Job Discussion Forums

JwardBound · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 2

I seek:

-a regular fulll-time teaching job
-an abundance of private students to choose from
-Students interested in taking salsa lessons
-Some bars/nightclubs/cafes where people perform hip-hop, rock, etc.
-Good subway transportation

Am I looking for Fukuoka, Sapporo, Shizuoka? What am I looking for?

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Private students exist all over Japan, but the competition for them is steep. And you might not be able to get students who want to pay as much as you ask. If you want bars that play rock and hip hop, I'd imagine you're going to have to settle for the larger cities that have larger foreign populations. And in terms of "good subway transportation," that eliminates a lot of cities that simply have buses and trains.

Having said all that, I'd imagine Kobe would be a decent place for you to start looking. Very diverse city with a thriving arts/music scene--and it has two subway lines. Of course, there are a lot of foreigners there, so you might have a harder time (or maybe an easier time?) getting private students. As for the job market, it's tough all over Japan. Or rather, finding a GOOD job is tough all over Japan. Finding a crappy 2500 yen/hour or 200,000 yen/month gig is considerably easier.

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

Having lived in Sapporo for a few years, I'd say you could find all those things there, yes.

Don't limit yourself to cities that fulfill every one of your requirements, though. It's a buyer's market.

Samurai · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Japan

What am I looking for? what is MY best place?

As your emphasis is on MY...then only you can answer this question.

Not so many cities have a subway system...the major ones will...nevertheless most cities will have a decent enough transport system.
As such most cities in Japan will have what you want.

Your major concern is getting a full-time job first. Not as easy as it sounds. A flooded market means that you may not have as big a choice as you'd like with regards to where you are placed. Choices may be small...assuming you are even offered one. What qualifications/experience do you have in teaching (I assume you mean teaching English)? When are you planning on coming over? Timing is everything...

You may want to do some research on locations...there is a big difference between Fukuoka and Sapporo weather wise Wink

. Your salsa class may turn into dancing on ice Laughing