Comments by "" (@earlysda) on "Explained with Dom"
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@missplainjane3905 Jane, I have some free time now, so while I won't spend hours writing about the differences in all 47 prefectures, I'll give you some ideas of the regional differences of Japan.
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First, Japan is made up of many islands. The land area is small, only the 62nd largest country in the world, but if you go from the northern to southern tips, it would be over 3000km long!
Hokkaido is not like the rest of Japan. It was basically taken away from the Ainu people, and the govt. offered land to people to go up there and farm, similar to what America did to populate its western states. There is probably the only place in Japan where you can see the flat land horizon 360 degrees around you. Everywhere else is either near mountains, or near water. The people are more open and friendly and straight than most Japanese. It's very cold in the winter.
The northern area of Honshu island is dying out, there are few opportunities, and the winters are cold. The rice is good, and the people have whiter skin than normal.
Then coming down to the greater Tokyo metropolitan area - the most populous metro area in the world. Of course Tokyo has everything, but I don't like it, as it is too crowded, to expensive, and the people are not friendly. Everything is concentrated in Tokyo, and the govt. realizes this, and has tried to shift some govt. offices to other parts of Japan, but nobody actually did it. Tokyo people think they are the top, and even in the language call everything else in Japan "regional". Tokyo is still growing, as it is sucking in all the talent from the rest of Japan. Yokohama used to be a separate city, but has basically merged in with Tokyo now. In population, it overtook Osaka several years ago. Of course there are very rich areas, poor areas, working class areas, etc. I still remember reading in 1987, when the bubble was near its height, that the land that the imperial palace occupies in Tokyo would sell for the entire country of Canada!!!
Going a bit south, you can climb Mt. Fuji in the summer months. It is, without doubt, the most beautiful mountain in the world. It is clearly visible from Tokyo, which is one more reason having too much stuff in Tokyo is dangerous, because one big puff from this old volcano, and Japan woud grind to a halt.
Going further south you get to Nagoya, which is generally considered the 3rd largest metro area in Japan. There are many car factories there, with many foreigners from South America mostly working at the lower-paying jobs.
Following the JR train west, you come to the biggest lake in Japan "Biwa". Then very soon after is Kyoto, then Osaka, then Kobe. This metro area has around 16 million people, and is where the ancient Japan was founded. Most of the best sight-seeing for ancient Japanese historical sites are in this area (Nara included). Kyoto is known as the capital of Japan for around 800 years, and is quite wealthy and traditional. The people there have a lot of pride. Osakans are workers who like to eat, and are noisy and funny. Kobe people are more refined in clothing.
Going further south you pass Okayama, then Hiroshima. Hiroshima is a pretty city now with wide avenues and many trees. I love the okonomiyaki food there. Nearly everybody I've met from that area is friendly and down-to-earth.
Going further down Honsu island you come to the tip at Yamaguchi, then go over to Kyushu island. Kyushu is warmer, slower, and dying out, but not quite as fast as some other regional parts of Japan. The far western part including Nagasaki and the islands off the coast held the vast majority of the Christian population of Japan from around the first missionary visit around 1570 until Christianity became legal in 1873 or so. Many Christians there were killed and persecuted. Just this morning I went to the Nagasaki tourism office to get pamphlets on where to go see old churches and things there, as that is my plan for this summer vacation. :)
Southernmost is Okinawa which used to be its own independent country many years ago. Situated between China and Japan, they finally chose the Japanese side for some reason. Okinawa was part of America for over 25 years after the war, and still has a very different feeling from the reast of Japan. The food is different, lifestyle is different, seasons are different, and has many Christians today.
You may have noticed that I've only talked about the Pacific Ocean side of Honshu island. That is where probably over 70% of all Japanese live, as the Black Current brings warmth in the winter, and the mountains to the west block the cold Siberian air. For the prefectures on the Japan Sea side, they get tons of snow in the winter, and grow the tastiest rice. As you can imagine, they are dying out quickly. Also, Shikoku island has 4 prefectures, with most of them dying out too, except for the 2 main cities on it. I really like Shikoku, as it has an old, traditional feel, slow pace, yet definitely Japan. The udon noodles there are great!
Nearly everywhere you go in Japan, the sea is near. And the mountains are always near too. It is nice to live in a big city, yet be able to get to the sea or mountains very easily.
If I was told I had to live at my favorite place in Japan, it would either be in southern Nara prefecture, or Shikoku island.
If I was just visiting Japan for 10 days for the first time like I did so many years ago, I would probably do the same route - Tokyo, Sendai, Fuji, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo.
Does this long comment help you get an idea of the differences in the various regions of Japan?
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@missplainjane3905 No, Jane, their traditional culture is not preserved very well. If there is a way to make a living from it, then they will preserve it. Actually, many traditional crafts have already fallen away, and there are a few that are being kept alive by foreigners.
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My thots were that Japan has lots of people, there is hardly any green in the big cities, everything is on time, it's safe, and they are friendly. After living here, I found out the friendly part is not so real.
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@kiriup8188 Kiri up, I noticed that too with the commenting I was doing with Miss Plain Jane. I have no idea if Youtube is doing strange things, or if she deleted the comments herself. I've heard from many people tho on different videos, how their comments just disappeared, and the video creator said he didn't delete them.
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Regarding Gordon, he has his experience in Japan, but strangely he writes like he thinks his experience is the only valid one. In fact, his experience is not anwhere near the usual experience for westerners in Japan, and frankly, I believe he just doesn't understand enough of Japanese society to realize what is really going on around him.
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There is a video here on Youtube of a very articulate westerner who came to Japan in the early 80s, I think it was, and who did what I consider to be lots of high-profile things like start a NPO, work for the govt. in writing English textbooks, organizing events etc., and even he was summarily kicked to the curb when no longer needed. It is an excellent video showing what is sadly, quite normal here in Japan.
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Also, from my own experience of many years in Japan, I know that most westerners (including myself) love everything Japanese at first, turn to hate everything after a few years, turn to like and hate some things, and eventually, after 6 to 10 years, either get to the point where they accept the problems and live with them, or they pick up and move. The only ones I've known to stay long term are married to Japanese, but even then, many of them leave eventually.
The fact is, salaries haven't risen in 30 years for the average Japanese worker, or average westerner working in Japan. Prices haven't risen much either, so it's livable, but Japan is definitely not a place to further a career or make a lot of money, except in a very few cases.
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Personally, I've stayed here so long because I'm trying to help these people that I love very much to accept eternal life in Jesus Christ. I've never made as much in Japan as I did way back in the 80s in my home country, so I certainly am not staying for the money!
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