Thank you for this. I haven't been back to Japan for 10 years. My undergrad was Law and Japanese and I've been back twice since I came home from my university year north west of Tokyo.
I've made the mistake of following an Instagram account called Cheap Houses of Japan and now I want to buy everything.....
Irrational purchases are a symptom of mania, and some folks succumb to it. It's very unlikely that you will do that, but I just wanted to plant a voice in your ear that might help you feel better about NOT buying EVERYthing...
BTW, my uncle died several hundred thousand dollars in debt due to irrational spending. When I heard the language of mania, I guess I took you a bit too much at your word.
Japan is hard to categorise. It's unique in so many ways, both good and bad. In my opinion, the best writer about Japan and Japanese society is Pico Iyer, the well known travel writer. He's married to a Japanese woman and has lived in Japan for many years. "The Lady and the Monk" and "Autumn Light" should be read as a pair.
The Toyota museum is one of the things I'm writing about. And for techno geeks you get to it using a non-wheeled train - the limimo maglev. There's also Ghibli Park one? stop beyond for the fans of that sort of animation.
The Tokugawa gallery is also good when you're back down town
Miyajima may be a bit touristy already, though probably not as bad as Nara
None of the links work! I have read them previously but didn't save them. I am going to Japan next year to explore as well as hike and would like to have several of them!
Well, I read you regularly and actually have read all of your posts you linked to today. However, I did not save them, thinking I wouldn't need them. However, my husband and I are going to Japan next year to explore and hike. So, I wanted to open all of the stories, copy and paste into files so I can review and read before I go. I could not open any of the links. What is the problem? It is the irony of my existence, with a PhD in international economic development, including an MA in Japanese Studies (years ago!) that I have never been there. I have yearned to do so for quite some time. I am still an avid hiker and travel around the world to do so but have never gotten to East Asia! In any case, I look reading your posts, even when I don't necessarily agree with you! (This from a 75 year old who is still engaged with the world!)
It is so fascinating to read your take on Japan. My last trip was 6 years ago, before my lung issues led me to decide to stop flying. But I was almost never in Tokyo and never for long. My time there in recent decades was centered on Osaka and Kyoto. What I saw 6 years ago in that region aligned more with what Wingfield-Hayes had to say. Not much new construction where I was, somewhat shabby looking buildings, and signs of slowness such as a predominance of cash use at convenience stores. I hope the whole country goes where you describe Tokyo as going.
Daughter lives in Manhattan. She wouldn’t live any where else. I live out west with the coyotes. Unfortunately, my eyes see everything when I’m in NY. I see every rat jumping out of the trash when others have city eyes. Strange.
Come to New York Noah!
I do sometimes! I'll let people know next time I do a thing there!
Come and speak in London sometime!
Sure! Know anyone who wants me to give a talk there? :-)
“It’s so crowded, nobody goes there anymore.”
— Yogi Berra
Thank you for this. I haven't been back to Japan for 10 years. My undergrad was Law and Japanese and I've been back twice since I came home from my university year north west of Tokyo.
I've made the mistake of following an Instagram account called Cheap Houses of Japan and now I want to buy everything.....
I wrote about precisely this phenomenon. On the ground in local communities in Japan, the influx of foreign home buyers is quite palpable and starting to be concerning. Instagram is a powerful drug! https://samholden.substack.com/p/the-akiya-influencers-have-arrived
Don't.
Erm.....ok? Feel free to expand!
"now I want to buy everything....."
Irrational purchases are a symptom of mania, and some folks succumb to it. It's very unlikely that you will do that, but I just wanted to plant a voice in your ear that might help you feel better about NOT buying EVERYthing...
BTW, my uncle died several hundred thousand dollars in debt due to irrational spending. When I heard the language of mania, I guess I took you a bit too much at your word.
Event is sold old :( you are a big draw Noah. Come speak at a YIMBY action event!
Yeah :( Just a few minutes from my house, sad to miss it.
Japan is hard to categorise. It's unique in so many ways, both good and bad. In my opinion, the best writer about Japan and Japanese society is Pico Iyer, the well known travel writer. He's married to a Japanese woman and has lived in Japan for many years. "The Lady and the Monk" and "Autumn Light" should be read as a pair.
Event is "sold out". Maybe they can switch to a bigger venue in the area?
+1
I've been writing (with a coblogger) a guide to the less touristy bits of Japan - https://lessknownjapan.substack.com/
I'm gradually adding more and in fact I have a post on Nagoya almost done
It is absolutely true that the more obvious bits of Japan are being overrun with gaijin tourists.
The Toyota museum is one of the things I'm writing about. And for techno geeks you get to it using a non-wheeled train - the limimo maglev. There's also Ghibli Park one? stop beyond for the fans of that sort of animation.
The Tokugawa gallery is also good when you're back down town
Miyajima may be a bit touristy already, though probably not as bad as Nara
None of the links work! I have read them previously but didn't save them. I am going to Japan next year to explore as well as hike and would like to have several of them!
Well, I read you regularly and actually have read all of your posts you linked to today. However, I did not save them, thinking I wouldn't need them. However, my husband and I are going to Japan next year to explore and hike. So, I wanted to open all of the stories, copy and paste into files so I can review and read before I go. I could not open any of the links. What is the problem? It is the irony of my existence, with a PhD in international economic development, including an MA in Japanese Studies (years ago!) that I have never been there. I have yearned to do so for quite some time. I am still an avid hiker and travel around the world to do so but have never gotten to East Asia! In any case, I look reading your posts, even when I don't necessarily agree with you! (This from a 75 year old who is still engaged with the world!)
It is so fascinating to read your take on Japan. My last trip was 6 years ago, before my lung issues led me to decide to stop flying. But I was almost never in Tokyo and never for long. My time there in recent decades was centered on Osaka and Kyoto. What I saw 6 years ago in that region aligned more with what Wingfield-Hayes had to say. Not much new construction where I was, somewhat shabby looking buildings, and signs of slowness such as a predominance of cash use at convenience stores. I hope the whole country goes where you describe Tokyo as going.
Daughter lives in Manhattan. She wouldn’t live any where else. I live out west with the coyotes. Unfortunately, my eyes see everything when I’m in NY. I see every rat jumping out of the trash when others have city eyes. Strange.
bummer! i bet you don’t do much flyover country (i.e Detroit) i don’t blame you
An online event would be great
Sadly we got chased out of PA. We enjoyed our life there. Old age and original sin took its course.
Noah, when are you coming to Nantucket?