I am a pure bred New Yorker. The way I talk, conduct myself all came from the hard lessons I've learned in New York City. The hustle, the slang, the swagger, the attitude are things I personally consider my strengths and also my proudest attributes of being a New Yorker.
However, there is just something about Japan that I wanted to experience. Personally, for me living an inaka was great. There is just great disparity among people from a small town compared to living in a big giant city. People are nicer, there is more emphasis on tradition and family values. It certainly was a nice change of pace for me. I was used to having to speed walk from one place to another in New York; while here I am in a small town not having to worry about it at all.
The years finally took its toll on me and this is a short essay on the cost of living in a Japanese Small Town.
I live in a small town here in Yamanashi. There are no big giant public transportation. Buses run on a short and limited schedule. You are better off having a car to get you to places more conveniently. Or if you are like me then biking from one place to another.
As a New Yorker, I don't really know anyone that drives. It was never a thing for me growing up. I lived in Roosevelt Avenue in Queens and the 7 train can take me to the city in 30 minutes or less. When I finally got my own place in the city I was fairly close to the A,C and E train which got me downtown conveniently enough. So driving was something I never really considered. I think my father always complaining about finding a parking spot in NYC always dissuaded me into learning how to drive.
Driving in Japan is a very tedious experience. The driving lessons range from 2-4 weeks and cast from 300,000¥ or higher. That is if you don't know how to drive. Practicing your driving in the driving center can also cost you some hard earned cash. The paperwork to translate your documents to Japanese for experienced drivers can also be troublesome. If you don't have a Japanese friend there to help you or if your Japanese is non existent; it is even a bigger pain in the ass.
All that factored in my decision to just ride my bike in my small town. Sure the hills are a pain and grocery shopping is complicated. Weather is a bitch when it rains and snows but all in all it works for me. It also does not help that I was severely getting underpaid by my company the first year I was here. But with good fortune and blessings I was able to get out of their terrible terrible pay #Borderlink.
I got a better paying job, apartment and situation. I actually have enough money now to take the drivers test and buy a brand new car. However, just reading and watching the horror stories online can be a bit discouraging. Not to mention I am a bit spoiled now at my new location. I have 2 combinis close by and the local shopping area is only a 16 minute bike ride away. My school is really close by with no high hills to slow me down.
However, here is the kicker. It is painfully obvious that traveling around my area is expensive using public transportation. Let's break it down a bit for everyone.
Local Taxi in my area start at 700¥ (More or less 7 US dollars) That is just to get in and hopefully take you somewhere fairly close. Somewhere under 1 km.
The local bus that will take me to the capital city in Yamanashi which is Kofu will cost me 690¥ ( Again more or less than 7 US) one way. Imagine going to a capital city where you can finally have access to trains that can get you to Tokyo but you are already 7 dollars out.
Then you find out that trains to Tokyo are insanely MORE expensive.
That's right folks upwards to 40 dollars or more to get you to Tokyo. That is just Shinjuku by the way. So if you are traveling past Shinjuku then be prepared to spend more cash.
Did I forget to mention that is only one way.
YUP! GOING to TOKYO for a DAY will cost you up to A HUNDRED DOLLARS A DAY from where I live. That is a roundtrip train ticket and bus home. Spending a weekend? Be prepared to spend money on a hotel as well.
Ain't that a bitch?
Living in a small town has a sever disadvantage if you are in love with big city shenanigans.
The bus that gets me home from Kofu? Runs on a limited schedule and the last bus to get me home is actually at 8 on weekdays and 7:30 on weekends. Which factors in on your travel time to get back home from Tokyo.
Take a taxi you say? As mentioned earlier the one hour Taxi ride home from Kofu actually cost MORE than the train to Tokyo because of its price hike after 10 PM! I actually took a Taxi once from a train stop closer to my home and it still cost me 4000¥!!! My soul died a bit paying the taxi driver the fare. And the only reason I did that was that I was coming from Narita Airport back to Kofu.
In the end, if you like your area placement and have no interest in Tokyo or big city adventures you should be fine. There was really nothing about Tokyo that made me want to come there every weekend. When I do I make every second and minute count. I go all out because I usually make sure I save enough money for the travel cost, hotel, shenanigan money and other emergency funds that might occur during my visit there. So just remember to be prepared and always have backup funds available to you at all times.
Thanks for reading! Have something to add or say? Leave a comment down below!
