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> Unless you have existing ties to the place, it seems hard to believe that people will move in droves; although I can understand a few people moving. The oppo

> Unless you have existing ties to the place, it seems hard to believe that people will move in droves; although I can understand a few people moving. The opposite is also true. You can grow so bored of western culture that Japan become interesting with its different way of life. It is however quite a bit "western" in some ways (compared to China, some of the middle east, etc.) so moving there can sound like a challenge without being scary.

xaranke 8y ago
This is a Eurocentrist view, but you're not wrong.
- Raphmedia 8y ago
  Canadian but yes, I agree with you. If I were from somewhere else my point of view would be different.
noobermin 8y ago
Is this born out of experience or is it from looking outside? Differences are fun to experience, hence why people go on vacations if they can. But enduring those differences when you've had a long day and just want a drink or coffee to relax, it isn't that fun. Living in Japan is more than adopting a new language. And even if you fit in with the culture, you'll never be one of them. I really don't think you'll get how hard that is until you experience it first hand, and being Japan, not fitting in isn't "cool" or "interesting," it's a dire place to be in. I'm not white in America, so I know how that feels, but I'm not delusional: the times I've visited Japan I stick out like a sore thumb and it's the usual glares/distrust here x100. Seoul was a bit worse from than Tokyo from that perspective, but using it as a proxy because they have similar attitudes towards foreigners, the only time I actually felt visible was when I was with my former classmate who was Korean. The difference was night and day, the night before I was ignored to the face by a street vendor, the next day with her, a street vendor offered us free food after buying a delicious set of fried snacks. If you want to experience an Asian metropolis, I recommend Singapore because diversity is something they sort of believe...and uphold by force. I fit in because I look malay or indo, but if you're white, you'll be a minority but not enough to feel out of place for the most part. Otherwise, go if you have an SO in Japan so you can be the token foreigner girlfriend/boyfriend or something. Don't go and live alone.

xaranke 8y ago

This is a Eurocentrist view, but you're not wrong.

Raphmedia 8y ago
Canadian but yes, I agree with you. If I were from somewhere else my point of view would be different.

noobermin 8y ago

Is this born out of experience or is it from looking outside? Differences are fun to experience, hence why people go on vacations if they can. But enduring those differences when you've had a long day and just want a drink or coffee to relax, it isn't that fun. Living in Japan is more than adopting a new language. And even if you fit in with the culture, you'll never be one of them. I really don't think you'll get how hard that is until you experience it first hand, and being Japan, not fitting in isn't "cool" or "interesting," it's a dire place to be in. I'm not white in America, so I know how that feels, but I'm not delusional: the times I've visited Japan I stick out like a sore thumb and it's the usual glares/distrust here x100. Seoul was a bit worse from than Tokyo from that perspective, but using it as a proxy because they have similar attitudes towards foreigners, the only time I actually felt visible was when I was with my former classmate who was Korean. The difference was night and day, the night before I was ignored to the face by a street vendor, the next day with her, a street vendor offered us free food after buying a delicious set of fried snacks. If you want to experience an Asian metropolis, I recommend Singapore because diversity is something they sort of believe...and uphold by force. I fit in because I look malay or indo, but if you're white, you'll be a minority but not enough to feel out of place for the most part. Otherwise, go if you have an SO in Japan so you can be the token foreigner girlfriend/boyfriend or something. Don't go and live alone.