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Living in Japanese Countryside As a Foreigner
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- Опубликовано: 16 авг 2024
- Episode #2
You can listen his whole story here
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Subject: Lawrence Covian
/ cocolenchojapan
/ @cocolenchojapan
Creator: Riku
/ riku_filmmaker
www.riku-bilin...
00:00 Intro
01:05 What's it like living in Japanese countryside?
02:13 What's the difference between living in countryside and city?
02:50 What's the most difficult challenge?
03:13 What makes you feel that you're a minority?
04:00 His Akiya (Vacant house) renovation project
#documentaryseries #documentary #japan #tokyo
I’m a Canadian living in southern Shikoku, Japan for over 12 years now. I also bought an old house that is 70-years old. I’m also renovating my house doing the work myself.
Thanks for watching. I love Shikoku!
Coming soon to sanagouchi
@@danielaterrile4753 Where is Sanagouchi? Do you live in Japan? Not so common for tourists or residents to visit the countryside.
how are you working in japan? I'm trying to figure a way to live in japan as an older person
@@lumu42 Hello. I have been working as an English teacher for over 11 years. In the countryside of Shikoku where I live, there are few schools. I was guaranteed employment before I bought my house, then due to the pandemic student enrollment dropped more than 70% and never recovered. Consequently, my school closed putting me out of work. What made matters worse is I was only 1-year away from qualifying to apply for permanent residence status. I no longer qualify since I am now unemployed and looking for a new teaching contract so I can renew my visa in the fall. It is my understanding Japan does not provide a retirement visa. However, I would recommend researching this yourself. If you can prove you are financially independent, there may be a way to be granted a visa. But, I haven’t researched this yet. Finding a job as an English teacher here is the easiest way I know to live here with a work visa and to be able to support yourself. How old are you? Do you want to retire in Japan?
I moved to Miyazu 5 years ago. I am alone most of the time and when someone calls my name in a store to say hello. My heart melts. I love my old house. Winter is tough for me. but I stay in Hawaii where i spent 40 years. I put in three floors. rebuilding my old kura that was full of treasures to me. My old house found me. Changed my life. I work until I cry. but the rewards are the friends who to me are masters at life. At 65 I could never been as happy and grateful for life as I am now.. Aloha i love you Japan and i love Okuhami.
how are you living in japan as a 65 year old? what kind of visa are you using?
I think 💬 it's Amazing that you decided to live your later years in Japan 🇯🇵!! I myself have considered moving aboard from Texas to Asia gives me a sense that you can Do It!! I'm so happy 😄 for you that your living your life in a place where you can call Home 🏠!!
I feel that the cat was judging him for not being Japanese.😂😂
😂😂😂
Yamaguchi is really nice and beautiful place, my grandmother is from Yamaguchi. The climates are so nice and mild, beautiful sea, and so many moutains and there are many places to swim in the river during the Summer.
This was unuplifting video by someone who clearly is a well balanced, pleasant person who knows how to live. Thank you for sharing your joy!
Thanks for watching!
I did not realize there is so much "countryside" in Japan, and your valley there is gorgeous.
Most of the Japanese population lives in metropolitan areas, and continues to migrate into them. It's funny, because most of the country's land area is actually "countryside".
@@captainobvious9188 Yup, I live and work on a base in the countryside and its interesting how different it is.
Jeanne, Japan is a touch bigger than California.
A lot of their countryside is up in the mountains. All the flat low lying plains are urbanized
75％ of the land is mountains in Japan. Media only shows Tokyo area or unban cities.
Warmest greetings from Australia. I'm a huge fan of Japan and have known about these abandoned homes for a little while. Huge respect and admiration for what you're doing. I hope you have a wonderful life in Yamaguchi, and look forward to see more about your home project as it progresses, and how your settle into living in such a beautiful place.
100% The Countryside in Japan is so awesome. My Wife is from a little town in Niigata and everytime I go there I feel so relaxed and peaceful. There has to be a way to get the younger people back home to rural Japan. Thx for sharing 🔔🫶
One thing I have never heard about or even wondered till now is if working from home is popular in Japan? Maybe the 30-40 year olds would move their families to their ancestors homes.
I'm a 40 year old newfoundlander and have been yearning for a more laidback, less dependency on internet/electronics for probably 7 years now. Its quite the struggle to get the family on board though.
@@codeninja1 Yes I think if the government helped or even let gaijan live there the problem would be solved but it's debatable. Cheers 👍
Great video. Fellow expat just down the road from Iwakuni in Kumage. I love country life and Yamaguchi definitely has plenty of it. Blending in is hard and I hate the staring, even after 24 years here I still can't get used to it. I'll say hello if we ever cross paths.
Cool come and visit once my renovation is complete!
Gave up on the blending in thing years ago, and started enjoying the once a month or so outburst of happy English from groups of youngsters walking by. :)
How did you get a permanent visa?
@@earlysda Yeah, interested in knowing about the visa too.
@@yaimamartinez9576 Yaima, he told me on a different thread that he does some kind of work for I think the U.S. base near where he lives, and also he married a Japanese lady, so actually has 2 ways he can stay in Japan now. Having the spouse visa is probably the reason he can purchase property, or maybe he purchased it in her name.
@@earlysda , No u can buy properties in your name in Japan this is not Thailand.
Oh I love this. This is my dream as well, probably when I can retire in a few years. You are very inspiring!
I enjoyed the attention as a foreigner for the first couple years but after twelve years in Asia I can tell you it gets old having to tell your back story every day when you go somewhere and the people there haven't already heard it. Unfortunately I've had to move around several times which I now truly dread because it starts all over again. Also being treated as a tourist when you can speak the language fluently and have a permanent resident card is kinda depressing, especially when going somewhere that has a graded fee system where foreigners are expected to pay up to 50 percent more for the activity. The most challenging thing is that no matter how hard you try to assimilate, eat the same food, shop in the traditional market, learn more about the culture, history and current events than the average local knows you're always treated as an outsider. Even though everyone seems welcoming and friendly it's just superficial and real relationships outside of your immediate Asian family members are difficult to form. That's the worst thing living in such a crowded place but feeling all alone.
Wow, u are right. I lived in many parts of the world but since I speak English, a bit of cantonese, Bahasa Malaysia, the UK is good.
He is telling the country side not the crowded city , another thing even in your country you will never be treated the same equal fairness look at the homeless for example , are they being treated as one
Reinvent yourself with a new backstory for yourself every time you move to a new place. Fex your creative side.😇
I’d recommend choosing a prefecture with a more open minded population with a healthy foreigner community. Living in the deep rural countryside would be akin to living in the Appalachians in the US. It’s hard to feel comfortable when you are so different than those around you.
@@rzadigi actually it is so easy if you are an easy going person , friendly in natures that is no issues in whatever country you are in , just enjoy yourself the most
I would love to see a series on this guy building his house - great video!
www.youtube.com/@cocolenchojapan/videos
Thanks!
@@EddieSoum thanks for sharing my channel!
@@cocolenchojapan You're welcome
Hope to see more of your journey. Best wishes from Atlanta, GA
The Countryside is life, it gives peace, and you can enjoy freedom. ❤
Love what you are doing Lawrence. I am sure that you will get great satisfaction out of the project. I found my project house in Oita 12 years ago and am still working on it. It is the most rewarding thing.
Oh wow cool! I would love to see pictures. Some day I want to travel around Japan and document other people’s projects.
I've spent some time in Iwakuni, a truly lovely place. Good luck with your renovation.
You are like me with your desire to live in Japan and fixing up an old house to live, except I have more tools! My wife was the service member. I'm Bermudian and ex Bermuda Regiment soldier. That helped for the climb up Mt. Fuji! I also fell in love with Japan during my time there and have a very strong desire to return, buy an Akiya to restore and live happily ever after!
I'm thoroughly enjoying this format! The mate exudes a likable persona and adds to the overall appeal. It's definitely good stuff!
I moved to Thailand from the USA and I picked a very rural area. I, too, do not enjoy extended city life, especially cities of any real size. Like Bangkok for example for about two days I love it, the people, the shops the different coffees and nationalities then I need to be home... not want mind you need to be home. I am slightly 嫉妬 of your ability to retire to Japan. :) I obviously picked wrong in my professional direction not allowing me to do what you did. I did really do what you did but on a very smaller scale. Thanks for the video!
my dream is living like this
Great video Riku. Keep it up. OK
great project ! the wood floors are beautiful
greetings from yamanashi
Beautiful place to live so quiet and peaceful❤
It is! Thanks for watching
How fortunate for you. This has been a daydream in my life for 40 years.
I would love to have a small strawberry farm there. It’s a dream of mine.
I agree!
Then make it happen! Strawberries are very expensive and the farmers here do very well ❤
I didn’t realize you would be welcome! I’d read that Japanese immigration was very difficult.
It is
@@roymarshall_ How does one get a residency in Japan as an European?
@@davecopp9356 Marry a Japanese citizen.
@@beatcomber Thanks. Do you have experience with them? Are they more feminine than the women from the western world? And do they like white guys? Sorry to bother but I am seriously looking for a way to start a family.
I love Japanese architecture and style, especially the older homes. When I first heard of Akiya homes (空き家) were treated as a burden by some families when older people die, I was shocked. Many people in America would pay good money for a chance to buy and repair a traditional Japanese home in the countryside.
I'm trying to save up enough money so I can buy an Akiya house and restore it as a vacation home. It's a dream of mine to spend a month or two in the Japanese countryside soaking up the environment and culture. But I wouldn't be able to move there permanently.
Looks so damn peaceful. Some folks may lose their mind living in such a place, but me personally I think I would be able to.
It’s awesome! I lose myself in my own thoughts working out there.
@@cocolenchojapan How can you stay in Japan long-term?
@@earlysda Hi in my case two ways. My wife is Japanese, so eventually through her. However currently I am employed at a US military installation. At my channel (Coco Lencho Japan) I will be making a video on how to find employment at a military installation. My status is called SOFA Status. As long as I have valid employment and my employer provides SOFA status I can remain. Thanks!
@@cocolenchojapan That's cool. I've been in Japan many years, but the govt. keeps making the rules for permanent visa stricter and stricter, so have given up trying to get one.
@@earlysda sorry to hear that :-(
If you can expect to receive a pension, Japan's countryside may be a secret place for you to live a retired life.
Even better is the area around Misawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Okinawa, where there are U.S. military bases.
In Japan, there are dangers of earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, heavy rain, flash floods, bears, and wild boars.
A hazard map has been created, so check it out at the town hall or city hall.
Love to see an update when the house is finished and he has been living in it
Thank you for sharing this story, and video! My husband and I are on a similar journey in the Japanese countryside, so I love seeing stories of other folks seeking the same kind of lifestyle.
Hi I am glad you enjoy our story. I remember you moved from Mexico not too long ago. Hope all is well and hope to meet in the future. I am at youtube.com/@cocolenchojapan
Aaah, my dream, an old folks house in the country preferably surrounded by mountains!!!
Wherever someone finds their peace it makes me happy to see. I was born in London, moved to the south coast several years back. Much better quality of life and if you want to get into a big city nowadays there are high speed trains.
Awesome thanks for sharing
Amazing. You're in Yamaguchi too - looks great! My Akiya I'm renovating slowly is in Tokuyama - not so far! Ganbattane!
Hi yes I think we have corresponded via FB before. I would love to link up some day
Tokuyama? Have we met? I lived in Tokuyama for 21 years! Now just up the road in Kumage.
@@ThatGaijinFella small world, I live in Iwakuni but moving to Miwa once the house is done
@@cocolenchojapan Miwa near Hikari?
@@ThatGaijinFella yeah up the road from Iwakuni
Beautiful Scenic
Subscribed. Need more content please
The best country to live in peace…
Bought my house a month ago- nothing better than being at peace with my community
Buying the house has some likely challenges unless you buy it outright but how do you stay in Japan longer than a tourist Visa allows unless you go through the residency process which I've heard is near impossible to get through
I couldn't do it, the Japanese are lovely people but I needed the big city. I spent 10 years there in the 80's.
Definitely not for everyone!
Absolutely beautiful
Awesome content and channel! Please keep it up!
I am planning to visit Japan by myself next May. I am attracted to the rural area of Japan. If Japan is what I hope it is, I would like to bring my 5 children to Japan as well to live for some time and see how we adapt. I'm envisioning renting an Akiya but I do not know anybody or have any connections in Japan. Will it be safe for a woman with 5 children to live in rural Japan?
Make sure you put enough insulation under the floor if you don't put tatami. Tatami itself is insulation, you need a substitute for it. the countryside in Japan is cold in winter, you'll be frozen in the winter if you don't put enough insulation
Thanks! all that is taking place. Feel free to follow our renovation at youtube.com/@cocolenchojapan
Great video 👍
Outside of Tokyo much better.. beatiful nature there ❤
Truly lucky to live your dream! Ganbette ne!
I have been to Japan five times and have even lived in Yamaguchi, in an old monastery, for a month as a volunteer. My dream is to live in Japan and I have the money to buy an old Japanese house - any tourist can do it, but how can I stay in Japan? I am not an IT specialist to work remotely and will not be able to find a job in the countryside.
My mate went to visit girlfriends family home. He was amazed the 600 year home was so immaculate and the roads
Lucky you, living in Japanese countryside is a blessing.
This is country living anywhere honey.
For an introvert this is a dream
I think it's phenomenal 🔥 that you have decided to retire and spend your life in Japan 🇯🇵!! I myself is considering moving aboard!! The way inflation is here in states have made it very difficult to retire in Peace!! For what I spend on my monthly income here in Texas 🤠 I could move there and purchase a home like you and still not Break The Bank 🏧!! That's my mine set and seeing this video gives me encouragement that ANY IS POSSIBLE if you believe it!! So congrats 🎉 Sir on your home and getting it remodeled for all your needs!! Phenomenal 🎇 Video and Thanks for Sharing 💛🤍⭐🤍💛
Loved it when I was over there. I could inline skate 20 min from my apartment and be in the country. Great vid!
Congrats
Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. I'd love to live this way, but I'd be concerned about maintaining an income. Do you know of other foreigners who continued to work in the countryside?
Hi I do not have firsthand experience working in the Japanese economy. I work at a US military installation. I know of Americans teaching English. At my channel I plan on making a video of different was of finding employment at a military installation.
@@cocolenchojapan We live in Okayama, and our friend helps us to buy an akiya house. our summer house on the house hunter international ( tv show in the USA )We went there every year, and we loved the people, the culture, the neighbor, and the food and we have a lot of friends there. these towns have a lot of foreign, Contact me if you are interested to buy a house in Japan.
What you have accomplished is what I want to wish for myself, buying a kominka in the countryside as you did, renovating it respecting the Japanese construction rules of the past. I think I would be more tyrannically strict than you about the restoration process, no modern amenities at all XD So thank you, your experience is so motivating and one day, if I will lucky enough, my dream will come true.
Thanks! I totally understand. I really love an original Kominka, but let's just say we have to keep a happy marriage :-) feel free to follow me at youtube.com/@cocolenchojapan
I love Japan and I really want to live there but I can't 'cause I have a business and family with 2 kids.
This is where I'd love to end up.
Looks like a Studio Ghibli scene.
Trees, bears, mountains, bears, rivers, bears, bears, bears, bears. In one village/town past mth fugi I was told "last year 20 ppl taken by bears" and im guessing it wasn't a round trip with photos and a good time had by all.
Yes, and watch out for the drop bears in Australia 😂😂
I wonder how practical it would be to build a home in the traditional style but with allowances for modern amenities so it's the best of both worlds?
You are living my dream.
Aussie here. Done the same in Mie. Look me up!
@3:05 Gamera!!🐢🐢
Im an older Australian guy and love everything about Japan.
Its cleanliness, public order, tec, immigration policies, everything !
The world would be better off if it was like Japan !
I agree! Thanks
Please understand that there’s also a dark side to Japan that don’t see from Australia. There’s a reason for the high suicide rate.
don't forget "karoshi"
@@Greg-om2hb By the way, suicide rate ranking of OECD member countries.
1:🇰🇷
2:🇱🇹
3:🇸🇮
4:🇧🇪
5:🇯🇵
6:🇺🇲
7:🇱🇻
8:🇭🇺
9:🇫🇮
10:🇪🇪
The number of suicides in the United States is increasing and will overtake Japan in the near future.
Wonderful
Having already lived in Tokyo, I wanted to move out to the countryside to be able to stretch out and not hit a wall or person while having a good yawn.
The pandemic of excuses was a good wake up call that the Japanese government had not changed and saw foreigners as second class citizens, outsiders, no matter how long they had lived in Japan. Whether they had married Japanese, had children, bought a home, had a job or owned a business, THEY WERE LOWER THAN JAPANESE.
Not being able to re-enter Japan while Japanese were able to come and go as they pleased during the pandemic of excuses reminded me of the history of Japan and that not much had changed. Friends in Japan lost their jobs, some lost their marriages, some lost their homes because of the stupidity of the Japanese government blocking them from returning to their families, homes and the jobs that they paid Japanese taxes for all those years.
I really hope you were NOT affected by that dark time at the beginning of the pandemic of excuse but if you were, could you please make a video about it because it really helps to bring light to the reality of life in Japan.
I know it can be mendo kusai at times with the language barrier but I really still wish to make the move back to Japan. My fear, however, is another senseless act by the Japanese government could make me have to choose whether I travel to a family member in the hospital or their funeral or lose my job and/or home being locked out of the country I call home.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Sir: My wife and I live in Florida, but we also have a place in Nagano and a place in Motohakone. I wanted to be in Japan about 10 months out of the year and two months in Florida. This has been our plan and we were going to be starting this rotation this summer, because our son is graduating. Our income and our investments are in the United States, and we didn't think that would be a problem, but after speaking to a tax expert in Japan we received the bad news. If my Japanese wife that is an American resident wanted to become a Japanese resident and sponsor me for a spousal visa; our US income would be double taxed. The real kick in the behind was the fact that if we were residents in Japan for five years, then we could be subject to an inheritance tax in Japan. I would like to know if the Japanese government has tried to tax your military retirement? I would appreciate any information that you may have on my situation.
Thank you,
My fellow American
My fellow American. 😊 My American father is married to a Japanese woman who finally became a US citizen several years ago while they were living together in the states. Like you and your wife, they did a rotation between Japan and the US for several years but always kept it below the 90 days per year maximum tourist visa. They finally decided to live full time in Tokyo, but I believe they're both on visas of some kind (i.e., she didn't reclaim her Japanese citizenship/passport). I believe their assets are still kept mostly in the US, and they take advantage of the currency exchange via US credit cards, etc. Although they file taxes in both countries, they've never mentioned being double-taxed. Knowing my father, there is no way he would live there if they were subject to that type of expense. I would look into the permanent visa options open to your wife and hopefully you can also take advantage of this somehow. Good luck!
Wow thanks to both for this information. Frankly I have not looked into it too much because I am still under SOFA status, meaning I still work for the US government. Eventually I will have to.
Generally speaking it is the US government that continues to tax it’s citizens who live overseas. So you are paying income tax to the foreign country you are living in , which seems fair, but you also have to pay income tax to Uncle Sam. Most other countries don’t tax their citizens if they are residing in a foreign country. This is my experience. I am a from Australia but I am not taxed by Australia while I’m not residing there but of course I pay US tax because I am a resident in the US. Hope this helps.
@@annemiura7767 thanks!
@@annemiura7767 My wife and I are semi retired. We have a business that functions regardless of where we are at. I have no problem with paying income tax in Japan on Japanese income, but if we are not going to work there, then we don't want to pay taxes on our American income twice, not to mention the inheritance tax. I would be have to pay city and prefrecture tax, and I would happily pay for international health coverage, just don't tax my American income when I'm already being clobbered over the head by the IRS. I hope that clarifies my situation a little bit.
Thank you,
FL
cool
You are living the dream
This is so pro done! What kind of camera do you use?
Id move there in a heartbeat if it wasnt for the giant creepy crawlies. I could deal with learning (badly) japanese but i cant sleep with the possibility of a foot long centipede with jaws being in the room.
What's the difference between the city and rural areas? Space, you'll have space in rural areas and none in the city.
show your walkings in country roads! thanks!
Hi thanks, at my channel I have done some and plan on doing more. Please feel free to watch but I am not as good as Riku
This is any introverts best dream
Countryside is freedom!
Mama mia, that is a huge, gorgeous house!
Lawrence, The is what I have been looking for. I am retired with a comfortable retirement income. Will Japan allow me to move there with a retirement income and live there?
If you're from the US, you can get your retirement/social security money direct deposited in Japan! I think the only stipulations would be that you can't receive Japanese retirement/aid funds. And you'd have to pay fees on the bank transfers.
Hi this is Lawrence. I don’t want to give you bad advice, but I believe there are different visas based on your income. Eventually I will be under my wife, but now I work for the US government so I am covered until I quit.
Nearly impossible for foreigners break into Japanese social circle !!!!
Do the cats meow in Japanese ?
Japanese cats say “n’yan”
How did you able to stay in Japan ? Are you a citizen of Japan?
hi thanks for watching. I am married to a Japanese but also work at a US military installation, so I am sponsored by the US.
Just curious. There is plenty of “countryside” in the United States. What made you choose Japan? Cheers though, on moving away from the U.S.
Hi my wife is from Japan.
Automatic like when you said concrete is not attractive!
Wow! Share your expenses, please? What is your lifestyle now?
I’m also super interested and want to know all the expenses as well.
This could possibly be that increase in population to the area but you have to participate in the channel you’ve created!
The channel isn’t worth much of the owner doesn’t respond the it’s audience.
@@nelsondog100 hi sorry for the delay Lawrence here. At my channel I will be discussing these topics of cost. I did pay around $35K USD for the property. At a later date I will discuss the actual cost once I am done. I am @cocolenchojapan
Hi sorry for the delay, Lawrence here. As mentioned below I paid $35K USD but that does not include the renovation. I will get to that at my channel one I am done. Please follow at @cocolenchojapan thanks!
From 🇷🇺 with ❤️!
Thanks for watching!
I seek to attain that one day but today this will due
It is better to give up the Tatami mats.
Ticks are easy to live in and cleaning is difficult.
Sounds like Seagal
nice
What military career allowed you to travel so much? I look up to the life you have lead sir.
Hi I was in the US Army. Lived in Europe for about 9 years and other not so nice sandy places in the world.
Us of course, the Us have invaded many countries & installed a military base so its easier for the CIA to enter foreign countries & mess with the social & political climate of those countries, of course.
@@cocolenchojapan Very interesting, thank you.
The Marine Corps has a base in Yamaguchi prefecture in the city of iwakuni.
@@technobikehd294 yup I work there
What kind of visa/residency do you use to live in Japan?
Since I work for the US government it is called SOFA status. On my channel eventually I plan on making a video on to apply for jobs working at a military installation. Thanks
Do roaming Ronin ever drop by for the night?😂
I would think that driving on the opposite side of the road would be the second difficulty that you would encounter in Japan.
What do mean when you say you don't have much time?
Hi unfortunately I am still doing the daily grind at a normal job. Hopefully someday I can focus on just spending time at house.
I want to go to countryside, but i have no money.
I think is unrealistic to think you’re going to move to a foreign country with a culture and language completely different from your own and you will be accepted as a native person. That’s never going to happen, and it’s fine.
👍
Thanks!
Tokyo is paying families to move back out into country
How do you say Get off my property in Japane?