Job Discussion Forums

[Yawarakaijin]

I'm in Komagane, only been a month so far but I am loving it. I've yet to tackle Komagatake or visit many of the surrounding towns. Would love any advice you might have on things to do in the area. I like hiking and "exploring" I know that technically it's hard to do in the modern age but I love the feeling of going on hikes and feeling like a trailblazer:) Telling the guys at work that I spent the weekend trekking up the Otagiri river really blows their minds.

I also fight bears with my bare hands and catch fish with a spear right out of the river LOL. It is amazing how much I can get the guys at work to believe.

[fat_chris]

Komagane?

Komagane has been entrenched as a bit of a mecca in my mind. I'm in a similar boat in that I am enjoying inaka life in Northwest Shizuoka Prefecture, right near the eastern Aichi prefectural border and not too far from the southern Nagano border.

I do not have a car and I do not intend on buying one; therefore, I have to rely on the train: the Iida line, which runs up to Komagane.

So...why is Komagane a bit of a mecca to me? SNOWBOARDING! Once December comes, I plan on getting out every weekend. Komagane is the only snowboarding area in Nagano within the vicinity of my train line. I plan on ducking up to K-town to do a bit of boarding this winter.

Regards,
fat_c

[fat_chris]

I'm going to further what Yawarakaijin has written. I have been in Japan for almost six weeks, coming straight from New York City. New York was great. I fully utilized its many resources and I found that it was a great city to help me prepare for my journey to Japan. But...the fast pace of the Big Apple can wear one down. For the short term it was great, but in the end, I needed something different.

Yes, to re-discover dark skies full of bright, bright stars; to explore the mountains, forests, and streams; to run and bike up and down country highways...these activities make me feel so alive! In my Shizuoka village of only 5,000, I am keeping myself surprisingly busy.

I, too, am digging the inaka life for the moment. Eventually, this may get old and I would head back to the city, but for now, this lifestyle is treating me very well. Heading into my mid-30s, I no longer crave the bright lights and fast times of the big city. I don't booze it up anymore and I only occasionally chase skirt. Basically, at the end of each day, I just want a good night's sleep.

I just bought a Fuji road bike and I plan on tearing it up 'round here. I have been running every day which is something I haven't done in years. I have time to work on a website, study Japanese, and cook for myself. I had no time for these things in NYC. I feel calm and at ease, which is not how one feels on the one train heading uptown during rush hour.

So...Tokyo is nice for an occasional weekend for me, but the inaka is where I call home for now.

Regards,
fat_c

[gaijinalways]

You also have to think about work. If you're working in Tokyo, where it is easier to string jobs together. I back what Sherri said, if you're working in Tokyo it's much better not having to be crushed on the train commuting out to the burbs.

As to living in Nagano, I imagine it would be sweet, but since my wife is an Edo-ite, Godzilla has a better chance of moving in.

Ibaraki doesn't merit well, but I would imagine it beats living in Saitama or Chiba where many areas resemble urban towns with not much of the attractions of real cities.

[jamhead]

It's interesting that people bring up Nagano as another possibility. I have an interview coming up with a place there.
In response to some of the previous posts, I don't need lots of swank around, as I'm from a very rural town myself. As long as I'm in walking distance of a coffee shop I'm cool. I'd like to continue studying martial arts as well, but would settle for a reasonably-priced gym near work or home.

[fat_chris]

[SEndrigo]

Funny that some of you guys mentioned Sagamiono/Machida, I lived in that area for more than a year.

Not a bad place at all, especially Machida, which is way cheaper than the 23 wards of Tokyo, yet closer to the beach, close to Yokohama, close to the big city, and actually has some nightlife.

I'd recommend that place as it is only 30 minutes from Shinjuku.

Unless the OP wants to live somewhere really rural. I'd say with a place like Machida, or Fujisawa, you could be somewhat close to the action when you want to, but closer to the beach and have opportunities to check out some nature when you want to.

Just my 2 yen!

[TokyoLiz]

Jamhead,

Maybe you're still considering Chiba City? I lived there for a year before moving to north Chiba to be closer to my friends.

I used to get out biking a lot more from Chiba City. It's possible to start at Inage Beach on the inside of the peninsula, Tokyo Bay side, and ride to Kyujukurihama on the Pacific Ocean side. I did it more than once on day trips.

Chiba City has a nice balance - high density on the Tokyo Bay side, which means fun social stuff, and in the eastern wards, open space and beautiful parks. My favorite is Showa Forest Park. I think Miyazaki had that landscape in mind when he made Tottoro.

I'm living in north Chiba, and I get out to Nagano, Gunma and Ibaraki about once a month to hike, temple hop, bike, etc. I've taken my mountain bike on the trains (in a bag) to get out of the Kanto Sprawl. It's a balance - Tokyo equals job$ and feeds the weekend warrior lifestyle.