Urban Radiance and the Warmth of Soil: Finding the Optimal 'Place to Live' for Each Stage of Life
In modern Japan, an interesting contrast in values is emerging: while young people are concentrating in urban areas like Tokyo, the generation entering the second half of their lives is finding new value in rural regions. By combining the 'trends of the youth' shown in statistical data with the 'realities of country life' shared by those who have moved, we will explore the optimal solution for where we should choose to live at each stage of our lives.
1. The 'Irresistible Reasons' Why Young People Aim for the City
Why do young people continue to flock to Tokyo? According to analyses by Masashi Kawai and reports from the Cabinet Office, there are compelling structural factors that go beyond mere 'longing'.
First, there is the dramatic change in career path choices. In 1994, about 30% of high school graduates went straight into the workforce, but by 2024, that figure plummeted to less than 15%, while the rate of advancement to university nearly tripled. The concentration of universities and institutions that match one's academic ability in urban areas is the primary trigger pulling young people away from their hometowns.
Even more serious is the disparity in the employment environment. Tertiary industries, which are particularly popular among women—such as medical and welfare, hospitality and dining, and lifestyle-related services—are concentrated in urban areas. While the national average for the ratio of workers in these sectors is 71.0%, Tokyo reaches 81.9%, making it a rational choice to select the city if one is seeking a suitable job or higher wages.
Also, psychological factors cannot be overlooked. Data shows that the desire to be liberated from local constraints—such as 'wanting to leave my parents' home' or 'disliking the local culture'—is significantly higher among women than men. For young people, the city is not only a place for career development but also holds appeal as a 'sanctuary' for achieving a free lifestyle.
2. The Turning Point from Age 50: From Urban Stimulation to the Reality of 'Soil'
However, the magic of 'convenience and entertainment' that the city casts tends to lose its effectiveness with age. The hustle and bustle of the city, which was once stimulating, can become a factor that hinders physical and mental peace once one reaches their 50s and child-rearing has settled down.
This is where the return to 'working the soil,' which is also my own philosophy, comes to the fore. While urban entertainment is about the 'joy of consumption,' working the soil in rural areas is the 'joy of creation.' Touching the soil with your own hands and tasting fresh vegetables grown for your family with minimal pesticides brings a richness from the core of your body that can never be obtained at high-end urban restaurants.
In rural areas, the distance between houses is greater, so noise problems rarely occur, and the lack of physical stress—such as low parking fees due to a car-dependent society and faster travel times—supports a higher quality of life after 50. By building on the career you polished in the city while placing yourself in the cycle of nature, you can redefine the second half of your life to be more 'tangible'.
3. 'Rural Level' Utilization Techniques to Avoid Failure
When you finally consider moving to a rural area, the most important thing to be careful about is not to lump all 'countryside' together. According to insights from the blog 'Yuru Oyaji Kenkyujo' (Relaxed Old Guy Research Institute), there are broadly three levels of rural areas.
Level 1: Major Regional Cities (Residents' mindset is close to that of urbanites)
Level 2: Municipalities with a Population of Around 100,000 (New residents enter moderately, and rules change with the times)
Level 3: Depopulated Areas with a Population of Under 30,000 (Even those in their 60s are treated as 'young,' and there may be unique rules or a need to purchase 'shares')
For those who want to 'enjoy a little bit of farming,' the outskirts of a Level 2 town are ideal. Such areas have a good balance of enjoying the convenience of the center while interacting with moderate nature. On the other hand, if you just want to live quietly, it is wise to choose an old folk house without farmland or a new residential area within a Level 2 town. This makes it easier to avoid mowing grass and serious interpersonal entanglements.
4. Wisely Interpreting Local 'Eyes' and 'Roles'
Concerns many people have when moving, such as local activities like the 'volunteer fire department,' can also be mitigated through prior research. Joining the fire department depends heavily on the age composition of the area. If the area already has a sufficient number of active residents in their 20s to 40s (especially in settlements where new houses are gathered), it is unlikely you will be strongly encouraged to join if you move there in your 50s or 60s. Since many regions now publish their fire department activity status online, you can estimate the 'intensity' and 'burden' of that area by investigating in advance.
Conclusion: A Recommendation for 'Relocating' According to Life Stage
When young, experience diverse values in the city and build a career. Then, from your 50s, head to the countryside with the wisdom gained in the city and face the soil. As statistical data shows, it is difficult to stop the flow of young people aiming for the city in Japan today. However, in each of our individual lives, there is no need to stay on that path forever.
It is precisely because one has fully experienced the convenience of the city that one can discern the 'true richness' found within the inconveniences of rural life. By selecting the 'level of countryside' that suits you and actively shaping your environment, you can realize a luxurious life that enjoys both the radiance of the city and the warmth of the earth.