Cities with a similar vibe to Fukuoka?

[lemsip]

I lived in Fukuoka in 2003/04 and really enjoyed it, thought it was really vibrant, good nightlife, lots of stuff nearby and yet not too big so it all seemed manageable.

I'm thinking of coming back to Japan to live, but choosing another city just so it seems fresh. I know no other city is gonna match it exactly but anyone have any input or suggestions of cities that are similar in vibe/size/nature? I'm thinking Kobe??

Thanks, and sorry if the question is kinda vague!

[Chromedome]

When I was in Amsterdam, the girls would often say, ' f@k U OK? Ahhh'

[jay-jay]

I lived in Fukuoka in 2003/04 and really enjoyed it, thought it was really vibrant, good nightlife, lots of stuff nearby and yet not too big so it all seemed manageable.

I'm thinking of coming back to Japan to live, but choosing another city just so it seems fresh. I know no other city is gonna match it exactly but anyone have any input or suggestions of cities that are similar in vibe/size/nature? I'm thinking Kobe??

Thanks, and sorry if the question is kinda vague!

no problem. you want a japanese city with the same vibe as fukuoka? any city will do. same shops, same restaurants, same people, same fashion, same music... same same same...

[Guru]

I am curious. What specific parts of Fukuoka have you found so fascinating?

[ethanol]

no problem. you want a japanese city with the same vibe as fukuoka? any city will do. same shops, same restaurants, same people, same fashion, same music... same same same...

would disagree, fukuoka definitely has it's own 'vibe' that sets it apart from other cities in japan.

[lemsip]

Loved the yatai stalls, ramen etc. Structure/layout of the city itself. Big but manageable. Climate, close to nagasaki/hiroshima, could go to South Korea for the weekend etc. Yadda yadda yadda.

But back to my original question, anyone lived in Kobe before?

[wernst]

Kobe is great. I love Kobe. Beautiful city, friendly people, fashionable, between the mountains and ocean. Yep wouldnt mind moving there. Same vibe as Fukuoka? Might be, been there 5 years ago and It didnt offer anything new that other cities didn't offer.

[Call_It_Like_Eye_See_It]

Loved the yatai stalls, ramen etc. Structure/layout of the city itself. Big but manageable. Climate, close to nagasaki/hiroshima, could go to South Korea for the weekend etc. Yadda yadda yadda.

But back to my original question, anyone lived in Kobe before?

I find Kobe to be a dumping ground of Grade-B Japanese snack bars and Chinese masseuse establishments....

Why not head for Fukui? Got a gread mix of mountains and the sea, plus only a few hours away from Osaka and Kyoto.

The ramen trucks rock on the big streets, and the Russian sailors keep the night life interesting!

[kurogane]

would disagree, fukuoka definitely has it's own 'vibe' that sets it apart from other cities in japan.

Thou should elaborate, my friend.

Are there objective elements, or do you think it is that specific nexus of nice city, good people, and good times that could give almost anywhere
a special vibe.

Kanazawa had it between 1996 and 99. Not because Kanazawa is anything particularly special, but because it's a nice enough city, there was good people, and we had very good times; but mostly because I lived in a mountain village of 600 a short enough drive away. It was a haven.

Climate, close to nagasaki/hiroshima, could go to South Korea for the weekend etc. Yadda yadda yadda.

Surely the ability to reach South Korea isn't really a detriment. One could do the smart thing and just not go.......non????

I find Kobe to be a dumping ground of Grade-B Japanese snack bars and Chinese masseuse establishments....

Why not head for Fukui? Got a gread mix of mountains and the sea, plus only a few hours away from Osaka and Kyoto.

The ramen trucks rock on the big streets, and the Russian sailors keep the night life interesting!

Okay...........first things first............Fukui...............that was wrong. Fukui is the human sewer of Japan.


I have to say, Kobe is rather attractive in some ways, but that mountainside setting must make daily life even more of a pain than Vancouver (who wants to ride a 3 speed up hills like that). On the other hand, the people seem very nice. Not vulgar, screechy and annoying like Osakans, without the empty snobbery of Kyoto, and not stupid like Tokyoites.

I liked the girls.



Can't say I was impressed by the nightlife.



Also, Kyoto is a nice city to live in, as long as you don't expect a samurai movie set. Big enough, easy to get around, and it has ING, the best bar in Japan.


Probably not much work for Charismatic types, though.

[ethanol]

Thou should elaborate, my friend.

Are there objective elements, or do you think it is that specific nexus of nice city, good people, and good times that could give almost anywhere
a special vibe.
.

hmmmm i dunno, there is just something about it. i love kyushu and as someone else mentioned you are quite central in terms of being able to go to korea, hiroshima, kansai and basically anywhere else in kyushu really. hell with the new shink it's only 1hr 20 mins to kagoshima. city does have a good lay out, not totally overwhelming. transport is good and what other city in japan can you get to the airport from central downtown in 15mins on the subway? i guess culturally it doesn't have a deep history like other places in kyushu (kumoto/ kagoshima) but as i said you can get to those places now with relative ease. good food, good people, close enough to nature, you like onsens? ok take your pic from oita/kumamoto/ kags. ____, i should really think about moving there next year...

[kurogane]

as someone else mentioned you are quite central in terms of being able to go to korea,...

I love the way you guys make a spine chilling demerit sound like a positive attribute..............

(I am almost joking, FTR)



Great elaboration, there.

I actually know/knew a lot of Canadians that moved to FukU quite a while ago; they always talked about it in glowing if not hyperbolic terms, but so much of that sounded like frat boy rah rah (they sounded like a bunch of JETs, to be honest).

But it always sounded like it had something going for it, so nice to hear a balanced account.

Is the relatively recent technology hub development thingy a part of the city's vibe and verve, do you think???

Apparently Fukui has the same sort of industrial push, but it's still Fukui.

[lemsip]

Thanks everyone for the comments. As much as I like Fukuoka I don't wanna live there the next time I come to Japan (if I get there).

I guess I should say I'm reapplying for JET after doing it in 2003/04. I just miss Japan and want to come back for a bit. I know my chances may be hampered by being a former JET, then again they may like that fact. I really don't know. I'll just apply and see.

So Fukuoka is out for personal reasons. Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo are out cos I don't wanna apply to big cities and give myself less of a chance of getting in. That's why I was thinking Kobe.

Anyone else any other suggestions of places they have liked living or where people have raved about? Generic question I know.

I know f*ck all about Fukui.

[Iceman33]

I was thinking of teaching English in Fukuoka. Kanazawa, Wakayama City, and Sapporo are also being considered.

I would like to get more info on these cities, particularly, Fukuoka and Kanazawa.

[Shonai Ben]

Fukui!!??........as mentioned sewer.
Kanazawa.......better than Fukui.
Toyama.......best of the three cities.......plus the spectacular view of the Japanese Alps.......and nicer looking women IHOMO.......

[Iceman33]

Fukui!!??........as mentioned sewer.
Kanazawa.......better than Fukui.
Toyama.......best of the three cities.......plus the spectacular view of the Japanese Alps.......and nicer looking women IHOMO.......

I heard that Kanazawa is very beautiful and culturally rich (a little Kyoto), but a smaller city with not-so-great nightlife. It's also on the West Coast of Japan -- something different like Fukuoka, supposedly the most "international" city in Japan after Tokyo as it's the gateway to the rest of Asia.

It's a tough decision if I go.