Job Discussion Forums

katsu · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: here and there

Hi there,

I have a question regarding sharing apartments in Japan. My best friend and I are looking into teaching opportunities in Japan. We want teach in the same town/village and also live together in an apartment, and if possible then even teach at the same school. It would just be really convenient, especially since we are looking for opportunities in rural and more traditional areas, away from busy cities/tourists/and foreigners.

However, when we were actually discussing our living preferences with our recruiter (who's Japanese), she found it very funny and intriguing that we want to share an apartment, and she kind of started questioning our reason... Shocked

So, I just wanted to know whether sharing housing with a person of the same sex is just not done in Japan???

and when it is done, does it look bad from a Japanese point of view

(in villages and more traditional areas?) Rolling Eyes

Thanx so much for taking the time to answer my question... Surprised

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

the quizzical look was probably because
1. in their experience most gaijin go to extraordinary lenghts to get a place on thier own
2. apartments, even out of town, are small and the thought of living with some one your weren't somehow related to is a bit odd.

katsu · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: here and there

thanx markle Very Happy

...but wouldn't it make sense to share an apartment to split the costs? (especially since we're best friends) I mean what is the point in paying twice the rent, plus all that key money thing, and all the other costs associated with finding apartments.

and also we would be coming together to Japan, wanting to teach in the same village? Wouldn't that make things easier for both parties.

I've heard that appartments in Japan can be quite small but what exactly is considered small? And isn't there such a thing as 2 bedroom apartments?

Thanx...

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Well 2 bedroom places are more common in town, out of town you generally get single room places or go up to small houses.
Trouble here is that you are applying the reality you know to another culture and society, and it often doesn't work.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

By all means bring it on though Katsu, a little more thinking outside the box wouldn't hurt around here. The two-fors! They are going to love you out there.
Enjoy,
s

katsu · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: here and there

...thanx guys for your input... Very Happy

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

You probably won't really want to work for the same company unless it has different branches for each of you. Why go to work at the same place at the same time and see the same people every day, then go home and have little new to talk about?

Also, if one of you decides to go on a vacation, the other is likely to follow, leaving the school with not one, but two vacancies to fill. Not always easy or convenient.

katsu · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: here and there

thanx Glenski Smile

...we didn't think of that. We actually never lived nor worked together so thought that could be a nice change, especially since we would be in a different country, culture, environment. And with our almost non-existant Japanese skills, and wanting to live/teach in some rural toursit free area of Japan, sticking together at least in the beginning would seem beneficiary to some point...

And as to vacation, we thought we could take it when the school closes for holidays, that way it would no one would lose out.

thanx for your input though...