Northern and Southern Japan identities

[Azomyr]

I would like to open that thead to ask about the north-south cultural differences in Japan. I have never been in Japan but my former Japanese-language teacher -a native from Tōhoku- told me that from the northern perspective, the "southern character" could be seen for some as "less formal". Could somebody tell me how far is that north-south distinction? In southern Japan it can be found a level of formal relaxation and warmth comparable to some western standards?
Thanks

 

[Mike Cash]

I think the only people who think of Japan in terms of a north-south dichotomy are the people who live in the north. Outside of the Tohoku region you will hear far more references to east-west.

 

[Half-n-Half]

I think that's true even in the North, as we don't refer to a few people on our frisbee team as "being from the South" but instead as being from Kansai.