Job Discussion Forums

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

Does anyone have any information about this city/town? Would it be a good location for a first-timer in Japan? Thanks for your assistance.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Haven't been there, but heard it's nice. Matsuyama is the largest city on Shikoku (350,000 people). It's about 2 hours away from me and they have a famous onsen and castle there. I'd think it would be good place to go.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I lived in Ehime for one year and visited Matsuyama 1-2 times a month. I thought it was a great place. For people in Ehime, it's quite a big city, but compared to Tokyo it is still country. The onsen and castle are quite famous. And a few years ago there was a great night life, too. What are your goals and interests? If you want to learn the Japanese language I think it's a good place because the Ehime dialect is quite charming. (IMO) You can easily hop on the train and view the beautiful western coastline. ONe of the stops was voted top 10 most beautiful train stops in Japan.

Speed · Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Shikoku Land

Matsuyama rules!

It has about 400,000 people so it's a little bit country and a little bit rock n' roll.

Its got a fun city center w/ the castle smack in the middle. The entertainment area, south of the castle (Okaido Arcade, Gintengai Arcade, and the surrounding shops, bars, restaurants) is about 8 blocks in each direction and quite lively at times. There's also two universities just north of the castle so you've got quite a few uni students out and about along w/ all the drunk salarymen, high schoolers, etc.

There's a cool gaijin bar called Deja Vu just off of the Okaido Arcade. I heard it burned down but another popped up in its place.

Trains service the city well (except for the S/E part of the city) and Matsuyama also has a cool one-car trolley system that gets you pretty much anywhere within the central city. Also Matsuyama is small and flat enough to get around conveniently by bicycle.

I really enjoyed Matsuyama and I think you will too.

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

I lived in Matsuyama for a year and now live in the next city along (Hojo). I actually went to Matsuyama today and are there at least 2 or 3 times a week. As a city it has most things you could need as a foreigner, reasonable collection of non Japanese reataurants, Kinokuniya bookstore with a good selection of English books, Starbucks (if that's your thing Rolling Eyes

) quite a few foreigners around, the new "hang out" is called Sel La Sol or something like that, not a bad bar. Tell me what school you'll be working for and I'll tell you what I know. All in all Matsuyama is a nice place, you could definitely do worse.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

My friend worked there in the mid 90s. Great location. It's a nice sized school. He was very comfortable working there. He loved his students. Everything was great, except for the fact that he was getting sexually harassed my his female boss. I know it sounds funny, but it's true. At the time he was 25. He got fed up with the situation and did not renew his contract. However, he later told me that he regretted leavng and could have just put up with her.

Anyhow, I'd have to agree with the other people who have posted. Matsuyama is a great place. I'd go for it if I were you. Ahh, I'm suddenly nostalgic for Ehime... Crying or Very sad

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Hi,

don't want to rain on your parade-

Nichibei in Matsuyama may be OK as far as schools go, but they have had some serious ongoing legal problems in Osaka, mainly to do with teachers forming a union within the school. The general union took them to court and won their case a couple of years ago.

You may not have anything to worry about where you are, but since you asked about Nichibei heres the relevant link

http://nichibei.generalunion.org/english/

Smooth Operator · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 140 Location: Japan

I can only add to others have said about the city, not the school. Matsuyama is a pleasant place, and one of the best Japanese cities I have visisted in 4 years living here. I live in a bigger city but visited there for a long weekend and was pleasantly suprised. There is a very good public bath opposite Matsuyama station. Check it out. Altogether it had a more relaxing atmosphere than the historical and popular Dogo Onsen I thought. Cool

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

To the last few posters:

Thanks again for the information.

As for the union issues, in Korea you can't even have a union so I see its existence as a positive.

Wow! I am definitely leaning towards going to that city based on all the good reviews written here.

Thanks again!