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Swapping Tokyo for life in the slow lane
By Lu Xiaofeng and Xu Wei |
March 28, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WORK addict Shimoyama Kuninobu found the pace of his life slow right down after he left fast-paced Tokyo to live in Jiading District. On his arrival, Kuninobu, who was in pursuit of undisturbed tranquility fell in love with everything here.
"If conditions permit, I hope I can stay here as long as possible," he says.
In March 2008, Kuninobu, after some study of Chinese for three months, was sent with a colleague to set up a Chinese branch of his company in Liuhe Town, Taicang City, Jiangsu Province.
Every day, Kuninobu spared no effort in his work, from recruiting new staff to the installation of assembly lines. Within half a year, he had managed to build up an enterprise of 100 or so staff. When everything in his company had been settled, Kuninobu felt lonely and quite at a loss in an unfamiliar country. At the recommendation of his Chinese colleague, Kuninobu went to Jiading District for the first time. The simple and unsophisticated cobblestone roads as well as the exquisite gardens in Jiading made him decide to stay without hesitance. He purposely chose to settle at Gemdale Green World, which is located in the neighborhood of Zhouqiao Old Street and is only a half an hour drive from his company in Liuhe Town.
When it comes to the difference between living in Japan and China, Kuninobu becomes quite talkative.
"People in Tokyo can't afford to waste even one minute of their work and life," he says. "Everyone runs like a well-oiled machine. But the life in Jiading is more slow-paced, relaxing and comfortable."
Kuninobu is no longer satisfied about wandering around Jiading Town with a map. He rides a bicycle to watch racing competitions at the Shanghai International Circuit and travels to Nanxiang Town by bus to have a taste of the delicious juicy dumplings.
"I want to discover the charm in every place of Jiading through my own eyes," he adds.
During his stay in Jiading, Kuninobu has found a lot of precious and touching moments. In the summer of 2009, his son spent his vacation time with him in Jiading. One night his son got a fever suddenly. Kuninobu asked his Chinese neighbors, an old couple for help. Although they didn't know each other well before, the couple immediately provided a thermometer, alcohol and medicine, and helped to relieve the symptoms of the fever.
To express his gratitude, Kuninobu made Japanese-style snacks for the couple. Even today, every time he recalls the details about that incident he feels so warm.
"In Tokyo, neighbors are indifferent with each other while in Jiading, I feel more valuable and heartwarming human relationships."
Speaking of the changes taking place in Jiading in recent years, Kuninobu says with a grin that the most important change to him is the boom of Japanese-style restaurants. He used to be confused about where to take his Japanese colleagues on their trips to China, but now there are a lot of choices. He frequently dines at the Japanese restaurants on Yumin Road, near Jiading Bus Terminal Center. He is so happy to find that the restaurants are attracting more local young people in addition to Japanese guests.
"Sometimes it's very hard to reserve a seat," he says with a smile. "I'm very happy to see the popularity of Japanese cuisine in China."
"If conditions permit, I hope I can stay here as long as possible," he says.
In March 2008, Kuninobu, after some study of Chinese for three months, was sent with a colleague to set up a Chinese branch of his company in Liuhe Town, Taicang City, Jiangsu Province.
Every day, Kuninobu spared no effort in his work, from recruiting new staff to the installation of assembly lines. Within half a year, he had managed to build up an enterprise of 100 or so staff. When everything in his company had been settled, Kuninobu felt lonely and quite at a loss in an unfamiliar country. At the recommendation of his Chinese colleague, Kuninobu went to Jiading District for the first time. The simple and unsophisticated cobblestone roads as well as the exquisite gardens in Jiading made him decide to stay without hesitance. He purposely chose to settle at Gemdale Green World, which is located in the neighborhood of Zhouqiao Old Street and is only a half an hour drive from his company in Liuhe Town.
When it comes to the difference between living in Japan and China, Kuninobu becomes quite talkative.
"People in Tokyo can't afford to waste even one minute of their work and life," he says. "Everyone runs like a well-oiled machine. But the life in Jiading is more slow-paced, relaxing and comfortable."
Kuninobu is no longer satisfied about wandering around Jiading Town with a map. He rides a bicycle to watch racing competitions at the Shanghai International Circuit and travels to Nanxiang Town by bus to have a taste of the delicious juicy dumplings.
"I want to discover the charm in every place of Jiading through my own eyes," he adds.
During his stay in Jiading, Kuninobu has found a lot of precious and touching moments. In the summer of 2009, his son spent his vacation time with him in Jiading. One night his son got a fever suddenly. Kuninobu asked his Chinese neighbors, an old couple for help. Although they didn't know each other well before, the couple immediately provided a thermometer, alcohol and medicine, and helped to relieve the symptoms of the fever.
To express his gratitude, Kuninobu made Japanese-style snacks for the couple. Even today, every time he recalls the details about that incident he feels so warm.
"In Tokyo, neighbors are indifferent with each other while in Jiading, I feel more valuable and heartwarming human relationships."
Speaking of the changes taking place in Jiading in recent years, Kuninobu says with a grin that the most important change to him is the boom of Japanese-style restaurants. He used to be confused about where to take his Japanese colleagues on their trips to China, but now there are a lot of choices. He frequently dines at the Japanese restaurants on Yumin Road, near Jiading Bus Terminal Center. He is so happy to find that the restaurants are attracting more local young people in addition to Japanese guests.
"Sometimes it's very hard to reserve a seat," he says with a smile. "I'm very happy to see the popularity of Japanese cuisine in China."
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