Living Abroad in Japan

Preview the introduction and table of contents

 

Born in Tokyo and raised in Hokkaido, Ruthy Kanagy is an expert on Japanese culture and currently works as a travel systems consultant, leading cycling tours of Japan. Ruthy provides insight and first-hand advice on navigating the language and culture of Japan, outlining all the information needed in a smart, organized, and straightforward manner. Moon Living Abroad in Japan makes the moving and transition process easy for businesspeople, students, teachers, retirees, and professionals.

Moon Living Abroad in Japan is packed with essential information and must-have details on setting up daily life, including obtaining visas, arranging finances, gaining employment, choosing schools, and finding health care. This relocation guide also includes practical advice on how to rent or buy a home for a variety of needs and budgets, whether it’s an apartment in Tokyo or a mountain retreat in Nagano. All Moon Living Abroad guides include color photos, black and white photos, black and white illustrations, and maps.

About the Author

Ruthy Kanagy was born in Tokyo and grew up on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. After finishing high school in Japan and higher education in the United States, Ruthy taught English and Japanese language and culture for 22 years at universities in the United States and Japan. She also translated a Japanese children’s book, The Park Bench.
When she started cycling in earnest in 2000, she discovered the joy of traveling under her own power, without reliance on fossil fuels. A highlight was touring Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan — exploring her roots and visiting the places her family had lived when she was young. The mountains, caldera lakes, hot springs, rugged seacoast, and wildflowers were just as she remembered.


In 2006, Ruthy organized Japan Cycle Tours to introduce cyclists to Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kyoto, and other areas. She is convinced that encountering new cultures on a bicycle makes you more approachable and brings you closer to local people. Currently, Ruthy is a bicycle travel consultant at Green Gear Cycling/Bike Friday, builders of custom, high-performance bicycles that pack into a suitcase for air travel (www.bikefriday.com). Her job is to help people design the bikes they need for adventures around the world. She is also studying French and Korean in hopes of further exploring the globe by pedal power.
Other than annual trips to Japan, Ruthy calls Eugene, Oregon home; her two daughters live in San Francisco and New York City. Ruthy’s travel photos are displayed at www.livingabroadinjapan.com.