Alone in countryside, need help finding things to do

34 comments

1. Also spent time living up in Miyagi as an ALT pre corona and it’s not an easy place to meet so many people unfortunately. I used to go to a lot of gigs and it was a good way to get talking to people and meeting folks with similar interests.

   Do you have access to a car or are you using public transport?

   I had a car and I bought a nice camera so would go out exploring and taking pictures which was really fun.

2. Depends what you want to do I guess. When I was bored, I’d reach out to the local community center and get involved with volunteer stuff.

   Some online starters: https://activo.jp/miyagi https://www.miyagi-npo.gr.jp/cgi-local/info/index.cgi?type=volu

   or google for ボランティア活動 + whatever city/village you’re in.

   Can definitely meet some interesting people along the way.

3. Is there any sort of community center? Take a look at their boards and see if anything is going on. Hiking is super popular during the summer. See if there’s any groups. Is there any hiking trails near you? Mountains?

   While it’s good for you to try to meet other people, but part of being here (or in other countries) is being alone sometimes. I think it’s also good for you to get used to being your own company and being ok with being alone with yourself. Somebody in I think in the expats subreddit put it quite well why that’s also important but sadly I have no idea where that screen shot is.

4. You can google sendai eikaiwa circle in kanji + katakana. You pay like 1000 yen to cover building space rental and you get to meet and talk with other foreigners + japanese people who are trying to practice English. I joined like 10 years ago but I am sure it’s still there.

   Every once in a while there may be some activity like bowling or dinner.

5. I think your local sports centre is as much a socialising space as any other place.

   When I first came, I swung by the local sports centre to join the local Judo club. Could barely string together a coherent sentence, but the old people there were more than happy to teach and play with me. Ironically, it was the young people that were a little more apprehensive about chatting me up.

   Just show up, ask around and you should be fine if you`re friendly and not rude!

   edit: typo

6. I lived in the countryside years ago and I took up biking. I went to a decent bike shop and was able to meet some people through the shop who also liked biking. Might be worth a try.

7. Hiking? Cycling? Fishing?

8. When I was in Niigata, I bought a nice road bicycle and just picked places on the map. Wish I still lived in the countryside, tbh. Maybe someday.

9. If you’re more of an indoor person, why not try to join a Shogi or Go circle? Lots of old people who’re friendly to chat with. I know some 市民センター will often host them.

   Plus glorious AC.

10. Check out マリーズラム | Mary’s Rum in sendai city.
    Its a cocktail bar but lots of interesting people get together there, the bartenders are also super nice to talk to, real welcoming vibes, made a bunch of friends there just randomly

11. Hit-or-miss, you can try finding a community through the [jmty member recruitment bulletin board](https://jmty.jp/miyagi/com).

    I’ve yet to try this but there’s also private classes in Sendai that seem relatively foreigner/tourist/english-friendly: [https://sendai-experience.com/en/](https://sendai-experience.com/en/)

    Have you visited the International Center in Sendai? Inside is a [multicultural center](https://int.sentia-sendai.jp/j/exchange/index.php) where they have volunteer-run Japanese lessons, and most volunteers have international travel experience/interest so they’re very patient and enjoy engaging with foreigners that want to practice speaking in Japanese. Plus it’s also a great way to meet other foreigners that are taking the lessons as well.

    Also, if you’re into academics, then Tohoku university has [on-campus events](https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/events/index.html). There’s an international festival coming up on the Oct 2th

12. What are your hobbies?

13. I used to live in a small seaside town. I had to force myself to go out and meet people. Eventually met some very nice guys who taught me surfing and grew my group that way. I was not a going out kinda person and my Japanese was shit.

    If there are social areas (small restaurants, meet ups, bars) maybe just make yourself known to them! Can’t hurt 🙂

14. I got really into running. It’s safe, fun to explore nature and other places around you & health boost. if you get thirsty bring like a couple ¥100 coins and get a drink on your run. Just an idea.

15. Like others have said, take up cycling. Plenty of great cycling locations along the major rivers and the coast. You can find great suggestions on Strava. There’s also the cycling center in Natori now.

    Companies like Mont Bell also have many events they sponsor, so you can find something to do with groups.

16. meetup.com is decent, but probably won’t be able to find much in your area.

    if possible, you could pick up a sport or a class of that sort.

17. Do you have a driver’s license? Get a 50cc (or higher, if you can) scooter/bike. Nothing better than just exploring the countryside on a bike. Still do it today, 15 years later and I no longer live in the countryside (but now wish I did).

18. Find the nearest “reggae bar” to you. Go a few times for some drinks and get the vibe of the place. Almost every area has one. Good place to meet people. They sometimes have events too.

19. Tome? Osaki?

    PM me if you want some recommendations, but as others have said, find your closest community center and see what’s available.

20. Find a nice bike shop. Get a decent bike and helmet/cycling clothes/cycling shoes. Go explore!

21. I feel your pain. My first year was really hard too. There were several days sitting on the steps of my apartment building drinking beer, eating conbini bento and totally not crying.

    So, one question – what drew you to Japan to begin with? For me, it was martial arts. it took most of that first year to get situated and finally get back to training – and to this day, 8 years later, I owe my personal success in Japan as much to my wonderful wife as the dojo and the community I’ve built there.

    They say that when the only tool you know is a hammer all your problems look like nails…
    I bring that up because my answer to situations like this is always ‘find a dojo.’ It doesn’t have to be that. Could be dance, tea ceremony, drifting, motorcycles, something. But, I’m fairly certain there is a dojo near anyone in Japan no matter where you are.

    Ganbatte, my fellow person out there in the world. I hope you find your community. If I can help at all please let me know.

22. It can be hard. I found festivals to be fun. But since it’s Corona times. Who knows what’s available to do.

23. Hi, well I don’t know exactly what you can do to meet new people but for the boredom you can try festivals. There is the Sendai Tanabata Festival from August 6 till 8.

    I have been in Fukushima for a couple of months and there are a lot of festivals around the area so check that out. For example today I went to the Soma Nomaoi Festival and I had a great time.

24. Go ask people if you can cut their grass. Find unkempt temples and ask a neighbor who owns it, find them, and ask if you can cut their grass.

    It’s a great way to make new aquaintences. Even better if they join you to cut the grass. Otherwise look for people that enjoy movies that are coming out in the future and start going to the theatre with em. Marvel films are great in that they keep coming every other month and you can usually find someone who at least has an interest in it. You can sit around a pokemon go Gym destroying all challengers until you figure out who else is playing. Bonus points for finding out which roads aren’t actually roads on the map.

    Find put when Kendo / Kyudo / Judo etc is happening in the area and join them.

    Find out when socialization events are held for local seniors and visit.

    I mean, If you just come up with an idea of an interest then bring it up with your supervisor or people at your school or the local Board of Education, there will be at least one person who will probably enthusiastically help you, especially given your japanese proficiency is more than sufficient.

    Maybe see if someone can’t show you how to do some farmwork if you are really hurting for ideas.

25. Your city might send you a monthly newsletter with events or the happenings of the town. If not sometimes conbinis have some. Check with local gym and community center for volunteer stuff or events. Start a hobby and meet people through that (fishing, hiking, photography, etc)

26. Online lessons. Im studying music

27. Can you rent or borrow a little garden plot (community garden is ideal) in your neighborhood or nearby? Try planting seeds/starts for somethings you like to eat, and/or things that grow abundantly (to give away), and/or wildflowers for pollinators. Within no time you will have generated curiosity amongst the locals, some of whom may approach you with advice, seeds of their own, or an offer to help you out. You may even be able to cultivate a fruitful friendship in addition to gaining a bountiful harvest!!

28. Living in the countryside is a great time to start hiking or other outdoor activities like surfing cycling or others.

    And there’s generally some kind of clubs for these things. Assuming you’re in your early 20s though most of the young people gravitate to the major cities :/ the ones that don’t get married very young and are often busy with their families :/

29. Similar situation (town of 5,000 people).

    Hobbies, hobbies, hobbies. Find something you REALLY enjoy doing… and do it.

    Hiking? Ask about an outdoor club at city hall. They do introductory events almost every weekend.

    Sports? There is definitely something going on at the local level. Try anything.

    Food? Hit up local restaurants. Find one you like. Become a regular customer. The world will widen just doing this.

    For me, I’m a big skier so it started with me skiing at my local place. I’m there every day after school, Saturday, and Sunday. I then joined the ski club. Then I started teaching local kids to ski. Now on top of that, I get called up to travel and work events because I have ski racing experience and can translate for international athletes. It’s all because of my hobby.

30. u/playmaker16 OP, I’m also a rural Miyagi ALT. Feel free to DM me, if you’re anywhere close maybe I can give some more specific suggestions/connections.

31. I got into hiking which would be great in Miyagi!! For my social fix, I would just regular some bars/Izakayas and talk to people! Even if you don’t drink you can still get teas or something and just chat with random on people. In my experience people are really open to it at the counter type places

32. I just moved here last month (Furukawa). Still trying to manage culture shock and learning how to live in Japan. Thanks for making this post, lots of good advice so far! Good to know other Americans are in rural Miyagi!

33. Hey there I’m a current Miyagi JET and in a rural area. Been here for a few years now. I can offer some suggestions so if you wanna DM me feel free to!

34. Also check out your local AJET group. They have social media pages you can follow for events and info. And they have area guides that might be useful: https://www.miyagi-ajet.org