Job Discussion Forums

uberscheisse · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 94

just putting out some feelers for whoever may be in that area. i'm going to have a car, so "that area" can be anything within 100km, i guess.

i have a feeling it's a pretty small town, and i'm ok with that - but i may need to bounce a few questions off the local (experienced) gaijin population (if one exists).

specifically i am interested in the following:

japanese language study
surfing
local live music that doesn't suck
going out on photography walks
eating mind-blowingly incredible food
drinking mind-blowingly incredible beer
and i would like to train judo or jiu-jitsu if possible.

anyone with information on any of these subjects can share and i will repay you with a neverending supply of kindness.

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

Just to let you know 100km takes a REALLLLLLY long time by car. Unless you are on the express way, the speed limit is always about 45km...but it is usually a pretty drive so its ok... Wink

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

well, for surfing you should head to Chiba.
Ibaraki has a microbrew called 'owl' in Japanese.
southern Ibaraki has a lake and there is Tskuba mountain for hiking.
Both should be scenic.

anko is a popular local fish. Anko nabe is a common winter food.

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

Ibaraki is known for natto. Foreign people tend not to like it.
Chiba is known for its soy sauce.

uberscheisse · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 94

thanks everyone.

i've researched ibaraki, it looks like it's at least decent for surfing. the surf map that outdoorjapan.com provides shows that there's 4 decent surf breaks within 30km of my city.

natto? i'm not afraid. i can eat chungjukjang.

my girlfriend lives in noda, the city famous for kikkoman.

and as far as long car distances, well i like to cruise and see the sights.

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

Kashima has some good surf points and the water is clean. but go down south and the closer you get to the Tonegawa River the dirtier the beaches get.
But there are still surf points... Hasaki - southern Ibaraki.

and in Chiba, you can try Iioka or Asahi.

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

steveperkins1984 · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:34 am Post subject:

I live in Moriya in the southern part of Ibaraki. I've lived in Ibaraki for almost 4 years now and love it. Ushiku is a must see as it is the home of the largest Buddha statue in the entire world. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a line:

[email protected]