Comments by "Jordan, inside-outsider in Japan" (@Jordan-inJapan) on "Life Where I'm From" channel.

  1. A video about clip art, using only clip art for imagery. That’s so meta! But seriously, Irasutoya makes my job as a public teacher in Japan so much easier. We have strict rules about use of copyrighted materials in my office, I basically have to explain where any imagery I use comes from. But with Irasutoya stuff, there’s no need since it has a particular look that everyone recognizes. And yes, I sometimes use it in videos for YouTube too. 🍻
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  2. In rural Japan (at least where I live) the “mizo”, or irrigation-runoff canals are a central part of life for a lot of people. Well, the rice farmers most of all — they clean them out a couple of times a year, constantly adjust water levels, etc — but the surrounding community as well. We feel a kind of responsibility to keep them clean and sometimes report and even remove invasive species that can harm the rice crop. And on hot days kids play in them, and even catch fish and crayfish for fun. (The Cray fish are an invasive specie too, but they don’t hurt the rice so we let them be.😆) In spite of the small amount of upkeep we have to do, I love having the mizo canal next to our house. Except that every time we have heavy rain and it threatens to overflow into our yard & house. That part’s kind of scary. ⛈
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  3. I think this is the reason why you can feel calm and refreshed after a trip to Kyoto, in spite of huge crowds of tourists you often encounter there. For comparison, I always feel pretty exhausted after a trip to Osaka (even though I love the place). I’d never thought about just how much effect the colors etc of an environment affect one’s emotional state, but I guess it makes sense!
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  4. This is so much more interesting to me than than seeing landmarks or flashy shopping districts. It’s just a totally different feeling than the rural part of Japan I live in. (Overall, I think I prefer living in “Inaka”, but I do crave urban stimulation now and then.) Anyway, thanks for the high-quality upload, as usual. Kp! 🍻
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  5. As a long-term foreign resident of a small town in Japan, my own experience is that people are quite welcoming as long as you make an effort to integrate into the community. This includes joining volunteer duties, local events, and local committees — to the best of your ability. No one cares whether you’ve mastered polite-form Japanese or follow cultural norms perfectly (not even all local people can manage this!). The point is putting in the time and effort. It’s not always easy, but overall my own experience has been great.
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  6. Wow. As someone who lives in Mie prefecture (central Japan), where it doesn’t really snow, it really makes me appreciate how ‘climatically diverse’ this country is. Now, I’m originally from Canada too, and I admit I sometimes miss the snow. But…maybe I should just be content to drive up to Shiga or Gifu for the weekend when I need my fix.
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  7. I thought the idea of ‘protecting the company brand’ as a reason for strict workplace fashion rules was interesting. It makes sense. In a group-oriented society like Japan, every member of an organization is suppose to represent it, not only in name but in image and behavior as well. I work for the city as a teacher, and while fashion rules are pretty relaxed (depending on the situation), behavioral rules are strict. Even on days off, teachers and city hall staff are expected to act ‘majime’ — be polite, follow social norms, and general be on good behavior whenever they are in the public eye.
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  8. In my area, we have ‘jichikai’, a kind of neighborhood committee, which handles many of the activities you discussed. For example, we manage the ‘gomi toban’ that way — one household is responsible to maintain and clean the area’s garbage-collection bin (where we take household garbage every day). We also have a garbage cleanup event one every month or so where all members of the community walk around together and pick up trash, etc. And lots more. This is a common system in rural areas, like where is live. It’s kind of a pain sometimes, but the result is we have a strong sense of community, are well-organized, and yes, our streets and parks stay clean.
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  9. I live an hour or so from there, in another castle town: Matsusaka. I was surprised at the similarities! Merchant district, old-style buildings and streets,... our castle doesn’t have a palace though, since it was defensive only. Oh, and we also don’t have a brewery. Yet. Lots of sakura trees and beef restaurants, though. Kp!🍻
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  10. I read a lot of comments about how Japanese products are so much better/cooler/cuter than those from other countries. And I agree, the selection and quality of products here is pretty amazing. I think it all comes down to the fact that most companies around the world are overly focused on the bottom line — a product is selling well, so there’s no need to waste money updating or improving it. Better to keep the product cheaper for the consumer, right? But NOT Japanese companies. Here, companies are focused on making the best product possible. They just trust that consumers are willing to pay a little more for something new and slightly better. Then there is the business culture of “KAIZEN”... the constant striving to improve products and practices. Because…well, that’s the culture.
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  11. Fantastic video, Greg. It’s so great to see these old schools being re-purposed like that. Where I live in central Japan, one of the schools that shut down due to population decline has been repurposed as a training center and gym for aspiring wrestlers — and it’s actually run by the famous Olympian, Yoshida Saori! (She’s from here.)
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  12. High quality as usual, Greg. I’ve always enjoyed wandering around ‘shotengais’, especially the ones in Nagoya and Osaka (the nearest big cities from me). Here in Mie, they’ve been steadily dying since the 90s. BUT, have actually been getting a bit popular again since the pandemic started. My favorite local one (in Yokkaichi) has a craft beer bar that kind of expands out into the street, like a covered biergarten. Well-ventilated, social drinking for the pandemic era! 🍻
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  13. In rural areas in Japan, almost everyone who can drive, drives. I live in ‘semi-rural’ small town Japan, and it’s a bit of a mix. Cars are still popular, but a decent number of people (including myself) use a bike to get around town. It often ends up being quicker than driving, and with gas prices the way they are it just makes sense. For long distance trips, like between cities, trains are generally the popular choice.
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  14. Wow. I never thought I’d say this this, but I think Canada could actually learn from Japan about dealing with snow. That “White Impulse” team was impressive and so Japanese. A perfect example of why Japanese society ‘works’, and is so resistant to disaster, etc.
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  15. That was fantastic, Greg. Really interesting content-wise, and visually gorgeous as well. Actually, I’m watching this video now from a town in the mountains of Mie Prefecture that looks quite a bit like Wazuka. And this region shares a similar situation as well, dealing with an aging population and trying to reinvent themselves for economic survival. (Well, here it’s the forest industry and small-scale farming at the center of this transformation instead of tea.) And the deer and boar situation, too! I think that Wazuka should definitely look into hunting and serving wild game at a local restaurant. It’s actually become a regional tourism draw here. And… I think they probably will need a brewery as well. 😆 As it’s a long-term dream of mine, it’s actually temping to head down there and try opening one myself…it certainly looks like a beautiful area to live!🍻
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  16. When I hear English teachers over here complain about food being ‘expensive’ in Japan, I always laugh. Their problem is…not enough soy products! If you try to recreate the fridge that you remember from your home country, then expect to pay for that luxury. But if you just buy what the locals buy at the supermarket, then food is really reasonable here. (Especially if you live in a rural area like me. I get have of my veggies free or cheap from the local farmers.) Great content, as usual Greg! 🍻
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  17. I thought that part about the internet making it possible for anyone to look up ramen recipes and open up a shop was interesting. I heard that how to make the broth used to be a closely-guarded secret, so you would have to apprentice with a master to learn it. Not necessary today, I guess. There’s actually a ‘ramen espionage’ scene in the old movie, Tanpopo… a movie which I definitely recommend to anyone who’s interested in ramen by the way… especially if you’re also interested in old samurai movies and Westerns. (From the director Itami Juso.)
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  18. I’ve been there! (its about 2 hours from where I live) and it really was a cool place. As for why this local tradition has managed to survive, I think Greg put it well when he said that they’ve managed to market their area ‘as a brand’. This approach has been very successful at helping rural areas around Japan survive economically and keep their traditions alive. It’s also one of the things I love about traveling around rural Japan.
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  19. Just to put things in perspective, Japan’s planning isn’t really all that… planned. I mean some planning obviously does happen, regarding transportation lines etc, but I think that’s out of necessity rather than vision on the part of municipal governments or anything like that. Actually, making ANY changes to the layout of cities or towns here is really challenging for historical reasons. A lot places, for example, still have everything oriented around historical castles, resulting in road systems that are a tangled maze of one-way streets. My city. (The only truly “planned” urban areas are those that got bombed to nothing during WW2.) Oh, and that green space you see scattered throughout towns and cities here? Sacred groves surrounding Shinto shrines. Can’t be developed, ever. (Because God’s there.) Japan may have healthier and more ‘livable’ communities than a lot of other places, but the reasons are historical and cultural. We shouldn’t get too much credit on the planning side. 🍻
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  20. Very interesting video. In Mie prefecture, where I live, the deer population is a real problem, especially for the people living in mountain villages (who also tend to be farmers). A family friend of ours is a hunter, and the makes decent money just culling deer (and boar) in local villages. Interestingly, he told me a good portion of the meat actually does get eaten — given away to visitors at a campsite he runs, and also sold to local restaurants that serve “gibier”, or local wild meats. (I think the rules about this may be a LITTLE more relaxed where I live. 😆)
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  21. That was really interesting, Greg. In my area (central Mie prefecture) it seems like if you drill down deep enough, you can often find an onsen, be you have to pump it up to the surface. (I guess many areas in Japan are like this.?) But nothing like in Beppu, with steam rising up everywhere. How appealing to live somewhere like that…it the winter anyway!
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  22. Fantastic work, Greg, I liked how you just ‘showed’ what was happening in these people‘s lives, without narrating or trying to lead the story. No music or anything to cover up the sounds and feeling of being there. But I’m a bit jealous…how do you convince people to let you into their private world like this? In my experience, older Japanese people generally don’t want outsiders to see inside. (I get rejected every time I ask someone to let me take video of their life.) Anyway, I’m glad they let you do this!
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  23. “This is a pen.” 😂 (English teacher joke.) But seriously, I think if my family ever decides to live outside of Japan (it would be Canada in my case too) we would probably want most of those items as well. Also, one of those fish-grill-oven things that every Japanese kitchen has. (How would I grill eggplant without it??)
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  24. Oh, and one more common Shinto ritual that I have recently, personally experienced: 地鎮祭, — ground breaking and purification ceremony for a new home construction. Follows by a later ceremony where we poured sake over the beams of a house to finalize the 棟上げ or frame construction. Both felt very... familiar, as well as new.
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  25. First of all Greg, I’ve never seen you drink that much! I hope you were OK afterwards. 😆 But seriously, I find it really interesting how the sake industry is adapting to keep up with the evolving tastes of consumers. For example, with sparkling sake, and other more wine-like varieties. But my personal area of interest is those traditional sake breweries that have branched off into beer production as well. Shiga-Kogen beer, for example, produced by the historic sake brewery Tamura Honten, makes some of the best craft beer in Japan. And now I’m getting thirsty. 😅
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  26. Greg, seeing glimpses of your family life like this is so interesting for me since we have a lot in common (Canadian-Japanese culturally blended families) but of course differences as well. For one thing, your mother-in-law’s tempura looks a lot like mine’s. (Love those crunchy lotus root slices!) But in my family, I do the cooking because my wife works late, so we don’t usually eat proper Japanese food at home. (Wait…is ‘taco rice’ Japanese?)
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  27. After listening to Mr. Chart’s explanation of why he chose to naturalize (basically that he strongly felt that Japan was his home) I realized that I actually feel the same way. I’m originally from Canada, and as much as I think it’s a great country, I don’t feel like it’s my home anymore. I’ve somehow, over the past 20+ years I’ve lived here, become culturally Japanese and just feel like this is where I fit. Sure, I know I’ll “never be accepted as Japanese”, but that fact is kind of irrelevant to my self identity. Basically, the reason I don’t formally naturalize is because my two daughters (who are half Japanese and half Canadian) want to try living in Canada in the future, and it has been suggested that my maintaining Canadian citizenship will make that easier for them. Anyway, fantastic work Greg. I will be watching this again with my daughters soon. 🍻
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  28. Thanks to Greg, the list of places I want to visit just got longer. (I could technically do it in day trip from Mie, where I live. But I think I’d have to spend the night, so I could take time to appreciate those onsens. ♨️
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  29. 15:18: “I feel like such an annoying vlogger”. LOL. (I know I know. Feel your pain, bro.)
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  30. So, takeout ramen is actually good!? There’s one place in my area that has a sign up, but I was skeptical. I’ll have to give them a try. Well, I enjoyed the impromptu video... unfortunately so did my daughters and now they’re like, “hey, why can’t we be in one of your videos? Greg’s kids are allows to be is his...”
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  31. Great video on a topic I’m very much interested in. For one thing, there are Shito shrines everywhere around where I live (not far from Ise Jingu), but none of my Japanese friends seem to know much about it. And I guess this is part of what really interests me... the way Shinto as a way of thought/life is just woven into Japanese culture so tightly that it can become almost invisible to those inside that culture.
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  32. I love places like this. There’s a bar that’s pretty similar to this one on the way to my local train station, which is always tempting after work. It’s a really great way to get to know the locals, especially since people tend to be more open and talkative when they been drinking a bit. (I should mention that it really helps to have a decent level of Japanese places like this, since it’s unlikely anyone will be able to speak English… at least in a small town like where I live!)
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  33. Amazing work as usual, Greg. That part about Okinawa being a rare place in Japan that isn’t ‘ruled by the clock’ really rang true. I especially noticed that feeling of a different relationship with time in the Yaeyama Islands. On Ishigaki Island (my family’s favorite vacation spot) I remember being initially amused-annoyed by just how slow everyone drove — consistently under the speed limit. But then when I was back in my hometown in central Japan I felt myself lamenting the increase in speed of traffic…and life.
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  34. This is by far the best video on Christmas and New Years in Japan I’ve seen so far. As a fellow Canadian who’s lived in Japan for over 20 years now, I can vouch that everything in here fits my own experience. (Coincidentally, I recently uploaded a video with the SAME title, but then thought, “wait, that’s what Greg would name it”, and so I changed the title, knowing my own shallow content couldn’t compete with whatever masterpiece Greg was eventually going to come up with on the topic. And here it is…) Thanks for what you do, man. 🍻
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  35. Greg, your self-effacing Canadian sense of humor is so refreshing. Thanks for another great video!! 🍻
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  36. Absolutely fascinating. I will definitely be watching this with my 2 daughters (both half Japanese) later. Well, I’m not finished watching the whole documentary yet, but I can already say, “excellent work, Greg!” (And will undoubtedly comment in more detail once I’ve had time to watch the whole thing and digest everything.)
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  37. Wow, so much amazing scenery in this I don’t even know where to start commenting. Shikoku is just gorgeous. (And Greg’s camera lenses keep getting better!)
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  38. Beautiful work, as usual Greg. I’ve lived in a Japanese small town for the past 15 years. But I guess that “small“ is relative. My own town is centred around a hub station, so it’s quite convenient to live in since we can get to a city easily when necessary. But it’s surrounded by about five other “real“ small towns, that look a bit more like the one in this video. And likewise, they have been steadily emptying out over the past 30 years…which is probably the reason why my own town has been getting bigger. Anyway, experience living here has been wonderful.
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  39. "Filming for YouTube has it's privileges." Well, it helps if you have a million or so subscribers. (I've tried to play that card, and failed.) :-D
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  40. 4:31 “…there’ll be huge pressure to conform to the neighborhood standards.” I think that applies to most neighborhoods in Japan. Just the standards are different…
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  41.  @monicapetitebonita218  socializing doesn’t have to be a constant, full-on thing. Just be polite, and join scheduled local activities when you can. You can step up when you’re ready to.
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  42. Even in Tokyo, “a couple of toilets were Graffitied and vandalized”….probably by some Canadian! 😓 😆 But seriously, the high standards for public restrooms here (not to mention Japanese people’s respect for public spaces) is something I really appreciate about living here.
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  43. Agreed!
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  44. I think it comes down to this: it’s slightly more expensive to make a lighter, but still-well-insulated thermos. American companies (or those in most other countries) just see the bottom line and think it’s better to make a little more profit or else make the product a little cheaper for consumers. Japanese companies, on the other hand, are focused on making the BEST product possible. They just trust that consumers are willing to pay a little more for something new and slightly better.
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  45. Before the video: I don’t think I have time to watch the whole thing. One hour later… (still watching.) Epic work, Greg!
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  46. @ yeah I’ve heard all of this, but it hasn’t been my personal experience. Sure, in-group-out-group bias is a thing (it is everywhere). But it’s really just a matter of continuing a shared activity until you become part of the group. It will happen eventually. And it doesn’t have to be limited to community weeding or the local fire brigade. Join a taiko drum group, hiking club, or classes at a local community center like cooking or karate or something. (Or if you have kids, join PTA, etc.). I know, we don’t all have unlimited free time… But if it’s important to you, this is what works. From my experience. 頑張って！
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  47. Great video, on an important topic. Like you Greg, I’m cautiously optimistic about the direction things are taking here in Japan. We’ve definitely seen progress over the last 10 years, but is it enough? In my city in central Japan, we are only allowed to put clean, dry, clearly-marked high grade plastics in “pla-gomi”. Anything messy goes into to “combustible garbage”, where it is burned for energy. Oh, and something I thought was funny: プラ(PLA) gets auto-transcribed as “Buddha” by YouTube. 😆
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  48.  @mindstalk  agree totally. We don’t have many bike lanes, etc. where I live, so to compensate for that, drivers give priority (and lots of space) to cyclists. In the morning there are school kids weaving all over the roads, but I’ve never heard of a serious accident.
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  49.  @Nuvendil  Well, also remember that Japan is a society that values the good of the group/community over that of the individual. So even without strict government rules or guidelines, individuals are expected to make decisions along these lines, and not behave in a selfish or socially reckless manner. Hence we tend to just naturally end up with tightly-knit livable and functional communities. (Most of the time.) Oh, one more point I just thought of is that a lot of that organic growth that shaped modern Japanese cities and towns actually took place in the pre-automobile age. So yeah, a lot of places are easier to get around on food or by bike. Again no planning required!
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  50. Maya DK well actually... I’m a Japan YouTuber too, and “abandoned-school-turned-wrestling-gym” WAS on my list of projects that I wanted to make. But after watching THIS video I don’t know...Greg is a tough act to follow.
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  51. Gorgeous video, Greg. You really captured the tranquil Japanese ‘onsen experience’ well. I’ve been to some great onsens too...but nothing like the one you guys went to in this video. Wow. Anyway, I highly recommend this natural and cultural experience to any travellers to Japan. (just watch those hydrogen sulphide fumes. 😆)
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  52. People go to a place like that for the experience. There’s a certain look and feeling that those places have. In my family’s case it’s like, “what are we gonna do this weekend? Hey, why don’t we head out to that old pottery village?” Get there in the late morning, wander around a bit, get lunch at some cool little cafe or soba shop, wander some more, take pictures, do a little shopping, buy some souvenirs... a nice way to spend a Saturday.
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  53. I’ve been waiting for this one!! A fascinating but controversial topic…and a perfect one for a sensitive ‘inside-outsider’ like Greg to tackle. Here we go..!
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  54.  @carkod  Rotating duties. Each household takes turns being in charge of varies things (cleaning, but also recycle station, fire brigade, area representative, etc.) according to a pre-decided order. It’s a bit of a pain when it’s your turn, but the overall result is good. (Some foreign resident manage to get out of their responsibilities…but then they’re not really accepted as full ‘community members’. )
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  55.  @LifeWhereImFrom  Yeah, it looked like a lot of fun!
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  56. Great video. I like how you draw together both the cultural and administrative reasons for ‘cleanliness’ in Japan. And the unexpected appearance by Mr. Chart at the end there. 😆
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  57. An interesting note from history/mythology... Saga prefecture is one of the two possible locations for the original “Yamatai Empire”, the domain of Sorceress-Empress Himiko — look it up if you don’t know, it’s fascinating stuff! (The other probable location is in or near Nara, the area where I live. Of course, we think our claim is stronger. 😆)
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  58.  @LifeWhereImFrom  Yeah, actually I’ve always thought that your kids’ appearance in your videos seemed natural, Greg. Not scripted or strategical to get more views or anything like that. They’re just there because, hey, that’s your life. Well done. 👍
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  59.  @shiromochi-kun  Yes! When I have time, I often extend my commute home from work to pass through a local mountain village. And exploring the local area by bike is one of my favorite day-off activities. 🚴
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  60. Agreed on all all accounts! Unagi… a bit higher-end so the situation could be quite different. (But something I’d be interested in as well.)
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  61.  @Automedon2  I’ve never seen anything like that where I live, but it sounds really cool.
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  62. Well, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Japanese home that doesn’t have kimchi in the fridge. (We certainly do!)
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  63.  @ValentinaMitchell1  This area is not as ‘flashy’ as the big cities are, but it has a special connection with old-Japan and the roots of modern Japanese culture. Actually, made a video about my own castle town a couple of years back. It’s a bit embarrassing to post after Greg’s masterpiece, but it gives some insight into the culture of cherry-blossom appreciation that you might not see elsewhere. Check it out if you’re interested! https://youtu.be/vnJm1wr0FzA
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  64. And you thought it wouldn’t be controversial. 😂 But seriously, I’m really glad you made this, Greg. Honestly I think it’s a question that an ‘outsider’ such as yourself can answer BETTER than a Japanese person — especially someone who has never left the country and hasn’t gained an outside perspective. Anyway I’m looking forward to watching it! (But waiting for the Vimeo on demand release…)
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  65.  @OfficiallyErling  Well, since I make it regularly, I guess I can say that I cook ‘Japanese food’ at home.?
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  66.  @JHaven-lg7lj  Yeah, making it fit with the local character would be really important. Doing something like that has actually been one of my dreams for the last few years. I’ve been honing my home-brew skills, trying to make connections with brewers, etc, but it does involve a sizable financial investment, so I’m taking it slow and carefully. Current plan: 1. build up a YouTube channel/community of beer + Japan interested people. 2. Start a crowdfunding campaign… wish me luck! 😆
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  67.  @LifeWhereImFrom  Yeah, maybe it’s a Canadian thing, but I almost always just default to cereal for breakfast. I usually serve the leftovers to my kids, over rice, topped with cheese to hide the ‘leftoveryness’. (I TRIED introducing the cereal thing to them as well, but it just doesn’t seem to work over here. Mom’s influence..?)
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  68. I figure the story will come out eventually.
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  69. Ouch. But, yeah that’s just how things are. My mother’s side of the family: Scottish and British. My dads’ side: Ukrainian and German. (In both cases one country’s military did horrific things to the other.) And somehow I’m here in the world, and without hate. (And living in Japan, some reason.) We just move forward.
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  70. Nice idea! There are so many local, seasonal festivals here. And farmers’ markets too! (Well, I live in a rural area, so maybe more here than Tokyo.) Anyway, those festivals are a lot of fun and get everyone in the community together. In fact they are one of the things I enjoy most about living here…COVID-19 has taken a bit of a toll on the scene, but things are slowly staring to normalize again. (I actually made a little video on that topic, if anyone is interested I’ll post a link.)
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  71. Ayesha Nasir That’s why I can’t leave. :-)
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  72.  @pengajianrutin540  😂
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  73.  @afcgeo882  Capital, mainly. It does require a substantial investment! But also, a sense of loyalty, at least in some cases. There’s a very old tradition here defining the relationship between master and apprentice — not specifically for ramen but any skilled trade or art. You don’t just walk away when you’ve obtained the desired skills. There’s a typical dramatic scene where the apprentice very emotionally asks for permission to break away and set up on his/her own. The master may ask the apprentice to ‘wait’, and he/she is expected to oblige. (I admit though, I’m getting this from old ‘TV dramas’ and it may not apply to the real world here anymore. 😆)
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  74.  @user-no2mz9hl4f  Agreed. 😅
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  75.  @Nuvendil  So the result is that Tokyo grew freely to become the amazing city it was destined to be. My cities (I live on the border between two of them) on the other hand are forever frozen in time as castle towns where change isn’t really considered an option. But I’m not complaining!
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  76.  @menpee  Well, I was trying not to be negative. But yes.
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  77.  @LybertyZ  I should be holding out for a better deal..?
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  78. Agreed. I should mention though that in my circle of acquaintances in Japan, it’s about 50-50 as for who does most of the food prep. It’s interesting, because we imagine rural areas to be more traditional & conservative, but where I live in Mie prefecture men are generally more involved domestic life (especially cooking and raising children) than in metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka. (There are various reasons for this which I won’t get into now.) In my family, I do most of the domestic work, since my wife works late every day. C’mon Greg, I know you’re busy with YouTubing, but maybe it’s time to step up a bit? 😆
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  79.  @makaylarochelle  That makes sense. I guess, though, that expectations (by organizations) for ‘behavioral conformity’ are higher here. Well, I’m also a public employee in a small city, which may have an impact on my opinion. (We’re expected to represent the ‘pro-social values’ of the organization at all times. It can get tiring...) 😆
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  80. Haha, I know. Back where we’re originally from (western Canada), we don’t really have ‘fashion’... (or was it just me?) 😆
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  81.  @missplainjane3905  Internet speeds are basically fast anywhere in Japan, unless you’re somewhere REALLY isolated. The only time I’ve had issues was when I was camping in the mountains.
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  82.  @LifeWhereImFrom  I know, it really SHOULDN'T be controversial. But then you and I are from a multicultural country where a having complex identity is pretty normal. Story: About 15 years ago, I was at a local sake festival, drinking with a jovial group of guys who just happened to be right-wing nationalists. (This kind of situation happens frequently for some reason.) Anyway, I made the mistake of making light of Japanese ethnic purity, and was set straight very quickly. "We are ONE race. Period. You are an outsider, so you don't need to understand. Have another drink!" Then I mentioned this incident to a Japanese friend and co-worker at school and he told me that "those types" are the reason they have to keep the location of major educational conferences secret -- the implication being that educators may face violence for promoting "anti-national" views of society and history. Anyway, I got the feeling that most Japanese people avoid going too deep into this particular question. Which is why I'm glad you are! Looking forward to watching the full documentary!!
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  83. Agreed.
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  84.  @iamthinking2252_  It just means a rural area, “countryside” etc. Sorry. English speakers who’ve lived in Japan for a long time start to use these kind of words like they’re English. 😆
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  85.  @hypothalapotamus5293  good observations and description of rural Japan! (You basically described the area I live in.)
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  86.  @DavidChart  ah, it seems my last reply got caught in Greg’s spam filter. (I should know better than to post links.) Anyway, I agree that it would be a good video topic. And since I’m currently building a new house, I decided to try it. (Parts 1 through 4 at this point). So, uh, feel free to browse if you’re interested, via my icon. <—
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  87. Interesting idea!
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  88.  @user-no2mz9hl4f  Agreed!!
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  89. Hahah I know, right? But I think it comes down to this: companies in other countries just see the bottom line and think that if a product is selling well enough, there’s no reason to waste money to change/improve it. Japanese companies, on the other hand, are focused on making the BEST product possible. They just trust that consumers are willing to pay a little more for something new and slightly better.
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  90.  @xueyang5967  Not trying to be disrespectful… 😂
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  91.  @davidarundel6187  They’re not considered “food grade”, so they’re almost never eaten in Japan. (Well, the crows love them. But as for humans, it’s basically just kids catching them for fun.)
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  92.  @sophritoh  Well, I don’t know if it’s any consolation, but the kids here generally catch them (crayfish, and also several kinds of large insects) to keep at ‘pets’. You can buy these portable aquarium-boxes and a favorite summer activity is going out hunting for something to put in it. They do their best to make a suitable habitat and keep their captives fed and ‘happy’. From the kids’ point of view at least, it is ‘nurturing’. And I guess they learn a lot in the process.
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  93.  @v1c4r10u5  My thoughts exactly. (Right down to the tortillas.) 🍻
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  94. You get used to it. 😆
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  95. “…just like in Vancouver and Toronto now.” 😂 Greg, I was thinking exactly the same thing as you said it.
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  96. What I serve my kids almost every morning for breakfast: last night’s leftovers on rice (microwaved) with cheese on top. Then what do I eat? Cereal.
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  97.  @southcoastinventors6583  I haven’t actually…which is strange because they’re made of the same thing and even at the same location sometimes! Boozy chocolate, on the other hand, is quite popular here. (You can get pretty decent rum or brandy tainted chocolate bars at the local コンビニ). I guess people tend to experiment less with traditional Japanese things than with more recent cultural traditions.
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  98.  @LifeWhereImFrom  Ah, THAT’s how you do it. 😆
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  99.  @commentarytalk1446  Thanks for the kind words! 😀
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  100.  @missplainjane3905  I assume you mean where I live now, in Japan. Mie prefecture has fairly mild winters…it usually doesn’t snow and the temperature doesn’t drop much below 0C. But since most houses here aren’t properly insulated, it can be almost the same temp inside and out! (This is why my family built a new home this year. Maybe you’ve already seen my videos about that..?)
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  101.  @davidhill850  Well it seems our worlds overlap a bit. I live in Mie, and actually work for Tsu City. And I have been up to Gero a couple of times (onsen trips), and remember those cool little windy roads. Love that area. Oh, and we have a Nagoya connection too. I lived in Moriyama-ku for 2 years, between the baseball stadium and the Asahi Brewery.🍻
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  102.  @davidhill850  wow, quite the adventure! If you make it back to Nagoya, look me up.
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  103.  @Moiez101  😆 Really? I haven’t been back in years, so I have no idea. (Well, I’ve already weaned myself off them completely, so I won’t even bother trying next time im back.) 🍻
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  104.  @_w_w_  yeah, fruit is really the only thing that’s an issue. We can get whatever’s in season locally cheap (or free) but everything else is way too expensive.
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  105.  @_w_w_  yeah, exactly!
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  106.  @LifeWhereImFrom  Ah, what you just said really rings true — I mean, regarding what constitutes a ‘proper’ meal. My wife also had the idea that it was necessary to have a visually-pleasing, multi-dish meal, every time. But after years of not being around during meal preparation (and putting up with my infamous “one-dish meals”) she seems to have adjusted her expectations on the matter. Lucky for me. 😅
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  107.  @EhThisIsAGoodName  😂
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  108. Yeah, I know how you feel. I LIVE in Japan, but because of the pandemic, these videos are the closest I can get to Tokyo. (People who live in rural areas like me are under social pressure not to leave their areas.)
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  109. No one knows the answer to that. But this week the national government relaxed a bunch of rules around gatherings, alcohol consumption, etc, due to falling infection cases. So I'm GUESSING that they'll open things up to international travelers soon.
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  110.  @Maya-vw6uf  Well, kind on both of those topics. It was earlier in the pandemic when people were kind of in shock over important cultural events being cancelled. https://youtu.be/EGCia8flwQs
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  111. Not much, based on the younger Japanese I know. Partly, it may be due to lack of interest. But also, as the video suggests, it seems like Shinto has become so tightly interwoven into Japanese culture that people don’t even notice it.
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  112.  @Iammenakpuji  understandable. Cheers!
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  113.  @ytrbsa  Much more interesting than I had expected. 😂 But I learned something new! And by the way, are you a Ghibli animation fan? I just uploaded a video about their new theme park, if anyone here is interested.
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  114. Seeing a similar video about food in Malaysia would be amazing! (I don’t now Malaysian food so we’ll, but everything I’ve tried has been great.) Anyway, take care over there! I hope the rain takes a little break to let people recover.
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  115. Right. This year, YouTube is the closest thing most people can get to international travel. (I’m in Japan too, but I haven’t left the countryside where I live in almost a year now!)
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  116.  @LifeWhereImFrom  sensible move. (I don’t THINK they’d do anything, but why take the chance…)
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  117. Vancouver, I'm guessing? (That's where I'm originally from.)
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  118.  @MJ-zx3ct  ah, that was my second guess. Well, sorry for your loss. (That said, I guess the yellow bin thing is a good idea.)
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  119.  @lainiwakura1776  Yes, I’ve been binge-watching Tokyo Llama since I discovered it a while back. Fascinating stuff... it kind of made me wish I’d bought one of the old abandoned houses in my area instead of building a new place. (Well, there were reasons.) Anyway, my own project can’t complete with the awesomeness of what Jaya is doing. But hopefully it’s still interesting to people... Feel free to check it out if you have time!🍻
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  120.  @mayaparamita2254  yes, well my info is from old tv dramas, so it COULD be a bit out of date. 😅
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  121. Point. lol
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  122.  @luigivincenz3843  No, you’d just blend in to the background and no one would be able to find you.
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  123. Lots of woods in my area. And, surprise! some people do dump their garbage. (Not that it’s an excuse or anything, but it does cost like 20000¥ to do it legally.)
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  124.  @etherdog  Could be a good topic for a future video. 🤔
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  125.  @urouroniwa  Glad you think so! 🍻 And the cool thing is that some of the people who only know them for beer also end up getting interested in their sake too, so it goes full circle.
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  126. それな。Yeah, most of Japan agrees with you on that one. (Sigh...)
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  127.  @gazorpazorp9798  So can I. Although it’s quite possible that I’d have better luck using English for negotiations, since it throws people off guard. 😆
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  128.  @urouroniwa  on my list! (Next winter?)
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  129. Yeah, I noticed that too. Well, they ARE outside in the open air. (That said, all the Japanese people I know would still be wearing masks in this situation.)
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  130. Me too. (Pulling hair out.)
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  131.  @snakabuz  good point. When I think back to my first year in Japan, my best attempt at preparing authentic Japanese food was instant ramen with a block of tofu on the side.
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  132.  @missplainjane3905  yes! Cheap and healthy… but many foreign residents don’t buy them enough. (They should!)
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  133.  @Benisbucker  I suspect that rather than being harassed, you’d just be politely tolerated as ‘that reclusive outsider down the lane’.
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  134. This appeals to me at least as much as pottery. Sounds really cool!
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  135.  @o_o825  Damn. But yeah, that’s how it goes I guess. Eventually those wounds heal, but it can take generations.
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  136. I know, but it just doesn’t have the same ‘ring’. (I thought the same thing when I first realized Greg was originally from Canada, like me.)
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  137.  @samiuseliina  😆
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  138.  @aellalee4767  Fashion rules can be pretty ridiculous, wherever you’re from I guess. (What country, by the way??)
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  139.  @aellalee4767  Sounds like a rough place to be a middle school student.
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  140.  @Iammenakpuji  Where was that? (if you don’t mind me asking.)
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  141.  @Iammenakpuji  Interesting! It seems that there are some cultural similarities between Indonesia and Japan — at least for school and work culture! (Also... we have Catholic schools here in Japan too, and most students here aren’t Christian here either. 😆 )
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