I hear that their gov literally will pay you and will give you a house to live in some of the countryside regions because the handful of major cities are far too overpopulated. Countryside Japan sounds pretty good.
This is true: there are towns with catastrophically declining populations where elderly people die and the houses will go to rot if no one moves in to them. Often these towns see their train station removed for lack of passengers, and once that happens, the real exodus starts. There was a world-famous story a few years ago about a train line up in a snowy northern Hokkaido town that kept making a stop in this tiny town because one high school girl needed to ride it, and when she graduated, they started skipping that town.
You have to live out in the middle of nowhere, and Japanese salaries aren't very good, but you're still getting a better deal than in most of the US.
Having lived in Japan for a little while myself it's nice being able to walk around and not worry much about getting jumped or hassled or mugged. And in general the cops and government officials don't mess with you if you're not looking for trouble. It's a different vibe where "the Policeman is your friend" might actually be true.
Fun anecdote: In a Tokyo pachinko parlor (similar to Vegas slot machines) I saw a woman put her purse with the equivalent of about $30k US cash openly displayed on the machine to "reserve it" while she left to go to the bathroom. It's almost unthinkable to do that anywhere in the US.
A lot of smaller countries can get away with cause, well, they are small (And an island in a couple cases) but they also have the U.S. kinda being big brother about their governments. Take the US out of the equation, how many of those no-gun countries end up in horrendous totalitarian slave states.
This. The Second Amendment is and should be recognized as a human right. Imagine all the wars we could have avoided if a country’s citizens could defend themselves, on their own.
Oh, the pictures of the countryside in Japan look absolutely beautiful! I really want to go there some day. It's sad to think of whole towns dying. Is it hard to make a living in farming there? Or do they have online working opportunities?
Moving to Japan would be great in that scenario, yes.
They were always the Eastern America.
They were patriotic in very similar ways -- willing to die for their country -- and very westernized by Asian standards. Christianity also spread there too. While Christmas doesn't mean the same thing to them as it does to us, they celebrate it and it can be very beautiful.
What amazes me is how we've been able to mend our relationship -- further under Trump -- after being the only nation we have ever seen nuclear weapons used on.
Japan is a great place and deserves to be treated as one of our closest allies.
I heard that a similar situation was happening in Italy. People just deserted their houses and they’re being resold for cheap, but you have to pay all the renovation costs, cause they’re already deteriorating.
It’s really not. It’s a lot cheaper than Europe or the US. You can have a great meal for around 10 bucks if you like Ramen curry or even sushi. If you’re not a total snob, there’s plenty of great stuff for even cheaper. I had breakfast almost every morning at a breakfast chain place alongside Japanese office workers that consisted of a piece of grilled salmon, big bowl of rice, pickles potato salad, miso soup and maybe one other dish for the equivalent of about $2.35.
Hotels in Tokyo are small but cheaper than Western Europe and certainly NYC. Look into capsule hotels, really cool experience for a solo traveler.
There’s tons of genuinely cool things to buy and shops to browse at every price point. Tons. And much of it is stuff you simply can’t find in America.
I’ve been twice. Everyone thinks Japan is so expensive but it really isn’t unless you’re comparing it to Cambodia or just don’t travel much.
Sushi is a great example of varying prices... There's your convenience store crap at $4 or so, and then there's your $100 for 3 pieces authentic fatty tuna at the gourmet restaurants. Japan is largely a country of 'you get what you pay for' but at least there are options at every price point.
I would love to go to Japan someday! I hear it's a lovely country <3
I hear that their gov literally will pay you and will give you a house to live in some of the countryside regions because the handful of major cities are far too overpopulated. Countryside Japan sounds pretty good.
This is true: there are towns with catastrophically declining populations where elderly people die and the houses will go to rot if no one moves in to them. Often these towns see their train station removed for lack of passengers, and once that happens, the real exodus starts. There was a world-famous story a few years ago about a train line up in a snowy northern Hokkaido town that kept making a stop in this tiny town because one high school girl needed to ride it, and when she graduated, they started skipping that town.
You have to live out in the middle of nowhere, and Japanese salaries aren't very good, but you're still getting a better deal than in most of the US.
Only serious drawback: No Second Amendment.
Having lived in Japan for a little while myself it's nice being able to walk around and not worry much about getting jumped or hassled or mugged. And in general the cops and government officials don't mess with you if you're not looking for trouble. It's a different vibe where "the Policeman is your friend" might actually be true.
Fun anecdote: In a Tokyo pachinko parlor (similar to Vegas slot machines) I saw a woman put her purse with the equivalent of about $30k US cash openly displayed on the machine to "reserve it" while she left to go to the bathroom. It's almost unthinkable to do that anywhere in the US.
That's absolutely true, and the police (who assume guilt, not innocence) and justice systems are almost medieval.
But in general it is a polite civilized society.
A lot of smaller countries can get away with cause, well, they are small (And an island in a couple cases) but they also have the U.S. kinda being big brother about their governments. Take the US out of the equation, how many of those no-gun countries end up in horrendous totalitarian slave states.
This. The Second Amendment is and should be recognized as a human right. Imagine all the wars we could have avoided if a country’s citizens could defend themselves, on their own.
Oh, the pictures of the countryside in Japan look absolutely beautiful! I really want to go there some day. It's sad to think of whole towns dying. Is it hard to make a living in farming there? Or do they have online working opportunities?
That sounds great!
Trust me, my husband and I are seriously consider contingency plans if the worst happens........
Moving to Japan would be great in that scenario, yes.
They were always the Eastern America.
They were patriotic in very similar ways -- willing to die for their country -- and very westernized by Asian standards. Christianity also spread there too. While Christmas doesn't mean the same thing to them as it does to us, they celebrate it and it can be very beautiful.
What amazes me is how we've been able to mend our relationship -- further under Trump -- after being the only nation we have ever seen nuclear weapons used on.
Japan is a great place and deserves to be treated as one of our closest allies.
Man, I would love that. Not cause the money thing, I tried so hard to get stationed in Japan when I was in the service. 😤
Especially the tatami mats and sliding doors! Also, I heard the temples are gorgeous!
I heard that a similar situation was happening in Italy. People just deserted their houses and they’re being resold for cheap, but you have to pay all the renovation costs, cause they’re already deteriorating.
I've got a buddy who's been there a few times. He said it's a cool place to visit, but be prepared to spend money because everything is expensive.
It’s really not. It’s a lot cheaper than Europe or the US. You can have a great meal for around 10 bucks if you like Ramen curry or even sushi. If you’re not a total snob, there’s plenty of great stuff for even cheaper. I had breakfast almost every morning at a breakfast chain place alongside Japanese office workers that consisted of a piece of grilled salmon, big bowl of rice, pickles potato salad, miso soup and maybe one other dish for the equivalent of about $2.35.
Hotels in Tokyo are small but cheaper than Western Europe and certainly NYC. Look into capsule hotels, really cool experience for a solo traveler.
There’s tons of genuinely cool things to buy and shops to browse at every price point. Tons. And much of it is stuff you simply can’t find in America.
I’ve been twice. Everyone thinks Japan is so expensive but it really isn’t unless you’re comparing it to Cambodia or just don’t travel much.
Some of the best sushi I've ever had was in a hole in the wall place below a hotel in Narita. Full plates of cuts were maybe $4. Its insane
Sushi is a great example of varying prices... There's your convenience store crap at $4 or so, and then there's your $100 for 3 pieces authentic fatty tuna at the gourmet restaurants. Japan is largely a country of 'you get what you pay for' but at least there are options at every price point.
I've been to it twice now and it is absolutely incredible! I would absolutely recommend! The Japanese are such kind, helpful people.
It sounds lovely! I've also heard the food is amazing.
All they needed was 1-2 nukes and they're good xD