Job Discussion Forums

[ksw09]

I will be moving to Japan this summer to begin work in Kawasaki. After spending a couple of weeks researching apartments in Kawasaki I have realized that there are many options in Yokohama that I like better. Does anyone here have experience commuting between the two cities? If so in your opinion would it be worth the commute to have an apartment you prefer more? Just curious what those with experience think on the subject, thanks for any input.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

-Find the area in which you want to live in Yokohama.
-Find the closest train station.
-Find out the name of the closest train station to where you will work.
-Go to www.hyperdia.com (make sure you use the English version if you don't read Japanese)
-find out how much it will cost to go from one station to the other. Look at the number of transfers and the length of time of the commute (Add extra time for every time you need to transfer)
-Decide if it's worth it. Remember that you will need to do this twice a day

[ksw09]

[mitsui]

Depends how long the commute is, and how far from a train station you are.
I do prefer Yokohama. Kawasaki is just next to Tokyo, so a little closer in getting there.

I use Jorudan for checking travel times.

Certain lines (Minato-Mirai, Toyoko) tend to be more expensive in terms of living near them.

[ksw09]

[2buckets]

Intercity commuting can be very tedious. I used to commute to Osaka from Kyoto 3 times a week for a 2 hour session. Terrible experience, and very fatiguing. I told the employer I couldn't do it anymore. They liked me enough to send a car and driver.

I'd try to find a place close to your job, at least in the same city, with train station close to your place.

[mitsui]

Kawasaki only since it is closer to Tokyo.
It is just a place to live.

For Yokohama, it is so big.
Aka Renga is nice, as is the place by the stadium (Kannai), or around the Minato Mirai Line to Chinatown.
Yokohama has its own subway with two lines.
Restaurants and bars are good. Better nightlife.

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan, but it feels more spacious than Tokyo.