Aomori or Bust?

[rakugo_report]

I am officially unemployed, which means all I can think about is getting my next job. My old friend insomnia is back, but now instead of causing me to hopefully apply to several places, it only makes me dread logging into my email to see nothing but spam. I have received one response from a kindergarten company, telling me thanks but no thanks. I'm beginning to think that even though I absolutely love Yokohama and living in the city and all it has to offer, it might be better for me to try to find work in Tsugaru, or at least Aomori Prefecture (aka the middle of nowhere). There are a few benefits to this: 

• There is practically no job competition.
• I would be able to learn the Tsugaru-jamisen in Tsugaru.
• I would be forced to speak Japanese nearly constantly.

There are also a few drawbacks:

• I would have to get a car and a license.
• I would end up speaking like a hick.
• I don't know a single person there.
• It's in the middle. of. nowhere.
• Goodbye amazing Tokyo fashion!!!

Of course I've heard horror stories of people being trapped in the inaka (countryside) and being shunned by the Japanese, but I strongly feel that music is a magic bullet that would provide me with an amazing community. Folk musicians are incredibly accepting people, and it would be an amazing experience to learn the "real" thing.

I found a single English-teaching job in Aomori, and I've decided to apply. The single thing that tipped me over was finding the website for the city the job is in, and seeing this at the top of the events list: Month Long Events: Tsugaru Shamisen Street Concerts

Guess I'm bringing my snow boots after all!