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Rikki
Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:39 am Post subject: Kagoshima/ First time in Japan questions |
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Hello Everyone,
I've just taken a job with Kagoshima International School and was wondering if anyone could tell me about the school and/or the city. It will be my first trip to Japan and I would appreciate any info or tips any one has to offer.
Thanks! |
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homersimpson
Joined: 14 Feb 2003
Posts: 569
Location: Kagoshima
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| Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:04 am Post subject: |
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| What specifically do you want to know about Kagoshima and/or Kagoshima City? |
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Rikki
Joined: 04 Feb 2005
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 7:14 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the quick reply!
I was wondering about the weather, just how hot and humid is it? I don't speak any Japanese, and I was wondering if there is much in English, like books, banking or anything else. How do people dress? I'm from the west coast of Canada and we don't dress up for much here.
Do you enjoy living in Kagoshima? What do you think the best aspects and the worst aspects of it are? How long have you lived there?
Are you involved in any cultural classes like judo or language classes?
Is there anywhere that I can buy house hold goods CHEAP. My apartment is furnished, but I'll need to buy bedding, dishes etc.
Well, I hope I haven't bogged you down with too many questions. I have 1000's more but I don't want to wear out my welcome too soon. 
Thanks again,
Rikki |
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homersimpson
Joined: 14 Feb 2003
Posts: 569
Location: Kagoshima
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:27 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Thanks for the quick reply!
I was wondering about the weather, just how hot and humid is it? |
Welcome to the sauna! Heat and humidity are just two factors to take into consideration here. Perhaps even more significant is the strength of the sun. If you burn easily, use generous amounts of sunscreen. August is usually the worst month (though for me from May-September are all very uncomfortable), which temps about 35 and humidity over 70%.
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| I don't speak any Japanese, and I was wondering if there is much in English, like books, banking or anything else. |
Most road signs, menus at some restaurants, some ATM machines, the bullet train ticket machine, etc. are provided in both Japanese and English (or romaji). Books may be harder to come by, although you can order from amazon japan for good rates.
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| How do people dress? I'm from the west coast of Canada and we don't dress up for much here. |
I'm not familiar with your school, so any dress code for the job would have to be provided by them. Now, for some gross generalizations about the locals: conservative dress among the "salarymen" and most women. Shorts are not the norm outside of an athletic setting. (Young kids being the exception). Teenage boys often emulate the hip hop culture with the turned hats, baggy pants, etc. Young girls like "current" Japanese fashion but done here are about 1 year behind the Tokyo trends. Mini (but not too mini) skirts and boots are currently the order of the day in Kago now. That said, I still dress in shorts and Tees when not working.
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| Do you enjoy living in Kagoshima? What do you think the best aspects and the worst aspects of it are? How long have you lived there? |
Yes, I enjoy Kago, but I should mention that I do not live in Kagoshima City. I have no desire to live in Kagoshima City, although I sometimes go there via train to do some shopping. I'm not a big fan of crowds and after living in Tokyo for a year the idea was to get away from the hectic pace. Granted, you can't compare Kago City to Tokyo, but with only 2 major shopping places in Kago City it can get quite crowded on weekends/holidays. I've been here for 3 years and will stay a bit longer. The best aspects of Kagoshima (Prefecture; sorry not an expert on the city itself): depending on your location, relatively inexpensive; people outside Kago City tend to be easy to get along with (most not having experienced many foreigners face-to-face); usually short winters; peaceful; can save money; lots of nature; etc. Of course, most of that is just my experience (I happen to have found a good job that I love). Bad points: lots of rain (doesn't bother me, but for some ...); traveling from Kago to more "far-off" points is expensive and not necessarily convenient; the local dialect can be difficult to understand; typhoons; depending on where you live, it can be hard to find some foods you may be craving; etc.
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| Are you involved in any cultural classes like judo or language classes? |
No. My job keeps me pretty busy. In addition to teaching duties I have after-school club responsibilites (although believe me, you could certainly consider that a cultural lesson!).
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| Is there anywhere that I can buy house hold goods CHEAP. My apartment is furnished, but I'll need to buy bedding, dishes etc. |
The are 100 (now 105 w/tax) stores where you can get many items; Daiwa (PLASSE), SATY, A-Coop; Nafco, etc. You really will have to wait until you get to your location and ask around. It all depends on your area because unless you'll have a car you will need to consider how you're going to get to these stores and how you will carry the things back home. It may be best to ask the outgoing teacher as he/she will most likely know the best places.
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Well, I hope I haven't bogged you down with too many questions. I have 1000's more but I don't want to wear out my welcome too soon.
Thanks again,
Rikki |
No problem. Do not hesitate to PM me if you have other questions. |
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David W
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 457
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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OK, everybody don't mention the active volcano on your doorstep. 
Had a frien who lived there, he said periodically the volcano would belch ash into the sky and if you'd left a window open or washing on the line you'd come home to a god-awful mess.
Homer, have you been to Yakushima yet? |
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homersimpson
Joined: 14 Feb 2003
Posts: 569
Location: Kagoshima
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:07 am Post subject: |
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David, haven't been to Yakushima yet, but plan to go. But I have been to Sakurajima a couple of times. It is indeed an active volcano, but if you don't live in the city, the ash is not a factor. Lucky me, I guess.  |
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Lover
Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 86
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| Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:04 am Post subject: |
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Kagoshima is famouse for serving raw horse meat! The first time it was offered to me, I tried it thinking I will only take a little nibble and not eat any more. I ended up eating most of it. Horse meat is very healthy.
Koreans eat dog meat which is not clean meat because dogs eat meat. But horse meat is clean and healthy! Try it!
Also there are many good seafood ezkaya restaurants in Kagoshima. Good luck to you! |
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borealise
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Miami, USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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kagoshima's great! more laid-back than a lot of japan, and without the harsh (non-centrally-heated) winters. yakushima is cool too, like another planet really, with those huge cedars thousands of years old, everything covered with moss.
it's really a choice location in japan, if you ask me--i was on JET and everyone requested kag.
by the way, did you get my PM about the school? i'm thinking of applying there for the fall! |
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