Comments by "Jordan, inside-outsider in Japan" (@Jordan-inJapan) on "Can you live in this small Japanese town?" video.

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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@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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@ 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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@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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