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Van Life in Japan

kumazen.com

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Re: Van Life in Japan

#131

Post by an_aparallel »

ensignavenger wrote: post #46
rtpg wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a hard time imagining it to be cheaper to live in this truck than most things. And the kid… I can’t imagine this is good for the kid. Obviously the point of the van is that you can move around a lot! Aside: vagrancy is illegal in Japan, so if you’re sticking to the law you probably need to rent somewhere (or use your parents) and have a registered address.

- vagrancy is illegal in Japan Is that why you don't see any homeless in Japan? They just arrest them for vagrancy and house them in jail?

There are limited public places to "sit" in Tokyo/and other cities too, for example, this is increasingly common part of civic design, to encourage either "moving on", or "taking refuge" in shops/cafes > ie. spending.

It's basically discrimination by design.

Re: Van Life in Japan

#132

Post by seanmcdirmid »

ensignavenger wrote: post #46
rtpg wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a hard time imagining it to be cheaper to live in this truck than most things. And the kid… I can’t imagine this is good for the kid. Obviously the point of the van is that you can move around a lot! Aside: vagrancy is illegal in Japan, so if you’re sticking to the law you probably need to rent somewhere (or use your parents) and have a registered address.

- vagrancy is illegal in Japan Is that why you don't see any homeless in Japan? They just arrest them for vagrancy and house them in jail?

> Is that why you don't see any homeless in Japan? They just arrest them for vagrancy and house them in jail?

Each time I've been to Japan I've noticed plenty of homeless people. They are really tidy about it, but you'll find encampments in Osaka and Tokyo if you just check out some of the parks.

Re: Van Life in Japan

#134

Post by mixmastamyk »

mynameisvlad wrote: post #110
stickfigure wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife disagrees: https://www.rei.com/product/407267/freshette-pee-funnel

Sure, products exist which make it possible, but the parent commenter said: > Just use a water bottle like the rest of us! That's not just using a water bottle. And certainly is specialized enough of a tool that you likely can't find it as ubiquitously as a water bottle.

Order a soft-drink to go. Nice wide-mouth container.

Re: Van Life in Japan

#135

Post by shortcake27 »

poorman wrote: post #129

As someone who's been doing van life for the past year, things like finding water, and places to camp are usually top of mind. Especially if you try to stay on the East Coast of the United States for a while. Might have to try Japan!

You could also try New Zealand. You’re probably never more than 30 minutes drive away from a campsite. And if you get a self-contained vehicle it’s even better as you can park up virtually anywhere.

Re: Van Life in Japan

#136

Post by shortcake27 »

blamazon wrote: post #77
orliesaurus wrote: post #60

I wish there was a way to experience this as a foreign tourist

It's not that hard really, I recommend it. RV rentals are a thing in Japan. I am from USA, so I went to a local shop here that offers International Driver's Permits. All they do is look at your driver's license to ensure it's valid, and then stamp a little paper brochure that has a bunch of translations of what your country permits with a driver's license. You can get as many of these as you want, it's not an actual…

> locals off the beaten path tend to be interested in foreign travelers, happy to take time to help

I had this experience everywhere, not just off the beaten path. Language barrier was never a problem for me in Japan because people would bend over backwards to help me.

Re: Van Life in Japan

#137

Post by justusthane »

pancrufty wrote: post #113
chaostheory wrote: post #111

Given Japan’s problem with depopulation, is this better than just renovating a free house? For context, in many prefectures there are houses that are either free or cost $15,000 or less.

Nobody renovates houses in Japan. You're supposed to destroy it and build anew. For 15k you're buying the lot and the right to spend a lot more than that.

How come? Is it just cultural? Are there laws against it?

Re: Van Life in Japan

#139

Post by calsy »

Lio wrote: post #26

I love this or at least the idea of it. The only thing that really would bother me is, not sure how to put this, but the lack of privacy with regard to sleeping arrangements. I guess some people are more comfortable being intimate with their partner in close proximity to their children but that's not for me. Anyway everything else looks like an amazing adventure so I wish them good luck.

Humans have always slept in family groups. It seems like the more natural thing to do.

Likewise with nudity. Westerner's are hung up on covering themselves up in front of family members at a certain age. Many Asian cultures don't have that baggage. Bathing with family or going to a bathhouse is normal, and why wouldn't it be?

Re: Van Life in Japan

#140

Post by mixmastamyk »

uoaei wrote: post #61
TurboHaskal wrote: post #4

> We usually don’t bathe every day and listen to our body’s needs. If I did this I'd need to shower every 4h :)

I've reduced my skin and scalp's dependence on soap and shampoo, and now a vigorous rinse in a hot shower gets me 95% clean. I do use a mild (minimal glycerin content) soap on sensitive parts. Whatever it is that accumulates on my body over time has become less oil-based (more water-based) and after some time in hot water begins mixing (emulsifying?) so that I become clean. This helps you to live with a healthy skin…

Not the main problem. It is a stinky bacteria infection in the armpits. Coincidentally uncommon in Japan. No amount of washing will fully get rid of them because they are beneath the skin in the sweat glands.
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