Job Discussion Forums

[dreaming_saturn]

Hi all,

I'm considering a job in Kagoshima city beginning late August at a conversation school. The pay seems kind of low -is pay and the cost of living lower there?

Also, any info on Kagoshima city would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[luckbox]

[Sheik_Yerbouti]

I lived in Kags for three years. Sorry to say, Kags is not much of a cheaper place to live than any other part of Japan. Kags is very laid back and the people are friendly. The scenery is amazing and there is lots of outdoor activities to be found.

I foolishly left Kags for the pit that is Tohoku (north of Tokyo). I have driven across Japan three times, from Kags to Tokyo, and I truly believe Kags is the most beautiful prefeture in Japan. Even though I make more in Tohoku, I'd trade it for a lower salary in Kagoshima any day.

Take a look at http://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/home/english/ That will give you a good idea of what you can find there.

[dreaming_saturn]

Thank you both for the useful information - I've been researching the place quite a lot and came across another great site :
http://www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp/WebGuide/kago_kanko.nsf/42aee308d5a6198f49256b81004676fe/204d78f9d24a128749256b82001fc061?OpenDocument

It looks really nice.

Sheik_Yerbouti : I'm sorry to hear that the cost of living isn't lower. I think for a first job in Japan ( I have 5 years of experience and a B.ed for secondary EFL) and coming from overseas, I should I consider the position, but - 210,000- seems pretty low. Everything else about the job seems great.

I'm not just planning on coming over to try out TESL, I've been teaching in the Netherlands for over 5 years so I should be able to save a little and not just scrape by at this point.

[Ai]

[Sheik_Yerbouti]

[hivans]

I am living in Kagoshima now, and I believe it is a bit cheaper than places like Tokyo and Osaka. For example. the rent on my two room apartment is 42,000 a month which might be hard to find in the bigger cities in Honshu. (However, I do live on the outskirts of the city).

Having said that, 210,000 is a bit low. Do they mean take home pay, I wonder? I think that would be managable but if the deductions and rent all come out from 210,000 then it would be pretty low. I don't think you would starve but you might have to live rather carefully and/or look at at doing some private lessons (although that can be difficult depending on the employer).

Aside from the money, I enjoy living in Kagoshima. It's my own experience but I find the people really friendly. Maybe I have just been lucky but I have so many stories of people who have been amazingly kind to me, and I have found that every time I go out I strike up conversations with people and make new friends.

At times, it feels a bit like Kagoshima is the capital of its own country. The prefecture is a large one, covering several islands to the south. I have met people from the some of the smaller islands who have hardly ever been outside the prefecture and still call Tokyo "Edo"! With the various islands, hot baths, moutains etc there are a lot of great trips you can do based in Kagoshima.

On the down side it can be difficult to get cheaply and quickly to the rest of the Japan (or an international destination). It will be very hot in August - mid 30s every day except when the typhoons come as they do from August to October. Also, the local volcano has been forcast to become a bit more active in the near future which means ash can clog up the air conditioner. Apparantly,though, a small increase in activity is a good sign as the big bang which will one day wipe the city out will come after a prolonged period of pressure building up in the volcano - but this will be sometime in the next 10,000 years according to a professor from Kyoto university.

Two more unconnected things: I have also read that it is the most alcoholic prefecture in Japan - although I don't know how that could be calculated. There is also a very active chapter of JALT - the language teacher's association here.

I could say a lot more, but perhaps if it is useful you could PM (or post again) so I could answer specific points? Good luck with your decision anyway.

[Khyron]