Job Discussion Forums

[suki_monster]

does anyone have any experience with this city, or know anything about it? is there anything to do? is it a nice? hahah i don't know, any help would be awesome.

[markle]

I used to live down the line a bit in Toyota.
Seto is a satellite city of Nagoya therefore it has most of things you'll need but still leave you unfulfilled.
Really it depends on what you're into. Seto is really nestled in the foothills of the mountains NE of Nagoya so it's not far to go to get outdoors, but I'd say the nightlife was a bit dull. Still you can get into Nagoya quite easily.

[suki_monster]

first, thanks for the response! i know nothing about this city other than what i have read online (and it's pretty generic reading). when you say "unfulfilled", what do you mean? me personally, i like reading and getting coffee, maybe walking/bicycling around exploring the area, etc. then at night, i like going out with friends to the same old bars we always go to. is there a decent amount of mid-20 somethings? do many people speak English (since i speak no japanese..but i AM learning)? what is the weather like? i have tattoos (two partial sleeves), is Seto a more conservative city in that perspective?

[markle]

[sethness]

1) tattoos: All of Japan is going to freak a bit at the tattoos. Try to keep'em hidden, and don't be at all surprised if places like onsen (public bath houses / natural spring saunas) refuse you service.

This is because tattoos in Japan are usually a sign of yakuza (Japanese mafia) or foreign young-dumb-and-full--of-fight military types-- in short, the types of people you'd expect to have problems with.

This perception may be partially alleviated because you're a foreigner, and (maybe) you don't look military/mafia in other respects. ymmv

2) If you're in the 'burbs, you may find that the single/20s crowd and pubs are strictly in the City, while you're largely surrounded by families, kidlets, and grandparents. I'm guessing based on experience with OTHER suburbs of OTHER cities, not the one you'll be in, so I can't say for sure.

If you're within easy 30-minute commute to Nagoya City Center, then you'll have as much nightlife as you could care for. If you're in farmland more than an hour and a half from city center, you may find that there7s a distinct absence of 20-somethings, and neighborhood bars might not be the nightlife you7re looking for.

3) On the happy side, I've found that the deep country often has most-excellent community centers, called "kouminkan" (the big ones) and "shukaisho" (the small ones). Nagoya City has none of those, but perhaps the burb you'll be in does. If you're lucky enough to be near one or more, DEFINITELY check'em out, as they're chock-full of free or near-free hobby clubs, lesson groups, sports clubs, and so on-- everything from languages (including reading/writing/speaking Japanese) to arts and computers and music.

[bearcat]

Sethness is again not giving very good advice....

[User N. Ame]

[suki_monster]

thanks a lot for all of the responses, they were really helpful.

hahah, well, i don't think i will be mistaken or associated in any way with either the yakuza or the military. but perhaps i'm wrong on the perception of mixed-race foreign females. i have heard about the bathhouses situation, and as much as that's unfortunate, it's just something i guess i'll have to deal with. maybe i'll get lucky and find at least one lenient bathhouse. luckily, my tattoos do not go past my elbows, so i can keep them covered fairly well. in my jobs here, i always keep them covered without a hsassle.

my worry is the summer and when i am outside of work. obviously i don't want to wear a long sleeve, 3/4 sleeve shirt all the time, and from what i