Job Discussion Forums

[mushroomyakuza]

So, I'm a week away from starting work with Shane and currently, I still don't know where I'll be working, or living. Sure, I know it's in Tokyo, but hey, that's a pretty pretty pretty big place.

Anyone else in the same situation or a similar one? Perhaps this isn't surprising to many of you, but to me, not knowing where you'll be placed, working or living for a year, one week short of starting that new life, is pretty piss poor.

I find it very hard to believe that the main office could still be in a state of uncertainty as to who was teaching what, where and when at this point. So why the hold up?

[seklarwia]

Perhaps the don't tell you where you will be to stop people bailing at the last minute if they are not happy with where they will be living and working

Or perhaps they don't want to tell you earlier so that they don't have to explain if they make any last minute changes.

The only people who know the true answer are Shane. If you are brave and tactful enough, try asking them. You could always do so politely under the half-pretense that you want to research the area before you arrive; look for good places to study Japanese, look up good places to meet people, find out about cultural clubs/activities in the area, etc.

[mushroomyakuza]

Seklarwia, I suspect you may be right.

As for the tactful approach, I've tried it. No budging. It's apparently simply a case of Tokyo has not informed London, therefore, London does not know. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[mushroomyakuza]

Shiori,

just found out I'll be living in Saitama. Kind of surprised. Thought I'd be a reasonable bit closer. This seems to be, judging from Google Maps, to be about an hour from my designated working district, which is Higashi-Tokyo.

I have no idea how to get there either. My home train station is Higashi-Urawa. Any clue? I've been looking for a website showing train connections and times in Japan, but I could only find ones within Tokyo, and the station didn't come up.

Really, any info you could give, ie. distance, travel time etc would be super super useful and appreciated.

[dove]

I tried to check your route on Hyperdia but Higashi-Tokyo wasn't listed as a station.... I think Higashi Tokyo is literally the eastern part of Tokyo. Can you double-check the location of your school? Higashi-urawa is listed, by the way.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[Apsara]

I don't know of a station anywhere in Tokyo called Higashi Tokyo- that's most likely just a reference to general area. See if you can get more specifics out of them.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[mushroomyakuza]

SOrry guys I think I didn't explain myself very well.

Right, my assigned location or district is Higashi-Tokyo - this is NOT a train station, it's merely Shane's way of refering to that area where I'll be working.

My train station (nearest) is Higashi Urawa, one stop from Minami Urawa. It does seem rather rural to be sure. Anyone else live/lived here or have knowledge or experience of the area?

[Hot-Carl]

It's not exactly rural. It's the suburbs of Tokyo.

If you like football (aka. soccer), Higashi Urawa is perfect. It's the closest station to Saitama World Cup Stadium where the Urawa Red Diamonds play. Minami Urawa is one stop from you, which will get you on the Keihin Tohoku line and about 40 minutes I think from Tokyo Station. Go one more stop to Musashi Urawa and you're on the Saikyo line, which is 30-45 minutes from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu, etc. Disneyland is also on your trainline. The biggest shopping mall in Japan is only a few stops from you, also. The Tobu Isesaki line (one of the Koshigaya Stations; Minami or Shin or something) is only a couple stops from you. Not really great for Tokyo, but you might have some schools on it.

Not the most happening place, but not the worst either. If you're into partying, you're not really convenient from places like Roppongi and Shibuya. You'll probably end up waiting until the trains start up in the morning at 4:30 or whatever to get home when you go out late.

Also, I highly recommend getting a bicycle or a scooter.

They are not telling you which schools you are working at because they probably don't 100% know yet. They will wait until last minute so they know for sure.

[mushroomyakuza]

Carl, some useful info, thanks.

Unfortunately, I am most definetly not a soccer fan.

Where is this huge shopping centre you speak of? Can you tell me its name and the nearest station to it?

Seems most trains stop at midnight too, which would no doubt be crowded, though they start up again at about 4:50. Hm.

[ripslyme]

[Apsara]

Higashi Urawa is definitely not rural. It's actually more or less indistinguishable from a suburb in Tokyo proper and probably most of its inhabitants commute into Tokyo for work. There are far more rural parts of Saitama, believe me! Not a bad location, in all.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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