excuse me but why people who initially came to Japan from abroad, but have been living, paying taxes etc in Japan for as long as you, must not say what direction Japan should be heading in their opinion...
@@Hay8137g That's untrue. We who have lived in Japan for decades have plenty of complaints and are not afraid to say them. They mirror the complaints the Japanese have. The reason they do is we experience the exact same consequences of negative decisions by the government etc. For example, many Japanese are against mass immigration due to the fact that AI and mass-automation will have rendered 50% of current jobs obsolete within the next 10-20 years, yet the government keeps pushing for immigration. Most Japanese can see that will be an issue down the road when those immigrants become unemployed. This is just one example of many complaints we in Japan have regarding our government's short-sighted plans.
The craziest thing about this is seeing Dogen move around in 3D space like a physical being rather than only interacting with a camera on a fixed plane.
I totally agree Dogans's wisdom has shown brightly. If I was 50 years younger, I would be taking Dogan's recommendations to heart. But even at my age (75) I still learned from this video more about Dogan. I just visited Tottori for the first time last week. I may look up Dogan in his home town to meet up and buy him a drink of his choice to chat for awhile. Nickname Sentakuya in Hachioji.
I lived in the UK for 7 years, and went through the “it’s much better than the USA” phase. After a while, a person realizes that every place has problems and cultural blind spots. I think getting through the disillusionment phase and still loving one’s new country and culture is v important. I also appreciate the fact that he points out that you can’t escape YOURSELF when you move abroad. You can for a while, but not long term.
Hi Takashii, It's definitely one of your best interviews to date. Dogen was a very interesting subject to interview with his own outlook on living in Jspan. Keep up the great vlogs. 😊
Good interview Takashi. As a former JET myself; I agree with Dogen and value his insight on life in Japan and differences from his home country. I admire his dedication to his family, work and life and beautiful home. Success to both of you.
I can’t lie, though I’m interested in Japan, I’ve avoided Dogen’s content for years just because I felt it was more geared towards Japanese speakers or people who wanna learn Japanese. But this was a really interesting conversation and I’d love to hear more of his views on Japan, the US, culture etc..
A lot of his content is comedy skits about the Japanese language and some cultural aspects, but he does dive deep into Japan and the culture in some of his videos at times and they're really interesting.
Takashi san is a great interviewer. Insightful questions but also the allowing the respondent to respond in a meaningful way before moving on. Exploring ideas. A great interview. Subarashikute omoshiroi
One of your very best interviews, Takashii. I've been listening to you for many years, and I see how you are able to strategize in English with interesting and relevant questions. Dogen had some fascinating perspectives, as an observer of culture in Japan, a teacher of English, a homeowner in a pretty town, and the father of bicultural children. This interview fortified my plan to spend 6 months in Japan, hopefully to see the many botanical gardens, beautiful temples and endlessly fascinating cities, both small and large.
very interesting. my only daughter is in Japan right now with JET in Nara for one year. However she is coming back to start her PhD at Northwestern in Biomed Engineering. Perhaps down the street, her interest in all things japanese ,since the 6th grade where she met a very kind and old Japanese person at school,,including its literature (she can read Haruki Murakami in japanese for example) will help her with many japanese drug companies like Daiichi, Astellas ...
We were in Beppu last week.. so nice getting away from Tokyo where it can be chaotic to relax in the charming town of Beppu where the vibes are more peaceful
This was a great video Takashii! I like the positive yet honest nature of the video. I thought Dogen's opinion about speaking politics was very interesting. Because stating your opinion can be "too strong" in Japanese society, but you want to project what you're saying, it's about how you present that opinion and whom you say it to. Also, it reminded me that, "I am who I am." Of course, I want to protect Japanese culture values but at the same time, I want to talk to my friends within my circle about these issues. It actually, helped me make friends than hurt me. Mainly, because other Japanese realized that I care about the society and country's future. When I was in my 4th year of studying Japanese (I started at 16 and am now 40), I was still in college and was taking Japanese at a separate school in a class setting. A very nice person helped me learn Japanese vocabulary at a more advance level. She was very strict to me, and I loved her for doing that. I would discuss politics and history with her. I was learning to read Ishihara Shintaro (former governor of Tokyo) books. Especially since most Japanese feel that the governor of Tokyo is in some ways more powerful than the Prime Minister. I felt by learning about political opinions and ideas would help me understand the Japanese mindset better. It helped me become better at discussing societal and political issues in Japan at that time. This is just my personal opinion, but if you are passionate about Japan and want to live there "long term" or "for life", you really need to become knowledgeable about what's going on in Japan, your prefecture and your town. As an American myself, those that attempt to do this, especially in certain parts of the countryside have met with good success and it makes you feel more, as a foreigner, that Japan is now your "new home".
Takeshita san, Dogen san ARIGATO Yes, this is truly a UA-cam I needed to see. I am a Kaigai Shijo in California. (a Japanese citizen whose parents lived outside of the country as expats, and did not mostly grow up in Japan) Due to the changing political situation, I bought a second house in Kyoto this year and then went to Kyoto in October to see if I could ever live there, for a month. I got the “typical” passive aggressive Kyoto welcome, where I was thrown under the bus by 3 people I knew who live there, and literally got thrown off a Japanese bus tour heading for Izumo! After being diverted from my tour to Izumo, I spent time in Kobe and Ashiya where I grew up until five. When I was there, I felt communication straightforward, and I did not feel weird. So I decided my place would be there. I have lived in California for most of my life and in the Surf Town of Encinitas for 25 years and am considered a local. When I came back I got hugs just walking to shake off the jet lag and I love my clients who come to my practice. When I do return to Japan. I am afraid on how I can make true friends. Although I try to be diplomatic, I am a straight shooter so this tatemae and hone has me worried. I also was bullied when I returned to Japan between ten and eleven. Afterwards I did everything to not go back. But now the country that welcomed me growing up is becoming unrecognizable worse. I think there will be more people returning and coming to live in Japan. I think both of you can help us as teachers/advisors to overcome the internal cultural divide, which is not just language, so new arrivals can indeed thrive in Japan. アメリカ人の政治情勢の悪化の為、3月京都に憧れの町屋を購入し、10月京都に1ヶ月間住んでみました。 しかしながら 私は “ stereotypical” 京都の歓迎を受け、滞在中、期待してた人たちから、3回別々に裏切りられ (thrown under the bus)、また出雲に向かう日本のバスツアーからは(thrown out of the bus literally)！ 出雲へのツアーを迂回させられた後、私は5歳まで育った神戸と芦屋で2日過ごしました。 そこにいると、コミュニケーションがストレートに伝わってき、変人扱いされませんでした。 自分の居場所はそこにあると決ました。 人生の大半をカリフォルニアで過ごし、サーフタウンのEnicinitas には25年住んでいて、地元の人間になりきっています。 数週間前に戻ってきたとき、たくさんの温かいハグをもらいました。 ここでのIntuitive Counselor の仕事もお客様も好きで、日本でも続けたいです。 日本に帰って、どうしたら、本当の友人を作れるか、心配です。 外交的であろうとはしているのですが、私はストレートな性格なので、この建前と本音が心配です。 10歳から12歳の間に日本に帰国したときには、いじめに遭いました。 それ以来、二度と日本に帰らないようにした。また大人になって、どうどうと近寄ってきた日本人友達のなかには、その堂々さ、はnarcissismまたはsociopathyからの性格であり、何度か被害に会いました。日本人を読むのは自信がないです。 でも今、私を歓迎してくれた移民の国が、見違えるほど悪くなっています。 私のように、日本に戻り、日本で暮らすようになる人はもっと増えると思います。 お二人なら、言葉だけでない文化的な溝を乗り越えるために、素晴らしき先生やアドバイザーとして私たちが日本で羽を伸ばせるようにサポートしてくださる様願っております。 Hisa
So thankful that Dogen mentioned that people unwittingly live ethnocentrically. I can’t stand people that have lived here for like +10 years and are jaded and constantly railing against the ways things are done here. It’s japan, it’s different, you will be treated differently, for better or worse and you will have uniquely great and bad experiences. It’s part of living in a different culture. At the end of the day, any foreigner that has lived here for +10 years has made the calculation that living here is better (for them!) than living abroad.
It seems that people give Japan a special exception in regard to this topic specifically, and I believe it’s due to the fetishization of Japanese culture/things. For example, he makes comparisons with the US and although we have many issues, I believe we create a dialogue to be more open to other people regardless of what they look like or their culture. Obviously, it’s a work in progress. Where on the other hand, people will just say sub-textually in the context of being in Japan, “hey it’s a different place, you’ll just have to deal with passive aggressive xenophobia/bigotry”. However, you do get treated better as a western white male compared to any other group of persons in Japan.
@@sergbee93 "However, you do get treated better as a western white male compared to any other group of persons in Japan." This here is the most prominent form of racism in North America at the moment. I was told flat out at my interview for the education program at York University in Toronto, Canada that "we're not currently accepting applications from white males". I was told so without so much as a bat of an eyelash and as though it weren't systemically racist at all. Yes, as a white male I get treated better in Japan than I do in Canada, which is why I moved here in the first place. Thank God I'm white or I never would have been ostracised in Canada and I never would have come here...to be welcomed with open arms. It's good to be white...in Asia
its ok to moan about things that are bad in Japan. Every country has its good and its bad points. Its up to each individual to weigh up which one is strong at the parts they need and weak at things they don't much care about.
That’s a sad realization. I was in Japan a couple months ago for the first time and made it a top priority to leave my American habits back home. I feel it’s very important to take note on how others do things in their country, and do your best to do the same things out of respect. Whether it was to not talk on trains, putting my backpack in front of me so it wouldn’t hit others, not eating and walking, etc. small habits that are very respectful that honestly I wish Americans would care more about. Japan is such a beautiful country filled with beautiful people and it’s truly a shame to realize how different Americans treat each other with very little respect. I can’t wait to go back and look forward to experiencing more of the country and its culture.
Great interview! I’ve lived in Japan for 15 years, mostly in Nagasaki (also from Washington State), and definitely appreciate Dogen’s comments regarding Japan. He is thoughtfully articulating my same sentiments about Japan and Takashii gave him good questions and the space to answer them. I wish you both continued success in your UA-cam careers!
@@VanillaPeach-y7l I love the beauty, the culture, and history. The people were very nice and most were accommodating in speaking Japanese with me. I had some great conversations with a few local people that was the best part of my trip. I love the temples and shrines and planing on studying more history, especially the Shogunate.
Funny thing I just moved to Japan 2 months ago and everything just clicked for me and people act very similar to me. Guess I was more Japanese all along lol, very introverted polite person who doesn't like being bothered by random people.
I’m Japanese live in US. I love American cultures and people. I wish health insurance, tuition, living cost in US is affordable like Japan, Also safe like Japan. In the video, he mentioned that all the other Americans he knew eventually returned home. Similarly, many Japanese people living in the U.S. often return to Japan at some point. Their families and relationships are rooted in their home country. For immigrant groups moving from harsher environments, it’s common to settle permanently in their new country and bring their families over. However, for Japanese and Americans, returning to their home country often feels like a natural choice.
Health insurance was affordable due to the low obesity rate. US is only dangerous because man city do not enforce laws against low level crimes plus US students are taught to follow the rules, clean up after themselves or basic manners plus the fact the US is not homogeneous population. Living cost isn't affordable if make Japanese wages at most jobs. Feel like this is kind of a joke post
I really enjoyed this conversation with Dogen. You asked fantastic questions, and Dogen's answers were extremely honest, which is good because most of us tend to idealize Japan, without ever been there or only been there only as a tourist. And having someone with that many years of experience, being so direct and honest, is very valuable.
Congrats to Taskahii for s great interview choice & content and huge congrats to Dogen for the person that he has become and the honest advice given in this podcast
I love Dōgen's house, I saw the complete tour on his channel. Even during this interview I couldn't stop looking at his window and the movement of the plants.
I like it so much better that Takashii speaks English at normal speed in this video instead of at 4x speed on his street interviews. Those usually make him seem a bit impatient or a bit irritated with the interviewees. Bravo Takashii 🎉
Japan is a very different country from other asian countries, let alone western nations. those who are thinking of moving to japan need to reset all the values they have cultivated up to that point and make an effort to nurture them from scratch.
This was amazing for foreigners studying and looking to come to Japan. I would listen to a full podcast with you and Dogen or other Americans living in Japan, such as Nick or Ananya.
Dogen is an interesting channel - I enjoy his videos. Also, I am always in awe of true bilinguals like you two who can freely and fluently switch between languages so they can express themselves in the language that most closely represents what they are trying to say. Great video, Takashii-san!
My advice: come here without expectations, observe everything for yourself. Be a good person, learn and follow the rules. DON'T try to "become Japanese." You can't. Just learn to become yourself, as you are living in Japan. You can't become Japanese, but you can become a good neighbor, friend, and spouse.
I have a family member who did a year teaching in Japan at age 28. They worked a job and built up a lot of savings and job experience before moving over. After coming back they were able to integrate back into western society easily with a good paying job.
Lived in Japan for 18 years and not only do I have nothing to complain about the people, I miss Japan dearly. I still visit twice a year but it’s so different from living there.
Dogen's comments are sooo true.....Japan and US are at opposite ends of the spectrum in so many ways, introversion / extroversion, power-distance, straightforward-ness, etc
great and insightful interview. while i have no plans to live in Japan (planning first vacation there next year) ive always been interested in their culture, work ethic, passion, craftsmanship and respect for others and their property. practicing/applying these into my life in the US. cheers
You have a very beautiful home Dogen. I love the layout! Question for Takashi, can you recommend any “must read” literature in Japan? Something that is important about your culture.
Excellent interview and very informative. I am a US citizen living in the countryside in Yamaguchi. I work at a US military base earning US dollars. Y’all are welcome to visit us!
I grew up in Okinawa and was hooked on Japanese tv shows in the 70’s. Thanks to those shows, I can speak Japanese with a Tokyo accent and not an Okinawan accent. I have a friend whose father didn’t want his kids to speak Japanese with an Okinawan accent. To this day, she cannot speak Japanese. How can you live 18 years in Japan and not pick up the language?
Very easily, those people stay in the foreigner bubble. They only have foreigner friends and speak English a majority of the time. You can get by with just a basic understanding of the language. With translation apps and accommodating Japanese people, it can be done
@ Her mom is Okinawan and she has a lot of relatives there as I do. Her mom speaks to her in Japanese and she replies in English. I can’t do that with my mom since she doesn’t understand English.
We live in Colorado, USA 🇺🇸 and the tourist prices are choking our economy locally too. The pay for locals and rent/mortgages don't align, so living here is very difficult, even as a born and raised local.
I am just a factory worker in japan for 4yrs now but I am just doing fine , I guess it differs by culture, I am from asia so I am just thankful and contented for what I have.
I have been fortunate to visit Japan a couple of times. I admire the Japanese people and most are kind and welcoming. I have had a few encounters with some not so nice Japanese people. Though I do my best to be a respectful visitor and try to communicate in the Japanese language, the effort will never be enough since I am a foreigner. Now that I am aware of this, I have a better understanding of my negative experiences with Japanese people. I just let it go, give the person a big smile and say "Have a pleasant day"(in Japanese of course). Hopefully this gives a positive example to help give the message that there are foreigners that are sincere and appreciate the Japanese people and their wonderful country.
@gabrielmcdonnell8699 Yes. To be a respectful visitor anywhere, it's important to research any country you visit as thoroughly as possible. Many Americans especially, don't do this.
I'm originally from California. I live in Switzerland in the Alps. I went back to the states after 7 years. I was overwhelmed by people's friendliness too. It has motivated me to move back there after 17 years here. The Swiss coldness and rigidity has taken its toll. I feel very repressed, suppressed and oppressed - not good for a free spirit - as beautiful as Switzerland is.
Great breakdown but my one caveat i would have mentioned is that these work/life satisfactions aren't only indicitive of living in japan but perhaps anywhere outside ones own country. Maybe a little more pronounced here in japan since the higher level jobs will be harder to come by but the ability to be able to get job satisfaction from a new possibly lower tier job has nothing to do with the country and is a personal struggle someone needs to conquer on their own.
It certainly helps and has something to do with the country. Providing customer service through a retail job is entirely different working in Tokyo vs working in Oakland or the Tenderloin in SF. Half your interactions will be with homeless druggies or violent thieves.
@ninjagold9244 japan is a hard country to live/work in due to the extremely high standards they have, as I'm sure almost anyone reading this already knows. I'm not defending japan or trying to say it is easy, just that like someone mentioned in the video, if you are xyz in your own country you will likely still be xyz in japan. Perhaps you will just get burned out a little faster in japan 😅 so therefore gotta conquer your own demons before expecting to make it work somewhere new.
@@b-radjohnson4803No doubt, I totally agree that job satisfaction requires personal effort. Someone who doesn't even do the bare minimum will fail no matter where they live. But like you said, Japan's cultural dynamic will be more compatible with a certain kind of person and less appealing to a different kind, and that could be just enough to tip someone into either thriving or failing in that country.
@@b-radjohnson4803Rather than ‘extremely high standards’, I’d say that there is a ‘minimum standard below which things are not allowed to fall’. In housing, you might live in a tiny ‘coppo’ one-room unit, attached to 5 others next to the railway, but it will be clean, it will have a proper bathroom, air conditioning, balcony, stove, etc. There is always some dignity afforded to everybody. In much the West, there’s no bottom, no minimum standards. And dignity given to others is not universal. We look down on the low-wage unskilled labourer, the drug addict, the underachiever, and so any dignity they have has to come from within, instead of from without. And that’s tough to muster.
Wow. I never knew that Dogen lives in Kyushu. I grew up in Sendai (Miyagi-ken) and love Japan. But finding work is difficult, so I never returned to live. Even so, it’s a great place to visit for hiking, etc.
Takashii, Great Video. The best one yet. This question of what is Japan really like? The thing is each person has their own individual expectations. I'm married to a Japanese woman for 20 years and I had been visiting Japan for a long time. So I had a more realistic view (I think) of what to expect when retiring here. My pension is in USD so that actually works for me. I have many expat friends to hang out with. However I'm just a bubble of Americaness here in Japan. I very much doubt I will ever become part of Japanese culture. I came here knowing that and I accept that. I try to study the language, but I'm 68, it's daunting to say the least...but I have the rest of my life...
jimwalsh7904, Konnichiwa & Arigatou. Feel Most Welcome to check out: Nihonlens ' Lives (nearly daily from 7 to 9 AM Nippon Time). "Taku" is Nihon, of course, but the rest are mostly non Natives interested in the Culture. In my case, I'm from/in Argentina. My Swiss father spent almost 8 years of early childhood in Kobe and a sister was born there. Nihongo & English are the main Languages. "Taku" is even able to understand some Deutsch/German. My native tongue: Spanish. Arigatou again. ☘️🕊🕯🙏 (from Argentina)
Thank you for this insightful interview! I was born and raised in Germany but spent the past decade in Ireland. Being back in Germany is such a reverse culture shock to me. Even though both countries are geographically close, they are so different culturally. Irish people tend to be friendly, outgoing, but indirect, a bit messy but "sure it'll be grand". Germans tend to be private but very direct/rude if they don't like something about you, and everything is highly regulated with no wiggle room. I definitely don't belong to my original culture at all, but people don't understand because I'm white and I can speak the language.
Thanks Dogen, thanks, Takashi! Everything said in this interview can be applied to any new country, culture, language in the world. As a language teacher I can repeat your advice, as a international, interracial, multicultural person I can just say you can and should learn from the locals or else you won't feel welcome. Thanks again!
One thing i love about japan is that almost every city is known for something special like his area for the onsens. It makes living here feel like youre in an unlimited theme park lol.
For me as an animator if I was to live in Japan one day if I choose that life, I would like or love to learn anime animation or anime comic books at the industry, but teaching English as a foreigner myself it's really really difficult 😅 it's like super fast pace, you got to keep up with 5 days of the week being a teacher it can be stressful at times, so being a teacher is not easy😅, I'm only teaching my foreign friends some English in private but not teaching the whole class English lol.
Hi, could you please make a video about finding pet-friendly houses to rent in Japan as an international student/expat? People planning to move with their pets, how can they be sure they'll find suitable accommodation in Japan? How easy or difficult is it for expats to find pet-friendly house? What can be some ways to make the process easier?
I love Beppu so much. Japan is like an onsen wonderland. I often enjoyed beppu onsen hoyoland. Im there again for silvester eve. Arriving at 30th dec and i will stay till 1st. If someone has time for a cup of coffee i would appreciate 😀
My very first bit of anime merch (or actually merch of anything at all) was the David & Lucy - To The Moon Qset+ It is based on this very shot and is so cute! My collecting of Nendoroids went very out of hand soon afterwards ;D
Can totally relate to the "difficult to articulate on political topics" - and it frustrates me. I am "fluent" in all day to day scenarios, but when it comes to philosophical or more academic discourse I struggle to convey the nuance I'm used to in English. Most of my Japanese friends do not really engage in philosophical conversations, so it's rarely a problem. Maybe that's the whole honne and tatemae thing.. anyway, great interview - awesome content as always. Thanks.
Get your eSIM with Jetpac here: www.jetpacglobal.com/
Learning about this eSIM was the best part of the video for me. Thanks, Takashii! 😉
Thanks so much for having me Takashi! Was wonderful meeting with you had hanging out together!
Hi
excuse me but why people who initially came to Japan from abroad, but have been living, paying taxes etc in Japan for as long as you, must not say what direction Japan should be heading in their opinion...
@@Zympansthey have a pride culture. Also you can’t say anything bad abt Japan
It’s really like communism unspoken
DOGEN!!!
@@Hay8137g That's untrue. We who have lived in Japan for decades have plenty of complaints and are not afraid to say them. They mirror the complaints the Japanese have. The reason they do is we experience the exact same consequences of negative decisions by the government etc. For example, many Japanese are against mass immigration due to the fact that AI and mass-automation will have rendered 50% of current jobs obsolete within the next 10-20 years, yet the government keeps pushing for immigration. Most Japanese can see that will be an issue down the road when those immigrants become unemployed. This is just one example of many complaints we in Japan have regarding our government's short-sighted plans.
The craziest thing about this is seeing Dogen move around in 3D space like a physical being rather than only interacting with a camera on a fixed plane.
こら
But does he have legs?
@@chappiescollectables they have yet to be observed
This is probably the most important video you have done and the top one in terms of your interviewing skill and confidence. Well done!
I totally agree Dogans's wisdom has shown brightly. If I was 50 years younger, I would be taking Dogan's recommendations to heart. But even at my age (75) I still learned from this video more about Dogan. I just visited Tottori for the first time last week. I may look up Dogan in his home town to meet up and buy him a drink of his choice to chat for awhile. Nickname Sentakuya in Hachioji.
I lived in the UK for 7 years, and went through the “it’s much better than the USA” phase. After a while, a person realizes that every place has problems and cultural blind spots. I think getting through the disillusionment phase and still loving one’s new country and culture is v important.
I also appreciate the fact that he points out that you can’t escape YOURSELF when you move abroad. You can for a while, but not long term.
Yes, wherever you go there you are! :)
Thanks!
I am impressed with how well you express yourself Dogen, such precision and so much wisdom and thoughtfulness behind your words.
Hi Takashii, It's definitely one of your best interviews to date. Dogen was a very interesting subject to interview with his own outlook on living in Jspan. Keep up the great vlogs. 😊
Totally agree. Of course, the interviewee’s experiences, knowledge and information made for an excellent video interview! Arigato 👏🏻
Good interview Takashi. As a former JET myself; I agree with Dogen and value his insight on life in Japan and differences from his home country. I admire his dedication to his family, work and life and beautiful home. Success to both of you.
I can’t lie, though I’m interested in Japan, I’ve avoided Dogen’s content for years just because I felt it was more geared towards Japanese speakers or people who wanna learn Japanese. But this was a really interesting conversation and I’d love to hear more of his views on Japan, the US, culture etc..
A lot of his content is comedy skits about the Japanese language and some cultural aspects, but he does dive deep into Japan and the culture in some of his videos at times and they're really interesting.
Thanks for that. Lived in Japan for almost 30 years and agreed with every word you said.
Takashi san is a great interviewer. Insightful questions but also the allowing the respondent to respond in a meaningful way before moving on. Exploring ideas. A great interview. Subarashikute omoshiroi
One of your very best interviews, Takashii. I've been listening to you for many years, and I see how you are able to strategize in English with interesting and relevant questions. Dogen had some fascinating perspectives, as an observer of culture in Japan, a teacher of English,
a homeowner in a pretty town, and the father of bicultural children. This interview fortified my plan to spend 6 months in Japan, hopefully to see the many botanical gardens, beautiful temples and endlessly fascinating cities, both small and large.
Thanks!
very interesting. my only daughter is in Japan right now with JET in Nara for one year. However she is coming back to start her PhD at Northwestern in Biomed Engineering. Perhaps down the street, her interest in all things japanese ,since the 6th grade where she met a very kind and old Japanese person at school,,including its literature (she can read Haruki Murakami in japanese for example) will help her with many japanese drug companies like Daiichi, Astellas ...
We were in Beppu last week.. so nice getting away from Tokyo where it can be chaotic to relax in the charming town of Beppu where the vibes are more peaceful
Great interview. Nice to see UA-cam content from Japan with someone not in Tokyo or Kyoto, and not in Shibuya! 😄😄😄
Insightful interview! My wife is Japanese but we live in the states. Maybe one day we will move to Japan!
Really good perspective - thank you for sharing. Great video. Thanks @Dogen and Takashi. - Marc - from Georgia USA
This was a great video Takashii! I like the positive yet honest nature of the video.
I thought Dogen's opinion about speaking politics was very interesting. Because stating your opinion can be "too strong" in Japanese society, but you want to project what you're saying, it's about how you present that opinion and whom you say it to. Also, it reminded me that, "I am who I am." Of course, I want to protect Japanese culture values but at the same time, I want to talk to my friends within my circle about these issues. It actually, helped me make friends than hurt me. Mainly, because other Japanese realized that I care about the society and country's future.
When I was in my 4th year of studying Japanese (I started at 16 and am now 40), I was still in college and was taking Japanese at a separate school in a class setting. A very nice person helped me learn Japanese vocabulary at a more advance level. She was very strict to me, and I loved her for doing that. I would discuss politics and history with her. I was learning to read Ishihara Shintaro (former governor of Tokyo) books. Especially since most Japanese feel that the governor of Tokyo is in some ways more powerful than the Prime Minister. I felt by learning about political opinions and ideas would help me understand the Japanese mindset better. It helped me become better at discussing societal and political issues in Japan at that time.
This is just my personal opinion, but if you are passionate about Japan and want to live there "long term" or "for life", you really need to become knowledgeable about what's going on in Japan, your prefecture and your town. As an American myself, those that attempt to do this, especially in certain parts of the countryside have met with good success and it makes you feel more, as a foreigner, that Japan is now your "new home".
Takeshita san, Dogen san
ARIGATO
Yes, this is truly a UA-cam I needed to see.
I am a Kaigai Shijo in California. (a Japanese citizen whose parents lived outside of the country as expats, and did not mostly grow up in Japan) Due to the changing political situation, I bought a second house in Kyoto this year and then went to Kyoto in October to see if I could ever live there, for a month.
I got the “typical” passive aggressive Kyoto welcome, where I was thrown under the bus by 3 people I knew who live there, and literally got thrown off a Japanese bus tour heading for Izumo!
After being diverted from my tour to Izumo, I spent time in Kobe and Ashiya where I grew up until five. When I was there, I felt communication straightforward, and I did not feel weird. So I decided my place would be there.
I have lived in California for most of my life and in the Surf Town of Encinitas for 25 years and am considered a local. When I came back I got hugs just walking to shake off the jet lag and I love my clients who come to my practice.
When I do return to Japan. I am afraid on how I can make true friends. Although I try to be diplomatic, I am a straight shooter so this tatemae and hone has me worried. I also was bullied when I returned to Japan between ten and eleven. Afterwards I did everything to not go back. But now the country that welcomed me growing up is becoming unrecognizable worse.
I think there will be more people returning and coming to live in Japan.
I think both of you can help us as teachers/advisors to overcome the internal cultural divide, which is not just language, so new arrivals can indeed thrive in Japan.
アメリカ人の政治情勢の悪化の為、3月京都に憧れの町屋を購入し、10月京都に1ヶ月間住んでみました。
しかしながら 私は “ stereotypical” 京都の歓迎を受け、滞在中、期待してた人たちから、3回別々に裏切りられ (thrown under the bus)、また出雲に向かう日本のバスツアーからは(thrown out of the bus literally)！
出雲へのツアーを迂回させられた後、私は5歳まで育った神戸と芦屋で2日過ごしました。 そこにいると、コミュニケーションがストレートに伝わってき、変人扱いされませんでした。 自分の居場所はそこにあると決ました。
人生の大半をカリフォルニアで過ごし、サーフタウンのEnicinitas には25年住んでいて、地元の人間になりきっています。 数週間前に戻ってきたとき、たくさんの温かいハグをもらいました。 ここでのIntuitive Counselor の仕事もお客様も好きで、日本でも続けたいです。
日本に帰って、どうしたら、本当の友人を作れるか、心配です。 外交的であろうとはしているのですが、私はストレートな性格なので、この建前と本音が心配です。
10歳から12歳の間に日本に帰国したときには、いじめに遭いました。 それ以来、二度と日本に帰らないようにした。また大人になって、どうどうと近寄ってきた日本人友達のなかには、その堂々さ、はnarcissismまたはsociopathyからの性格であり、何度か被害に会いました。日本人を読むのは自信がないです。
でも今、私を歓迎してくれた移民の国が、見違えるほど悪くなっています。
私のように、日本に戻り、日本で暮らすようになる人はもっと増えると思います。
お二人なら、言葉だけでない文化的な溝を乗り越えるために、素晴らしき先生やアドバイザーとして私たちが日本で羽を伸ばせるようにサポートしてくださる様願っております。
Hisa
What's with the bus situation
dancing leaves behind is sooo relaxing
So thankful that Dogen mentioned that people unwittingly live ethnocentrically.
I can’t stand people that have lived here for like +10 years and are jaded and constantly railing against the ways things are done here.
It’s japan, it’s different, you will be treated differently, for better or worse and you will have uniquely great and bad experiences. It’s part of living in a different culture.
At the end of the day, any foreigner that has lived here for +10 years has made the calculation that living here is better (for them!) than living abroad.
It seems that people give Japan a special exception in regard to this topic specifically, and I believe it’s due to the fetishization of Japanese culture/things. For example, he makes comparisons with the US and although we have many issues, I believe we create a dialogue to be more open to other people regardless of what they look like or their culture. Obviously, it’s a work in progress. Where on the other hand, people will just say sub-textually in the context of being in Japan, “hey it’s a different place, you’ll just have to deal with passive aggressive xenophobia/bigotry”. However, you do get treated better as a western white male compared to any other group of persons in Japan.
@@sergbee93 "However, you do get treated better as a western white male compared to any other group of persons in Japan." This here is the most prominent form of racism in North America at the moment. I was told flat out at my interview for the education program at York University in Toronto, Canada that "we're not currently accepting applications from white males". I was told so without so much as a bat of an eyelash and as though it weren't systemically racist at all. Yes, as a white male I get treated better in Japan than I do in Canada, which is why I moved here in the first place. Thank God I'm white or I never would have been ostracised in Canada and I never would have come here...to be welcomed with open arms. It's good to be white...in Asia
@@sergbee93It’s great to be white, in Japan, not Canada
its ok to moan about things that are bad in Japan. Every country has its good and its bad points. Its up to each individual to weigh up which one is strong at the parts they need and weak at things they don't much care about.
That’s a sad realization. I was in Japan a couple months ago for the first time and made it a top priority to leave my American habits back home.
I feel it’s very important to take note on how others do things in their country, and do your best to do the same things out of respect. Whether it was to not talk on trains, putting my backpack in front of me so it wouldn’t hit others, not eating and walking, etc. small habits that are very respectful that honestly I wish Americans would care more about.
Japan is such a beautiful country filled with beautiful people and it’s truly a shame to realize how different Americans treat each other with very little respect.
I can’t wait to go back and look forward to experiencing more of the country and its culture.
Interesting perspectives. Definitely agree 101% that if you are a hard worker and positive you can make it.
Great interview!
I’ve lived in Japan for 15 years, mostly in Nagasaki (also from Washington State), and definitely appreciate Dogen’s comments regarding Japan.
He is thoughtfully articulating my same sentiments about Japan and Takashii gave him good questions and the space to answer them.
I wish you both continued success in your UA-cam careers!
Great insights! Always a good time learning from the more experienced expats!
Fantastic interview! I love you both!
最近はじめての日本ほ旅行から帰りました。日本と日本語をだいすきです！
@@VanillaPeach-y7l I love the beauty, the culture, and history. The people were very nice and most were accommodating in speaking Japanese with me. I had some great conversations with a few local people that was the best part of my trip. I love the temples and shrines and planing on studying more history, especially the Shogunate.
Funny thing I just moved to Japan 2 months ago and everything just clicked for me and people act very similar to me. Guess I was more Japanese all along lol, very introverted polite person who doesn't like being bothered by random people.
What an amazing video, thank you both for doing this
I’m Japanese live in US.
I love American cultures and people. I wish health insurance, tuition, living cost in US is affordable like Japan, Also safe like Japan.
In the video, he mentioned that all the other Americans he knew eventually returned home. Similarly, many Japanese people living in the U.S. often return to Japan at some point. Their families and relationships are rooted in their home country.
For immigrant groups moving from harsher environments, it’s common to settle permanently in their new country and bring their families over. However, for Japanese and Americans, returning to their home country often feels like a natural choice.
I’m an American who lives in America, and I can totally agree with you on that. 😂
@@Those2menovertherewell entitled Americans
Living cost isn't affordable in Japan though, that's the entire point of the video lol.
Everything else yes
@@Digger-Nick if you make $1500 you can live in Tokyo. Problems is Yen is so weak.
Health insurance was affordable due to the low obesity rate. US is only dangerous because man city do not enforce laws against low level crimes plus US students are taught to follow the rules, clean up after themselves or basic manners plus the fact the US is not homogeneous population. Living cost isn't affordable if make Japanese wages at most jobs. Feel like this is kind of a joke post
It’s gonna be awesome! I’m excited for you guys!! Way to go!
I really enjoyed this conversation with Dogen. You asked fantastic questions, and Dogen's answers were extremely honest, which is good because most of us tend to idealize Japan, without ever been there or only been there only as a tourist. And having someone with that many years of experience, being so direct and honest, is very valuable.
Congrats to Taskahii for s great interview choice & content and huge congrats to Dogen for the person that he has become and the honest advice given in this podcast
Two UA-cam legends side by side. Great video, great info. Thanks.
I love Dōgen's house, I saw the complete tour on his channel. Even during this interview I couldn't stop looking at his window and the movement of the plants.
Whoah! Was not expecting to see Dogen, but this is a very welcomed interview! :D
Your editing style has really improved
I like it so much better that Takashii speaks English at normal speed in this video instead of at 4x speed on his street interviews. Those usually make him seem a bit impatient or a bit irritated with the interviewees. Bravo Takashii 🎉
Japan is a very different country from other asian countries, let alone western nations. those who are thinking of moving to japan need to reset all the values they have cultivated up to that point and make an effort to nurture them from scratch.
This guy is a legend. He's the Eminem of speaking Japanese
this was a great interview, i went on exchange in japan for a year in uni and i feel like dogen kept it real
This was amazing for foreigners studying and looking to come to Japan. I would listen to a full podcast with you and Dogen or other Americans living in Japan, such as Nick or Ananya.
Dogen is an interesting channel - I enjoy his videos. Also, I am always in awe of true bilinguals like you two who can freely and fluently switch between languages so they can express themselves in the language that most closely represents what they are trying to say. Great video, Takashii-san!
Such a cool dynamic. I'm working on my Japanese at the moment, so hopefully one day I can do that myself.
Another good interview Takashii. Keep up the good work.
Brilliant Interview, thank you Takashi-san. Really eye opening.
This has to be up there with one of your top videos Takashi!
DOGEN!!!
I love his videos!!
この人めちゃ好き！
My advice: come here without expectations, observe everything for yourself. Be a good person, learn and follow the rules. DON'T try to "become Japanese." You can't. Just learn to become yourself, as you are living in Japan. You can't become Japanese, but you can become a good neighbor, friend, and spouse.
Wiser words have never been spoken
I like that counsel!
I have a family member who did a year teaching in Japan at age 28. They worked a job and built up a lot of savings and job experience before moving over. After coming back they were able to integrate back into western society easily with a good paying job.
@@whiteberry8785 simply because they had 5 years of work experience already
@@whiteberry8785 Most foreigners in North America have limited career options if they are functionally illiterate in English.
@@zackleonard8559
So 4 years in america ?
It's refreshing to see sincere Dogen.
Lived in Japan for 18 years and not only do I have nothing to complain about the people, I miss Japan dearly. I still visit twice a year but it’s so different from living there.
It can apply anywhere
Why couldn’t you stay permanently/move there?
@ my entire family is American.its just not my decision. Japan is a nice place though.
@@greghelton4668
What is different and nice from your perspective
Dogen's comments are sooo true.....Japan and US are at opposite ends of the spectrum in so many ways, introversion / extroversion, power-distance, straightforward-ness, etc
great and insightful interview. while i have no plans to live in Japan (planning first vacation there next year) ive always been interested in their culture, work ethic, passion, craftsmanship and respect for others and their property. practicing/applying these into my life in the US. cheers
Takashi San, you have become a really good interviewer. You cover so many interesting topics!
You have a very beautiful home Dogen. I love the layout!
Question for Takashi, can you recommend any “must read” literature in Japan? Something that is important about your culture.
Excellent interview and very informative. I am a US citizen living in the countryside in Yamaguchi. I work at a US military base earning US dollars. Y’all are welcome to visit us!
@@cocolenchojapan nice comment Lawrence
You are great people. I really enjoy the content from you both.
I grew up in Okinawa and was hooked on Japanese tv shows in the 70’s. Thanks to those shows, I can speak Japanese with a Tokyo accent and not an Okinawan accent. I have a friend whose father didn’t want his kids to speak Japanese with an Okinawan accent. To this day, she cannot speak Japanese. How can you live 18 years in Japan and not pick up the language?
Very easily, those people stay in the foreigner bubble. They only have foreigner friends and speak English a majority of the time. You can get by with just a basic understanding of the language. With translation apps and accommodating Japanese people, it can be done
@ Her mom is Okinawan and she has a lot of relatives there as I do. Her mom speaks to her in Japanese and she replies in English. I can’t do that with my mom since she doesn’t understand English.
@@Mwoods2272
It's better to be fluent.
We live in Colorado, USA 🇺🇸 and the tourist prices are choking our economy locally too. The pay for locals and rent/mortgages don't align, so living here is very difficult, even as a born and raised local.
Hear, hear! Same problem down here in my Florida 😢
I enjoyed this. Pleasd, do more long-term interviews.
One of the collabs that we're all dying to see. ❤
I am just a factory worker in japan for 4yrs now but I am just doing fine , I guess it differs by culture, I am from asia so I am just thankful and contented for what I have.
Fine as in ?
Fine as in ?
I have been fortunate to visit Japan a couple of times. I admire the Japanese people and most are kind and welcoming. I have had a few encounters with some not so nice Japanese people. Though I do my best to be a respectful visitor and try to communicate in the Japanese language, the effort will never be enough since I am a foreigner. Now that I am aware of this, I have a better understanding of my negative experiences with Japanese people. I just let it go, give the person a big smile and say "Have a pleasant day"(in Japanese of course). Hopefully this gives a positive example to help give the message that there are foreigners that are sincere and appreciate the Japanese people and their wonderful country.
With the utmost respect, this unpleasant incident could happen in any country.
@gabrielmcdonnell8699 Yes. To be a respectful visitor anywhere, it's important to research any country you visit as thoroughly as possible. Many Americans especially, don't do this.
@@gabrielmcdonnell8699 Yes,I agree. I was sharing so maybe another visitor to Japan could have a deeper understanding.
@@ciggieshoreditch507
What kind of negativity
I love dogens work. Thanks for sharing this.n
Another great interview! 🎉 👏🏽 Well done Takashii San
Great interview. Been to Japan several times and hoping to immigrate there after earning my phd!
I'm originally from California. I live in Switzerland in the Alps. I went back to the states after 7 years. I was overwhelmed by people's friendliness too. It has motivated me to move back there after 17 years here. The Swiss coldness and rigidity has taken its toll. I feel very repressed, suppressed and oppressed - not good for a free spirit - as beautiful as Switzerland is.
Wow, legendary collab!
I like how clean and safe public places are in Japan.
Great breakdown but my one caveat i would have mentioned is that these work/life satisfactions aren't only indicitive of living in japan but perhaps anywhere outside ones own country. Maybe a little more pronounced here in japan since the higher level jobs will be harder to come by but the ability to be able to get job satisfaction from a new possibly lower tier job has nothing to do with the country and is a personal struggle someone needs to conquer on their own.
It certainly helps and has something to do with the country. Providing customer service through a retail job is entirely different working in Tokyo vs working in Oakland or the Tenderloin in SF. Half your interactions will be with homeless druggies or violent thieves.
@ninjagold9244 japan is a hard country to live/work in due to the extremely high standards they have, as I'm sure almost anyone reading this already knows. I'm not defending japan or trying to say it is easy, just that like someone mentioned in the video, if you are xyz in your own country you will likely still be xyz in japan. Perhaps you will just get burned out a little faster in japan 😅 so therefore gotta conquer your own demons before expecting to make it work somewhere new.
@@b-radjohnson4803No doubt, I totally agree that job satisfaction requires personal effort. Someone who doesn't even do the bare minimum will fail no matter where they live. But like you said, Japan's cultural dynamic will be more compatible with a certain kind of person and less appealing to a different kind, and that could be just enough to tip someone into either thriving or failing in that country.
@@b-radjohnson4803Rather than ‘extremely high standards’, I’d say that there is a ‘minimum standard below which things are not allowed to fall’. In housing, you might live in a tiny ‘coppo’ one-room unit, attached to 5 others next to the railway, but it will be clean, it will have a proper bathroom, air conditioning, balcony, stove, etc. There is always some dignity afforded to everybody. In much the West, there’s no bottom, no minimum standards. And dignity given to others is not universal. We look down on the low-wage unskilled labourer, the drug addict, the underachiever, and so any dignity they have has to come from within, instead of from without. And that’s tough to muster.
Wow. I never knew that Dogen lives in Kyushu. I grew up in Sendai (Miyagi-ken) and love Japan. But finding work is difficult, so I never returned to live. Even so, it’s a great place to visit for hiking, etc.
Takashii, Great Video. The best one yet. This question of what is Japan really like? The thing is each person has their own individual expectations. I'm married to a Japanese woman for 20 years and I had been visiting Japan for a long time. So I had a more realistic view (I think) of what to expect when retiring here. My pension is in USD so that actually works for me. I have many expat friends to hang out with. However I'm just a bubble of Americaness here in Japan. I very much doubt I will ever become part of Japanese culture. I came here knowing that and I accept that. I try to study the language, but I'm 68, it's daunting to say the least...but I have the rest of my life...
jimwalsh7904, Konnichiwa & Arigatou. Feel Most Welcome to check out: Nihonlens ' Lives (nearly daily from 7 to 9 AM Nippon Time). "Taku" is Nihon, of course, but the rest are mostly non Natives interested in the Culture. In my case, I'm from/in Argentina. My Swiss father spent almost 8 years of early childhood in Kobe and a sister was born there. Nihongo & English are the main Languages. "Taku" is even able to understand some Deutsch/German. My native tongue: Spanish. Arigatou again. ☘️🕊🕯🙏 (from Argentina)
I can't wait to go to Japan in March!!
Me too!!
@@isaiahgingerich5494 Nice! Are you also going in March lol?
Lucky you! Enjoy.
@@isaiahgingerich5494 Nice! Also in March lol?
@@Those2menoverthere Thanks!!
Great video, thanks Takashii!
Also, I feel like you've really improved since I first started watching your videos! keep up the great work!
Wonderful interview!
I applaud Dōgen. That was an amazing interview.
Thank you for this insightful interview! I was born and raised in Germany but spent the past decade in Ireland. Being back in Germany is such a reverse culture shock to me. Even though both countries are geographically close, they are so different culturally. Irish people tend to be friendly, outgoing, but indirect, a bit messy but "sure it'll be grand". Germans tend to be private but very direct/rude if they don't like something about you, and everything is highly regulated with no wiggle room. I definitely don't belong to my original culture at all, but people don't understand because I'm white and I can speak the language.
Dogen is an inspiration.
Thanks Dogen, thanks, Takashi! Everything said in this interview can be applied to any new country, culture, language in the world. As a language teacher I can repeat your advice, as a international, interracial, multicultural person I can just say you can and should learn from the locals or else you won't feel welcome. Thanks again!
Great content!
This video would be big help for those who're planning to live in Japan. Have fun.
I’m American & never been to Japan but I love Japanese culture.
One thing i love about japan is that almost every city is known for something special like his area for the onsens. It makes living here feel like youre in an unlimited theme park lol.
2:13 great desktop background! 2077
Takashii, what would you consider to be a good living wage in Tokyo?
I used to live in Oita Prefecture. I love Beppu!
fantastic vid
For me as an animator if I was to live in Japan one day if I choose that life, I would like or love to learn anime animation or anime comic books at the industry, but teaching English as a foreigner myself it's really really difficult 😅 it's like super fast pace, you got to keep up with 5 days of the week being a teacher it can be stressful at times, so being a teacher is not easy😅, I'm only teaching my foreign friends some English in private but not teaching the whole class English lol.
Dude tbh I don't think your life as an animator in Japan would be any better. Might be way more fast paced with the way the anime industry goes
@@AnimsOnDemand He could really get good at it with a good mentor, but I think that could be done remotely as well.
11:50 is what i miss most about the US. This is what can make Japan feel veryyyyy lonely sometimes.
Hi, could you please make a video about finding pet-friendly houses to rent in Japan as an international student/expat? People planning to move with their pets, how can they be sure they'll find suitable accommodation in Japan? How easy or difficult is it for expats to find pet-friendly house? What can be some ways to make the process easier?
I love Beppu so much. Japan is like an onsen wonderland. I often enjoyed beppu onsen hoyoland.
Im there again for silvester eve. Arriving at 30th dec and i will stay till 1st. If someone has time for a cup of coffee i would appreciate 😀
1:45 Big W for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Background
Yeah, that is awesome!
Beat me to it. That wallpaper is clean as helll
My very first bit of anime merch (or actually merch of anything at all) was the David & Lucy - To The Moon Qset+
It is based on this very shot and is so cute!
My collecting of Nendoroids went very out of hand soon afterwards ;D
Based dogen taste
My man knows
Great interview! 👏🏼
Oh I know this guy. He is a fuckin' legend. I wondered what happened to my boy. His comedy was unreal.
Quality content, keep it up!
Ah man this is awesome! This should be at least 1 or 2 hours long, if not longer hahaha
Can totally relate to the "difficult to articulate on political topics" - and it frustrates me. I am "fluent" in all day to day scenarios, but when it comes to philosophical or more academic discourse I struggle to convey the nuance I'm used to in English. Most of my Japanese friends do not really engage in philosophical conversations, so it's rarely a problem. Maybe that's the whole honne and tatemae thing.. anyway, great interview - awesome content as always. Thanks.
I see you have the shou-sugi-ban siding! That is so cool!
I always assumed Dogen lived in Tokyo like every other Expat Japan youtuber.
I love Dogen’s videos!