So I lived in Kyushu (small town) for 2 years, then Seoul, Korea for 5 years, and now I live in a medium size city on the Shinkansen line in Chuugoku Region (about 750,000 people), fairly close to Kansai.
Right now, I am facing the decision of either moving back to Seoul which I liked or to try living in a big city in Japan like Tokyo. I’m struggling to determine whether it’s Japan as a whole that makes me unsatisfied or just my placement that makes me want to leave where I currently live. It’s my 2nd time working in Japan, the first time I left because I wanted to live somewhere more global with lots of ppl my age. Seoul definitely fulfilled that aspect for me, but I also struggled to adjust since I missed Japan. Now that I’m in Japan, I miss Korea. Quite the pickle.
I keep ruminating if I would I be happier in Tokyo or if it would just be a larger replica of my current city? Or are the perks of living in Tokyo that much better? I have visited Tokyo at least 10 times; I previously thought it seemed too large and hectic for me but I guess as I got more used to bit cities by living in Seoul, I enjoyed Tokyo on my most recent visit. Yet, it’s hard to get a sense if that I just enjoyed being there on a trip or if I would actually enjoy living there.
Or, if anyone has experience living in both Seoul and Tokyo, which you prefered.
Note: Please be gentle, I am having analysis paralysis and am extremely stressed about the decision that would be best for me..
8 comments
There was a thread on Seoul vs Tokyo posted earlier today with lots of information:
https://reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/yjisrn/people_who_lived_or_spent_lots_of_time_in_seoul/
Move to Tokyo’s Korean district?
I came to Tokyo from Osaka, and I gotta say, I prefer Osaka over Tokyo. You still get a big city, but far more trimmed down and simplistic.
I prefer Kansai over Tokyo but both cities have Korea towns.
Seoul pros: Korean friends constantly inviting you to drink soju and eat ssamgyopsal, it’s cheap and convenient.
Seoul cons: You’ll get liver damage due to the constant drinking but it’s ok to spend the weekend indoors as there is nowhere to go except hiking.
Tokyo pros: It’s a launching point to a geographically diverse and beautiful country, you won’t get liver damage because most of the locals will never invite you into their social circles parties.
Tokyo cons: it’s busy and expensive, can be lonely unless your an extrovert with people skills.
Is kobe large enough to be considered medium size? If so that’s where I came from. Kobe is a lot more pleasant people wise both in number and type. It’s a very beautiful city no matter where you are.
But there’s a bit less to do there because all the hubub is in Tokyo and Osaka to a lesser extent.
Although Tokyo is a breeze to live in comparitivly if your Japanese skill is as bad as mine.
I would say thay Tokyo would not bring you the level of relationships what you had in Seoul, but it atleast bridges your itch of staying in Japan.
Seoul will also be a flight away so access isnt too bad on that bit.
I’ve only been to Seoul for a few days, but it almost reminded me more of Osaka than of kirei(tm) Tokyo. Not sure if that’s a clue or not, but just pondering.