Where's the Best Place to Live in Japan? City vs. Countryside

Japanese city life and country life are a world apart. In this video I discuss my experiences of both lifestyles and weigh up the pros and cons.

[MarkandMarie]

Ahh Japan, where a stranger can give you a box of random fruit, and it is totally safe to eat.

[nubeto]

I don't think people understand how inspirational this guy is. He went overseas to a whole new country and took on a whole new life. Truly amazing. I hope to build up the courage to explore new places one day, especially japan. He makes it seem like a truly wonderful place. I'm only 13 now but I hope to learn the language and culture and try new things when I'm older.

[CO-izwp]

When my friend did her application, she requested rural Japan first, then Nagano and Sapporo because she loves snowboarding. Got Kobe.

[arhenyss]

Chris, in case you're wondering

"Sperm" sells socks exclusively

[Nolnaho]

I’d say countryside tbh as long as it’s within an hour of a city

[RyuSaga]

Have a similar experience about missing the countryside-ish...
Applied to go to school in Osaka for a year... Got sent to Hakodate Hokkaido instead. Super bummed out initially to be sent to a small port town. Fell in love with the small town after a few months(friendlylocals and fresh seafood helped..). Ended up on the local newspaper and got interviewed by nhk for being like.. one of only few people there teaching English and people would give me discounts or extra servings of stuff/service randomly. When I left, I felt like I was losing a part of me and it was heart breaking.

[darkfirejameson]

Damn that wood really is the real Japan

[Guardian]

Konnichiwa! I'm Japanese and really enjoyed your video.
For me, I would love to live in a house surrounded by the beautiful nature of the countryside, but I would never dare to do so because that's a kind of place where Japanese people can get racist to Japanese people as outsiders! People would suspiciously and persistently watch any newcomers and wouldn't let them do what locals do, a very typical "mura shakai" (village society) social structure. I hear many stories about people who move to the countryside in search of a dream life and have to move out shortly in order to escape from the awful realities. Travelling there may be nice, but living there is another story.
I wonder if people from outside Japan experience the country life differently. Or maybe it's your personality that broke the ice with close-minded locals. In any case, you are very lucky to have had a good time in Yamagata!
Cheers! I'm from Okayama.

[MrViper]

I live in Miyazaki prefecture and once I had tendonitis in the neck. An old woman walking her dog insisted she take me to the local hospital and then paid for my medical bill. She absolutely refused to let me pay despite my insistence. The people out in the countryside are amazingly kind. You should travel to Miyazaki some time!

[FarCritical]

I felt warm inside when I saw the send-off cake picture

[bencole]

"Happy Departure Chris" That is just too cute

[BakaMan]

Whilst I was in Hiroshima on holiday, walking with friends, an old Japanese grandmother tapped me on the shoulder when we had stopped at a crossing. As I wondered what she wanted, she pointed at my feet to let me know my left shoe was untied. That is how friendly the Japanese are. Great memory from years ago.

[seerasan]

I feel like you would enjoy living in Kyoto - it really strikes the perfect balance between city and countryside lifestyle.

[win]

I was living in a rural Japan(Beppu, Oita) for about 4 years and it was the best years of my life. The local people were so friendly and despite their a little weird accent, I felt welcome everyday.

Then I moved to Tokyo to work for about a year. It was such a horrible life there honestly. So many people, so chaotic, and you suddenly felt tiny and not important anymore.

I am moving back to Japan again this November, and it will be another rural area again, around Kobe too(sorry mate haha) and I am so excited to explore a new life and find myself again there :)

[daniinotabi]

Dude yes! I was once sitting along the Arakawa river in Tokyo and it was super serene and quiet and then this old man just spots me and talks to me and then hands me a bag of veggies xD

[daveinjapan]

Lived in Tokyo near Shibuya first 2.5 yrs. Great for partying and convenience but cost of living is a bit high. The locals in my Tokyo neighborhood were just as friendly as those you see in the Yamagata part of this video. Moved to Yokohama for a year and was kinda bored and always went to Tokyo when I was off. Afterwards moved further south into the "country" part of Kanagawa and the balance is good: Kinda quiet in this area but can get to the city in less than 2 hours. I also spent time living in the Nagasaki area and prefer Kanagawa better for the balance of convenience, climate, and scenery.
Over 20 years later and I'm still living abroad in Japan. I don't think of this as living abroad though--it's home.
I'll probably be buried here some day.

[w.vv.w]

You're so fucking wholesome man you make me instantly excited when I see your vids pop up.

[cubancucumber]

Lmao I have literally been watching your vids for the past 6 hours. I should be doing homework but watching a Brit in Japan is a thousand times more interesting. Ugh why am I addicted to your channel. I need help.

[mk__]

"Whilst I know that I'll look back fondly at both my life in the countryside and in the city, it's in the countryside that will feel like the home I left behind, whereas the city just feels like somewhere that I lived for a while"


^^^this

[amilliontoms]

I "found myself" in Japan too. I found that I was a sarcastic prick..