If you had to convince someone to move to Japan or that Japan is the best place in the world? How would you go about doing this? This mostly applies to people that have gone, lived or are living in Japan.

The point of the thread is to bring out the good, amazing, lovable things about Japan directly from people that can share their experiences. If you want to spice out things a bit, you could also add the bad and creepy about Japan.

An Enkai with a city Judo club. The best thing in Japan.

I'd be careful about inviting people to share the bad or creepy things about Japan on the same thread as good things. Anyone who has lived here a while can see what happens to some of the foreigners as they turn into anti-japan activists. Though venting is at times needed, your thread may get hijacked.

Also little kids with butterflynets on a summer day. Freakin' adorable

jorgebucaran Wrote:If you had to convince someone to move to Japan or that Japan is the best place in the world? How would you go about doing this? This mostly applies to people that have gone, lived or are living in Japan.

The point of the thread is to bring out the good, amazing, lovable things about Japan directly from people that can share their experiences. If you want to spice out things a bit, you could also add the bad and creepy about Japan.

If you have a lot of money, Japan is wonderful. If you don't, Japan can be tough. Now before everyone jumps up and down and says that this is true of just about anywhere, I'll start by admitting that of course that's right. But I think Japan amplifies that basic truth, somehow.

All that said, the most wonderful place in the world is the place where your family and friends are, yes? (At least your friends.)

The food is amazing- I will sorely miss it if/when I leave.
The public transit is outstanding (though I've only lived in the US and Australia where it is sub-par)
People tend to be very helpful and will go far out of their way to help others. You also get people who want absolutely nothing to do with foreigners and think we are a scourge to Japan. (and some foreigners are)
It's really clean
It's really safe
The weather is above average IMO- the spring and fall are really nice and winter is mild. However, after living on the Gold Coast of Australia, I fear nothing will ever compare.

Wally Wrote:If you have a lot of money, Japan is wonderful. If you don't, Japan can be tough. Now before everyone jumps up and down and says that this is true of just about anywhere, I'll start by admitting that of course that's right. But I think Japan amplifies that basic truth, somehow.

Agreed

Is it just me or does Japan have like a super awesome flowery smell to it. I mean every time if been there and get off the airplane I am always taken over with this wonderfully perfume kind of smell. When I get stuff mailed to me from Japan the same crazy awesome smell comes out of the boxes when I open them.

Of course If you go to the fish market or fish section in the grocery store then it smell like gross fish, but the majority of Japan just lingers of some crazy awesome flowery, perfume smell.

I would also have to say that I love the fact that when your in a Japanese neighborhood you can just walk out of your house and go less then a block away to get a Coca-Cola or another beverage from a vending machine.

Six and seven year old kids (in pairs and groups, wearing cute yellow hats and ridiculous shorts) can get on the subway and cross the world's largest city in complete safety.

1) 居酒屋(いざかや) There is just something about the atmosphere I love
　　１A）飲み放題(のみほうだい)　All you can drink
1B) They like to drink
2) High concentration of extremely friendly people that are interested in your foreign ways *Of course their are the ones who aren't so friendly but that is everywhere u go*
3) The absurdly "favorable" ratio of hot/ugly women (espectially 東京, sometimes you swear the ugly girls are outnumbered by the cute ones)
4) It is so clean
5)The food is delicious, and very healthy
6) Alcohol is dirt cheap(Could be 1C but because I dont want to seem like an alcoholic i made it 六番)

saizen Wrote:3) The absurdly "favorable" ratio of hot/ugly women (espectially 東京)

I think I know what you mean but I am not sure I understand what you are saying here. Did you mean hot women and ugly men? Or lots of hot women and less ugly women?

ONSENS! You just can't beat onsens. I feel sorry for all the people who don't live in tohoku.

Fashion. My first impression of Japan was of the fashion. It's still wild seeing people walk through snow in high heels and bike around in blizzards in dresses. But fashion is cheap here so everybody can do it, so I got into something I never cared for before. It's actually quite fun and having a a section in the shoe store equal in size to the female section leads to making lots of crazy choices.

Shtephen Wrote:Is it just me or does Japan have like a super awesome flowery smell to it.

Personal hygiene is outstanding, generally. Women tend to wear perfume, and men often wear cologne. Maybe that's it?

I have to agree with some of the other points made above, particularly food. And another point I'll add is that people, generally, don't push their religious views (assuming they have any) on you. (Exceptions made for the people who pass out Watchtower -- I finally dissuaded them, I think, by drawing a chalk outline of a human body, Colombo-style, on the landing in front of our door, and scattering a few tattered copies of said magazine around the outline.)

Wally Wrote:(Exceptions made for the people who pass out Watchtower -- I finally dissuaded them, I think, by drawing a chalk outline of a human body, Colombo-style, on the landing in front of our door, and scattering a few tattered copies of said magazine around the outline.)

Wow good tactic. I had some come at a really bad time once and get a door slammed on them and we haven't seen them since.

saizen Wrote:3) The absurdly "favorable" ratio of hot/ugly women (espectially 東京, sometimes you swear the ugly girls are outnumbered by the cute ones)

You said that, not me, and you'd better be ready to duck.

I have to admit to having a similar idea when I first arrived. But after living here longer, I guess some of the novelty wore off. But I did come to this conclusion about the gals here: Hot is as hot does. A lot of women here who are really rather average looking still know how to make, and care about making, themselves as attractive as possible. It covers the full range from appearance to manners to deeds. I readily admit to the fact that these things tend to press my buzzer.

So more cuties than uglies or viceversa?

Wally Wrote:

Shtephen Wrote:Is it just me or does Japan have like a super awesome flowery smell to it.

Personal hygiene is outstanding, generally. Women tend to wear perfume, and men often wear cologne. Maybe that's it?

I have to agree with some of the other points made above, particularly food. And another point I'll add is that people, generally, don't push their religious views (assuming they have any) on you. (Exceptions made for the people who pass out Watchtower -- I finally dissuaded them, I think, by drawing a chalk outline of a human body, Colombo-style, on the landing in front of our door, and scattering a few tattered copies of said magazine around the outline.)

Awww I always have nice chats with the lady who brings me the Watchtower each month. She even came to my new house when I moved 45 minutes away. She's really not pushy though, we just chat about different topics. I'm into religion though- I find it fascinating to see all of the different viewpoints. Japan is definitely a place without religion, but it also has created a different set of morals.

+1 on the onsen, how could I forget that! Anyone have any good recommendations in the Hakata area? I've been to Yufuin, which was great, but too far for me

jorgebucaran Wrote:So more cuties than uglies or viceversa?

If it was viceversa that comment would be in the "If you had to convince someone Japan is the worst place in the world" thread LOL. Yeah more cuties than uglies.

And to Wally yea I am prepared to duck lol, just stating my opinion(which i am fairly confident is pretty much as close to fact as it gets). I got lots more points..that probably belong in the "what i like about japanese women" thread lol.

captal Wrote:Awww I always have nice chats with the lady who brings me the Watchtower each month. She even came to my new house when I moved 45 minutes away. She's really not pushy though, we just chat about different topics. I'm into religion though - I find it fascinating to see all of the different viewpoints.

Different, indeed. I'm always amazed that a cult can continue to predict the end times, with firm dates, continue to overrun those dates, and continue to thrive. Fascinating.

One of the leaders, Rutherford, announced in 1918 that Christ's reign was going to begin in 1925. Obviously, he had Christ confused with the 昭和 emperor.

It is interesting to chat with these people ... up to a point. They live in an alternate reality, and unless you subscribe to it, it's difficult to make meaningful connections. Sorry if I offend anyone with this, but you only get *one* call on the end of the world. If you miss it, no Mulligans. Sorry.

jorgebucaran Wrote:So more cuties than uglies or viceversa?

Are you just trying to confirm that you are learning the right language?

Wally Wrote:

jorgebucaran Wrote:If you had to convince someone to move to Japan or that Japan is the best place in the world? How would you go about doing this? This mostly applies to people that have gone, lived or are living in Japan.

The point of the thread is to bring out the good, amazing, lovable things about Japan directly from people that can share their experiences. If you want to spice out things a bit, you could also add the bad and creepy about Japan.

If you have a lot of money, Japan is wonderful. If you don't, Japan can be tough. Now before everyone jumps up and down and says that this is true of just about anywhere, I'll start by admitting that of course that's right. But I think Japan amplifies that basic truth, somehow.

All that said, the most wonderful place in the world is the place where your family and friends are, yes? (At least your friends.)

Funny you should say that because I had the best time of my life in Japan when I was utterly penniless, living in a terrible place for just 20.000 yen a month and working just a few hours a week. This meant that i had time to walk around every day and observe what is going on. I had a friend in the same stuation as me and we had such a good time together.

Things that I love about Japan- parties by the river in the summer, onsens in the winter, complete safety walking around, maybe the same stuff that has been maentioned.

I think though that the safety issue is more incredible than people can imagine, it develops a different sense of freedom in your life to feel and act how you wish. This helps to bring psychological happiness and confidence about this world. If you know what I mean.

kyotokanji Wrote:I think though that the safety issue is more incredible than people can imagine, it develops a different sense of freedom in your life to feel and act how you wish. This helps to bring psychological happiness and confidence about this world. If you know what I mean.

It's a huge plus, for sure. I can walk, at any time of the day or night, anywhere. My chances of getting bothered, let along mugged, are very, very slight. It's a nice feeling.

Wally Wrote:

kyotokanji Wrote:I think though that the safety issue is more incredible than people can imagine, it develops a different sense of freedom in your life to feel and act how you wish. This helps to bring psychological happiness and confidence about this world. If you know what I mean.

It's a huge plus, for sure. I can walk, at any time of the day or night, anywhere. My chances of getting bothered, let along mugged, are very, very slight. It's a nice feeling.

Try Shibuya district, 4am in the morning.
Tokyo's not so nice in my opinion, but I really love the country towns (Nikkou in Tochigi-ken is a wonderful place) and my current location, Yokohama.

As for some random pros about Japan:
- There's grandmas everywhere (who doesn't love grandmas?)
- You're never too far away from fried chicken.
- Eating at a good restaurant won't cost you your life (in Yokohama at least).
- The public transportation system kicks butt.
- Easy to ask anyone for help.
- Looking out my window and seeing Mt. Fuji.
- Going to an onsen.
- Having a cold shower after an onsen.

I could keep going, but I won't.
Japan has good and bad sides, just like Australia did. A part of me is dying to return to Aus, but another part of me really loves it here.

Unlike my expectations, I don't believe Japan is the best place in the world.

Wally Wrote:If you have a lot of money, Japan is wonderful. If you don't, Japan can be tough. Now before everyone jumps up and down and says that this is true of just about anywhere, I'll start by admitting that of course that's right. But I think Japan amplifies that basic truth, somehow.

I was one of the "Will Teach for Food" NOVA refugees during the Bunny's last days. I worked for no pay my last two months hoping the company would survive long enough for me to make that unemployment benefits deadline. Just missed the 6 months required by a few days and all of my savings were gone. For the next four months my Japanese girlfriends paid all of my living expenses while I vainly looked for work along with the glut of other unemployed teachers out there. I had the time of my life while completely broke! They paid my rent, bought my food and took me out partying every weekend until one of them finally bought my plane ticket back to Hawaii. I can't imagine any girl I ever dated in the US coming to my rescue in this way.

captal Wrote:The public transit is outstanding (though I've only lived in the US and Australia where it is sub-par)

You would have a different opinion had you ever lived in Germany. My main draw: Way too expensive.

Nice thread. Let me drop a question (I've never been to Japan yet):
How much "real" is the problem of crazy working schedules that eat your life? Is it really as widespread as it sounds? And how does it compare/balance with the benefits you guys are listing?
What I mean is, all the good things that have been described are very cool, but if I get no free time to enjoy them, is it really worth it?

(I need good arguments, because I might have to convince my girlfriend to move to Japan with me in the future)

I'm also kind of wondering that. You are always hearing about how working in Japan seriously sucks; that they require your soul. Is there any truth to this?