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Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com


Apr 12, 2020

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's better: rural life or city life in Japan?

Topics Discussed

  • The pros and cons of living in rural Japan
  • The pros and cons of living in a big city in Japan
  • Life in Ishikawa Prefecture
  • Life in Kobe
  • Life in Osaka
  • Where Ishikawa Prefecture is located
  • Whether rural people are friendlier than city people in Japan
  • Eating udon meshi at Sururi in Shinjuku, Tokyo
  • Eating gator in Ueno, Tokyo
  • Magic: The Gathering in Japan
  • The not so great rainy wather of Ishikawa
  • Cheap and/or free housing in rural Japan
  • Ishikawa's delicious carrots
  • How Japan's declining population is affecting Japan's rual areas
  • The general lack of adults in their 20s and 30s in rual Japan
  • And more!

Note: This episode was recorded before the declaration of the global coronavirus pandemic. While you should visit Japan as Ryan suggests, obviously, April 2020 is a pretty bad time to try to do so.

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Japanese Vocabulary List

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

  • Inaka
    • 田舎 【いなか(gikun)】 (n,adj-no) (1) (sens) rural area; countryside; the sticks; (2) hometown
  • Beddotaun
    • ベッドタウン : ベッドタウン; ベットタウン(ik); ベッド・タウン; ベット・タウン(ik) (n) commuter town (wasei: bed town); bedroom community; dormitory town
  • Kisha
    • 汽車 【きしゃ】 (n) (1) train (esp. long distance train); (2) (orig. meaning) steam train

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

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Full Show Notes