Job Discussion Forums

Imseriouslylost · Joined: 09 Nov 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Tokyo

It's not easy to get AET work in Tokyo but it is relatively easy to get AET work in Saitama. That's what I'm doing. I can get to Tokyo on the weekends in 40 minutes by train.

The only real catch is that even being a little bit outside Tokyo like I am means that you're definitely outside Tokyo. I live in a city but like most cities in Saitama spare Saitama city, it's not built up at all with the exception of the areas near the station. There isn't really that much to do.

Plus, I really don't think I like being an AET and don't really see how anyone would like doing it for an extended period of time but that's a whole 'nother story.

namerae · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 10 Location: USA

I see a lot of dislike for Japan on these boards, which may be warranted and good "advice" before setting out, but honestly, if everything is as bad as some people make it out to be, what would be the pros to living in the countryside compared to the city?

We all know that living in big cities is a great way to have fun, but there ought to be unique opportunities living in rural areas as well. Otherwise you're suggesting that if you can't work in Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, or any other "tourist" city, you might as well not show up (if you're sensitive to staring).

Please, for the sake of argument, give some reasons why the OP should look to a place outside of Greater Tokyo.

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

I lived in a relatively small city for one year in Japan and didn't have any major problems. If you're just trying to get your foot in the door, take any job you can get. Then once you're in, aim for a bigger city in a year or two.

However, here's some pros of living in the countryside:

Arguments for the countryside vs. the big city (Tokyo)

1. You can pretty much always ride a train from anywhere, even the most desolate places, so even if you live in the countryside, it's normally a hop, skip, and a jump to go to a big city if you can get to the nearest Shinkansen

2. The countryside is peaceful, scenic, with plenty of "natural" type things to do (skiing and snowboarding seemed popular where I was). Visiting temples in the middle of nowhere was especially cool for me to do.

3. Plenty more downtime for studying Japanese or other such hobbies.

4. Even if people shy away from you, you'll be a local celebrity of sorts if there aren't many other foreigners around.

5. Japan is great no matter where you go. I've been to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Sendai (big cities) and actually some of my favorite places were Nikko and Nasu, even though they are probably virtually unknown to most foreigners. There will always be a nearby place to have fun, even if you hate country life.

I don't have many negative things to say about Japan. It seems if people complain they do so because of intense culture shock and/or poor working conditions. I did have people stare at me, but after awhile you stop caring honestly.

seklarwia · Posted: Fri May 28, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject:

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

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

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Glenski posted

namerae · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 10 Location: USA

I was thinking about this on the way home tonight...driving in my car, thinking about what a luxury it is to own a car and be able to go wherever I want, whenever I want. However, when I stayed in Japan, I found that I loved public transportation, too.

Maybe it's because I've been preparing for this for a while that makes me feel like I'm ready to have my entire life change. I expect people to look at me like I'm a weird-exotic-strange white woman. Maybe because I've attempted to do the research I feel better prepared to feel hopeless sometimes while in a place that may have absolutely no English anywhere.

All I can say is, bring it on! Rural or not, Japan can be great. Sure, looking at the bright side of things can hurt people, but constantly barraging someone with nothing but bad experiences will only make them feel like it's a hopeless case. I won't give up just because I'm a stranger in a foreign land. I'll try my best to be the best teacher I can be. :)

Edit: OP, my 2c is this: Don't limit yourself your first year. Be open to experiences. Don't expect a cookie-cutter life. Work hard and you'll have the opportunity to move on to bigger and better things. I wish you the best of luck no matter what you do. :)

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

I don't know about the rest of Japan, but Hokkaido seems to have some cool opportunities lately (I've seen a couple through jetwit.com) Actually, at least in my experience of living in rural Hokkaido, it can be like Mayberry. I would ride my bike around town and people would jump up and wave, all sorts of dinner invites, etc. Due to the JET Programme, I think that rural people never seeing a foreigner has to be rare these days, but sometimes that foreigner might have been a drunk Irishman who terrorized the town for several years, giving a bad impression of foreigners. Some towns just have grumpy personalities, just like people, in my experience. Why does one town shower its "foreigner" with freebies and attention while the next town drives its foreigner to a nervous breakdown? Who knows....

My point is that both the nay-sayers and the cheerleaders are "right". A rural placement can be both the worst experience in the world and the best.