Pros and Cons of Living in a Rural Area

Sorry again for the lack of updates. So as anyone who has read this blog or talked to us since we've been here knows, we live in Japanese farm country. Not just rice mind you, but sweet potatoes ("imo"), corn, pumpkins, persimmons, watermelons, wheat, etc. Most people in this area live the "simple life" of rustic farm folk. Then you have us citified foreigners ("gaijin"). We stick out pretty well here, sometimes getting double takes from people or stares from children. This actually is part of the reason why our jobs exist, to help acclimate Japanese children into seeing a non-Japanese person. It is important in a country where 99% are Japanese and 99.9% are Asian, and especially important in rural area where the numbers are further skewed. Living in this rural area has pros and cons.

Cons: Boring, Isolated, Expensive to Travel
Not much to do here. No nightlife to speak of, and very few people who speak English around us. It's a good thing Tessa and I have each other here, or else I don't think we would be able to do this. There is a feeling of isolation when you know of only one other native English speaker within a 30 minute drive from where we live (and he doesn't really have anything in common with us). There are a few other people we've met around the area, but they live further away, and it's difficult to get together sometimes. Also, if we want to visit a bigger city, like say, Tokyo, it takes a long time and can be pretty expensive. We were thinking of going to Hokkaido for winter break, but couldn't afford the travel, so we are going to spend three nights in Tokyo in January.

Pro: Quiet, Nice Scenery, Inexpensive, Cultural Experience
Hey, what the heck are those things in the sky? Stars? Huh? Being away from a major city center is a nice and quiet life free of bright lights and noise. It is kind of nice. There is also some beautiful scenery and sunsets. It's not nearly as expensive as living in the city, for rent or for buying everyday items. There also is a nice extra cultural experience. Now I know what you're saying, isn't just living in Japan itself a cultural experience? Well yeah, I suppose it is, but living in the sticks gives us a chance to experience a life that few foreigners get to see. It's that kind of experience that I will be able to take with me for the rest of my life.

A couple of weeks ago I heard some drumming coming from outside our apartment, so I went to investigate. Around the corner, I saw a large cart on large wooden wheels sitting in the parking lot of the city hall. It was topped by a large statue of what looked like a Japanese Samurai. Down the street, I saw many Japanese men and children dressed in traditional clothing pulling ropes attached to another one, pulling it down the street. It was also topped by a statue, and a bunch of Japanese men playing traditional flutes and drums. I watched another one get pulled in too. After they were pulled in, the adults kicked back and started drinking beer and Chu-Hi (sorta like a Japanese Mike's Hard drink). At 9:45 am. That's just how they roll here though, I suppose. This was all part of some sort of local town festival. Anyways, I bring this up because I just think that we're pretty fortunate to see this kind of thing. How many Americans have seen these festivities specific to the tiny town of Aso in the small city of Namegata in the rural Prefecture of Ibaraki? Not many. But Tessa and I have, and so will you (in pictures below):











Night shot!