Can you drive? And do you own a car? Do you like snow? If you answered no to any of these questions you had better change that answer to a yes.
I guess you’ll find out and tell us.
Also would depend on the sort of towns you grew up in and lived in back in your home country, don’t you think?
It all depends on you. I’ve lived in Osaka, Tokyo and also on an island in Mie ken. Island life is slow. Get up. Go fishing maybe. Long lunch on the beach. Maybe catch the ferry into town to go to the shop. Incredibly boring for someone who loves the nightlife and malls. Do not recommend if that’s you. My wife hates Mie Ken. Too many trees. She wants a mall. She loves going to all the little hole in the wall restaurants. I grew up in bushland Australia, so it’s all good to me. Inaka living is very reliant on you making your life good via your own actions. City life is more vicarious in that you can go to a place where things are happening and join in. Luckily, Japan has awesome rail, so you’re never completely cut off, even if it is annoying to do a three hour train ride to get to a bigger city area. For me back in Aus, three hours in my car wouldn’t get me to the next city, let alone a big one, so my perspective is different to someone who lived in Europe for example.
I lived in a small village in Aomori, then Hirosaki, then Osaka and finally Tokyo.
Do you have an idea of what is where around? Where is the nearest mall, movie theater, groceries? You’d probably live better with a Car, and be ready for a very snowy winter. It’s wonderful but tough.
You could take a week off in the inaka and see how you would like it. There usually is a lot of local community life, between matsuri and other stuffs, but you need to like people!
The word is “snow” . Not just snow …..tons of it for 6 months….
Hokkaido is huge and the duration and intensity the snow varies a lot. In the south of Hokkaido, they probably don’t get much more snow than Aomori for instance. But like other commenters noted, you will probably need a car and good snow tires.
Depends on where in Hokkaido you are. Even the weather can vary a lot.
What’s the general area?
I’ve lived in a few different places in Hokkaido so if you have any questions feel free to drop me a DM.
Define “shock”. Like…maybe give us something to work with Op. you’ve given us nothing, barely a question.
This is a super low effort post as all hell.
I moved from Tokyo to the outskirts of Sapporo and absolutely hated it. I went back as soon as I could which was a year after moving.
It was very different slow kinda life. Can be fun if you have friends though so I recommend making some as soon as you arrive. There are a ton of beautiful places as well and winter is tough but really magical. Having a car is a must but be aware that the roads are in terrible condition, lots of bumps and weird potholes
I’ve lived on the Noto Peninsula, in Kurobe in eastern Toyama, Fukui City, Hitachi in Ibaraki, and Tsuruga — I’ve spent the most time in Tsuruga.
You’re going to need a car. And snow gear, including pants, boots, jacket, gloves.
And good internet.
Are you me? lol. I’m in a similar position. Moving from small town in tohoku to a rural area in Hokkaido.
12 comments
Can you drive? And do you own a car? Do you like snow? If you answered no to any of these questions you had better change that answer to a yes.
I guess you’ll find out and tell us.
Also would depend on the sort of towns you grew up in and lived in back in your home country, don’t you think?
It all depends on you. I’ve lived in Osaka, Tokyo and also on an island in Mie ken. Island life is slow. Get up. Go fishing maybe. Long lunch on the beach. Maybe catch the ferry into town to go to the shop. Incredibly boring for someone who loves the nightlife and malls. Do not recommend if that’s you. My wife hates Mie Ken. Too many trees. She wants a mall. She loves going to all the little hole in the wall restaurants. I grew up in bushland Australia, so it’s all good to me. Inaka living is very reliant on you making your life good via your own actions. City life is more vicarious in that you can go to a place where things are happening and join in. Luckily, Japan has awesome rail, so you’re never completely cut off, even if it is annoying to do a three hour train ride to get to a bigger city area. For me back in Aus, three hours in my car wouldn’t get me to the next city, let alone a big one, so my perspective is different to someone who lived in Europe for example.
I lived in a small village in Aomori, then Hirosaki, then Osaka and finally Tokyo.
Do you have an idea of what is where around? Where is the nearest mall, movie theater, groceries? You’d probably live better with a Car, and be ready for a very snowy winter. It’s wonderful but tough.
You could take a week off in the inaka and see how you would like it. There usually is a lot of local community life, between matsuri and other stuffs, but you need to like people!
The word is “snow” . Not just snow …..tons of it for 6 months….
Hokkaido is huge and the duration and intensity the snow varies a lot. In the south of Hokkaido, they probably don’t get much more snow than Aomori for instance. But like other commenters noted, you will probably need a car and good snow tires.
Depends on where in Hokkaido you are. Even the weather can vary a lot.
What’s the general area?
I’ve lived in a few different places in Hokkaido so if you have any questions feel free to drop me a DM.
Define “shock”. Like…maybe give us something to work with Op. you’ve given us nothing, barely a question.
This is a super low effort post as all hell.
I moved from Tokyo to the outskirts of Sapporo and absolutely hated it. I went back as soon as I could which was a year after moving.
It was very different slow kinda life. Can be fun if you have friends though so I recommend making some as soon as you arrive. There are a ton of beautiful places as well and winter is tough but really magical. Having a car is a must but be aware that the roads are in terrible condition, lots of bumps and weird potholes
I’ve lived on the Noto Peninsula, in Kurobe in eastern Toyama, Fukui City, Hitachi in Ibaraki, and Tsuruga — I’ve spent the most time in Tsuruga.
You’re going to need a car. And snow gear, including pants, boots, jacket, gloves.
And good internet.
Are you me? lol. I’m in a similar position. Moving from small town in tohoku to a rural area in Hokkaido.