Job Discussion Forums

[matthews_world]

Just curious how long it take people to get to work everyday and their commuting nightmares.

What do you all use to get to work?

I'm considering a large corporation to work for and which cities are the best to live in concerning this dilemma.

I suspect smaller cities and rural areas would be the best case scenario.

And are cars really worth buying in Japan?

[Celeste]

I live in Fukuoka. I commute a lot. On days when I am in my office all day, I take my bicycle and it takes 50 minutes.

On days when I am going to an elementary school and then the office, it usually takes me an hour on the bus, subway, and/or train to get where I'm going. I would not consider owning a car in my city because it is completely flat and easy to get around on a bike, not to mention the fact that the subway leaves every 3-8 minutes.

[BenJ]

30 minute subway ride or 25 mins by bike to my different schools. No dramas. Work even pays for me to ride my bike.

[TokyoLiz]

An hour and 25 minutes to work, and 2 hours home in the evening. I live in Chiba City and work on the Yamanote line.

I hate it.

[matthews_world]

I don't get it.

Are Japanese cities built in sections where they have the business district in one are and the residential in another or is it just the housing.

Do Japanese schools have already prepared housing or can teachers also choose their own.

[Gordon]

A 15 minute car ride to work each way and there is never a rush hour. Work even pays a supplement to cover the costs. This is one of the best commutes I've ever had in my life.

[Gordon]

[denise]

I've got a great commute, too--about a four-minute walk! My car is for purely recreational purposes. (But then, I live out in the rice fields--the easy commute is one of the trade-offs for giving up the excitement of city life, I suppose.)

d

[guest of Japan]

My first two years in Japan I walked 15 minutes to work.
My third year I walked 5 minutes.
Now it takes me about an hour. I go in the opposite direction of the rush, but it's still the least pleasant part of my day.

[Brooks]

my commute is easy, just two stops away on the train.

For my girlfriend, it sucks. She has three part-time jobs.
She takes a train and a bus to Atsugi, and she takes two trains to get to Shibuya, and one to get to Shinjuku.
I have thought of moving, but paying more key money doesn`t sound like a good idea.

[SEndrigo]

I have a 5 minute commute on my bicycle, or 15 minutes if I walk

Before you tell me how lucky I am, consider that I have a mountain bike (which does not have mud flaps like the mama-chani bikes), so every time it rains and I take my bicycle, I get completely drenched because the water splashes right up.

But when it does not rain.....I admit, I'm the luckiest bloke on this message board

[Sheep-Goats]

[Glenski]

I live in the suburbs of Sapporo. If I use public transportation, I have a 15 minute bus ride, plus a 20 minute bus ride. There might be a 15 minute wait between buses. If I drive myself, it takes about half an hour.

[SEndrigo]

Too right!

I haven't been here that long, but all I can say to the new arrivals and those hoping to come over here, is:

I could not imagine working for a company that didn't take care of housing.

It's not rare to have to pay 5 months rent up front (2 of which go to the absolutely absurd key money), plus having to furnish the place.

If you do that, IMO it doesn't make any sense to stay in Japan only for one year.

Fortunately, I didnt have to pay any key money or deposits up front, and the flat was furnished. But I know people who teach at high schools who have had to pay their own way....and it wasn't pretty.

Oh and yes, avoid NOVA like the plague (I just had to insert this here, lol)

[bearcat]

I have an hour and a half commute one way. But I have other perks and benefits that make me grin and bear it.