Hi all, I'm new here. I happened upon this place while searching for different communities in or about Japan. I'll be moving from the US to Utsunomiya, Tochigi in a few months and I was wondering if anyone can give me any more info about the place? I know the surrounding areas in Tochigi are beautiful, and since I'm a huge history/culture buff I'll love visiting Nikko for sure. But does anyone have any good info on Utsunomiya? Such as good shops, bars, restaraunts, etc? Looking forward to the move, I've already met a few people who live over in Japan, and I'm hoping to meet a lot more interesting people!
Sorry mate but I've never even heard of Utsunomiya so I can't give you any info. Then again I'm sure you've never heard of Shimonoseki, where I live Yakumo
Wow really? It's about an hour north of Tokyo, and has a good size population. But you are right, I haven't heard of where you reside. I'm learning everything I can about Japan before I make the move. Any tips on learning Japanese? I'm getting beginniner textbooks before I leave but I'll find some private lessons I suppose when I get there. Hoping to develop a network before/once I get there so I'm not completely lonely lol. But then again my first few months will be spent exploring anyway so that should keep me occupied
Really forget the textbooks and get yourself into some classes, there's no substitute for active learning. You can ask questions, get corrected on your grammar, you can't do that with a book, and you will have to hit the ground running when you get there, especially if you are on your own.
I have the unfortunate circumstance of being in a town right now that I have no access to any form of Japanese language courses, added to the fact I'm leaving in about 3 short months. I was basically going to get the textbook series "Genki!" to just establish a foundation in the language and enough to get by on basic things. It helps that it comes with audio. But you're right in that the best form of learning it is through hands on experience. That's why I want to get to know as much as I can before I leave and take courses ASAP once I get established there. The company I'm working for will help me out a bit in terms of getting by in troubling areas, but I don't want to be babied the entire time I'm there either.
All I know about Utsunomiya is that it's on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Akihabara is but an hour and 5000 yen away!
