be.
Great video man, I watched a lot of videos about this topic, and yours kinda covers perfectly all the points in both an objective and personal way. Good job
Thanks for watching mate glad you found it interesting! 🤝
What a great video, super mature content (in a good way)... I hear you regarding not getting nice stuff because of the possibility or going back to your country, greetings from Costa Rica
Thanks for the comment and for tuning in again mate 🤝 🇨🇷
this was brilliant, thank you for your input I'll definitely keep it in mind over the next three years. My plan is to come over on the JET Program once i finish uni I'm currently studying hiragana as well.
what you said about the permanence paradox is so true! I m struggling with it right now since I just moved to Japan. I thought I was the only one.
I will say it definitely doesn’t get easier unless you just accept the fact that you may have to sell all the things you buy and ultimately that’s not really a big deal. It’s far better to be comfortable now than to have constant dissatisfaction over not owning such items. I bought a cheap sofa in my old apartment and it was so painful to sit on that I’d just sit on the floor
thank you for your reply! I totally agree with you! sorry to hear that the sofa was not good :'( I was also tempted to buy a very cheap one but in the end I invested a bit more for my comfort. Do you know maybe where Japanese people sell their stuff usually?
@@lmzette the biggest app for personal selling is Merucari. Since it’s Japan you can almost be certain second hand good will be of good quality. I use it a lot myself for buying and selling things actually. It’s basically Japan’s eBay without the risk of being scammed haha
Sounds good! I will try it, thank you!! 😊
Homes are very cheap there and buying my very own home is a big pull for me moving there, plus the business opportunities from many market ineffiences and the amazing Healthcare are reasons as well.
Housing is super affordable here. My friend just got a loan at 0.2% and the house and land totals around $300,000 for a fully detached 4 bedroom house that you can customise to your liking.
I don't think you feel it so much now because of the weak yen, but I think land prices will go up more and more as development progresses in the future!
Work for a non-Japanese company’s Japan office/subsidiary, speak fluent Japanese and you can live quite comfortably.
Japan has such a huge deficit in IT tech so the opportunities are significant naturally.
As for medical it sounds like heaven. In the US medical care is trash and your forced to see a new doctor every time you get a new job or whenever your employer changes your coverage without warning. You will probably go bankrupt if you get sick and you must do you best to delay doctor visits. Japan's system sounds absolutely amazing!
Right - I think compared to the US system it’s far better. European systems probably are on par or potentially a bit better depending on the country.
Compared to the UK, it sounds horrible. Having infinite free healthcare in the UK is awesome. The idea of "paying" for treatment is baffling.
If your health problem is simple and can be prescribed a medicine, it works great. But if your problem is complicated or you have medicine allergies etc, it can be hell.
That permanence paradox is literally me! I've been living in Kyushu for 3 years as an ALT and have barely furnished my apartment because it's always been my goal to move to Tokyo or Osaka for another, better job 🤡
I think when it finally does happen I'll be happy that I didn't buy lots of furniture, but living without it now in the present is frustrating 😂
Yeah honestly I’m better with it now but I still struggle quite a lot. in hindsight though I regret not buying a lot of things earlier. I wanted to expand this whole section a bit actually maybe I’ll talk about it another time….but it’s not just purchasing material things but more so making big life decisions too. I have friends looking to buy houses or get married. I couldn’t make such decisions because it would cement ny position I’m here in Japan when I still want to know I have the option to easily leave someday!
@@Retro-Japan yeah I think decisions like those would be difficult to make since you want to return to the UK eventually!
I lived in Japan for 2 years and came already knowing the language to the point where it was never an issue (I grinded like crazy during quarantine) and to be honest making Japanese friends doesn't get much easier even if you're super fluent in the language. Obviously a lot of this varies depending on the type of person you are but even though I tried really hard to make Japanese friends nothing ever clicked. It all felt too surface level and robotic which was a very big shock to me coming from a western country where my friends are like brothers to me.
Yeah it can be very challenging and one thing that people often don’t realise is that Japanese people usually will take a lot longer to show you their true self. It can often take months of hanging out with someone because they start to come out of their shell with you whereas back in my own country people tend to be very open from get go.
Also another issue I have is that Japanese people plan things very far in advance which doesn’t work well with many foreigners who are a bit more spontaneous with their planning. When I try to organise to meet my Japanese friends they always want several months warning in advance 😅
I am Japanese, but even for Japanese people, it is difficult to make deep friends as an adult.
I found some very accurate comments from other people, so I will quote them here.
I think Japan is a culture that loves solitude. It is considered rude to intrude too much into other people's private lives.
Especially in modern times, young people tend to value this idea more than older people, and tend to value their own private time and enjoy hobbies. Also, modern young people are afraid of conflict and discord, so they choose inoffensive words and try not to interfere too much in their friends' lives so as not to offend others.
For this reason, especially young people try to keep moderate relationships with their friends and not to take away their friends' private time.
I am currently studying abroad in the UK, and I am a little wary of trivial conversations such as "How was your weekend?", but I think it is also a wonderful culture.
I am sorry that you were hurt by life in Japan. Thank you for trying to adapt to life in Japan.
I just wanted to convey that superficial relationships are part of modern Japanese culture and are not your problem.
As someone who is more of a loner anyway, I find Japan to be a good fit with my basic introversion. A recent relatively long visit drove this aspect home for me quite directly. The basic respect for others and the "we're in this together" homogeneity are quite appealing. When I see encounter a Japanese person I see the polar opposite of a US "Trumper", who only sees what's in it for them without seeing the larger picture of what's good for society and the country. I'm immersing myself in learning the language and hope to escape America soon. Be glad you're there, sir. Japan might have it's issues like everywhere else, but at heart, it would seem to be a profoundly decent culture. Thanks for a great video.
Nice video. Best wishes from Serbia/Europe.
Thank you for living in Japan. The countryside is better than the city, right? Recently, riots in the UK have been in the news, and I understand how the British feel. There are always some crazy people, whether they are Japanese or foreigners, but when it comes to illegal immigrants committing crimes, it’s natural to feel anger toward those who come from outside. Japan is a country of forests, with the third-highest ratio of forest area to land area in the world. Let's work together to protect this peace and rich nature.
The story was false, and the attacker was a native-born UK citizen. The anti-immigrant rioters were far-right ultranationalists. I don't find their anger to be natural. I find their hate to be very small minded and harmful, and something I have never understood or felt. I feel the same about the far-right neo-imperialists in Japan or the alt-right in the US. Immigrants overwhelmingly commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens in every country. Because most immigrants fear retaliation and deportation. Also statistics often wrongly include immigration law violations as crimes--which are violations citizens cannot, by definition, commit, because they are citizens and not bound by such laws. "Lies, damn lies, and statistics" as the saying goes.
I do much prefer the countryside! It’s nice to live close to the city too as well. And yes, it’s a shame what is happening in the UK right now. Most of the rioters are just out looking for an excuse to smash things up.
個人的には都会と田舎の中間をオススメします。
田舎すぎると現代人には大変だと思います。
@@nippolitica Exactly this, thank you! I was so scared that one of my friends or my (Japanese) wife would be assaulted by one of my so-called fellow countrymen last week. I feel that perhaps the outstanding counter-protests and feelings of love that came with that aren't being covered internationally as much as the initial violence committed by the rioters
@@Retro-Japan I saw some guy got sent down for stealing £15k worth of vapes from a looted shop, which proves your point.
One thing, even if you speak fluent Japanese it is still challenging to make friends and form deep connections with Japanese people. After 8 years, I have given up on finding Japanese friends or a Japanese partner (I am a lesbian so it is a bit more challenging)
This video has very valuable information and the only thing I could think about was that you sound just like Malfoy lol. nice video
POTTAH!
A sensible and interesting discussion on living in Japan, and I think abroad as an expat in general. It seems that so many English and Americans want to leave their countries and live somewhere else in a way I have not seen before. I lived in Kyoto from 1998 to 2004. I did my PHD out there. I can't say it was easy, but that was more about me to be very honest than Japan. (The Japanese I think were quite incredible putting up with myself and I cringe when I remember how I behaved!) I went back to Kyoto for 18 months almost 10 years later, and loved it. A big reason for that I think though was that I had a lovely apartment in the best part of Kyoto had a lot of time and money and I was off skiing etc etc. So yes it will depend on your situation. Japanese friends? I found I always had a lot. But I think I was lucky that way (I was heavily involved in music and met a lot of people through this activity.) Japanese language: the secret is just enjoy it. Just enjoy learning more and being able to use what you have learned. Half full- not half empty. More advice : go for a 100 per cent score on Level 3 before worrying about Level 2 (or just don't worry about these tests at all - but do work through a good textbook.) This a much better investment: once you have really nailed the foundations, it is very easy to improve. Now I would love to go back to Japan again and live for 5-6 years, or maybe even longer. I miss it a lot.
Japan looks much Better than the U.S. in many ways imo.
I have lived in Japan for 5 years and arrived a couple months before the pandemic so I spent my entire time in flux but its been interesting and a learning experience. I do love living here but the countries inability to actually progress itself is a massive issue. A lot of the problems they have economically are driven by outdated customs in the workplace along with the propagation of archaic attitudes. Essentially, as time has passed and the world has progressed, Japan continues to plant its flag in a lifestyle that was built for the 70's and attitude appropriate in history in 2024. The whole system needs a makeover and people's attitudes need to take a different shape or else this country is essentially dying slowly from the inside.
Beautiful country nonetheless but it needs help.
Considering how long life expectancy is in Japan, my guess is hospitals and doctors are merely being efficient, spending little time and resources on what is likely nothing is probably the correct choice. Outcomes in Japan are stellar, even more so considering how cheap their system is overall. And it's cheap despite how old the population is.
There are an increasing number of foreigners freeloading into Japan's medical system, consuming the country's financial resources.
Foreigners living in Japan must pay health insurance premiums。
You can afford it
@@ExpertContrarian
Look it up in Japanese. You'll find that the rate of non-payment among foreigners is very high in every municipality. You'll see that there are many foreigners who take advantage of the situation and don't pay their monthly health insurance premiums, but only pay for medical expenses. In the end, many foreigners receive treatment but don't pay and flee to their home countries.
@@area_d not my problem
What fucking non sense are you talking about. Japan goes to the dark age in 1 month if the world get to have O market with it. Remember that hard dpsht
How much are the premiums ?
I don't speak the language and i'm surprised it's difficult to work, get medical care or make friends... How surprising !
As a foreigner living in Japan and facing the same gruesome task of dealing with language barrier (although translation apps have dramatically made things easier), I'm still baffled at the sense of entitlement of many foreigners living in Japan. You want to come and stay there for a while ? Get a grip and adapt to the country, including learning japanese. If you're not ready to commit the time and effort for that, better not to come I guess...
Hi my dreams is to move to japan and I want to study in a Japanese university i choose to study abroad what i like about japan is the food the culture the anime the manga everything I like about japan i'm tired of living in puerto rico born and raised in puerto rico everything is not good
That sounds like a great dream, I hope it works out for you! Thanks for watching ✌️
Nice colors saturation for retro vibes !!
Life and work is all about the proverbial "carrot and stick", also 100% agree if you are lonely heading to a place that struggles with this problem as a nation might not be the best answer.
im still looking for a job. I've applied to 2 data center trainee jobs but got rejected. I'm not gonna stop because its always been my dream and to me the American dream of getting a job and working till 70 to buy a house and die isn't appealing. i would rather be rich in experiences and memories
Persistence is definitely key, don’t give up! If you can also look at alternative ways to move to Japan first before moving into IT that’s also another option!
@Retro-Japan do you think realistically I have a chance? I don't speak Japanese
@@bigwangslanger3000 the only time you don’t is when you limit yourself. I don’t think it’s easy for sure but also I don’t know anyone that I worked with that had an easy path to get where they are. I for sure didn’t have good Japanese when I got my first proper job here and many others I know were the same.
@@Retro-Japan thanks man, I'm for sure going to keep trying. Your Chanel gave me the push I needed to trying following my dream
Dude you're so good at explaining your experience and you know what's the best part? You're cute as shit too
It must be the camera it’s all smoke and mirrors 👀 thanks for watching ✌️
What if I'm genuinely not happy with life in U.S.? I'm introverted so I'm fine with the lack of social aspect how would life there compare? Sounds a lot more peaceful to me
really good video mate - I feel like I can relate a bit to the Permanence Paradox in the flat I live in in England haha. I'm sure it's way more amplified for you in Japan
Yeah or maybe it’s just an excuse for being stingy perhaps we get it from our dads haha
@@Retro-Japan haha now that’s a good point 😂
For me Japan is a place I would want to raise kids because of the culture, focus on education and etc
th-cam.com/video/c-iJXWb4xYY/w-d-xo.html
I hope not
@ while its true that Japan does has its fair share of problems so does the U.S and Europe
First time on your channel, I didn't know Permanence Paradox was actually a thing - I thought I was the only one struggling with it..... Hahahha. Even in my home country (and when I'm not travelling) I feel the same. Thanks for the insight.
Really nice video mate. Most people come to Japan thinking it will, “be like anime” or be the best place they have ever imagined to live in. However the honeymoon phase will quickly dye out. And they will eventually want to go back to their native country.
Thanks for watching 🤝
Very insightful
Thanks for watching!
@@Retro-Japan Thanks for posting 🥺
I plan to live in Japan one day so the information in this video really helps, specially the health part, which was easily my biggest worry. I am not the most sociable guy, and sadly my japanese is still pretty basic, so my only real fear is getting seriously sick there and getting no help. Though I definitely do want to make friends there, hopefully at least one person who can speak english and lives near me. lol
Other than that, I feel like Japan is probably great to live as long as you have money enough. It's always been a dream of mine to live there and I can't wait until I have enough income so I can move there and live comfortably.
My wife is Japanese, and she wants to move back; but, looking at CyberSecurity jobs in Japan is a bit disheartening...might end up applying for a Data Centre job after all, as they're one of the few jobs I can find that don't require Japanese language skills.
(I'm still studying for JLPT N5 - so, a long way to go)
Data Center jobs can be pretty interesting and there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved in projects. The main thing is that you get to network with other teams and moving internally to other teams is always an option. An old colleague of mine did that and now he’s in cyber security here
@@Retro-Japan Well that's very encouraging. You and your Argentinian friend you interviewed the other day, made the job sound very satisfying to be honest, and given that there are a couple of large data centres out in Chiba Prefecture, that'd suit me down to the ground.
Thank you for taking the time to let me know. It's really appreciated!
I can only speak a little bit of Japanese currently, but I plan on bein' fluent by the time by the time I try to move there.
Right now I am job hunting on a recently acquired N3 JLPT level and my hopes are not high. I have been here the same time as you too and my Japanese proficiency level just has not gone up much since coming here. But here's to finding something that I can work with!
Man, not gonna lie. I watch a lot of Japan content, I live in Japan, speak some Japanese, etc. Your video got recommended to me but with the channel name as it is, I really excepted to watch it and go , "Another weeb living having his Japan dream broken is going to shed 'wisdom' like he's the main protagonist"
But in all honesty, I'm glad TH-cam recommended me this video. Everything you said is quite on point and you express points in a thoughtful manner. So I subbed and looking forward to your other content.
Haha yeah I have been thinking of changing my channel name for the last couple of months now but just haven’t decided on anything yet.
I love your vids bro 🙏 i am also think about moving to Japan also
And this typ of movie help me alot !
Thanks alot for this bro 🙏✌️
Thanks for watching!
Just the movement and all the images I think I’ll get overwhelmed and fall out bcuz of the commotion
i havent visited but i want to come study in Osaka university of engineering but im not rlly good in physics so we'll see how my future turns out
Really good video mate, im heading over in September for a year and thinking that if i like it enough snd can actually handle the language side of it, then ill stay for awhile.
Thanks for watching mate. It’s definitely possible to live here without Japanese but learning the language unlocks a completely different side of life here so my advice is just spend as much time as you can now studying!
Japanese society is very hard on people with mid-level jobs and below...
If the quality requirement is 50, then you're always expected to deliver 60, even 70
because the competition is tough for that level of jobs
On the other hand, for high-level / high-skilled jobs,,
If the quality requirement is 90, it's okay to occasionally deliver 85,, or even 80
since there is only few in the market that can deliver 90 anyway...
Couldn't agree with you more.
As an Asian who lives in Japan, I also face discrimination from some people, because I don't come from a country they look up to.
I think Personally finding Friends can depend on being in Cities or not. I was Travelling Japan for a Year but also lived a somewhat normal life for many months in Akiyas or with Japanese Families.
My experience of Camping for over 3 Months through Kyushu and spending 2 months on a pilgrimage around Shikoku. I think in the Countryside it is far far easier to make Japanese friends. Or I was lucky. Becaus in Cities I myself feel like an Anomaly. If i do something wrong like standing on the wrong side of the escalator because im deep in thought i feel super dumb. But in the Countryside my experience is that most people think its interesting. Some told me that they havent seen foreigners in their lives before and thought it was cool that I was there.
I had a lot of luck being right in time for local festivals as well. I think thats where the Japanese Person is most approachable. And with local I mean festivals like a Sakura Festival in a small town near Nagato. There were 100 people tops and by the end of the day i was friends with a Hotel Owner, his Kids and multiple people at food stands.
At this point i couldnt even speak basic Japanese i was just stumbling words and not understanding much.
But my goal is for sure to live in the Countryside becuase in my Opinion it is far more beautiful. Tokyo and Hakata and Kyoto are nice. But my favourite places were small places like Aso in Kumamoto or Saijo in Ehime.
So when it comes to Friends i think the cities do contribute to the diffirence between Foreigners and Locals. But in small towns and in the Countryside. I have found that people do enjoy Foreign Company and are more willing to invite them into local activities.
As a Japanese person, when I was a child, I loved playing outside and would always go when my friends invited me, but now I don't go out even if my friends invite me for strange reasons. Japan feels lonely. Most Japanese people live indoors. In that respect, I would like it to be as open as America.
You are so correct, Japan is a perfect country to visit, do sightseeing, party etc - but you don't want to live there. like almost all foreigners come to that conclusion after a few years.
Yep..Just like me.I lived in Japan for six years and mastered the language in which I work as a Japanese Interpreter.If one is fine with no growth , Japan is the place for you.If you have dreams and want to grow, forget about Japan.Most of those foreigners who have stayed in Japan for 29 years or more, couldn't have it in their home country so, they go there to feel good about themselves.Not all of them but a huge number of them.
@@elliot2177
So you been all over the country
3:50. Beautiful skyline. Where is this?
Absolutely nowhere special at all 😅 it’s out in a very small city in Chiba
@@Retro-Japan I like it anyway.
I hate to admit it, but Autism-friendly jobs have only been recently introduced in Japan these days, unlike what I'm already used to seeing in the United States, thanks to their world-famous Americans With Disabilities ACT of 1990 law.
Video is well done and the first time I've come across your channel. One of the few videos I didn't catch any hiccups with the realties of living in Japan as a foreigner.
I'm an American living here for the past 5 years. Working on the legal side for a major Japanese telecom company. The medical and personal relationships segments really stood out as I've experienced each in similar detail. On the medical side, I decided to go with doctors who are western educated as I've been misdiagnosed a few times and also told "It's just stress. Take these pills". No testing or anything. Personal relationships, I've also ended up with mostly foreign friends for the same reasons you mentioned.
Btw, the big park area you're at...is that Rinkai Park in Urayasu?
It’s interesting to hear that many foreigners kind of have the same experiences though! The Japanese medical system especially gets me you’re right the goal is basically to get you prescribed something.
The last part is in Kasai rinkai yes nice spot!
Great video man from a guy who use to work with you. Dude you know you need to interview me that would go viral
Crack on buddy if you’re up for it I’ll hit you up haha