Living as a Filipino in Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan

One of my friends from university days, Hazel, now lives in Kusatsu, in the Shiga prefecture of Japan. We now keep updated through Facebook, and when I asked if she would consent to talking about how it is to live there, she gamely consented!

Hazel is originally from Calamba, Laguna, and has been in Kusatsu for the past 5 years. She works as a faculty member in the Science and Engineering Department of Ritsumeikan University.

So what is it like living as a Filipino in Kusatsu?

Hazel told me that, for one, there’s quite a bit of adjustment from the hot and humid climate of the Philippines. Winters get very cold, while summers get very hot (yes, even hotter than in the Philippines!). It does snow over there so residents get to enjoy four seasons!

Getting to Kusatsu, Shiga includes a four-hour flight from Manila to the nearest airport, which is in Kansai.

While there are Filipinos in the area, they aren’t as numerous as in other cities. Hazel says that in Ritsumeikan University, there are only 4 Filipino students and herself. She has found her home in the Christian church she attends and which she is actively involved in.

As for food, there is a Filipino restaurant in the city that sells some canned goods, condiments and snacks. Hazel has taken well to Japanese cuisine and finds it extremely healthy.

When I asked her what her biggest adjustments have been in being away from the Philippines, Hazel had the following to say:

warmth of family and friends (here they are not as friendly as “us”); the food (Japanese people eat a lot of raw); living cost (everything’s really expensive here!); and of course, the church (Japan is not a christian country so it was difficult at first but i got to find a church after a few weeks. )

Someday, I will ask Hazel to give me a tour of Kusatsu, take me to the lone Filipino restaurant and ply me with unlimited Japanese food! Meanwhile, I will just have to enjoy the city through her eyes (and FB updates!).