Saitama vs. Tokyo: My Brain Hurts (But Maybe You'll Get a Good Deal)
okay, so, like, I’ve been staring at a map of Japan for approximately 72 hours straight fueled by instant ramen and the vague hope that I’ll actually understand where I’m going. i’m trying to figure out if Saitama is actually worth the hype, or if it’s just… a slightly less chaotic version of Tokyo. and honestly? it’s complicated. seriously complicated. it’s like, a really good, slightly bruised peach. you know?
Right now, the weather’s… weird. It’s like someone took a giant, grey sponge and just squeezed it over the whole prefecture. Constant drizzle, but not wet wet. More like a persistent, melancholic dampness. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with a record and a bottle of something strong. And, you know, it’s a short flight to Narita, so you can always escape to the actual sunshine if you need to. Seriously, Tokyo’s just a hop, skip, and a bullet train away if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
I was talking to a guy at a tiny izakaya last night - he’s a session drummer, naturally - and he said, "Saitama? It’s the ‘almost’ Tokyo. The place where the dreamers go to build their lives before they crash and burn in Shinjuku." Dramatic, right? He also said to watch out for the salarymen after 9 pm. They’re… intense.
Let’s get down to brass tacks, because my brain is starting to resemble a tangled ball of guitar strings. I’ve been digging around, and here’s the lowdown, straight from the horse’s mouth (or, you know, Reddit):
*Cost of Living (Rough Estimates - as told by a perpetually broke student):Category Saitama Tokyo Rent (1K apartment) ¥70,000-90,000 ¥100,000-150,000 Groceries ¥30,000-40,000 ¥50,000-70,000 Transportation ¥10,000-15,000 ¥15,000-25,000 Entertainment ¥15,000-25,000 ¥30,000-50,000
Seriously, you’re saving a ton of money. Like, enough to buy a decent pair of vintage leather boots. Which, let’s be honest, is a priority.
Job Market (According to a disillusioned consultant I met at a coffee shop): “It’s… stable. Not exciting. Lots of manufacturing, some IT. The competition is brutal, though. Everyone’s trying to get into Tokyo. It’s like a slow-motion stampede.” He took a huge gulp of his espresso. I think he was regretting his life choices.
Things a Local Warned Me About: Apparently, the train system can be a nightmare. Like, a serious nightmare. And don’t even think about trying to navigate it without a Suica card. Trust me on this one. I saw a guy completely lose it trying to figure out the platform numbers. It was… unsettling.
Neighborhood Vibes (Based on Yelp reviews and a quick scroll through Reddit’s r/Saitama):
*Ōmiya: Feels like a proper, old-school Japanese town. Lots of train stations, markets, and ramen shops. Good for soaking up the atmosphere. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=ramen&sort_by=relevance&location=Saitama%2C+Japan
*Kamakura: A bit touristy, but the Great Buddha is pretty impressive. Plus, it’s right on the coast. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298571-d186333-Reviews-Great_Buddha_Kotoku-Kamakura%2C_Kanagawa_Prefecture%2C_Kanto_Region.html
*Sōyama:* A bit grittier, a bit more authentic. Apparently, it’s a hub for young artists and musicians. https://www.reddit.com/r/Saitama/
Honestly, I’m leaning towards Saitama. The price point is insane, the vibe feels… real, and it’s close enough to Tokyo to still get a fix of the chaos if I need it. Plus, I’ve been eyeing a vintage kimono in a shop near Ōmiya. It’s a whole thing.
Okay, I’m officially done. My brain is leaking. If you’re considering a move, do your research. And maybe invest in a really good umbrella. Seriously. Don’t be like me, wandering around in the rain, desperately trying to figure out the train system. It’s a disaster. A beautiful, slightly soggy disaster.
And if you see a session drummer, tell him I said hi. He’s probably judging me.
You might also be interested in:
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- https://topiclo.com/post/kovai-chaos-a-musicians-very-tired-take
- https://topiclo.com/post/istanbul-through-the-eyes-of-a-digital-nomad-who-forgot-her-charger