Job Discussion Forums

[maryknight]

hi,
i�m from the pacific northwest and i�m trying to decide where in japan to job hunt. if i try for northern japan, will the school be most likely heated? how about my apartment? space heaters worked fine for me in spain, so i think i�m okay without central heat (if they even have it in japan).
thanks so much! i�m in mexico now and i really love teaching english. i think if i can get over my nervousness tefl in japan will be a next step for me.
thanks!

[Glenski]

Up here in Sapporo, Hokkaido we go to school in igloos and we live in mud dome homes. Just kidding. Of course the buildings are heated. In fact, in winter the school is often too hot in the staff room and classrooms, so sometimes we have to open a window. NO kidding.

The hallways can be chilly in my school, though. Kids are always carrying blankets, too, so what does that tell you about the toughness of kids who live up here? Of course, some of those same kids use blankets during the summer months, too. Once again, NO kidding.

As for apartments, there is no central heating in most of them, so there will be a kerosene space heater. Because Japan is prone to earthquakes, it is not advisable to leave on the heater when you sleep or leave home, and that can make it rather cold when you wake up or return. Tatami mat floors are great, though, because they feel so much warmer than tile floors in your bare feet.

[lalalateda]

I've been living in Eastern Hokkaido this winter and yes it's cold. But I keep waiting for it to get shockingly cold and so far it hasn't happened. I mean it's cold and it's not likely to be above 0 much December - February. But it's been bearable. I have a kerosene heater in my apartment and it does the job. The schools are warm and the shops are always too warm.

[AndyH]

I used to live in Eastern Hokkaido, and to be honest, I thought my apartment in Chiba was actually much colder!
I don't know why homes in the south can't seem to be equipped with the same heating systems that people in the north enjoy.
I don't think you'll have to worry too much about the cold. Just get used to lots of snow.

[maryknight]

okay. you helped me figure it out! i�m coming up north. i realized that, after all, i do like snowshowing and i used to live in denver (not as cold, i realize) but i do know how to dress for the cold. in denver the only people who stepped out their door without gloves on were people from california who constantly complained about the weather and never purchased a really warm coat.

[AndyH]

If you are from Oregon (I'm from Eugene), you'll love Hokkaido!
Good luck!