My husband and I started a life between Tokyo and Onjuku 4 months ago.
In the meantime, we have felt the change from “a place I visit a few times a year” to “a place where I spend time connecting with people”.
The number of people who appear in our daily conversations has increased, and the topics of conversation have become more lively, including events other than work.
As we repeat the rhythm of going back and forth in small steps, time seems to fly by more quickly than before.
Transportation
We travel between Tokyo and Ojuku exclusively on the limited express Wakashio. For the following three reasons, I am definitely a train person for now. We don’t have a car at home, anyway.
- I get carsick.
- Both of us can concentrate on our thoughts and work on the train.
- It’s ok to drink alcohol before moving on.
If the ratio of stays in Onjuku increases a little, I think we will need a car someday, but I think we will just use it as a means of transportation within Onjuku.
The train ride takes 1 hour and 20 minutes from Tokyo Station.
There was a time when I used to fly to Hokkaido and Kyushu (approx. 1,000km from Tokyo) every week, so I am used to the travel time, but I feel that the shorter distance (approx. 100km) puts less strain on my body.
And in terms of cost, 2,930 yen (25 USD) one way x 2, round trip = 5,860 yen (51 USD) per person.
Our family is traveling with two people, so the cost is 11,720 yen (103 USD) per trip.
We use unreserved seats on the Wakashio, but the coupon tickets are quite reasonable and are sold in packs of four per book (valid for one month).
Since we travel about four times a month, we can live in two places, Tokyo and Ojuku, for less than 50,000 yen (440 USD) per month.
Coexistence with nature and the sea
Living by the sea and living in the countryside at Onjuku has many good aspects, but because we live in harmony with nature, we have to consider every day that we don’t have to worry about it in Tokyo.
- Typhoons, strong winds, and sandstorms: Prepare yourself for typhoons and sandstorms during strong winds, be careful when you go out and clean up after going out
- Wild boars and Reeves’s muntjac: Danger of jumping out while driving and damage to garbage cans and fields
- Iron rust: Cars and bicycles rust quickly
- Lots of insects: Insects often appear at home
Rhythm of life
Since we decide in advance from when to when we will be in Onjuku, I am now able to clean up the housework that I have to do by then.
At the moment, we are still based in Tokyo, so all our daily necessities are in Tokyo, and when we go to Onjuku, we pack as if we were going on a trip. We also bring our laundry back to Tokyo.
As for the food in our refrigerator, I have become accustomed to purchasing and using up food in consideration of the number of days I can leave the house, so I think that food loss has decreased more than before.
I feel that we have become a more regular life since we started living in two cities.
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