Job Discussion Forums

[Canadian_Krista]

Hi all,
I'm just starting the search for somwhere to apply to in Japan to teach English. I don't know much about the country and I'm looking for some advice. I'd like to work in a city that's not too big but not small like a village either (ie. not Tokyo!). I'd like somewhere that's got a good 'city life'-restaurants, leisure centres (a gym), and fun stuff to do (fetivals and so forth) but that is also a good base from which to travel. I just want to experience as much as I can while I'm over there.
Thanks
Krista

[Glenski]

How are you on climate? Japan has a wide range. Your likes and dislikes will probably be the first thing to consider.

[Canadian_Krista]

Climate-excellent question that I haven't really given much thought to. I guess something without to much extreme weather in either direction (not rediculously hot and not rediculously cold either-that's what it's like in Toronto-blazing in the summer-freezing freezing freezing in the winter...). But-all in all-I'm not too terribly picky.

[wangtesol]

Just go to the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe). Lots of historical areas, beaches, etc... The stuff you see in the travel brochures. These cities are all within an hour or so of each other by express train. And then there are cheap flights from Osaka international ariport to Thailand etc... Kyoto has the most historical sights and has a good night life as well.

And there is a good union community in the area that keeps unscrupulous employers on a short leash. Even if you do not want to join the union, you will benefit from their influence in the area. And the people who have been around the blokc are great. Maybe you can find a few in Kyoto near Philosophers Path.

Lots of good places to live in Japan, but the Kansai area is better than the Tokyo area. If you from the Annex area of Toronto, Kyoto is what you want.

http://www.generalunion.org

[stillnosheep]

Kyoto.

[sallycat]

kyoto's great but it does have extreme weather in both directions. still, anywhere in japan has that.

[Glenski]

[angrysoba]

[angrysoba]

But I agree with that wangtesol character when he says go to Kansai.

I also agree with him when he says fight those people at interac. As teachers in Japan it is our duty.

I still despise him. That hasn't changed.

[MrCAPiTUL]

For me, Nagoya is a good option.

It is centrally located, doesn't get hit too badly in either direction as far as weather goes, and the kicker - it is an AFFORDABLE city in comparison to the Osaka and Tokyo metropolitan areas. In addition, it is located on the water, which I prefer, and it is still close to the countryside. Weekend trips to Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo are all very well within reach, and it isn't difficult to leave the country from there.

[macondo]

Now, now, angrysoba, we can still be positive outside the Positive thread!

[allyismycopilot]

Hiroshima.

[TokyoLiz]

Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture.

People say it's one of the most liveable and inexpensive cities in Japan. It's close to Hiroshima by ferry or bridge, and when you get out of the city and go south, you step back in time and into wilderness. The food, transportation, sights are awesome in the city itself.

[japanman]

I would also have to join in the pro-kansai people here. Never lived anywher else so my judgement is a tad biased.
I've lived in the kansai area for around six years now, Osaka and Kyoto. When I meet non-Japanese who live in Tokyo but are in Kyoto on holiday, they don't appear to ahve changed their mentality from when they were down the local pub every night in England. May not be true but it's just what i've seen.
In Kansai you can get a good mix of places. Osaka is a very big industrial city, Nara is a quiet little place, Kyoto is a great palce to live but as was said before a bit disappointing as a tourist spot.

[Apsara]

I'll give Tokyo as an example of climate since I know it best, but much of mainland Japan has a similar range, except northern Honshu and Hokkaido.

Tokyo has quite extreme seasons- you may think Toronto is blazing in summer, but I just had a look at a city climate guide and although Toronto is described as having 2 months of "moderate" discomfort due to heat and humidity, Tokyo has 3+ months of "medium to high" discomfort, and much of Japan is similar. Most people have never experienced anything like the 35 deg C plus (reached 39.6 in downtown Tokyo 2 summers ago) with 90%+ humidity sauna that is Tokyo in midsummer.

There is about a month- 6 weeks where the temp never goes below 30 during the day, and not much cooler at night. After a summer or two in Japan you will probably redefine your idea of "uncomfortably hot" and think Toronto has really pleasant summers!

Tokyo is considerably warmer than Toronto in winter- it snows a few times, but the snow doesn't hang around long. 3-10 deg C is average in Dec- Feb. Kyoto is a couple of degrees more extreme than Tokyo at either end of the temp range.

Some areas of Japan which are supposed to have milder temps are the coastal areas of Shizuoka, Shikoku and Kyushu.

The Japan Sea side gets a lot more rain and snow than the Pacific side. Inland areas tend to have more extreme temps than coastal areas.

Large cities are often hotter than the surrounding countryside due to the
"heat island effect".

Taking climate, size and entertainment factors into consideration, I like Hiroshima, Himeji and Miyazaki cities, and Kanagawa prefecture south of Yokohama.

Now I actually live in an inner suburb of Tokyo and love it, but it's not for everyone!