Diversity and variety in rural Japan
Food and human beings – two things you’ll interact with every day while living in rural Japan. And unfortunately the diversity and variety of both is limited in Japan.
Of course, Japanese people are cool and Japanese food is fantastic, but if you’re like me, you might find yourself craving a little more variety than is generally available.
Here is the site for the podcast I mention:
http://www.japantics.com/
As always, please feel free to continue the discussion started here either below in the comments or over in the forums at my site – http://japanjuku.com/
Thanks for watching!
-Jason
Duration : 0:9:42
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I remember that …
I remember that happening when I was in Japan! I kept expecting to see a Japanese face in the mirror, even though I wasn’t the only foreigner in my dorm. It was weird.
Good advice, but …
Good advice, but this isn’t just a Japan only “problem”. It is a rural anywhere problem lol. I was raised in rural Alabama and the food selection was essentially non-existent outside of local southern cuisine. In fact there wasn’t a single McDonald’s in the whole county.
@mike2011ca I’ll …
@mike2011ca I’ll try to learn to cook more Japanese foods, but I don’t eat fish at all and that’s not gonna change…
But you know, these …
But you know, these kind of things aren’t a big part of the average Japanese diet – so there’s no need for a huge variety of ice cream, chips, cereal, soft drinks, cheese etc…
Maybe this time in Japan you’ll become more like a Japanese when it comes to food too
go for fish and veggies and the Japanese snacks, they are much better for you anyway!!
I TOTALLY agree with everything you said about restaurant, and about feeling like you are Japanese! SO TRUE.
great video
great video
@refreshNhappy …
@refreshNhappy simple stuff like good salsa, flour tortillas, Dr Pepper, syrup, good cheddar cheese, etc.
@shibuyakun yep – …
@shibuyakun yep – the inaka does have its benefits
@basch2020 not …
@basch2020 not really – but as Westerners we tend to be brand loyal animals… I like my Kelloggs Frosted Flakes, my Applejacks, my Capt Crunch or my Wheatabix, etc. sometimes generic food is fine as a replacement, but other times you wish you could have a specific brand or type
I live in the inaka …
I live in the inaka, and I like it, if I need to get more variety in grocery, I just make a 1.5hr trip and shop. But about the restaraunts, I do miss that variety. Cooking what I want is not much of a problem. As for the other JETs, I’m afraid (not really) I don’t hang out with them (the only thing we have in common is that we’re westerner). I’m just enjoying the experience I’m having – I’m in Japan, I’m working and I get paid! All the best to you, Jason.
Variety- Yes, I …
Variety- Yes, I agree. I live in Yamagata-Ken (very inaka) so I know exactly what you mean when you talk about rural Japan not having much variety. My husband and I often shop at the Saty near our apt, but if we’re just looking for groceries we go to the ‘Max Value’ that’s a bit farther away. Personally, I’m okay with having less variety in foods, because it makes it easier to decide what I want. I do miss American foods though. What are some of the foods you really miss while living in Japan?
When I lived in …
When I lived in Shizuoka I went to the town hall to apply for gaijin card the guy was surprised to see me he said I was the only foreigner for miles and the only foreigners I ever saw were tourists. I found this is to be great thing because my Japanese ability sky rocketed and my understanding of Japanese culture came to me much quicker than I expected.
To be fair do you …
To be fair do you really need 30 different types of corn flakes? Ingredients are at least available so if you miss some of the comforts from home – cook them
@mostawesomestjes …
@mostawesomestjes yeah – it’s sunny since so many JETs would love to be as close to Tokyo as you are… It was an adjustment for me, but I came to really enjoy my inaka lifestyle
Yea that is …
Yea that is definitely inaka. I kind of wish I was there. I never have the trouble with variety. I have a costco a little ways away, two mcdonalds within walking distance, and two rather large grocers VERY close by. Then you go into one of the 1000 depato and there are diverse food courts. Same with the diversity. Tokyo and this are have SOOOOO many foreigners. There is not a day I get on the train that I don’t seen another foreigner. I would have loved to have lived in the inaka though. ^_^
another way to look …
thats my opinion.
another way to look at it is that all places are the same, rual places have less choices and urban have more choices. Japanese food is some of the best in the world
GUSTO!!! I LOVE …
GUSTO!!! I LOVE GUSTO!
I’m from the UK and …
I’m from the UK and I love tacos!
your a star, thanks …
your a star, thanks mate! that was one of my biggest banes about going to japan! I like the semi skimmed milk, taste better with tea i think. If you get your hands on Yorkshire tea, please give it a shot. You’ll thank me in the future. ill get onto the kanji soon, motivated now!
Thank
Dara
@ashurii87 Not …
@ashurii87 Not gonna get too specific this time, but I will be in the Chugoku region, so very similar to Shimane.
@Hachiban08 Thanks!
@Hachiban08 Thanks!
@drhikarisan I vlog …
@drhikarisan I vlog a little about my new job when I get back to Japan, but you’re right, I won’t be too specific. Yes, I will be teaching again, but no, I won’t be an ALT per se.
@lord123j haha – I …
@lord123j haha – I have British parents, so I know your pain. You can get the various “types” of Milk in Japan – 1%, skim, Lowfat 2%, whole milk, etc. It helps if you can read a little kanji to know the difference.
Hey J, question …
Hey J, question what is the milk like? is it ok? Im from the UK and I like (surprise) a good cup of tea, with milk! if i cant get decent milk, i think i would die.
oho, back to the …
oho, back to the Reed Richards hair style. It suits you. I realize you cant go into great detail but I was curious if you had gotten another ALT type position or if perhaps you were working at like say a private high school and you were actually the teacher yourself? How can you not be obsessed with tacos? its tacos for crap sake.
I hope your next go …
I hope your next go around in Japan is as awesome as your JET years have been :} Do take care! I look forward to every video you post ^_^