Job Discussion Forums

[olorin]

My wife and I have just received a job offer from Nova, and of course, they say they'll try to place you where you request. I'm thinking about that old addage that goes, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." So, I'm trying to figure out where we might enjoy our time in Japan the most. Here are some factors:

1. We want to stay together in the same apartment (so the branches need to be close enough to each other, which may limit some smaller towns, right?)

2. I play several instruments (trumpet, bass, keyboards) and can play in genres from pop to jazz to classical (I've been classically trained), so somewhere with accessibility to some or all of these musics, and music stores that cater these musicians as well (I'd like to buy a mic stand in Japan rather than ship mine).

3. I'd like to join a daiko dojo, or some other indigenous ensemble.

4. We'd like to have access to high-bandwidth internet in our apartment, if possible.

So, am I dreaming, or is this stuff available anywhere? Are big cities or medium cities better (this is our first time in Japan, so if the locals are indifferent it might be difficult)? Specific cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai)? We are really excited and are looking forward to experiencing what a lot of you already have. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[JimDunlop2]

I can tell you where I'm at.... I live with my wife in a city of 200,000 or so in Yamanashi prefecture.

We have:

1. More than our fair share of music stores (I also play a number of instruments)...

2. an ADSL line (through NTT)

3. You may/may not be together working for Nova... It's just one of those situations where they really don't give a damn about the personal lives of their employees...

4. Currently working on the extra-curricular angle myself... But even today I saw a Brazilian "Capoeira" demonstration and a Taiko drum demonstration at a festival.... So it would be reasonable to assume they gather and practice locally... right?

Look for any mid-sized city... I'd say a couple hundred thousand is a good bet.... You don't need something as big as Osaka or anything... But you're right.... Nothing TOO rural... If I were in your shoes I'd be asking for something that's at least within weekend commuting distance from a large city (I'm about 2 hrs by train from Tokyo)... But that's just me. Personally, if it weren't for the costs of living/commuting, etc I'd just as soon live in Tokyo -- I'm a big city type of person myself.... I lived 10 years in a Canadian city of 800,000 people and I felt like I needed something bigger. Ironic that I've ended up here now....

[olorin]

Thank you, Dunlop-san! My wife and I have requested to be placed in Tokyo or Kanto. So, do you gig at all, or have you found some mates to jam with?