Japanese Neighbors

A "Kairan Ban" [回覧板] is a folder that is passed among neighbors who are members of a Chonai Kai [町内会] or "town association." The members pay a monthly fee to the Chonai Kai leader. Paying money to the Chonai Kai is not enforced by law and the leader has no political leads - its all run separately from the government and is a tradition that goes far back.

Being a member of the Chonai Kai is voluntary but everybody ends up joining - its more of an obligation/tradition. The fee paid to the Chonai Kai is decided by you - we pay about a 200 yen per month which seems to be the norm.
Being a member means that you get passed one of these KaiRan Ban. "Kairan" [回覧] means "to circulate" and "Ban" [板] means board.

The Kairan Ban contains information relevant to the area that the members live in. It could be information on new constructions, events like matsuri, new rules on when to throw out the rubbish etc. Once you've read it, you pass it onto your neighbors who are usually members of the Chonai Kai. What I do is put in eroge leaflets to let the neighbors know about the latest releases.
The first time I learnt of the Kairan Ban custom was in a manga - I think it could have been Ranma 1/2.

Having Japanese neighbors has been really nice since we moved in to our house - very different to the experience I had back in the UK. I used to have unemployed drug addicts living below us who would play loud music all day and night - I know they were drug addicts because the boys in blue came into bust them one day. They once stole the electric fuse from the fusebox that was located outside the house - leaving us without electricity.

Our Japanese neighbors are very different. They bring over food that they have cooked - cake or some pickles, noodles etc. They all seem to have relatives who own farms which is why they always bring us fresh vegetables etc. These are not just the neighbors next door but across the street and around the corner too.

Its important to get off on a good start with your neighbors and know the Aisatsu [挨拶] custom when moving into a new area. Basically you bring along a small gift and knock on your surrounding neighbors door to say hello and "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu" - I am sure you have heard of this term in your anime watching. Its such a common greeting which has a meaning of "How do you do?", "please do me the favor", "lets get on together well" - its kind hard to explain Yoroshiku but just roll all the previous meanings into one. If you are staying with friends in Japan, the first thing you will want to say to the family is "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu."

What are neighbors like in your region?