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.

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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.

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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
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