12 What's better: rural life or city life in Japan?

12 What's better: rural life or city life in Japan?

Author: JapanKyo.com April 12, 2020 Duration: 47:39

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's better: rural life or city life in Japan?

Topics Discussed

  • The pros and cons of living in rural Japan
  • The pros and cons of living in a big city in Japan
  • Life in Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Life in Kobe
  • Life in Osaka
  • Where Ishikawa Prefecture is located
  • Whether rural people are friendlier than city people in Japan
  • Eating udon meshi at Sururi in Shinjuku, Tokyo
  • Eating gator in Ueno, Tokyo
  • Magic: The Gathering in Japan
  • The not so great rainy wather of Ishikawa
  • Cheap and/or free housing in rural Japan
  • Ishikawa's delicious carrots
  • How Japan's declining population is affecting Japan's rual areas
  • The general lack of adults in their 20s and 30s in rual Japan
  • And more!

Note: This episode was recorded before the declaration of the global coronavirus pandemic. While you should visit Japan as Ryan suggests, obviously, April 2020 is a pretty bad time to try to do so.

Support on Patreon

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.

Japanese Vocabulary List

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

  • Inaka
    • 田舎 【いなか(gikun)】 (n,adj-no) (1) (sens) rural area; countryside; the sticks; (2) hometown
  • Beddotaun
    • ベッドタウン : ベッドタウン; ベットタウン(ik); ベッド・タウン; ベット・タウン(ik) (n) commuter town (wasei: bed town); bedroom community; dormitory town
  • Kisha
    • 汽車 【きしゃ】 (n) (1) train (esp. long distance train); (2) (orig. meaning) steam train

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

Full Show Notes

 


Curious about why some Japanese words sound so specific or what really lies behind a historical anecdote you heard? Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com digs into exactly those kinds of inquiries. Hosts Tony and Ryan, both holding master's degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics, use listener questions as a starting point for deep, conversational explorations. Their approach is grounded in personal experience living in Japan and thorough research using Japanese and English sources, which allows them to move beyond surface-level explanations. Within this podcast, you'll hear discussions that weave together language quirks, societal norms, and lesser-known historical threads, all while gently correcting common misunderstandings about the country. It feels less like a formal lecture and more like joining two knowledgeable friends who are eager to share what they've learned. Whether the topic is a subtle cultural practice, the etymology of a phrase, or an event from Japan's past, each episode builds a richer, more nuanced picture. The result is a consistently engaging listen for anyone wanting to move past stereotypes and develop a deeper, more informed appreciation for Japan and its language.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com
Podcast Episodes
23 Why are school rules in Japan so strict? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:23
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why are school rules in Japan so strict? Topics Discussed Experiences working at and attending Japanese schools A selection of "weird" school rules (kōsoku) from across Japan The…
22 How do you create fake kanji? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:51
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do you create fake kanji? Topics Discussed Kanji radicals The composition of kanji Kanji reading strategies The "Original Kanji Contest" (Sōsaku Kanji Kontesuto) What yūrei-mo…
20 What are your favorite places to visit in Osaka? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:40
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are your favorite places to visit in Osaka? Topics Discussed A basic overview of the main areas of Osaka Osaka's best burrito place: El Zocalo Osaka Castle and Osaka Castle P…
19 What is seppuku? (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:08
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we finish off the discussion on seppuku that we started in episode 18 with two very interesting examples of people cutting themselves open. Topics Discussed General Maresuke Nogi The deat…
18 What is seppuku? (The Basics of Samurai "Suicide") [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:56
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is seppuku? Topics Discussed A breakdown of the word seppuku A breakdown of the word hara-kiri Whether "hara-kiri" is a term used only by foreigners The glorification and bea…
17 Why do Japanese people love Hawaii so much? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:45
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do Japanese people love Hawaii so much? Topics Discussed Why Hawaii is such a popular travel destination among Japanese travelers How many Japanese people came to Hawaii in 20…
15 Have you ever had any weird experiences in Japan? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:30
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Have you ever had any weird experiences in Japan? Topics Discussed Weird/crazy/surprising experiences had in Japan Peculiar Japanese coworkers/teachers A teacher who wanted to go…