Job Discussion Forums

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

I was hoping people in the know could give me some advice here.

I've been given the option of living in two locations in Osaka. One is a large shared apartment in Hanazonocho. Very conveniently located to Namba, where I'll be doing training.

The other is a 9 person Guest House in Moriguchi. Much more isolated and further from Namba. But it's more suburban which is what I'm used to.

Rent is comparable, but I'd save a hefty amount due to combined utility fees at the guest house.

At first glance, Hanazonocho seems much more appealing. But a quick search of the forums reveals a few posts that regard the area with nothing but the utmost disdain. I mean it's from a few years ago, but the people from those threads really tore into the place. Has the area improved at all since '05?

My question really, which choice seems best? I want to experience the nightlife of downtown Osaka, but I'll be working mostly at afternoon-night, and I'd rather walk around the area/go jogging during the day. Hanazonocho doesn't seem the best area for that... Is the location worth the drawback of the area? Or should I go with Moriguchi and the guest house?

Yona Yona · Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 26

Hanazonocho isn't one of Osaka's nicest areas for sure, but it's not THAT bad. Cheap supermarkets (Supa Tamade in particular), and you can probably walk to Namba in 10 minutes.
Moriguchi is a faceless dormitory town just like Yao etc
I find these kind of places and wards on the outskirts of Osaka like Hirano Ku and Suminoe Ku much more depressing than Hanazonocho or Daikokucho.

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

So is it safe to assume that these posters were exaggerating?

And what do you mean by faceless dormitory? It has no identity? The people are some sort of shapeshifting demons of the night that go to school there?

I've lived in suburbs most of my life, and honestly, most of them severely lacked any kind of identity but weren't depressing and were generally a nice place to live.

I'm looking primarily at area and location. Is it better to live in Hanazonocho and hate it, like many of those from the above link, or live in Moriguchi and have no real opinion or lasting impression of the place?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

A faceless dormitory suburb in Japan is one that has just apartment buildings, a couple of convenience stores and the station and that's it. No life of its own and you have to go elsewhere for entertainment, or even decent food. Some of these areas can be quite depressing- depends what you are used to. I prefer to live somewhere with a bit of character.

japanman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England

Japanese suburbs are far duller then suburbs in England, entirely different in many ways. The only places to be in Japan is in the city centre or the middle of nowhere. half-way here is a waste of time.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

no, Mahik. Those posters were not kidding.
Go to Osaka and see for yourself.

Mahik · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 89

I decided on Hanazonocho since everyone seems down on the burbs and Moriguchi. Plus I weighed the pros and cons and although the cons of each are about even, Hanazonocho has more pros than Moriguchi. Then theres the fact that people just confirm that Moriguchi and Hanazonocho are not great places which doesn't help me at all.

It's only a three month commitment, so hopefully I can move to a better area. And if nothing else it'll be exciting, fearing for my life in a foreign country.

I live in Baltimore City though (for those not in the know, #1 in violent crimes in the U.S.) and if Hanazonocho is worse then I will be very surprised indeed.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

no, less crime than Baltimore. I went to college in Towson so I know what you mean.

Are they the lemmings · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 9

I used to live in Hanazono-cho a couple of lifetimes ago.

It's dirty but not dangerous for the most part. Lot's of homeless guys, but it's not like they're always trying to hit you up for money or anything.

But you can not walk to Namba in 10 minutes. I used to walk from Hanazono-cho to Shinsaibashi (the other side of Namba from Hanazono-cho) each morning and it took me 20 minutes to reach Namba proper, even if I took the back streets past the fish market and the Chinese school rather than Route 26. I s'pose you could walk like those Olympic competitive walkers, but...

Anyway, that's not to take away from the fact that Hanazono-cho is conveniently located. It is, and I'm sure you'll like it. I did. It's just, umm...... "earthy".