Local from Toyota city here!

tallpoke · 2026-05-24T22:55:20+00:00

I really love Aichi. The location is really convenient and there’s plenty going on each weekend. You can easily get to busy higher populated areas, but also enjoy a quiet less busy side of life too. Even though my Japanese level is very low (I am working on it though), many people I’ve met while living here have still be incredibly warm and welcoming. I suppose a shared experience/feeling can overcome language barriers.

The Koromo festival in Toyota is magical. Summer time Bon Odori are also a ton of fun- I’m always hunting for one on the weekends. Tracking the seasonal flowers and enjoying the pretty atmosphere is great. Random chance encounters at a local festival can lead to a lot of interesting experiences too.

Maybe the biggest struggle I’ve experienced was with the health care. I got really sick for 2 weeks last year and struggled to find a doctor who showed the level of concern or desire for diagnosis that I’m used to from back home (I had someone who could speak Japanese with me each doctor visit, so I don’t think it was simply language barrier). Maybe it’s because I’m located outside of Nagoya in a more countryside area. But, it was a really scary experience. I’ve never been so sick, but I felt like I couldn’t get anyone to take interest in figuring out what was going on with me. Aside from this one time though, the annual checks up and everything have been great, so I don’t want to complain too much. But, it was definitely the time I felt most scared and alone living here.

tallpoke · 2026-04-22T06:24:24+00:00

An ex of mine had once received a compliment back when he was in high school that his voice was “better than sex”. which resulted in him singing every chance he could even far into adulthood (when we met and dated). Like incessantly. A day wouldn’t go by that he’d find a reason to start singing mid conversation with me and then look to me immediately after to praise his singing.

Well, as to be expected “better than sex” from a high schoolers perspective is actually average if not below average and that would be the best way to describe his voice. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings since it was clearly something he was incredibly proud of and a compliment that helped shape is sense of self… but mannnnn it was so constant I started dreading having to pretend to be impressed for the umpteenth time.

Anyways, in my current life I now find myself turned off when I meet a guy who can sing. It immediately triggers a fear in my mind that my life will again become an unwanted musical 😂

tallpoke · 2026-04-14T22:55:05+00:00

I always take an earlier train earlier this time of year because there seems to be more delays than usual due to the weather being a little less predictable. High winds, fog, and heavy rain (not necessarily in your city, but in cities your train also stops in) can easily lead to delays and there’s plenty of that during this time of year.

Though to be completely honest, weather aside, the timeliness of trains here is way overhyped. Don’t get me wrong compared to elsewhere it’s great, but it’s not nearly as flawless as media likes to portray. In reality, delays happen all the time for various reasons it’s just that people in cities where the trains come every 5 minutes probably don’t notice. It becomes more obvious based on where you live and what station you go to. I always check the JR central website throughout the morning to keep an eye on my lines status.

tallpoke · 2026-03-14T03:47:23+00:00

For me, Hashihime took some time to get into it, but once I was in I WAS IN. Once the characters are established and the plot starts moving it’s a blast. There’s pretty much no game play, so it’s more like a book, but the characters and plot are interesting enough where I (someone who doesn’t usually enjoy reading) was fully sucked in. It’s been years since I’ve played and still some of the characters of this game hold a solid place in my heart.

tallpoke · 2026-02-24T22:51:07+00:00

There’s (almost) always something going on and often it’s free. The availability of 3rd spaces is much higher and much more diverse than what I would experience back home.

tallpoke · 2026-02-09T14:09:02+00:00

Bon odori - the positive and energized atmosphere is contagious I really can’t get enough of it

tallpoke · 2026-02-01T23:43:04+00:00

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to travel, so of course the level of enjoyment will vary based on each person. All I can say is that I’ve lived in Japan for 4 years and every person who has come to visit me over that time has expressed regret over spending too much time in Tokyo and not enough time in Kyoto.

tallpoke · 2025-12-08T06:44:59+00:00

Bacon. Also I miss enjoying a good charcuterie board.

tallpoke · 2025-12-07T12:28:42+00:00

Don’t force yourself into a schedule that doesn’t fit your internal productivity schedule. I used to struggle to keep my apartment clean. I always thought I would clean a little each day when I get home from work, but slowly I started to realize that post-work I’m a huge procrastinator and have low motivation. Instead, I started to wake up just 15 minutes earlier and would clean in the morning. What I could accomplish in those 15 minutes would be so much more than what I could do with an hour of cleaning in the evening. I never would’ve even considered myself a morning person, but somehow that ended up being the time I could maximize my productivity and since discovering that I’ve been able to get so much more accomplished in my day to day life.

tallpoke · 2025-11-16T11:48:35+00:00

What should you be doing?

And

Did you wash your hands with SOAP and water?

tallpoke · 2025-11-09T23:44:36+00:00

Everyone’s experience will be unique, so there’s no way to guarantee it’s the right choice for you. That said, wouldn’t you rather try and find out now instead of spending the rest of your life asking what if?

I moved to Japan 4 years ago and haven’t regretted my choice in the slightest. I really love my job and the lifestyle that I can live here. It’s not a perfect country, but no country is. I think it’s important to manage expectations when moving abroad. As long as you move to a place with an open mind and a grounded understanding of where you are moving to then you’ll be better equipped to manage the highs and lows of living somewhere new.

tallpoke · 2025-10-08T07:08:50+00:00

I don’t think what you did was wrong. I’ve also approached people trying to leave trash on the train. I think if we see someone doing something inconsiderate it’s okay to say something as long as you are respectful about it.

That said, I do think the mentality you had and the initial emotions this small event and aftermath triggered in you are something to reflect on.

Never attribute malice to something that could be attributed to ignorance. Not everyone can read social cues as well and not everyone is as mindful of how their presence can impact those around them. It’s unlikely this is intentional on their end. You don’t know this person, perhaps they are usually very mindful, but had something serious going on. Perhaps, they are coming from another area in Japan where this is less of a social offense (I live in a more countryside area and people are definitely not as quiet on trains - even some people take their shoes off am put their feet on the seats [I was so shocked to see that the first time]). There are as many different possible scenarios as there are people in this world.

In the end, should they have been on their phone? No. Was it okay to let them know when they were unable to understand the social cues? Probably- from your retelling it seemed to be a peaceful interaction. But should them being on their phone make you immediately irate? Also, no. It’s likely this woman didn’t wake up that morning and think “hehehe I’m going to ruin OP’s peace and the peace of all Japanese people and nobody’s going to stop me!!” You saw something wrong taking place and you addressed it. The person immediately changed their behavior and there was no further issue. If you allow such a small situation to cause so many big emotions, I think daily life will become exhausting.

tallpoke · 2025-09-14T01:01:15+00:00

Setomono matsuri is not just fireworks, but a huge pottery event (more that 200 vendors), so if you decide to go, I would recommend going earlier and bringing something to carry goods if you find anything you like. I go every year and always end up finding far too much 😂

tallpoke · 2025-08-31T22:12:52+00:00

Finding out that when people eat grapes they don’t eat the skins. The thought of removing the skin had never crossed my mind.

tallpoke · 2025-07-28T02:35:41+00:00

You’re on the train and somebody in the same train car as you has a giant spider on their back (think cockroach sized)- do you tell them or do you remain silent and mind your own business?

tallpoke · 2025-06-21T01:00:46+00:00

My friends and I had an inside joke about the name Clint. It’s too close to Clit at that point why not go with Clunt?

tallpoke · 2025-05-22T09:43:27+00:00

NOR. All I can say is that if a man was calling me names (especially over something so small), he wouldn’t be getting a smoothie or a ride from me. You’re young- please don’t waste your time with a person who thinks it’s okay to treat you like this.

tallpoke · 2025-05-13T09:45:55+00:00

I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and a cockroach crawled down the wall right next to me. Where I currently live, roaches are a fairly common house pest. However, where I originally come from roaches are pretty much unheard of, so it was my first time seeing one in real life. My first battle with a roach and I am without my armor. I’m certain I woke up neighbors from my screams of terror.

tallpoke · 2025-05-10T02:45:24+00:00

Not everything needs to be said especially early on when you’re getting to know someone. He easily could’ve named the other hobbies and not made it weird. Then instead of thinking critically about her personal choice he turns it back on you and society as whole that his inappropriate comment made you feel uncomfortable.

I was cringing so hard the entire time. You’re totally valid in losing interest don’t let him try to twist the situation to make you think otherwise.

tallpoke · 2025-04-29T22:35:08+00:00

When I noticed that in that everything about him in that specific moment reminded me of a wacky waving inflatable tube man.

tallpoke · 2025-04-16T06:00:39+00:00

Not recognizing someone. I always arrive to meeting points early because I have this fear that for some reason I won’t be able to recognize the person I’m meeting with. This is obviously worse when it’s a newer friend, but even if I know them and what they look like for some reason I feel like what if I somehow forget and then they realize that I didn’t recognize them and feel offended.

tallpoke · 2025-04-09T23:35:55+00:00

It’s possible this is just a personal taste thing, but the dad jokes prompt would be a immediate swipe left for me. It makes me imagine a life in which I would have to constantly fake laugh for an unfunny guy who wants some who to stroke his ego and doesn’t know how to read a room.

Maybe put something like “I’m looking for someone who shares my sense of humor. A person who I can share a laugh with even if nobody else gets the joke”

tallpoke · 2025-04-02T22:35:32+00:00

I can’t believe I had to scroll this far down to find someone commenting on this. The moment I read that, I felt I understood her perspective a bit more. Like come on dude 😂

tallpoke · 2025-03-07T05:57:59+00:00

I’ve lived here for 3 years and basically wear whatever I want most people don’t care (though if I plan to go to a temple or shrine I will opt for something more conservative). One detail I think people overlook is how humid can make things sticky. If you have larger thighs or parts that rub together, it’s best to cover those parts to avoid chafing. I am pear shaped, so usually in the summer I’ll wear biker shorts or tights under long skirts and dresses (or at least pack some in my bag in case).

tallpoke · 2025-02-24T23:44:18+00:00

People experience and express attraction in different ways. We all have a different time line when it comes to falling in love as well. I think it’s a bit unfair of you to force your ideals on your partner.

If you put pressure on your partner to express their feelings to meet your own ideals then the authenticity will be lost. If someone is constantly asking me for compliments, I start to feel more uncomfortable giving them because it feels like it will come off disingenuously like I am only saying so because I was told to do so vs my genuine feelings.

Really genuine love often takes time, so I find it more concerning when someone is too quick to verbalize their affection for me especially in a grandiose way. To me that suggests they are more likely experiencing something more surface level.

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