Grass is always greener syndrome

How many people can say they truly understand everything in their backyard? I think a lot of people who live in Japan, expats especially but also Japanese people, are inflicted with the grass is always greener syndrome. Not in terms of wanting to live outside where they were brought up, that’s me, but in terms of rather than exploring their backyard, they tend to want to go to other parts of the country. At least I was like this, and I have seen it in a lot of other people.

One thing that I’m quite pleased about for the 100 mountains of Yamagata project is that it’s given me good reasons to check out some really cool places nearby that I would never have gone to otherwise. Being able to look off into the distance, recognise a mountain, and say ‘I’ve been there, I know what it’s like’, makes me quite proud.

This I noticed mainly because in recent times when people invite me to climb mountains it’s usually one of Gassan, Chokai, or Haguro. It’s as if there’s no awareness, or no desire to visit the other more than 2000 mountains in Yamagata prefecture.

This could simply be explained by a lack of information. There really is no information of most of the mountains I’m to climb in English. Mt. Atsumi and Mt. Shogadake are perfect examples of this, and it’s hard to blame people. So I guess it’s up to people like me who are able to gather information in Japanese and make credible reliable resources in English.

Japan is an amazing country covered with places to explore. You just need to do a bit of research in advance, but you can find some pretty spectacular places nearby. If more people spent a bit more time on resources for their local region, I think it could be quite beneficial for people wanting to explore the underside of Japan.

ENJOYED THIS? HAVE MORE.

MOUNTAINS OF WISDOM

Subscribe to my yamabushi newsletter

RECENT BLOG POSTS

close up shot of a lion
Stay calm, stay home
Dressing for the weather
calm lake with yachts in morning
Expand your reservoir

YAMABUSHI BLOG POSTS

A spot of zen
black and red typewriter on white table
Cut the excess
person riding bike making trek on thin air
What gives you joy?

RANDOM POSTS

Say Sayonara to Sayonara: Japanese words that are misunderstood
What are you waiting for?
Kiwi Yamabushi on Mt. Haguro
Experimental filming
Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Tim Bunting Kiwi Yamabushi

Get In Touch

Sakata City, Yamagata, Japan 

tim@timbunting.com

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...
Scroll to Top
%d