Why the country is better
Activity > Not area specific > Culture
I lived in Tokyo for 2 years. I get it, the city is "Exciting". You have no argument from me, it is exciting! In the city you have the restaurants the food the partying... its a great place to have a great time. However... 90% of the time a normal human is just sitting at home relaxing and enjoying quiet time. Sure, in the city you can relax... in your small cramped apartment with the sounds of traffic blasting by... great, NOT! I don't know if you have ever visiting the "country" in Japan but it is a totally different vibe than what you have experienced living in Tokyo, Osaka or any of the big cities. I remember thinking, "live 'out' of Tokyo?"... I had serious doubts but, after I jumped on the express train rode for an hour or so and stepped off... man, I could breath! No swarms of people around, no electronic noises just... space... and tranquility.
Then the agent took me to the house... yes, I said 'House' I was thinking of renting. For the same price I paid for a 2LDK, I had a whole house. I also strategically picked a location with a "super express" train that stopped at the near bye station so it was only an hour and fifteen minutes to Tokyo station. Yes, it seemed a bit far at first (and the cost of tickets put a cramp in my budget... especially since I preferred to ride the Green Car), but it really didn't take long at all to get used to and even prefer it over the cramped subways. Anyways, I could go on and one but lets get to my list:
Tranquility, Japan countryside
Tranquility
I'm pretty sure "tranquility" is an atmosphere required in the human soul. When we first came around there weren't thousands, millions of us jammed into one cave. Sure we hung out with each other in small groups but... small groups man! And, even at that, we had space... lots of space. Step outside the cave, stroll down to the creek, sit on a rock and... feel the tranquility (at least until a cave lion jumps you from behind! LOL). Its still there, lots of it... minus the cave lions. Turn off your electronic devices, step off a country train and quickly feel how fast your soul just naturally takes in the solitude.
Yams strait from a Japanese farm
Food
In the "city" you have all the great restaurants. But, how often do you eat out and... how often at a "good" (i.e. expensive) restuarant? In the country you have good food everyday. Restaurants are cheaper of course but more than that you have Famers Markets and locally produced vegetables right off the farm. Restaurants are great when you want to be "treating" but honestly... there is nothing like a home cooked meal and when the ingredients are from local farmers... you have a match made in ... perfection.
Country festival in Japan
People
The city is full of people, millions of them. You would think that since there are so many people you would be able to meet and communicate with... someone. But, as we all know... the "city" is very lonely place. You can pass by a thousand people on your way to work and not a word is spoken. Its very strange... that feeling of being surrounded by so many people but a wall stands between you and them. In the country its different. Although there are fewer people, people are people. They say, "Hi, how are you" and flash you a smile. There is no "rush" at the stores to push you out the door... service is relaxed and polite. Its easy to make new friends and you most likely will get asked out for dinner or over for some green tea. Yeah, "country people", no matter where in the world you are, are the best.
