What to Expect in Rural Fukushima
Editor Clare Braganza interviews Annick Le Lagadec
The village placement. Some people might’ve been gunning for that from the beginning, but the majority of new JETs are probably disappointed and more than a little bit terrified.
As the third largest prefecture in Japan, Fukushima has big cities like Koriyama and Aizu-Wakamatsu, then swathes of mountains, forests, and valleys in between. Tucked into one of these inaka locations is Showa, a village which first-year ALT Annick Le Lagadec calls home. Read on to find out how Annick adjusted to village life, and how you can do the same.
Hello, Annick! Please introduce yourself to the readers.
Kia Ora! I’m from Zimbabwe, Africa, but moved to New Zealand when I was 10. I studied 3D Animation at University then joined the JET Programme to learn Japanese and share cultural differences.
I am based in Showa, Fukushima, a village situated in the mountains with a population of about 1,200 people.
I teach at the Junior High School and Elementary School. Showa has a total of 38 students, 28 in the ES and 10 in the JHS. My smallest class is 2 students and my largest class is 6 students.
What was your reaction when you found out about your rural placement?
I was thrilled! In my interview I specifically asked to be placed rurally, which I think surprised the interviewers. I wanted to be placed in a location where I couldn’t procrastinate studying Japanese, and where I could see lots of nature.
What are the pros of village life?
The biggest pro is how friendly, genuine and heartwarming the locals are; they are so excited to meet you, ask you questions and share all about the village and Japan.
There are so many local traditions, foods, and places that give you a unique perspective of living in Japan.
Depending on your placement, you may be able to experience many more activities with your school and village, like pottery, rice harvesting, hiking, skiing and so on.
You also form stronger connections with your coworkers and students.
What are the cons?
The language barrier is one of the most challenging aspects I’ve faced with living rurally. There have been days where I’ve been so mentally exhausted I would crawl into bed as soon as I got home.
Showa has no conbinis and no train station. If I need to pay certain bills or would like to travel, I need to drive half an hour to the nearest town.
At times, especially in the winter, it can feel lonely.
At times, especially in the winter, it can feel lonely.
How have you adapted to your remote placement?
My Japanese listening skills have improved, but being unable to communicate properly has made me a little quiet. I am currently working on my speaking skills. I try my best to communicate with the villagers, whether through speaking, gesturing or Google Translate. Whenever the community has a class, hiking trip or activity, I try to join if my schedule allows. In New Zealand I used to decline most social invitations and opportunities, so I’m grateful to have changed that.
Now I have new friends, favorite food, hobbies, and an endless amount of memories. Village life has certainly helped build my language skills, character, confidence, and sense of self.
How has your view of Japan changed?
I have loved learning more about the day-to-day living and fun to be had aside from Japan’s famously known foods, places, and activities. It’s hard to avoid expectations when moving to a new country—living in a village challenges that. Life in rural Japan feels very genuine and ‘present.’ I was worried village life would be boring, especially in contrast to the bustling streets of Tokyo. But Japan is a country with thousands of years of history. There’s always something new to discover wherever you go.
How different is your life now, compared to your life back home?
The opposite seasons were the biggest change for me; I find myself missing the beach and summer during December. Rural Japan reminds me of New Zealand from time to time—if the rice fields were replaced with fields of sheep. Living in a farming community has brought a lot of comfort. Sometimes the small things, like seeing a pair of gumboots (wellingtons) in a genkan can help keep the homesickness at bay. Village life is in many ways nothing like the busy cities and towns of New Zealand, but finding similarities and celebrating differences has made the transition a lot easier.
Living in a farming community has brought a lot of comfort.
What do you wish you’d known before you arrived?
I wish I knew the decision I was making would turn out better than I imagined.
Leaving New Zealand during the global pandemic was very frightening, and rural placements have many unknown factors you only learn about when you arrive. I am incredibly grateful that my experience has been wonderful and that Showa village has taken the pandemic seriously.
Any survival tips for JETs going to rural placements?
Don’t feel discouraged if you can’t find a lot of information about your placement beforehand.
Reach out to the JETS in your prefecture, make some friends, and know who can help you—such as your Area Support Leaders.
Ask questions! The residents in your placement will be thrilled to explain things about the village or Japanese life to you. It shows you are interested and want to learn.
Study at least conversational Japanese, you will certainly need it!
Try natto at least twice! I learned to enjoy it out of sheer determination.
Would you change anything about your placement if you could?
No way! I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of living in Showa—the good, and the challenging. The villagers here are some of the kindest people I have met. We have shared so much laughter and confusing Google Translate errors. If I could do this all again knowing what I did now, I would ask to be placed in Showa specifically.
What’s unique about Showa?
Showa grows gypsophila and ramie. The village has a long history in weaving karamushi and craftwork. In the winter, the villagers use the diggers and snowplows to build massive igloo-like huts for everyone to enjoy.
And I may be biased, but our village mascot (Karamun) is the cutest.
Have any funny moments happened to you in Showa?
While driving, one of the JHS teachers and I were talking and the topic of favorite animals came up. The teacher had never heard the word ‘stingray’. There was no cell service driving in the mountains, and so I tried my best to describe it. The teacher finally guessed “Ei” which I misheard as “Aye?”. After confusing the teacher with the description ‘sea pancake’, I ended up drawing it on my phone’s art app. It took much longer for the teacher to explain to me that stingray is Ei in Japanese.
