So who's actually retired in Japan?

[captainspoke]

...
The Kokusai Mura on the edge of Lake Noji in Nagano becomes an international summer camp for July and August. These days perhaps 30% are Japanese and 50% mixed nationality.

Out of season, it is more a like a retirement village, since village employment is very limited and the nearest large city is Nagano, 45 minutes away. Not an easy place to live though, given the large amounts of snow and limited car access.

I haven't heard of this, but will ask--a fellow retiree is coming over wednesday. He spent his early life in shikoku, child of missionaries, who spent a few or more summers there over the years. From his telling of it, old style hand pumps to get water, and outhouses, but still fun. This would probably have been in the late 50s, maybe into the (late-ish?) 60s.

That is it. The name is NLA, Nojiri Lake Association. Founded by missionaries 100 years ago.
They finally put city water in, so the hand-carrying water and outhouses are pretty much gone.
Still tough in winter though, as they get meters of snow and its on a hillside without many roads (almost none plowed).

We discussed this, and it seems the NLA is secular now, so I'm not sure how, but you don't have to be christian or mission-associated to join (tho there may be other limits and hurdles).

And now, the four of us are planning an overnight there in May, and we're just now booking accommodations. It turns out the one guy who went there as a kid (above) knows someone who is still there--or will be there when we visit--so we'll be stopping in for coffee or something.

Our friend here relayed that one of his good memories about it back when, was that later in the day, towards evening or dusk(?), everyone would go out in boats to the middle of the lake and sing vespers. I'm not religious, but that would undoubtedly be a very cool, moving experience.

[YogiLobo]

Is there currently a community group for retired English-speaking foreigners in the Kanto area?
If not, would those in the area who are currently retired, or close to retirement, be interested in meeting in person to discuss topics, issues and ideas?
Or would an online meeting be more useful initially, to allow those in other areas to join?

Firstly. If your ID is in any way related to the Brand Yogibo then I’m in! Like I’m literally in a yogibo right now. And if they make a commode feature this could be most of my retirement..

For Tokyo someone kindly arranged a meeting for those about to “ascend” (I’m sure that’s not the right term but I’m sticking with it.).

https://www.retirejapan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3246

You could reach out to that person for feedback. (Once you have the required karma to direct message.)

Interestingly not heard from them recently so maybe they’ve created a splinter group. Google “The one true Retire Japan” just in case..

If you are of the IT persuasion maybe establishing and managing a discord server could work. Under license from RJ of course.

I like the idea of cohorts going through a process together but for many the transition will be quite gradual I suppose.

Oh. If you are just trying to lure us to a cult, aggressive time-share sales pitch, Bitcoin brainwashing, etc, then I’ll still join if the refreshments are free.

Not related to Yogibo, but they are the marijuana of bean bags, I think.

Thanks for the link to the Tokyo retiree group.There weren't any posts on the thread passed early Sept 2023. I just posted in the thread today to see if the author is still active.

If the author isn't, are there people here who would want to meet and start discussing thoughts, asking Q's, etc?