Job Discussion Forums

[tails]

Hi there

I am heading to Japan in a few months and have just been told that my placement will be in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

I was keen to be placed in Hokkaido, but having scoured the internet I can't seem to find any information on Tomakomai other than that it is a ferry port.

Is there anyone else on the forum placed there, or who has passed through, who can give me an idea of the place. Are there many teachers placed there at all? I am also curious how easy/cheap is it to get to Sapporo, or to the various ski resorts in the area?

Otherwise any general information or feedback about the area would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[isanity]

It has "the first large-scale, man-made excavated port in Japan". You'll enjoy that. This and more gems at http://www.city.tomakomai.hokkaido.jp/e-page/ .

[tails]

Hehe - yeah I saw that - one to look forward to. I also saw that it is at the foot of one of the worlds most active volcanoes or something like that ... which is nice!!

Otherwise I am unfortunately still short on information, although I am finding bits and pieces. Anyone have any more pearls of wisdom? Anyone actually live there at the moment???

[miyuki]

Hi.
I�m a student of English conversation school in Tomakomai.
Tomakomai is a convenient place to go to outside Hokkaido.
There is a ferry port and the airport isn�t far from Tomakomai.

It takes 45mins to Sapporo by train.
A set of 4 tickets valid for 3 months is 5720yen.
Tomakomai doesn�t have much snow, so there is no ski resort in the city.
It takes about 2hours or less to go to ski resort from Tomakomai by car.
There r many skating rinks in Tomakomai.
Ice hockey is very popular.
If u r interested in local sport club, u might be able to get some information @ the city hall.
http://www.city.tomakomai.hokkaido.jp/kokusai/oshirase-e.htm

Anyway, do u know any Japanese?
There aren�t many good English speakers here.
If I were u, I would learn Japanese as much as I can before I come to Japan.

Ganbatte ne.