Shikoku is The South

Uncanny Parallels between The American South and Japan`s forgotten island

Bear with me here, but theres enough commonalities that I think its some sort of cosmic coincidence. I think God is telling me to go back to the countryside, pick up the banjo, and wear overalls.

1. They're both in the South. Well that was a dead giveaway. Shikoku is in Southwestern Japan, and the South. . .well you get the idea.

2. They`re both more rural and agricultural than the norm. You'll see plenty of cows, ranches and plantations in the South, and you'll see all kinds of rice fields, orchards, and random greenhouses all over the place in Shikoku.

3. They're both more religious than the rest of the country. Its all about Jesus in The South, and Shikoku is the home of Japan`s most renowned Buddhist pilgrimage.

4. Fat people!!! Lord knows there's all manner of tubby bastards in The South. Shikoku is nowhere near that standard, but Ive seen some nice pudgy folks around the fishing villages, and some bona fide fatasses naked in the hot springs, which you just don't see back in sleek, airbrushed Tokyo.

5. Military culture. The American military both recruits and stations a disproportionate amount of troops from, and in the South, and in Shikoku, you see military recruitment posters all over the place. Note that you see this in other rural parts of Japan as well, like up in Hokkaido.

6. Accents! The South is famous for its laid back drawl, and a lot of people around here are repping Osaka-ben, the less formal cousin to proper and sterile Tokyo-style Japanese. Osaka-ben has been translated in dubbing as both New York and Southern accents, so take your pick I guess. It's not an exact science.

7. And in a very strange coincidence, Ive already met 2 Japanese dudes here in Shikoku who have studied abroad at Alabama State University!!! I guess its time for the Sons of the South to unite. Most good old boys would probably not be cool with sushi, but they can definitely bond over beer! Kampai!