Japan--Anyone lived there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in Japan for one summer, and I got tired of it quick. The cities are super clean, but public transportation was always advertising porn. It wasn't just booty call numbers that were listed... there were pictures of naked people. I thought the food in Japan was super bland. Even their version of U.S. food (i.e. pizza) was bland. Their ketchup is a lot blander than ketchup in the U.S. They do eat really healthy there though. I'm not sure what it's like living in a an expat community, but I thought the country itself got boring quick. I didn't think there were a lot of sightsee (and everything looked the same by the end of the trip). If you're into fashion, that's one good thing about Japan. They come out with the latest styles quicker they do in the U.S, but on the downside, their clothing runs a lot smaller than here.

U.S. pizza is nothing like authentic Italian pizza. U.S. pizza is loaded with all that tasty crap!

I agree. I love Italian food (from Italy). I'm just used to U.S. food, and I think European food (tried in France, Italy, and Spain) have so much tastier food and variety than Japan.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Japan for two years, though I did not have kids at the time. GO, GO, GO! It will be a wonderful experience. As other posters have said, it is extremely safe, clean, efficient, good health care, kids are treasured, friendly, and the food and culture is fantastic. I did have a friend who gave birth there, and it is so much better than here, you are in the birth center for a week, and they really take care of you and the baby. People in Japan have very small families, so children are highly valued. In fact, she gave birth in a smaller town that was depopulating, and was paid a "thank you for having a baby" bonus for contributing to the population!

It's also very convenient to explore other parts of Asia, which is really fun to travel around.

The only negatives: you will not have the same housing space that you have in the US, it will be much smaller. Don't bring a lot of stuff. It is more crowded, and people have a different sphere of personal space, which can take some getting used to. Women's opinions are not always valued, though as a Western woman, you can get away with a lot that Japanese women can't. Also, most people do not speak English, or if they do, they are too shy to admit it, so until you learn a bit of Japanese to break the ice, it can be isolating. And if you're tall like me, bring some extra shoes or know what you want to order online, because I could only fit into men's shoes there.

You'll do best if you just try to experience things as they come, and not expect it to be like the US. Japan can seem very Westernized on the surface, especially in the big cities, but Japanese culture holds strong - which is why it is such a great place to get to know.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I lived in Japan for 2 years and I loved it. And I loved the food. But if you don't like fish or are a vegetarian, you may be SOL, because fish is in most things, and they don't even understand the concept of vegetarian.

It was still a tough experience though, and I had moved around alot overseas as a child.

In some ways Japan is very developed (trains, etc) and in some ways they are not (sanitation and laundry facilities, anyone?!) Just so you know, it is a lot like other parts of asia where there are squat toilets still in a lot of places, and there's really no such thing as a dryer, etc.

What PART of Japan will you be in, a big city, or a town or what?

Be prepared to be stared at a lot. And the culture is very different. It takes a while to get used to, but luckily you will have your family with you. The staring part does get old though.

Also they think Western babies are so cute.

The language is pretty tough to learn though, and grocery shopping might be a challenge if you can't read. (I didn't realize til I got there that not know the language meant I'd also be illiterate too, which is kind of different from Europe where you can at least sound out the words).

[Anonymous]

Tokyo is awesome. There is a large expat community there if that makes you feel more comfortable, and they live a pretty darn good life compared to the locals. Check out the Tokyo American Club (or TAC). http://www.tokyoamericanclub.org. I don't know what the issue with food is that some people seem hung up on; I assume you'll usually cook your own meals, and pretty much everything is available there that is available in the U.S. (Google "National Azabu" supermarket, which is where many of the Americans shop). There are also some terrific international schools -- for example the International School of the Sacred Heart would be great for preschool.

It's only two years, it will be an adventure, and I would go!

[Anonymous]

bland? try wasabi!

[Anonymous]

Op here---we'd be in Tokyo. This info is AMAZING.....thank you so much! I am off to check out the links, etc.!

[Anonymous]

I think "subtle" would be a more accurate descriptor of the food than "bland." Lots of ginger, onions, soy sauce, garlic, salt, but not huge overwhelming tastes like Indian or Thai food. I always think good Japanese food tastes light and clean. Even the fast food (katsu, for example) tends to be lighter than similar fare in the US. As others have mentioned, there is no real concept of vegetarianism except perhaps in temple cuisine (people will tell you a food is vegetarian but they just mean it doesn't have meat; most broth and cooking condiments have fish ingredients), and if you don't like fish, it could be tough. They also eat a lot of pork, which I found a tad challenging as I don't eat that. But that's true in the US as well.

One poster mentioned housing - this is a good point. Expect to live in an apartment rather than a house, particularly with only one child. And expect that apartment to be darn small. If you manage to get a house, that will also be on the small side. I don't know that this is particularly different from other parts of Asia or even Europe. We are spoiled with space in the US, even in the cities. I have never seen a Japanese city house with a yard. A small concrete enclosure, maybe, but no grass. Also, I recall being surprised at how few public green spaces there were. Not like DC where you can find little parks and places to run around all over the place. They are certainly there in Japan, you just have to look harder.

I am surprised at people's comments about the sanitation. It is WAY better than what i found in Beijing (which, granted, was 8 years ago), and in my opinion, often superior to the US. First of all, they actually have public restrooms in subway stations and such, which is awesome. Unfortunately many of the toilets are squat toilets, but you get used to that. (Often there is one Western toilet also, so you can always wait for that one to free up.) But the toilets themselves are pretty clean. Certainly no worse than what you find in rest stops on I-95. The biggest difference is that public toilets don't usually have toilet paper - bring your own. You will see people hawking little packs of tissues - take them. This is what they are for! I also would not be surprised if it's harder to find baby changing stations in the public toilet, or if they are different from those here. Since I don't have kids, I didn't really pay attention.

I think most people really enjoy their time there. As with any foreign country, I think many people go through a process - they start out excited by the differences, then get used to them, then try to fit in, then get jaded and annoyed (why does the bike rack operator still ask me how long my "visit" is when I live here and he's seen me twice a day for 8 months?!), and finally just accept the good and the bad. The little things just stop bothering you after a while.

[Anonymous]

Take the opportunity! If you let it pass, I think that one day you will regret not having done so--and even more so not having given your children the experience of living a few years in Japan.

When you return to the US, your children will be speaking Japanese. What an amazing gift to your children.

[Anonymous]

Hello. I live in Tokyo as an expat for four years. I'm from east coast. I am searching this forum because we are leaving this summer to DC. I delivered all three of our boys here. I do not want to leave. If you would like detailss pls respond. Maybe u found out ir not moving here.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was born in Tokyo, and am very, very jealous of you right now! Have a great time.

[Anonymous]

I lived there for a year after college and did not want to come back to the states. Things are really different, in a wonderful way. The more you acclimate yourself now, the easier your transition will be. Try to take some basic language classes at a minimum.

If you plan to deliver in a hospital there, you may want to make sure to have a bilingual female person by your side. Granted, it was a decade ago and I lived in the countryside & just had a gyn visit, but it was a bit weird: the doctor was on the other side of a curtain that shielded my lower body - he was on one side & my upper torso (with my dictionary) on the other, and we had to speak through the curtain with no eye contact! I did speak decent Japanese, but was pretty shaky on medical terms, and it was tough to understand each other! Maybe it's different now (I hope!), but it was a truly strange thing.

Also, if your older child is not Asian in appearance, he/she will likely get a *lot* of extra attention.

Can you visit for a week or two before going, so that you have some idea of what is in store for you?

I truly think you will have a marvelous time - just roll with the quirky stuff and take in as much as you can. It is a beautiful place with the friendliest and kindest people I've ever met. So jealous!!!