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Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

After researching a bunch of Japanese cities, Sapporo seems like one I'd be interested in teaching in (as well as many others such as Kyoto and Osaka). I've searched the web, read some lonely planet books and asked around, but for those who actually live there (or have lived there) I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the city. Cost of living, nightlife, etc..I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts you have.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Been in Sapporo for the past 5 years. I have taught at a language school, in private lessons, and in a private high school (PT and FT). I'm not a partying person, but I have gone out with students and friends, plus with my Japanese girlfriend (now wife).

Sapporo has a large center for entertainment and nightlife, called Susukino. It is has your usual assortment of bars, clubs, pachinko, soaplands, restaurants, etc., and it is very popular for old and young.

Sapporo has many fine restaurants serving international cuisine, from Thai to Chinese, to Indian, to Italian, on and on.

Very close is Mt. Moiwa which provides skiing, but this is not the only place for such sports. Other sites are within easy reach for skiing, snowboarding (both of which are very popular for people from other parts of Japan), as well as for hiking and rock climbing.

In winter there is the week-long Snow Festival, and in summer there is the Beer Garden and the Yokakoi Soran dance festival, to mention just a few major events. Despite all this, I wouldn't say Sapporo was a hub of tourist activities, but it does attract a lot of people for various reasons, many of which are outside the city, not inside. For example, the nearby onsen resorts of Jozankei, Shokotsu-ko, and Toya-ko, plus scenic landscapes along the coast, plus the city of Otaru with its modest canal and glassworks shops, the city of Yoichi with its Nikka whisky factory.

This is a very friendly, peaceful, pleasant area in which to live. Winters are long (5 months) with lots of snow, but only you can say whether it is too cold or not. For me, a low of -15C is nothing, but this is the coldest you will face in Sapporo (-20 to -30 in other parts of Hokkaido). It is a clean city laid out in a nice square grid pattern like Kyoto, and containing some very good public transportation.

Cost of living is a bit cheaper than the raging metropolis of Tokyo, but what other place isn't?! I can send you a list of grocery prices if you are interested, just so you can compare with Price Check Tokyo at www.pricechecktokyo.com .

You will have to contend with the cost of flights to Tokyo if you want to leave the city and on to other countries, of course. The bullet train stops short of Hokkaido, but you can reach this island with regular train or ferry boat. I've seen a large portion of the island, so feel free to ask specific questions if you like.

I'll stop here before I sound TOO much like a promotional campaign.

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

Great info, thank you very much for replying

run-jp

Hi Canuck,

I lived in sapporo many years too and one thing i know about Glenski is that he is very knowledgeable but, like many academics, he exaggerates about things he doesn't know and sometimes misses some basic points. Still I don't want to be too hard on a guy who works so much and then spends hours every week posting here and reminding us of those home-spun idioms we've forgotten like "pay a pretty penny for lessons" etc.

Sapporo is scenic if you are lucky to have a view without a 10 story building in the way or live south or west of downtown. It is a bunch of concrete towers like most big cities in japan, though you can't compare its size to Tokyo. Many parks but some are terriibly manicured and full of dog walker "clubs" (Nakajima) or criss-crossed with city streets (Odori Oark). Luckily there is the large and natural Makomanai Park about 800m from the subway. There is high unemployment, and the highest number of empty taxis in an city in the develpoed world, i think. sapporo was built up on tourism since the 72 Olympics and hasn't recovered much from the burst bubble because of this lack of investment in factories (none reallY)
and technology. Many will tell you that business classes are few or a joke here. I agree to that. If you can get a kaisha to pay for 3 months of classes without bailing, thats not bad. I remember (my school and me) blocking off a few hours for a software company...my boss may ve been paid but I got just a months worth... so in a nutshell, English is a low priority for people here, a low priority for even hotel staff,...mostly a hobby for adults. the kids scene is now quite good so you dont need a CELTA (got a nice smile?) even hotel staff.

Also I am hoping G-man will tell us where ther's some rock climbing (besides indoor gyms...the folks at Shugakuso outdoors don't charge much for this). Don't confuse HIKING with rock climbing which requires
a 30 min trip to Otaru an then a bus to Akai-iwa...any rock routes in sapporo must be a secret between Glenski and rippled-tummy, chalky-handed buddies. There are people who gym climb that you ll likely meet if you put the word out at any bars. there are maybe 3 or 4 days where the ice at waterfalls is cold enough to ice climb, which puts into a bit of doubt the statement "a low of -15C is nothing..." (yes, compared to East Hokkaido). Sapporo isnt so awfully cold. it is the length of the winter, the frequency of snow dumps and the lack of
insulation in so many poorly-built blocks of flats. this will stress you out if you aren't "in to" winter. Crows are many, winter and summer, and seem to be part of chuo ward garbage removal plan... or are they just the official bird?

still, if you are a strong MTB rider, you can escape taxis & crows & find some cool and natural areas to ride, roads or some single track, up around Okurayama (ski jump) , about 15 mins from downtown area.

As G said there is skiing. Moiwa is relatively small. Most prefer going to Niseko, Teine, Kokusai Rusutsu or others. early birds can get buses or make a friend with a car. gaijin with cars are common now.

Glenski knows more of the job scene there, I am sure, but my impression is not good. sapporo has seen a big, big influx of 22 y.o. guys who will work cheaper than standard...they come so they can board a season or 2. the dreaded EC (not ECC) is often hiring if U R thick-skinned (see the recent EC therad) but most of the jobs are few hours and a bit dodgy, unless you someone who is leaving, etc. so GO if you really love the snow, but try another place if you hope to save up a nice packet of yen.

sore ja, be-ah.
Tonton Sapporo

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

run-jp,

Did I write something that offended you? Geez! I offered my opinion of Sapporo based on my experiences. Why did you have to be so arrogant and snippy?

I know a couple of people who rock climb. Yes, climb, not hike. So what? You haven't? No reason to snipe about "rock routes in sapporo must be a secret between Glenski and rippled-tummy, chalky-handed buddies. " I'm certainly not a climber and figure the original poster just wanted to know if it was done here. Period. Go easy on me, "r-man".

I'm also flabbergasted at your flippant remark about my comments concerning the winter temperature.

run-jp

...Gobsmacked that my senpai Glenski took offense at my chiding of him and his "ripple-tummied" rock climbing buddies. Tell me you are putting me on
about you being offended at being called an "academic". you spend 12 hours a day at school by your own admission. Should I grant you an alter-ego?....and say Glenski was mistaken about rock climbing in sapporo because...his real hobbies are carousing and pumpimg iron so he never got to top rope. Come on G ...uh...Glenski (sorry I guess you dont like friendly nicknames), have a kitakitsune (almost Dosanko beer) and rest sassured that I have always thought that you were an intelligent and consciencious poster, but that your ambition takes you, at times, outside the realm of expertise.

You ask me who i am? did i really live there? Do I have to email you my visa pages. Do you think I know there is climbing in the north stairwell of Shugakuso fom drinking in Tokyo. I would know if there were (natural) climbing in the city, because I discussed it the the shop manager a few times and he denied any existence of routes. His ashes were scatterred
on Akadake (Taizetzu Range) in April of Heisei 13, so sorry, you can't confirm this dialogue. I imagine that someone in the shop would say the same or they may agree with you if they feel you are a kurute'ru gaijin
and agree. personally the whole arguement seems stupid in light of the remembrance of a great man who had better things to do them be frustrated in front of a PC screen.

In light of your stressful schedule, for which I expressly gave you your due before, I will now assume that you meant INDOOR rock climbing, which exists in many clubs. However to some purists, this is like showering in a rain coat...and can't be called rock climbing but GYM CLIMBING (it does feel a bit sterile). SO I know you ll forgive me for my literalist correction before.

Next, i didn't disagree with the fact that it can reach -15 C in sapporo.
It is a bit misleading because I kno well that jan/Feb daytime averages are
0 or above. Some solid proof is the obvious melting/breaking of the smaller snow statues in Odori in early 2002. I can not comment on 2003.
I just think it is more important that people know there appartment may be a cold, non-insulated building (my flats were), with smelly or expensive heating if they don't choose carefully.

also, winter cycling is more feasible when it stays below zero (hey! very doable) than when ithe snow melts and refreezes most every day (the trend I usually saw) For people who are kateikyoshi or have two working places, this