What is the "real" Japan for you?

[KirinMan]

I've been thinking about this for a while and decided to start this poll in the interest of seeing how people think about where is or what is the focal point of the culture for you.

To me the "real" Japan is not the large metropolitan areas like Tokyo or Osaka, but more along the lines of the historical areas of Kyoto or Nara along down to the Osen's and local festivals that can be found throughout this country. Or even down here to Okinawa and the outer islands, where the personality of the people and country can be experienced daily without having the international flavor or rush of the metropolitan areas.

To me personally the large cities have too many similarities with cities and metropolitan areas of other countries, like London, Paris or New York. Of course each is unique and different and some aspects of the repsective countries remain, however I feel like they are too international to be classfied as the "real" or possibly "imagined real" Japan, France, England or USA.

What do you think?

 

[bakaKanadajin]

I voted for none of the above because the poll is a little bit limiting. What we see as real and what the Japanese hold to be the true embodiment of their own culture may not be one in the same. If you're speaking from a purely foreign point of view I'd have to say its ALL culturally relevant and exciting. I love the bright lights of Tokyo's pachislot dens as much as I love hiking in Hakone and Kamakura.

If I had to guess what embodied culture for the Japanese themselves, I'd say its the areas like Kyoto or Nara where traditions, spirituality, cuisine, lifestyle, etc. are strongest and neatly meet and co-exist in this day and age. Secondly I'd say its the inaka areas where mom and pops go about tending to their tambo's and not much happens, althought these people would be far too humble to claim they are part of the country's 'true' culture. Perhaps though, city dwellers may view these countryside people as less Westernized and therefore more traditionally Japanese than themselves. (Just a guess).

 

[zero g]

I would say Tokyo because it is full of life everywhere and seems nice...

 

[FrustratedDave]

None of the above. Japan is a place to live and bring up my family. I own a house and a modest 400窶凖伉 of land and that is where my heart is.

 

[Ewok85]

I'd say all of it - the biggest question is which is the "fake" Japan?

 

[FrustratedDave]

I'd say all of it - the biggest question is which is the "fake" Japan?

And that would be.... I have no idea.

 

[Ewok85]

Kyoto seemed pretty fake the last time I went - the station alone is abysmal.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Kyoto seemed pretty fake the last time I went - the station alone is abysmal.

I can see why you think that.

 

[gaijinalways]

Kyoto seemed pretty fake the last time I went - the station alone is abysmal.

I think the word you're looking for is 'too modern', especially jarring for a place like traditional Kyoto

 

[Ewok85]

I think the word you're looking for is 'too modern', especially jarring for a place like traditional Kyoto

"Too modern" is not what I mean, its like ripping down all but one tree in a rain forest, building up around it, and refusing to stop calling it a rain forest

 

[KirinMan]

I think the word you're looking for is 'too modern', especially jarring for a place like traditional Kyoto

Interesting point, what is the impression that people have of Japan as well. Are people looking for the traditional historical Japan or the modern Japan.

Does anyone know of a place here that blends the two together without being overly commercialized.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

None of the above.

The "real" Japan to me is in the hearts of the people around me.

Just like the "real" America to me is in the hearts of Americans. (I'm American if you haven't guessed.)

Japan is a geographic region; this can never be denied. But what makes Japan specifically Japan and nowhere else is its history and culture, which, although one could easily argue can be embodied in a place, but I think of it as a more abstract phenomenon. In many cases, the 'place' was/is just incidental, although there is no question that geography has a profound impact on people.

 

[Alma]

well, what is "real"...? if you mean something like my impression, first though that I associate with Japan... then I would say all of above... it is mixture of old and new, traditional and (super)modern life and architecture.

 

[yukio_michael]

I always think that the "real Japan" is hidden inside of you, if you've lived there for any amount of time... No one who hasn't been wants to break their image of what they think it might be... It's a lot of different things to me,some less romantic than I originally imagined...

Old and new, this and that, doesn't really factor into it for me... these things intermingle. It's the people, places, spaces--- nature, concrete, buildings, attitudes, environment--- I never took the time to see the 'classical representation' of Japan, because it was never important to me to go sight seeing--- I was interested in 'living'...

The film that most reminds me of Japan is Dare mo shiranai... the clacking of the train across tracks as you pass buildings and wires, and the common mansion apartments and business you see as you go.

It's just one person's perspective, that's all...

 

[nice gaijin]

"the life of nations no less than that of men is lived largely in the imagination."
-Enoch Powell

Reality is whatever you lay claim to. It's correct for you and at the same time utterly wrong. At the moment, the reality of Japan for me is Tokyo, since that's where I'm living. But of course, there's much more to this country than my tiny room in my tiny house in my tiny neighborhood in my tiny ward in my tiny city in my tiny....

 

[bakaKanadajin]

Does anyone know of a place here that blends the two together without being overly commercialized.

I've so far visited Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe and Hiroshima. Not a long list but a good amount of large and large-ish cities. I'd say that, so far, Hiroshima was the most beautiful in my eyes. I don't know why specifically but I think it was a combination of the city life combined with the gentle spirit of the people there. A good mix of tradition, culture and development.

Everyone there in the stores and shops and also in the country side as you move outwards a bit, is very kind. They still exhibit what in my limited experience is the traditional Japanese spirit and way of life, that polite, hard-working ethic that the Japanese are known for. A hearty 'ohayo' in the morning, 'konichiha' in the afternoon, very little of that jaded Tokyo feel. I know Hiroshima isn't the only place like this of course but again, this has been my limited experience.

Culturally Miyajima island is probably the richest location in Hiroshima. The shrines, buildings, way of life, manjuu bakeries, deer walking around freely, its all there. Also, who can forget Peace Park and the tragic history of Hiroshima..

On a lighter note, Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is everywhere, tabenasai

 

[Grandpa Frank]

I guess for me....

my "real" Japan is here on JREF. I have my memories of Japan back in 70&71, coming here renews them. Unless I win the lottery, I doubt I will every return to Japan. So for my day to day life, the JREF Forum and all the wonderful people here are my "real" Japan.

Uncle Frank

 

[ArmandV]

my "real" Japan is here on JREF. I have my memories of Japan back in 70&71, coming here renews them. Unless I win the lottery, I doubt I will every return to Japan. So for my day to day life, the JREF Forum and all the wonderful people here are my "real" Japan.
Uncle Frank

Jeez, Frank. You don't need the lottery's money to go to Japan. Just save your money.

 

[Damicci]

I voted none because Japan contains all of the top three poll options. Anybody that has an interest in japan visted and enjoys the country will know the real japan has a slew of various differences as with most countries.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

You don't know my wife, LOL.

She's Scottish and controls the household money; I'd have to win the lottery if I wanted to go to the next state over, LOL.

Uncle Frank

 

[Alma]

She's Scottish and controls the household money; I'd have to win the lottery if I wanted to go to the next state over, LOL.
Uncle Frank

so... I heard something similar about scottish people... are you saying that stereotype is based on truth, or you are saying it just because and does she knows how you talk about her on forum just joking

 

[Alma]

and I am actually waiting for definition of ''real''. till then, I cannot vote.

 

[Damicci]

You don't need a definition of real. WHat is real to you is what matters. hence the none of the above option.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

A few people have mentioned that real is what you make it. This is definitely true when speaking about something that can only be viewed subjectively. I would offer the opinion, however, that the Japanese can be objective about their own culture and clearly state what the real Japanese experience should be, regardless of what we foreigners believe. They are in a position to dictate what hallmarks and traditions most clearly define their heritage. If we don't grant them this then Japanese cuture by definition cannot exist. Something tangible must exist that is unique to that group.

For example if someone visited a Western country and just went to a bunch of Chinese food restaurants, played a few slot machines, hit a strip club or two and then flew home, could we really say they'd had a culturally relevant experience? Did they come away with anything they couldn't get somewhere else?

 

[Alma]

You don't need a definition of real. WHat is real to you is what matters. hence the none of the above option.

I said that because I see so many different answers. But I guess it is because, as bakaKanadajin said, something that is viewed totally subjectively.