Posted on Nov 28, 2020
Which one is better to be stationed at, Japan or Korea?
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I’ve been deployed to Korea and I enjoyed some of it. But I also heard about Japan. I’m curious to know which of the two is the better one and why.
PCS
Duty Stations
Overseas
Korea
Japan
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 12
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It really depends on your MOS, personal and professional desires.
Japan is expensive, it’s a somewhat closed (but amiable) culture to foreigners, has mostly higher HQs organizations and is rank heavy. Lovely country, interesting experience and feels like your a tourist when there.
Korea-cheaper, more open than Japan, more tactical units, good travel in country, lots more American presence, could be more field time which could stymie your travel aspirations.
Both are great jumping off points to travel to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia. Both can give you an island fever per se as a Soldier. And both offer a unique experience.
As a CPL I would suggest Korea, for promotion potential, and MOS experience. But Okinawa or Mainland can provide some benefits in Japan if that is your cup of tea.
Japan is expensive, it’s a somewhat closed (but amiable) culture to foreigners, has mostly higher HQs organizations and is rank heavy. Lovely country, interesting experience and feels like your a tourist when there.
Korea-cheaper, more open than Japan, more tactical units, good travel in country, lots more American presence, could be more field time which could stymie your travel aspirations.
Both are great jumping off points to travel to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia. Both can give you an island fever per se as a Soldier. And both offer a unique experience.
As a CPL I would suggest Korea, for promotion potential, and MOS experience. But Okinawa or Mainland can provide some benefits in Japan if that is your cup of tea.
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What is true for me is not necessarily true for you. I really liked Okinawa and Korea. Both offered lots of opportunity to "leave America Behind." And enjoy a slower culture and pace. I spent two years in Tokyo one day, (yes I really meant two years in one day. I didn't like being in Tokyo). Overseas, I spent almost none of my off-duty time in "the ville."
I don't like big modern cities no matter where they are. I've been to London, Paris, Athens, Munich, Nairobi, Mexico City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Manila. As far as I am concerned, If you can see 10 cars moving, it is God's way of saying "go somewhere else." I rather sit in the piazza of a small town with less than 1000 population eating cheese, good bread, and a fruit plate.
I don't like big modern cities no matter where they are. I've been to London, Paris, Athens, Munich, Nairobi, Mexico City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Manila. As far as I am concerned, If you can see 10 cars moving, it is God's way of saying "go somewhere else." I rather sit in the piazza of a small town with less than 1000 population eating cheese, good bread, and a fruit plate.
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Maj John Bell
CWO3 (Join to see) - The goats keep telling jokes that go over my head and they are very condescending so the conversations are usually short and strictly business. I usually talk more with the chickens and turkeys.
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SSgt Thomas L.
Maj John Bell - They "learn" English in school, but it's hardly ever from a fluent speaker, let alone a native speaker. It's true that your average Japanese person speaks more English than your average American speaks Japanese, but don't expect them to know more than a few words... specially older people.
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Maj John Bell
SSgt Thomas L. - You experiences don't match up with my experiences. I'm sure yours are valid, but well away from the base I still found that most of the people between 10 and 30 were conversational. Those people would be 45-65 now.
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SSgt Thomas L.
Maj John Bell - TBH my experience is definitely colored by the fact that my 3 older kids went to Japanese schools for 9 years and speak with native/bilingual proficiency. I'm sure that disincentivized the locals we encountered from attempting to speak to us in English.
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Depends on if you prefer yakisoba, or bulgogi and kimchi. Both places will be what you make of them. US $ exchange rate matters, but mostly your duty assignment.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
SPC Joshua Blotzer - They had the tiny bottles of sesame seasoning that kicked it up a notch. Several of us Engrs used to go to a great soba shop in Naha Okinawa on Service C Fridays. Sometimes change from camo to civvies during lunch even. At Iwakuni JP they had a soba truck that drove around the MCAS after hours. Think it was 100 yen (around 50 cents then in 79) for a bowl of soup soba with what we called monkey meat.
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SFC William Farrell
CWO3 (Join to see) - I'd have to go with Yaki Mandu, Korean dumplings! I loved them in Korea when I was stationed there in 1970 and we'd usually get them along with a bottle of wine. I missed them and could never find them again. In 1986 I was with the Army in Alexandria, Egypt and living in a hotel. I looked out the window first night in the hotel and I see a Korea restaurant. I walked over and asked them if they had any and I was soon in heaven again with my dumplings. I have not found them here in the states as of yet!
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CWO3 (Join to see)
SFC William Farrell - Like to try it. A good food stays on your mind a long time. We mostly ate at Peggy's near Pohang. Tiny shop with hot soba, kimchi, cheeseburgers, and fries. Cold beer. Lot's of slurping, chomping, and guzzling there during Team Spirit or KITP.
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