About WFA series
The “Work from Anywhere at Anytime”(WFA) program was introduced in September 2020. In this “WFA Special” series, we offer insights into solving the challenges of working remotely by sharing some practices our colleagues have adopted.
Today we are pleased to introduce Dikshant, who lives in Shizuoka Prefecture. Here are some of the highlights and challenges he has encountered since he joined the company using the WFA system, along with some photos of the locale!
Janaawa Dikshant
Backend Engineer
I’m in charge of developing stamp card related features as a backend developer in the O2O team, Product Division.
You’ve lived in Tokyo for a while after coming to Japan from India, am I right?
Yes, I was born in Haryana, India. As a child, I had only seen green fields and small hills, so my five years in Tokyo have definitely been a wonderful experience.
I still love the mountains and nature though, so I decided to take advantage of WFA and find a place where I can lead a more fulfilling lifestyle. Starting from Yamanashi, Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures, I visited various cities on weekends and holidays, not to mention a lot of virtual trips to other areas through Google Street View. Two months in the making, I decided to move to Fujinomiya City in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The amazing view of Mt. Fuji was what helped make my mind up. There was also a calm air about the city, plus there were good shops and restaurants. Also, the weather wasn’t that much colder than Tokyo.
How is it working remotely from Shizuoka?
It’s been nothing but good, starting with the fact that I feel more efficient in getting things done. The commute time has been reduced to zero, which saves time and a huge amount of mental energy. I have more personal time to study at night classes, working out, enjoying a walk or sipping coffee at cafes.
The landscape is scenic wherever you go, and there are no crowded trains or queues at restaurants. You can live in a much better house for less rent compared to the city. The Internet is also super fast.
What are you careful about with remote work?
I think it’s important to communicate your availability to the team and to prioritize urgent work.
We handle projects in two-week sprints, so I always try to set realistic goals and make an effort to maximize the portion of the work I’m responsible for so there are less deadlocks and dependencies.
Also, it’s important that there’s a good café nearby! (laughs)
Do you have any difficulties with working remotely?
In addition to remote work, PayPay offers a super-flex work hours system, so each of us starts and finishes work at different times and even different time zones. It can get a little frustrating when I can’t respond to someone or help them in a timely manner.
Any messages to people who are thinking about relocating?
Many cities offer programs that support moving into their local area, including trials, virtual guides, and trial remote work experience packages, amongst other things. You should check it out!
Many cities offer programs that support moving into their local area, including trials, virtual guides, and trial remote work experience packages, amongst other things. You should check it out!
Where are your favorite spots?
The Shiraito Falls. Asagiri Highland. Farms. Beer breweries. Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center. There are so many more too, but I would have to say, the view of Mt. Fuji from various locations beats the rest. You can see it from basically anywhere in the city, even from the window of my bathroom.
[Editor’s note]
How was Dikshant’s “Life in Shizuoka”?
I was impressed that he used map apps, in addition to visiting various cities to decide where to move. I also did some research after interviewing Dikshant, and I found that many cities are now offering support for people moving from the Greater Tokyo area. Whether you are already telecommuting or are considering working remotely, I hope you found this article helpful!
Thanks to：Janaawa Dikshant ／ Editor：Kona（PayPay Inside-Out Editorial Team） /English Editor: Kye
* The information given is as of the time of the interview.
