Living Abroad in Japan (Paperback)

by Ruth Kanagy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"In contemporary Japan, you can wear your hair black or bleach it blond, slip on a pair of jeans or a yukata (cotton kimono), sip matcha (green tea) or a latte, and order French, Chinese, sushi, or pizza. After a day of hiking or snowboarding, you can soak in a rotenburo (open-air spa), relax with yoga or tai chi, and collapse onto your futon or bed. In Japan, the choice is yours."

Product Description
Imagine yourself living in Japan. You head home by a lush bamboo grove past a traditional Shinto shrine. You know your neighbors and speak Japanese with ease. You show visiting friends around with the confidence of one who belongs. Author Ruthy Kanagy shows you how to make your dream take shape. She's taught English in Japan and Japanese in America. With Ruthy's expertise, you'll get the information you need on visas, money, jobs, housing, health, language, culture, and history. There's a place that matches your budget, needs, and dreams: perhaps it's an apartment in the urban mecca of Tokyo, a seaside abode in Hokkaido, or a home on the traditional island of Shikoku. With Living Abroad in Japan, it's easier than you think.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566916720
• ISBN-13: 978-1566916721
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #338,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Guide, April 9, 2005

By	R. Brown "JapanVisitor.com" (Kyoto) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ruthy Kanagy has produced a comprehensive and useful guide for those thinking of taking the plunge across the Pacific and moving to Japan. Living Abroad in Japan joins many other well-done titles put out by the publishers Living Abroad In. Kanagy, herself born and raised in Tokyo, approaches her subject as only an insider could. The book assumes the reader knows nothing but does not speak down to her-and is well written and full of detail. It is neatly broken into chapters on Japan (history, government, economy, people, culture), daily life (moving, language, health, employment, finance, communications, travel, and housing), and "prime living locations" (Tokyo, Hokkaido, Kansai, Nagano, and Hiroshima).
The back of the book too is filled with useful indices: contacts, a phrasebook, suggested reading/films, clothing sizes, and an index. Having lived in Japan-Tokyo and Kyoto-for 15 years, I thought this would be a guide for someone just off the boat (i.e., not for me). It most certainly is for those new to or thinking of coming to Japan; however, it is much more than that. Even for the long-term resident of Japan, this is an invaluable guide.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book that covers the "Real Japan", December 12, 2004

By	Ats "@nak(A)" (Kawasaki, Japan) - See all my reviews

An interesting enough book, that it's a great read not only for to-be-visitors of Japan, but for Japanese readers as well. Unlike other travel books which cover only the sightseeing aspect of Japan putting weight on traditional Japanese culture, this book is well balanced in describing everyday life, the real Japan today, The Japanese mind (important in getting acquainted with Japan), as well as the tradition. The book is also good at pointing out the interesting mixture of the past and present (for example, kimono-clad woman talking on a cell-phone). The facts and advice are all practical, up to date and accurate based on the author's actual experience living in Japan. As a Japanese citizen, I recommend reading this book whether you plan to visit/live in Japan or not, to find out what Japan is all about now. (which is not just Geisha, samurai, Toyota and Sony. :-))

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars intelligent, complete and entertaining guidebook , December 28, 2004

By	J. Shozen (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have lived 27 years as an American in Japan and I find Ruthy Kanagy's book to be accurate and complete. This book covers a wide breadth of important material succinctly without even one boring or pedantic line in the whole book. It contains interesting informatation ranging from Japanese history and geography to how to open a bank account or how to make conversation with a Japanese. It is written eloquently and intelligently with insight and information to benefit the experienced traveler or the first time traveler to Japan. The original photographs and descriptions are refreshingly fair and true to the experience of living in Japan today. A must read for anyone planning a trip to Japan.