Job Discussion Forums

Ravlen · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 14

So... next week I'm arriving in Kobe for my first ever stay in Japan. Working for ECC, same story as most newbies.

Now, the minor issue is that originally assumed I was going to move in with someone that has been in Japan at least a little while. Turns out that I'm actually moving into a newly renovated apt and won't have a roommate for about a month.

I was hoping that my roommate would be able to show me the ropes in the first few days of arriving (nearby stores/restaurants, tips on the train system, etc...). But since I'm gonna be solo for the first month, I was wondering if there was anyone in Kobe that had a free day tues-thurs next week? Just someone that wouldn't mind going for a walk around town to show me the major points of interest, and some preliminary tips on living in the city?

I know Kobe is moderately big, but my address means nothing to me. I have no idea where it is, other than "In Kobe somewhere".

"Nigaki Urban Building 4F, 7-5-14 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe"

Ravlen

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Just a quick note-

Even though you won't have a roommate, there's a good chance they'll be other ECC teachers in your building. Be sure to introduce yourself, don't be shy. Also, your training group will have other's in the same boat so you can use them to lean on; there's power in numbers. Have fun!

Ravlen · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 14

Yeah, I'm more worried about the time from when they drop me off at my apartment, to the time when training starts (4 days). In training I'm sure I'll meet people that will help me out (and my fellow training classmates will likely want to hang out), but before then I'd like to get a little more familiar with the area... Help picking up the necessities (train schedule, maps, tips on places to go, places to avoid).

I'm all for walking around and getting lost in Kobe, but not in my first few days Wink

Ravlen

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

I think you'll be fine. Kobe is a very managable city and Japan is a very safe country. So just venture out looking for food or wahtever on the first day, and try to remember how to get back to your place. Go sightseeing at some of the major sites, unpack and get your apartment in order, and before you know it those 4 days will be up.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

seanmcginty · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 203

Yeah, I remember being scared to leave my hotel room the first day, but really you shouldn't have much trouble after a day or two. Its easy to get lost, but its a safe country and Kobe is an easy city to navigate, the mountains are on one side and the sea on the other.

mrjohndub · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 198 Location: Saitama, Japan

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

SA_Massive · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Aust

Hey OP,

im not 100% sure but it sounds like your in my mates old apartment!

If so, its actually the only residential unit in that building (strange I know) so no instant buddies Sad

Its very central, about 15 minutes walk to Kobe Station and 25 to Sannomiya (which is actually the centre of the city). So you're in a great location & wont have to worry about any trains whatsoever if you don't want. There is heaps to keep you busy in that area for 4 days including big dep. stores and stupermarkets, bars, restaurants, port etc etc.

I'd recommend buying a bike as soon as possible, Theres a used bike shop on the south side of the JR tracks between motomachi st. and kobe st. It is pretty reasonable.

You'll be no worries by yourself mate!

Please PM me if you have any specific questions about ECC in Kobe area. And Ill probably see you at work sometime soon.

SA

Ravlen · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 14

heh, thanks gang. I wasn't severely worried about it to be honest, but if there *was* someone in Kobe that wasn't busy next week, it certainly wouldn't hurt to hang out one day Wink

Unfortunately, I've been too busy at work to start working on some basic japanese phrases. I'll be working off a phrasebook for the first few weeks, hehe.

Massive: I'll PM you later this week and maybe get some contact information off ya... I was told that it is about 25 minutes to sannomiya station, so it certainly does sound like I might be in the same area that your friend was.

Like I said, it isn't serious, it is more that it would be nice to hang out with someone that already knows the area. If not, I'll make do Smile

Ravlen

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

Well, I'll be sure to keep your name because I am arriving in Kobe via ECC (as long as I get my CoE pretty soon Embarassed

) on July 10!

osakajojo · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 229

OP walk to Sannomiya station, you'll see a concrete park on the corner of the street between JR and Hankyu train stations, on the mountain side of the tracks. Look towards the mountains and you will see a McDonalds. Walk to McD's and you will see an elevator and a sign for Ryan's Pub. It is an Irish pub full of foreigners. Take the elevator up to it, order a beer and talk to the bartender or the customers. They will be able to help you out.
If you can go there this Sunday, I am friends with one of the bartenders and a group of my coworkers and students and I will be having a party there.

Ravlen · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 14

Mamasita: I got my CoE extremely late as well. In fact, my training group had to be delayed 2 weeks. Thankfully ECC is covering the cost of rescheduling the flight, so it's all good. Turns out better for me anyways, as I wasn't nearly prepared enough, and 2 more weeks of wages from my current job certainly helps out. I wonder where you'll be staying? The ECC placement person said I'd be getting a new roommate mid july... Hey, you never know!

Osakajojo: Thanks a ton! That's fantastic information! I'm *leaving* sunday morning (my time, Nova Scotia, Canada), but I won't be arriving until monday evening (ouch). In any case, I might show up tuesday or wednesday night though, depending on how much I've recovered from jet lag...

Ravlen

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

Delayed two weeks??? Jeez...I hope that doesn't happen to me! I've already been out of work for two weeks and funds are running low on my end!! I quit my job because I was supposed to be leaving at the end of June for a July 3 Kanto training session, but because they didn't receive my paperwork from me in time (issue with the registrar's office) I was pushed to the July 14th start date! The waiting is killing me!

Either way (whether you are my future roommate or not Smile

) good luck to you! I'm sure we'll be seeing eachother soon!