Job Discussion Forums

GhostDzog · Joined: 25 Mar 2016 Posts: 1

Hey,
I am presently trying to work out how to move to Japan for a short period, perhaps a year. So that I can attend one of the two Kodokan Judo Schools (One in Osaka, one in Tokyo).

I was thinking of getting a job teaching TEFL to cover my basic living costs while in Japan.

I plan to do this on as cheap a budget as possible, so will not need the highest salary (although the higher the better). Probably 2 mil budget for 1 year.
(or 1 mil for 6 months). (170,000 yen pm or above ideally for lowest hours possible although more if necessary).

Ideally I would like to work in the hours that I will not be doing Judo.
Judo, generally starts at 5.30 and ends no later than 8.pm.

I am flexible in terms of what type of job or what hours apart from my Judo training limitations.

Any one have any good recommendations (apart from to not bother lol).

Rooster. · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 247

Do you have any savings to help you? What days would you be doing the trying and would they definitely be 5:30 to 8:00?

Osaka is cheaper than Tokyo, especially if you live outside of the city.

An ALT job might be best, but a lot of places will want you working during those hours unfortunately other than ALT positions.

victory7 · Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 68

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

Also, what country are you from (i.e., your passport country) and how old are you? You might be able to get a working holiday visa, which would allow you to stay in Japan for up to a year (18 months for Australians) and do any type of work, full-time or part-time. If you just need enough money to survive, it might be easier to string together a few part-time jobs around your judo hours rather than finding a single full-time job.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I did just this, intending to stay a year to train with my martial art's top teachers at our Hombu for a year. This is year 12 now Laughing

What I did - I got recruited from my home country, placed in deep country too far from the dojos. I could only train on weekends. Many of the other students experienced the same - two hours each way to get from work/home to dojo.

Within four months, I found a position at a private high school, central Tokyo, and was hired on the merits of teaching experience, certification and Japanese language ability.

Of the few foreign dojo members who work in education are not TEFLers. They're uni profs and private high school teachers like me. I only ever met one guy who juggled eikaiwa work and training.