When Japanese People Talk About Their Hometown

Japanese people living in Canada, especially those from less well-known cities, tend to say they are from a larger nearby city. For example, people from Saitama or Chiba often say they are from Tokyo, while those from Wakayama or Nara might say they are from Osaka.

The reason for this is simple: non-Japanese people usually do not know the geography of Japan well. If someone says they are from Saitama, they will most likely have to explain its location every time—“It is near Tokyo…”—which can get tiresome. To avoid this hassle, people from prefectures around Tokyo often just say they are from Tokyo.

However, when talking to other Japanese people in Canada, it is common to say one’s real hometown. If someone says they are from Saitama, fellow Japanese people will immediately understand where that is without needing an explanation.

I have only met one person who consistently claimed to be from Tokyo but was actually from Kanagawa Prefecture. She would often say, “I am from Tokyo,” and act as if she were a true Tokyo native. But one day, when I casually asked, “Which ward in Tokyo are you from?” she suddenly became flustered. At that moment, I realized I had asked a question I should not have.

She had always projected a very “Tokyo-like” image, and I never got the impression that she was from a more rural part of Tokyo, like Nishitokyo City or Machida. So I had assumed she must be from one of the 23 central wards. However, my question put her in a tough spot. She hesitated for a moment before admitting that she was actually from Kanagawa. But then she quickly started justifying it—telling me that her area used Tokyo Gas and that it only took about 20 minutes by train to reach central Tokyo, so it was basically Tokyo. (Even though I had not asked.)

I honestly did not care whether she was from Kanagawa or Tokyo, but as she passionately explained her connection to Tokyo, I realized she had a deep insecurity about not being from the city. When I later told a Tokyo-born friend about this, she simply said, “People from Kanagawa do that a lot.” Maybe this is a common thing among people from areas near Tokyo.

Now, she lives in Toronto, but rather than mentioning nearby cities like Mississauga or Brampton, she insists that her address is Toronto. That, at least, seems to be non-negotiable for her.