Job Discussion Forums

[Talkback]

I'm off to teach with Westgate in Atsugi City next week and was hoping some of you helpful souls might give me some idea of what I should be expecting.

I've done a search on this site plus a general google search and looked at the Wiki entry, but none of these have been particularly enlightening.

What is it like - both good points and bad since all places have both.

Any general advice or recommendations anyone would like to offer, in particular insider's tips on good places to eat, shop etc, things to watch out for or any other local info.

I'll be living in the wonderfully named LEAF COMFORT HON-ATSUGI, and teaching at Nihon University Shounan Campus.

It would be great to find out if anyone else (Westgate or not) is close by and perhaps we can arrange to get together at some point to swap war stories...

Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to help.

[partialtone]

I lived in Hon-Atsugi for three months a little more than a year ago and had a great time there. There's a nice downtown area with a decent fare for shops. A good starting place to get to know is near the end of the main cobblestone downtown street there's two department stores. The right one has a grocery store in the basement and the left one has a 100yen store in the upper floors. Keep an eye out for Chat Noir on the second floor middle of that street, they've got a good western breakfast in the mornings. Atsugi and Hon-Atsugi are different train stops ... Hon Atsugi's much better. Not sure what else to say. It's a good location geographically. 45-90 minutes can get you to Tokyo, Yokohama, Odawara, Kamakura, Enoshima. I guess you could say that about a lot of places in Japan though.

As far as bad points, I suppose that depends how far away you live from the Hon-Atsugi station. Worst case scenario you are on the other side of the river near there, but even then it's not too bad of a walk.

[iverin]

[Talkback]

That's great. Thanks for the info. I've heard so many negative things about Westgate placements, my expectations are so low that anything will seem like a relief!

I've google mapped my accommodation and it looks like I'm about 6mins walk from Honatsugi train station which is also great.

What's the nightlife like in Atsugi City. I'm not really one for clubs or anything like that but do enjoy going to bars and occasionally restaurants?

[partialtone]

I never saw any dance clubs when I was there. There are quite a few decent bars and restaurants off the main walk. No foreigner bars when I was there.
Ebina's only a few train stops away towards Tokyo. They have a movie theater there and more western style restaurants (I think an Outback steakhouse). It may have more foreigner friendly bars.

[partialtone]

Ah yeah, and there's a good 24 hour bowling alley with pool tables on the top floor across from the train station. They have cheaper beers there than most bars.

[Ruairi]

Looks like we will be neighbours Talkback. What time are you arriving in Narita at?

[Talkback]

Thanks a lot Partialtone for all you tips and advice. It's really helpful to gain some sort of perspective on the place I'll be living in for potentially the rest of the year. I just have one other question for you: Could you give me some idea as what I should be expecting in the way of my commute.

I recently came across the Japanese Train Pusher videos on youtube which made my blood run cold. I know everyone says the commuter trains are packed but this was something else!

It looks like my daily trip will be from Honatsugi train station to Sagamiono on the Odakyu Odaware Line Exp., and changing to the Odakyu Enoshima Line local to Mutsuainichidaimae? Did you every make that trip or a portion of it? What was it like? Every got a seat! Also what's the run in like to Toyko or Yokoharma? I've heard it's about 45-60 mins? Is that correct?

I know I can't change any of this should it be hellish; but at the very least, it allows to prepare myself mentally before departure!

[Talkback]

Hey Ruairi,

I'm coming in from London Heathrow arriving at Narita at 0930 on 30th April. What about you?

Are you teaching with Westgate? I'm still waiting to hear if I've been allocated a single person apartment so we may be flatmates...!

[Ruairi]

Hey Talkback,

I'm getting in at 09:40. Going with Westgate like yourself, working at Nihon University Shounan Campus, living at Leaf Comfort. Afaik Westgate do not provide shared accommodation any more, that's what they told me on the phone anyway, so you should have a small single apartment to yourself. Neighbours will have to suffice Can't wait to get over now. Finished up with my current job here at home today.

[lindaashleyrosie]

Talkback - I'll see you on the plane! I guess they'll be a few of us coming from the UK on that flight. One week today, exciting!

[Ruairi]

Cool that there's a few of us heading from same part of the world. Look forward to meeting ye. I'll be the readily identifiable Irish in Narita (red-head, freckles)

[Chris21]

Talkback,

You probably won't get a seat, even as far out as HonAtsugi. There won't be crowd pushers, but it will be busy. But from HonAtsugi to Sagamiono down to the Enoshima line, at least you probably won't be mashed (although likely standing).

To get into Shinjuku from HonAtsugi is about 50 minutes on a single train. It's the same for Yokohama, but you need to change in Machida.

I lived in Atsugi for about 2 years... it's not a bad place, I guess. The key is to live close enough to the station that you have stuff to do. There's not much in HonAtsugi... bowling, karaoke, some pubs... no movie theater, no real nightlife. But it's better than living in the rural surrounding areas. I lived pretty far out, and it was terrible. Nothing but a convenience store and a McDonald's.

[Talkback]

Thanks. That's really helpful to know. I guess I see many of you in a week or so. Anyone who's coming out on the Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow next Wednesday, I'm 25, got longish brown/blond hair and will probably be wearing jeans and a light brown linen jacket. Come over and say hi!

[lindaashleyrosie]

I'll be there and can also say I'll be in jeans and a red jacket...or I'm on facebook, Linda Butterfield..then you'll know what I look like!