Yokohama
Jul 17th 2008 00:30
My hometown is Mie prefecture that is located in the middle of Japan.
I had came to Yokohama by a company transfer and I've been living here for seven years.
Incongruously, people who live in Yokohama will say 'I live in Yokohama' if you ask them 'which prefecture do you live in?'.
Actually, Yokohama is a city of Kanagawa prefecture, but hamakko (this is a person who live in Yokohama) never say 'I live in Kanagawa prefecture' in common conversation (I've never heard it.) because they are very proud of living in Yokohama.
I couldn't understand why people never say their prefecture. But now, I will answer that 'I live in Yokohama' if you ask me...
Doesn't that strike you as weird?
I had came to Yokohama by a company transfer and I've been living here for seven years.
Incongruously, people who live in Yokohama will say 'I live in Yokohama' if you ask them 'which prefecture do you live in?'.
Actually, Yokohama is a city of Kanagawa prefecture, but hamakko (this is a person who live in Yokohama) never say 'I live in Kanagawa prefecture' in common conversation (I've never heard it.) because they are very proud of living in Yokohama.
I couldn't understand why people never say their prefecture. But now, I will answer that 'I live in Yokohama' if you ask me...
Doesn't that strike you as weird?
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My hometown is Mie Prefecture, which is located in the middle of Japan.
I had came to Yokohama after changing companies and I've been living here for seven years.
Strangely, people who live in Yokohama will say 'I live in Yokohama' if you ask them 'which prefecture do you live in?'.
Actually, Yokohama is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, but hamakko (these are people who live in Yokohama) never say 'I live in Kanagawa prefecture' in common conversation (I've never heard it) because they are very proud of living in Yokohama.
I couldn't understand why people didn't say their prefecture.
My company transferred me to Yokohama seven years ago.
Thank you for correcting!
How was your friend's answer? :)
I think when you are talking where you are from, it's important to keep in mind who you are talking to. For example, I live in the countryside of Japan now, and when I am asked by a person here where I am from, it's most natural for me to start with 'America', because they probably don't know the city that I am from. However, if I am talking to somebody in my own state, even if they are not from Texas (my home state), they probably know the city I am from because they are in Texas at the moment.
Sorry, it sounds more complicated than it should be!
Also,
Since Yokohama is Japan's second largest city (and also quite a famous town in terms of being a port and international trade), it's probably better known then it's own prefecture's name.