What’s your favorite reason? 🫶

I’m almost 70 years old and I retired last year. I’ve been to Japan about 20 times, and although i don’t see myself moving there, I plan to spend maybe 3 months or more of the year there going forward. I love riding the trains and I spend a week at a time staying in an APA Hotel or a Toyoko Inn as I explore the country. All your reasons are spot on. I’ve been to about 50 countries and Japan is #1 in my book. Watch all your videos.

Agree with all especially fashion and how convenient life is as a whole❤ I remeber what I loved most was the silence, in public transports, in the streets,.. just the quiet was heavenly.

I’m also from Florida and lived in Japan and people always ask why I would ever want to leave and move back to Japan and then that’s how I know they’ve never been to Japan. 🌴 All these reasons are why I love it also and so many more. Great video as always, Allison!

I liked all the reasons you listed. As a mother of a daughter who has lived in Japan for 11 years now=I love how safe it is. I love how easy it is to be single in Japan. My daughter loves to travel domestically, her bucket list is to visit every prefecture in Japan. She still has some to go. She seems to find interesting places, foods, and people everywhere. I have visited her once and it was amazing. All though I miss her, I get why she loves living there.

When I lived in Japan I liked the sense of achievement everyday. There is always something new to new language wise and then using that language to get you by was exciting.

I feel pretty validated listening to your reasons, because I totally agree, even though (so far!) I've just been to Japan ans a tourist, and people often say, "oh, you wouldn't think that if you lived there." I felt that Japanese society really meshed with my personality and preferences and generally how I like to go about my life. I like the orderliness and rules and group-minded thinking even more than you do, I think! And I mean......... the conbini. I would live in Japan full time if it were possible for my family, buuuut it isn't. I'm hoping to attend a language school for several months soon though. I also agree so much about fashion!! My first time in Tokyo, after a few days, I actually bought some makeup because I felt inspired to do better. Like you say, not shamed into it or anything, I just felt like, oh, it would be nice to put more effort into my appearance like everyone else. I brought a pretty different wardrobe with me after my first trip. It's honestly impacted my fashion a lot.

Thank you for liking Japan!

This video popped up on my feed a few days ago and I was feeling depressed...I am living and working in Japan now and have been kinda "over it" about my job, or more specifically, my company. Anyway, today I signed the lease for my own apt and am feeling empowered once again, so yeah! The safety...you really get used to it. Like, I leave my bag and backpack at my table at a restaurant or coffee shop while I go in the bathroom. The other night I left my backpack in my bike basket while I went inside a restaurant for dinner. Tonight I actually left my wallet in a coffeeshop, but they found it and gave it back, 良かった! People, for the most part, do not steal things or touch things that are not theirs.

I'm going to be in Japan the end of March, I'm doing a 6 wk solo trip, I'm very excited, I was born in Japan and it's been yrs since I've been back.

I hope to live in Japan one day. Though i haven't visited before, everything about Japan is what i want in life. Actual culture, festivals, nice environment and people etc. I dont get much support with the idea and im still young so it feels difficult even trying. But i take channels like yours as motivation. Thanks for another great video!!

40 years ago I worked at Misawa. I'd get lost in the countryside and wander the small towns. Very polite people and so many cafes. I miss that freedom. I have cousins in Southern Honshu and a nephew that wants to live in Japan. My ancestors are from the Nagoya area. Very nice video.

I'm a full-on geezer in my 60s, but recalling my first year in Japan, back in 1981-82, I can say without question that the public toilets have improved dramatically. They were horrible in the 80s, by present standards. Most public toilets were of the classic "squat" style. And while Japan is undoubtedly safer than either the US or my home country of Canada, and I always felt confident about my daughters when they went about by themselves, there were two weird occasions in my experience 42 years ago when my safety was momentarily challenged: 1. While walking home in the dark at around 10 pm or so, a drunken (I assume) man lunged at me. He was too drunk to make contact, and then staggered onward who knows where. 2. Another time, while in an area full of people - it was a holiday, I think - another drunken man (even though it was early afternoon!) grabbed me in a bear hug and lifted me up. It took a couple of my friends pulling hard on his arms before he dropped me and wandered off. I lived in Japan for about ten years in total throughout the 80s and 90s, but those were the only such incidents I ever experienced (nothing like that ever happened in Canada, by the way). Thanks for your stories about life in Japan, Allison. They are great fun.

Really lovely video.Thank you ☃️🎄

Totally agree, Allison❤

Another Florida boy. I spent 3 years in Japan with the U.S. Army in the late 60's and loved it. Great video and thanks for the informative and entertaining video!

I'm possibly moving to Japan next year and have watched a bunch of your videos in preparation. You explain everything very well and give a realistic approach! You have a new subscriber here :)

I have only been on short trips to Japan. I love the feeling of safety, the cleanliness of public bathrooms and public places in general, and how people take pride in their food preparation which results in delicious food at all price levels.

Great list! My favorite reasons (at least for visiting) are safety and the fandom support (like going to theme cafes and popups). While I don't think I could up and move my family, I'm always tempted by videos like these :)

I agree with the konbini/grocery stores, prices/cost, variety of activities, and customer service. I didn’t find it to be particularly more safe. I was shoved by a man in Sept on an empty street in Osaka. This apparently happens, but overall better than the US as a whole. Residents are much more “polite” and shy, than friendly. I can see now why other countries view the US as an outgoing place 😂

i've been watching your channel more as im moving to japan next april for language school and i'm really enjoying these types of videos.

I definitely want to move to Japan after I have completed my Diploma in Arts/Bachelor of Arts in the next 3 years but in the meantime I will travel to Japan for holidays.

Thanks, Allison! Great informative video!

I plan to move when I retire, but only for three month stretches. Regarding customer service, it's great, but rigid. You might be disappointed if you ask for something out of the ordinary.

Very informative! ❤

Yes this all is so true!! The thing that really made me happy there was how nobody caref for how u looked like. Here in Belgium,being alternative and higher fashion sensed is still seen as very weird and would sometimes call u out on it,while my stay in japan,i saw people wearing the styles i wear on daily basis and nobody looked back twice at me when i passed by which made me feel so free, i absolutely love their fashion. The prices are really great,also at convenience stores,the toilets are indeed very nice,u can heat up your toilet seat,let it make water or bird noises if u want more privacy,its really great and i miss it so much

I like this new editing style~

Excellent video. Again. Good job.

Respect for Japan

thank you so much! looking forward to more informative content from you!

Can you do a video where you talk about the challenges of working in Japan?

Your videos are so good and omg you crack me uppp. 😂 Like we all love japan and want to live there but you're so real about the downsides of it too! Oh, would you ever have a meetup with your followers? I think that'd be so fun 😊✨️

Thank you for all your content - I love following - am beginning Japanese learner, and you spur me on to keep going, and get to Japan eventually some day some how..!

I just got back from a month long trip to japan and when I landed in the Denver airport the first thing that was HUGELY apparent to me was the sloppy, disorganized way so many people are 😭. Coming from such a huge contrast I didn't really notice it until I was in Japan. People are SO nice there even when you don't ask for help rhett offer it, especially when you have that super confused look on your face like I did a lot of the time. I dropped money I wasn't aware of and a guy picked it up and gave it to me😌 I definitely miss how people there are, generally speaking.

Your editor definitely made improvements in their work!! It is jarring at first cuz it's not ur editing style but overall I think they're doing a great job now 😊

Interesting video, thank you!🙏😲☺️🇯🇵🗾

Love all your videos and always look forward for them! Liked straight, before watching. 🙂 Your videos are always amazing. Thanks! Starting to watch, - interesting topic. ❤

Nice video. I agree with most of your points. I think honestly the hardest part is getting the visa to live here. I've been living in Tohoku (Iwate) for about 18 months. I think life is convenient and comfortable here. That said, I think there are some notable differences between Tokyo, Kanto area and Tohoku. There is also a notable lifestyle difference depending on whether or not you can drive. I JUST got a car/Japanese driver's license in October, and in Tohoku it makes a HUGE difference. I am probably moving to Nagoya area next March - there is so much that I haven't been able to get to easily/affordably from here. So I'd caution anyone, especially people coming as ALTs: Northern Japan is still cool and very beautiful, but it's very far away from Tokyo, and VERY far away from Osaka and Kyoto, and VERY VERY far away from Hiroshima. So if those are places you want to visit, understand that you'll probably have to fly, pay a LOT for the long shinkansen ride, or take night busses. The night busses seem complicated to book, but I haven't tried them. Also for incoming ALTs, I recommend you don't accept a non-driving position if you're offered a position in Tohoku. IF you get a driving position, get your Japanese driver's license while your international driver's license is still valid - do it as soon as you can. For everyone, tourists and future and current residents alike, I also recommend registering at the ubiquitous internet cafe Kaikatsu Club (快活 Club), during the day, when they're staffed. You may have heard of 'internet cafes', but might not realize that you need to be registered, and have a card, and some of them are not staffed at night. To register, you will need a passport or residence card. Even though my stuff was legit, during the process a human phone call/correspondence was required to complete the process (I don't know why, but had there not been staff I would have been unsuccessful). So, then if you miss the last train, you have shelter for the night, and free soft serve. Long story, didn't know this, streets of Ueno all night. Anyway, do it and carry the card with you on trips. But yeah, living in Japan is nice. I hope to be able to stay a few more years.

Its funny how people have different reactions to how popular anime is in Japan. For me I went in thinking it would not be as popular as it is as people always say that online. But got here it's everywhere, train stations and everything have tie ins. The other thing is people saying Japan is not like an anime depends on what anime you watch as it very much is like a slice of life show as these shows reflect life but in a more extreme way. Main problem is my language ability feels like it hits a brick wall as I was never good with foreign languages as a traveled alot when I was younger and everyone spoke English everywhere in the world, but in Japan...

I love this video! Allison is so intelligent, analytical, open- and fair-minded, brave, Articulate!, honest, natural, warm and fun to listen too. 🥰 Thank you for the empowering, inspiring and entertaining video. As my extra comment, I have a doll of Pikachuu too in my room in Sydney. A very similar one shown in her room. It brightens up my room everyday! It brings Japanese smartness, warmth, cuteness and beauty. Incredible power. 👍😄🥰

Great video. Makes me want to come back! I agree that the safety is the biggest plus 👍

I love the clean you said Tokyo is and the safety you fill there. I think Japan is a very disciplined country and I Love that. Where I live is none of those things and is very frustrating.

God, I want to live there, it's a Dreamland...

Thank you.

Allison could you do a video on when’s the best time to move to Japan?

When I was in my 20s I modeled in the top fashion industry capitals (Paris, Milan, New York, Hamburg and Tokyo) for top fashion designers and Tokyo was my favorite experience as a model. I've had 3 trips to Tokyo for modeling work. 2 times was in the 90's and the last time I spent time in Tokyo was in 2006 with my daughter. Best experience by far of all the cities I modeled in.

Safety and convenience are my tippy top reasons why I love living in Japan. Also how it's great for living alone. Great video as always. Question: in one of your past videos you mentioned an app with Japanese food and cooking. Can you tell me what it was please?

I live in Japan too and I agree with your reasons too. Although I'd like people to think and express their own opinions.

Hi! I love your videos! Who's that bird figurine behind you, near Pikachu?

Like you said Allison it is safe to go anywhere, here in the united states it is not safe I was assaulted last May coming out of a store he hit me with a metal pipe on my shoulder,sufferd cuts to my hands knees and chest.

Love all your points, particularly the cleanliness and safety. So I was a bit surprised to see a recent thread on a FB Japan group exposing the difficulties many foreigners and expats face in Japan to get hospital treatment. The original post said they were turned away by one hospital even with the help of their hotel concierge, and then had to pay in cash up front as the next hospital refused to deal with their insurers. Other comments reported that a little expat girl died a few years ago after falling off an escalator then being refused treatment at three different hospitals. This is rather alarming - have you experienced or heard of similar difficulties?

I like living here very much. Music, fashion and everything cute available 24/7.

Loved this video, makes me wanna move to Japan too! 😅❤ Since you mentioned anime, I know it's a bit off topic, but do you have any recommendations? I'm sort of new to the world of anime, and would like to try watching some, but I don't know where to start (I've just watched some classics, like Evangelion, Dragon Ball....😂).

Awesome

"Public transportation is not bad" - understatement of the year

Aaaahhhhh…!!!! Due to my autism x mental health I wouldn’t be able to live n Japan but want to visit Kyoto badly for my first 10 day trip in Japan❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Thanks for this video Allison!!!^___

What visa do you use? Travel visa? Are you legal?

Your hand gestures and body language vaguely remind me of another KZfaqr, Sharmeleon. Kawaīdesu!

Men will never understand how freeing it is as a woman to walk around freely

I find it ironic that the image you showed of a "fashionable girl" looks nothing like any girl I have ever seen in Japan. The fashion is far more quirky and cool that just a girl in a body-con dress. I love thrift shopping here. I try to only buy things that are made in Japan because the quality is so far and above anything else. It's not as cheap as an American thrift store, but it's well-worth what you get and there are def plenty of bargains. I need to buy some things for my apartment, but I'm not buying anything until after my actual move in date. Nevertheless, I do go in Second Street to just take a look. The other night I found a cool pendant light--900 yen. A big shelf unit for 300 yen---what!?! Used furniture can be so absurdly cheap, they might as well just give it away. And sometimes they do. I have found excellent things on the curb! Once I found both a rice cooker and a sewing machine in the recycle bin. They both worked perfectly. I sold the machine when I left Japan to another foreigner for 2000 yen, lol. Oh yeah, and my bike? I paid 5000 yen for it.

how can I move to Japan when I retire in 10 years, they don't have a retirement visa like other countries?

TRAINS ❤ efficiency and punctuality Safety Functional everything-things work as they're supposed to and people do their job Good customer service Onsens and ryokans Snow season and skiing Sakura and koyou seasons Unique niche subcultures and hobbies Top quality and larger variety of food

The working is another point... That's why I always say, if I were rich I would totly live in Japan. XD

I'm thinking of just keeping my American wage and then just buying a house in cash somewhere

First?

Shibuya and Shinjuku are only dirty by Japanese standards. You literally cannot find a (big) city in America that is as clean as these neighborhoods.

Those who observe Japanese law and custom are happy and we Japanese welcome them. However those who want to change Japanese law and custom will not be happy, and we do not welcome them to come to Japan.

The usa being individualistic is part if what makes it so horrible and crime ridden. It’s absolutely terrible

Don’t like it but I have no choice 🤷‍♀️😂True. Making the best of it. Good and bad here like in all countries. Used to be less xenophobia back in the day. That’s why I don’t like it now.

13 Reasons Why - sounds scary 👀 ngl