Hello! I’m Shoko.
Welcome to my site. This is a diary about family life, friends, hometown, and travel.
I’m happy to share with you my thoughts and experience of life!
My husband and I are always searching for a place where we can feel happy and more connected. Currently, we spend weekdays in Tokyo and weekends in Onjuku where I was born and brought up.
Each year, we spend some time in the U.S. where both of us are always excited visiting and familiar with their culture in some way.
Onjuku is located in the Boso Peninsula, Chiba and it takes 80 minutes from Tokyo by limited express train called “Wakashio”. It is a charming small town having a beautiful white-sand beach, green mountains and untouched nature.
The Facts
On the other hand, a serious declining birthrate and aging population is the most significant challenge that Onjuku-town faces today. Aging rate over 65 years old is 50.7% (as of April 1st, 2020).
Both elementary school and pre-school that I went to were closed about a decade ago and there are vacant houses here and there.
Our family have lived there for about 400 years but many of our generation and friends have left. It is hard to imagine how this community survives in the next twenty years.
New Adventures Ahead
Hometown always lifts my spirits up.
I am lucky having a home welcomes me any time, that allows me to live like a traveler.
I wish more people to know about Onjuku, come visit and live there.
It will be a challenge to improve population balance, but I would like to get involved and have fun at the same time.
Thank you for visiting my site.
I’m looking forward to seeing and chatting with you in the near future.
Shoko