Job Discussion Forums

ciccone_youth · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Tokyo

I received my placement (subject to change), and it's on Shikoku Island, Kagawa prefecture (Marugame).

I looked it up, and it seems like a very small city, and I'm a bit worried now. Will I find things to do? Will I be the only foreigner?

Kind of scared.

Hot-Carl · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 63

ciccone_youth · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Tokyo

Ah, really? Now I feel so silly, I just emailed me recruiter in panic and complained about the location being too rural. You make a good point about being so close to Osaka. Maybe it will be fine... thanks!

robertokun · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 199

Hi,

I was just on Shikoku two weeks ago and stayed in the town next to Marugame for a few days. I don't know what your expectations are for coming to Japan or what your personality is like, so I can't say if you will like it or not. It depends on what you are looking for.

Quiet, clean, rural, hot springs, temples, peaceful, sea, open space, cheap udon--Yes

Crowded, dirty, exciting nightlife, lot's of foreigners, expensive, trains every two minutes-- No

If you have some questions about the area, shoot me a P.M. and I'll see if I can help.

ciccone_youth · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Tokyo

Thanks for the info!

It sounds really beautiful and peaceful. I'm just not sure how I'll do, though. I don't go clubbing much or anything like that, I'm rather quiet and I like to do cultural things, but I do need the occasional shopping spree and big city fix.

It would be a different experience for me. I lived in Seoul last year, which I loved, because it was so busy, but it was so dirty and smelly.

I think I could make the best of it. I think my biggest worry is to meet people I can relate to- I hope I have some friends.

Henry Chinaski · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 22 Location: AUSTRALIA

Muragame is my wife's hometown. I live and teach in Hong Kong and visited Muragame for the first time about a year ago. My wife described the town as totally rural with nothing there, absolutely nothing. So when I arrived I was very pleasantly surprised. It is a nice place. The castle is great, there are a few things to do, other stuff in nearby towns. I doubt there are any other foreigners there but if you are looking to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and enjoy a peaceful life then I would suggest it is a very nice place to do so. The people are very friendly.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

you will probably go to Takamatsu then take the ferry to Kobe.
Kobe will be your big city fix.

Takamatsu is quiet. You can see the stars. It is the opposite of Tokyo.

Some people have provincial attitudes, and I guess it gets boring after a while.

You will probably got to Kompira too.

ciccone_youth · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Tokyo

Thanks for the information.

How close is Marugame to Takamatsu? It seems like Takamatsu has the stuff I'd enjoy: caf�s, movie theaters, shopping...

I'm still a bit worried I'll get lonely, and a bit reluctant to live so far out in "the sticks", but I'm trying to look on the bright side: saving money, a beautiful, clean and quiet location, and true Japanese culture.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Go to Shikoku and use the time and space you get to try new things...and do those things you've always wanted to do but never got around to doing.

Windsurfing? Hiking? Cycling? Writing? Art? Japanese Language Study? Teaching? Falling in Love?

The sky's the limit. Throw yourself into it and see what happens.

What's the worst that could happen?

Regards,
fat_chris

ciccone_youth · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Tokyo

robertokun · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 199

Yeah, you could do a lot worse than Marugame. Don't sweat it. Who are you going to work for?

Cool Teacher · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:18 am Post subject:

I went to Shikoku last weekend! Very Happy

It was brills! Confused

There is a famous temple pilgirmage there. 88 temples!!! Shocked

I went to just one of them Laughing

It was famous for people going in unlucky years! Very Happy

I'm sure you'll have a good time and when I first came to Japan I lived in teh countryside. (People said it was "very local" Laughing

or "very countryside!" Very Happy

) It helped me learn a lot more Japanese than if I was in the city where there are more foreginers.

Don't swear you'll be fine! Wink

ciccone_youth · Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Posts: 59 Location: Tokyo

I'll be working for iTTTi- Peppy Kids Club.

Thanks for all the info about this location. I think it would be great to learn Japanese and to soak in the culture.

As long as I can easily get to a shopping mall/movie theater/caf�/museum on weekends- that would make me very happy. Do you think it's possible?

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

yes you will go shopping in Takamatsu.

Look up zone81 or jorudan to see how long it will take to get there by train.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

shopping and movies would be better in Kobe or Osaka but you would probably go there when you have more time than just a weekend.

Takamatsu has one of the three famous gardens in Japan. I think it is called Ritsurin Koen. For museums, Osaka or Tokyo is better.

Shikoku is generally rural and conservative, without a lot of jobs prospects. A lot of young people head to Kobe or Osaka for work after university.

Tokushima is next to Kagawa and you can learn about puppet theater, dyeing, and the Awa Odori. Koichi has a famous festival too.

I bet you can pick up Japanese faster in Shikoku than people can in the Tokyo area. Fewer people know English out there.