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No. 180261
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From my experience living in Tokyo, its a super convenient place for lazy/quiet people. Copious vending machines, 24 hour marts, and good/cheap meals. $6 for some quality tonkatsu + a drink + endless rice and cabbage at a sit down restaurant. Plus, no tipping. The rainy season sucks ass if you're used to a dry climate, but I'm honestly a fan of the sticky summers/chilly springs.
Weirdest thing to me are those sweet potato carts. Got freaked out hearing one guy outside at like, 8pm. The area I was in was mostly residential on upper floors so I really don't know who he was trying to market to. The song sounds creepy when it's silent and you're alone.
I'm pretty boring so aside from small gatherings with friends at cafes, I mostly took walks or showed up to anime events. Don't have any advice for nightlife/bars/etc.
I see a shitload of Americans in Akihabara, although it's almost impossible to tell if they're weebs or just normies unless I eavesdrop. I've never ever seen anyone foreign doing embarrassing shit in anime shops or book stores. Mostly cringey weebs are the porky jfashion girls around Shibuya, and even then they're usually pretty tame (mostly by acting like they're offended that they've spotted another whitey in their Nippon Paradise).
Overall, I enjoy it, but I enjoy America too. I like the safe feeling of Japan, but I'm from Oakland so I'm not incredibly bothered by sketchy places either. I'm kinda high right now and everything's fine so sorry for not giving any real opinions. Japan is fun, so go visit and have fun. Eat some cakes, they're really really good especially if you're used to American garbage. Don't waste your money buying a sekai ichi apple, they taste really subpar. That's it.
No. 180275
I've been living in and around Tokyo for 7 years now.
When I first moved, everything was very exciting, now it's just blaaah.
Tbh I have very few Japanese friends because they just never have time. I'd rather hang out with people from my own country. Not even a language barrier thing, I'm pretty much fluent, it's just so much work to keep in contact with people especially if they don't live nearby.
Tokyo is extremely convenient though, and I've rarely ever felt unsafe. Most Japanese men are very good of keeping you the fuck alone if you tell them to, but I feel like there's quite a high rate of socially retarded men here as well, who'll try to follow you home.
When I see weebs, they're usually tourists, and I tend to ignore them. What kind of surprised me at first was that all the pop culture shit is not really all that big in Japan either. I don't know what I expected really, but a lot fewer people watch anime, read manga or wear some kind of "J-fashion" than I had expected at first. Had to notice that my interest in all of these things vanished after around 6 months here though.
No. 180281
>>180279When I first moved here I had JLPT N5. Japanese people will praise you if you can say like three words.
As for food, it really depends. Lunch where I work starts at 1000¥, so it's much cheaper to just make Bento.
No. 180288
>>180283What field do you work in?
Asking because I have a liberal arts degree from the US and decent work experience in corporations/public sectors. Somehow I don't think Japanese companies will want to hire someone just based on that, tho :/
No. 180315
>>180314I also studied abroad for a semester. In between exploring and (hopefully) making new friends, the last thing you'll want to do is wash dishes in the back of a ramen shop. There are no arubaitos for non-fluent speakers. Maybe you could coach English for a few hours a week.
Also, yeah, everything has fish in it. Buddhist-style restaurants might exist where you are though, so there's that?
No. 180317
>>180315I have N2 so technically I have good enough Japanese to work but I see what you mean. Extra cash would be nice though.
I guess I'll mostly just eat in then, kind of was expecting that.
No. 180319
>>180288>>180311I'm replying to both of you since your questions were similar:
I work as a consultant at a professional services company (basically business and technology strategy). It's not a Japanese company, but it has a branch in Tokyo. I was job hunting in the US and happened to see they were also hiring for their Tokyo offices and I decided to give it a shot. So perhaps look into some larger global companies to see if they have branches in Japan.
Also, I know people will hate this, but teaching English is honestly a fairly solid job, especially with a liberal arts degree. I know plenty of people who came over to teach and were able to find other jobs once they were here or actually enjoyed teaching. Even if it's not for you, it's a good way to get a foothold here.
My last suggestion would be to find a good online job and then find part time work (again, teaching would be best) to get a visa. That way you're spending minimal time teaching and can have more freedom to travel around the city. That's honestly what I wish I was doing.
No. 180323
>>180314Unfortunately you are right on the money with the broth. My sister is vegetarian and whenever she comes here we basically ignore all the broth.
I came here on working holiday first, and I worked at a hotel, making beds. Not very glamorous, but whatever.
The hardest part for most people is getting a visa, especially if they're not native English speakers. Getting a visa for teaching English is still an extremely easy way into the country. If you live in a smaller town where there aren't many foreigners, you might get a visa if you're not native, but not in Tokyo.
If I hadn't gotten married I wouldn't be here. (Just to be clear: I wouldn't want to live in Japan without my husband, and I'm a permanent resident now, so if I wanted I could get a divorce.)
No. 180329
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>>180261>>1802652nd, we should all be friends.
No. 180346
>>180344This is a really easily googled question so clearly you don't care about it that much?
The big companies like JET etc already have so many applicants that they will expect a degree or at the least TEFL, but if you are white and a fluent native English speaker then you can still find work in the small private language schools or rural locations. For that it's easier if you come to Japan on a working holiday visa and then find and apply for those jobs whilst you are here, but obviously that requires you to have some money in the first place.
No. 180364
>>180319Good for you! Thanks for the answer.
Why would a multinational company want to relocate someone to Tokyo from the US, though? Do you only do consulting for English speakers?
No. 180385
>>180362Don't, because if they find out they'll kick you out of the country and not let you back in for a while.
Whenever I tell Japanese people that I once smoked weed when I was 15, they think that I must've been a crazy teenager.
No. 180424
>>180362I'm not in Japan at the moment. Currently I'm in the US and traveling back and forth a few times a year.
I don't do drugs in Japan, HOWEVER if you're insane you can do some hard drugs legally. Theyll be pretty sketch though. They're only legal for the sole reason that they just haven't been made illegal
yet + you'll probably have to be in good with some natives. Be prepared for playing Japan on Hardmode.
No. 180425
>>180362my friend was visiting another friend who has lived there for like 5 years and they got drunk and bought weed off nigerians in roppongi. he said they went into some back alley and it was the shittest weed ever and the guy made them smoke it with him and he did not recommend the experience lol.
i wouldnt do drugs in japan, and i'm a bit of a pothead.
No. 180480
>>180364Thanks!
It was less of a relocation and more of a need to hire someone at the Tokyo branch who could speak English and had a consulting background.
>>180362I've seen people smoking joints at clubs before, but usually near the bathrooms. I've also met a few Japanese people who smoke spice (synthetic weed) and actually think it's better for them / less dangerous, which is kind of sad. Better to not even bother and save yourself from all the trouble
No. 180498
I haven't read the whole thread yet but I thought I would pull my thoughts together.
I live in a small city, pretty far from any big city, and I actually really enjoy it. I've been able to see a side of Japan that is outside of what you see on television. I don't see many weebs but I've encountered some very rude and stupid westerners. More than I wish existed. Japanese people are mostly kind, whether you speak their language or not, and if they don't like you it won't be super apparent. My Japanese is pretty limited but it doesn't stop me from making friends with others. A neighbor brought over some sushi for me tonight, homemade, just because she likes us. They're very accommodating in my experience here. As long as you show respect, you will probably never have a major issue.
Also, Japan is amazing when it comes to children. You'll see kids alone on trains, and some very young children walking home alone. Lots of stuff for kids to do just about everywhere. And adults generally like kids. Which is crazy to me. I have seen some real nastiness from adults towards kids when I lived in California.
I'll try to think of more to add later, or if I see something else specific in the thread to address. Or if you have more questions, go for it. In my experience, Tokyo is a totally different experience than most of the rest of Japan.
No. 180544
>>180346Everywhere I asked told me that private schools were a pipe dream and that I was fucked because I have no degree, and that since I live in the USA I'm super fucked because we don't have a working holiday visa equivalent?
No I haven't looked too hard because everyone told me it wasn't possible but I decided to post here in passing since I was scrolling by anyway haha.
Thanks!
No. 180639
>>180513I'm German.
Japanese people tend to like Europeans more than US Americans tbh. :)
No. 180642
>>180641The average Japanese person doesn't care about that as much as you'd think. (Not sure about people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki though)
It's more that you guys still have army bases in Japan and are pretty far away from Japan culturally and temperamentally.
No. 180646
>>180639I've found this myself, and I'm American. Sometimes Japanese would ask me if I was from Germany or Russia, but when I responded "America" their faces would turn sour.
To be fair, I've had this happen with other Americans as well so it's not an exclusively Japanese or foreign reaction.
One benefit of being American is that there are quite a few Japanese who love America and will become extremely enthusiastic to find out you aren't European. Generally, people view people as people in most countries imo. So just be yourself no matter your nationality.
No. 180659
>>180657I live in a more rural area.
Well it can be tougher, and it would be better to learn more of the language. There are a lot of older people, and while Japanese tend to never be openly critical of you, it's clear that it frustrates them when they can't communicate with you.
>>180646I was told a long time ago, you're better off staying the state you're from. Like when I said California, people tend to think highly of that state and less about being American.
No. 180784
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How would you go about doing "animation" interships in Japan?
Although you can find companies to arrange them for you, I did hear that it's possible to contact the company directly and ask. The only thing is it's preferable if you are currently living in Japan and I just want to set up a situation in which I'm going to Japan with the intent to study/work. I certainly don't have the best business Japanese but I do have a good grasp of conversational and written Japanese (around N2). Any advice?
No. 180829
>>180784Do you have any cuts to show them already? You can take freelance work even before you live in japan, if you are working with a company that gets contracted by a studio to do some work.
Do you have a blog? I'm not even close to the level I need to be to animate, but I like to follow those of you who can.
No. 180941
>>180511Last August or September I was in the Sanrio in Sunshine City and a Japanese man approached me and straight up asked me if I wanted to go on a date to the sky tree with him. I was very taken aback and speechless for a good 10 seconds because 1. I was just causally shopping 20 seconds ago and 2. I had always heard of how shy Japanese men were and how they'd be too intimidated to approach a woman (especially a gaijin woman)
I gathered my thoughts and told him I was sorry but I have a boyfriend (I did/do) he straight up BOLTED out of the store yelling an apology back at me like I'd just told him "my yakuza boyfriend is just around the corner with a gun."
Very bizarre. I think this dude must have just been hanging out in Sanrio trying to pick up girls
No. 181005
>>180996You have to understand that most basic Japanese people are going to have really stereotyped views of America (and other countries) considering how non-diverse their own country is.
From my experience, I've heard the following:
America = Friendly people, tall, blue eyes, outgoing
California = Movie stars and beaches
Texas = Cowboys, ranches, cowboys again
Russia = Beautiful girls, snow, bears
Australia = Loud, rude, blonde/blue eyed
No. 196592
Relevant:
>"…Europe and America evince a singular taste for the marvellous, and find a zest in self-depreciation. Our eighteenth-century ancestors imagined all perfections to be realised in China, thanks to the glowing descriptions then given of that country by the Jesuits. Twentieth-century Europe finds its moral and political Eldorado in distant Japan, a land of fabulous antiquity and incredible virtues. There is no lack of pleasant-mannered persons ready to guide trustful admirers in the right path. Official and semi-official Japanese, whether ambassadors and ministers-resident or peripatetic counts and barons, make it their business to spread a legend so pleasing to the national vanity, so useful as a diplomatic engine. Lectures are delivered, books are written in English, important periodicals are bought up, minute care is lavished on the concealment, the patching-up, and glossing-over of the deep gulf that nevertheless is fixed between East and West. The foreigner cannot refuse the bolus thus artfully forced down his throat. He is not suspicious by nature. How should he imagine that people who make such positive statements about their own country are merely exploiting his credulity? HE has reached a stage of culture where such mythopoeia has become impossible. On the other hand, to control information by consulting original sources lies beyond his capacity."http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2510/2510-h/2510-h.htm No. 196602
>>180229I was in Tokyo for awhile, extended stay at an air bnb owned by a super chill guy.
Yoyogi was pretty weeb and foreigner free from what I saw. The only time I came in contact with anyone who was Japanese was at the station by the place I lived inside.
Ugliest foreigner moment was two dudes and some girl being loud and rude on the train home. They were telling her she was gonna be raped by some Japanese dude if she wasn't careful and joking around about it.
Most weebs I ever saw in harajuku on a weekday. A lot of them dressed up like Lolita's pretty badly. But it seemed more foreigners were dressed up than Japanese girls. But there's tons who go to akihabara believing it's a huge weeb paradise but honestly there's tons of electronic stores. It's not that great unless you really hunt down some good places.
It's been a couple years since I lived there and honestly I didn't have any high expectations of it being an anime paradise. So I wasn't disappointed as some of my friends who have visited
No. 198624
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Anyone have any advice/stories for someone who wants to study abroad in Japan?
I've been thinking about it a lot recently but I'm shy so I'm not sure I'd survive
how do you anons deal with the isolation and homesickness?
No. 198701
>>198624>how do you anons deal with the isolation and homesickness?I got incredibly lucky because there are a dozen people from my country at the uni where I'm doing my semester abroad. When I go out it's basically always with people from my country, so I don't feel very lonely and if I feel homesick I have people to talk to that are close to me. Not really a fan of venting at a distance, it's more satisfying to talk directly to people.
I used to think I'd be above that, and that since I'm in Japan I should befriend Japanese people instead of speaking French all the time, but hell, after a full day of classes in Japanese I just want to unwind.
Look up if the university you're going to has an international students circle, those are great. Organize nights out with people if that's your thing, you don't even have to pay for an expensive izakaya, just get some beers and go chill in a park. In my opinion being social is the best way to not feel sad or isolated, but if you're more of an indoors person I'd say really getting into a hobby can be nice. At first when I came here and didn't go out a lot I would spend loads of time drawing and it helped me not feel sad.
Also if you have your doubts maybe start with just one semester rather than one year? Personally I regret that I'll have to leave soon, I wish it could have been one full year, but my university doesn't allow more than one semester anyways. I want to say "know your limits" but unless you've been abroad that long before I don't think you can really know.