Why is CHIBA PREFECTURE VERY IMPORTANT to me?
It was gloomy weather, and I finally decided to go to Chiba after two years.
It wasn't an easy month for me as we have lost a priceless gem in the family. My boss genially and considerably invited me to go with her on her business trip to grab some air and deliberate about things deeply.
Well, the gesture meant a lot, and I even felt blessed as she cares for me at moments like when I am incredibly silent.
Reason 1:
My first job in Japan and abroad was in Chiba.
Yes, my first work abroad is in a t-shirt factory. I am very proud of that. There I learned how to make printing screens and designed how t-shirts were printed, heated, or pressed, checked for the mess, and delivered to the customers. I knew the Japanese way of teamwork, deliberately checking my progress and what I learned during the process.
I saw my progress. I realized my previous fears turned to strengths to mastery. My reading comprehension of hiragana takes minutes to glance, from a few words of reply to close to an hour of laughter shared with coworkers.
It wasn't an easy job, but I am grateful to my boss and coworkers. I will forever cherish that.
REASON 2:
It is my BFF's hometown.
Yes, my first international friend is Japanese. Her name is Mina. The start of our friendship is different from the typical one. Never had I imagined I would get to know her in a way like we give each other's strength.
Considering our language barrier, we communicate in a way that we can understand each other best.
And never have I ever imagined that I could get to personally meet her family here in Japan, who are immensely kind to me.
I also get to meet her other friends, who are already my friends. My Japanese friends contributed significantly to my maturity.
And that connects to my third reason.
REASON 3:
The food in Chiba is so inexpensive and delicious.
I appreciate the food in Chiba, as I am so in love with fish, root crops, and fresh harvests of farmers sold in local markets.
It helped me outlive the small salary left. Also, my BFF's family showed me their garden and fed me good food during my visit. There I saw how we could cook simple food warmly.
REASON 4:
It is a very inhabitable place to live, mainly because of the people and the beach.
I have been to places famous for their pristine beaches and sand, like Okinawa, Shizuoka, Oarai Ibaraki, Kujukuri in Chiba, and Shonan like Miura, Chigasaki, Enoshima in Fujisawa. Still, there's something in Chiba that made me frequently go back.
In 2015, most of my holidays were at the beach. It's been a part of my routine—that feeling where you can only hear strong waves of sound, and it allows me to recentre my instability.
My boss' invitation was something I could not refuse because I was assured with confidence that I could bring something back from this life overhaul.
As I was still remote working during the trip, I walked by the beach for about an hour each in the morning and afternoon.
I helped a blowfish return to the sea on one of those walks.
I visited a local supermarket called Odoya, and we had yakiniku in our accommodation.
I had breakfast in Malaika, and I went to a famous outlet store in Kisarazu.
(I guess a message for me.)
( A bowl of ramen in Kisarazu Outlet)
Indeed it did. Chiba always gives me good memories and strength. That's why this place is essential to me.
I hope you visit Chiba and see and experience it yourself.
Thanks for reading!
Mei