Job Discussion Forums

[kiracle]

Hi,

I've got the job ( with Aeon) and I'm set to arrive in July. All of a sudden I am getting a bit nervous - normal I'm sure. I was wondering if anybody out there living in F u k uoka could tell me a little bit about what to expect. I'm actually in Mei no hama. Is that part of the city or a suburb? I've heard there is a largeish international community. How do I tap into that? Is it very difficult to find Japanese lessons? Is public transport good?I know this seems really crazy but I keep having nightmares about not being able to read any labels in grocery stores.....

I've lived in foreign countries before (am living in one now) but this is still a big move and I'd appreciate any assauging of my nerves

Thanks!
Ciera

[Celeste]

Meinohama is certainly within the city limits! It is near the ocean, and it is a pretty nice neighborhood. I teach at an elementary school there about once a week. Public transport is good but expensive. The subway is the best. Buses are okay, but can be infrequent on some routes. Meinohama subway station is 8 stops (30min) from the downtown core. Near the station there is a large "western style" supermarket. (You will be able to read some of the labels, but I would recommend getting yourself a phrase book for the first month so that you can ask people what certain things are- many a foreigner has accidentally bought salt instead of sugar!) Japanese lessons are available. The school that I go to costs 1500yen for a 1 hour class. There are lots of foreigners here. You can meet us in the night clubs, restaurants, at costco on the weekends, in Japanese class, and also probably through your job. Feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions.

Try the site below for more info as well: (just remember to replace the *beep* with the city name)

http://www.fukuoka-now.com/index.php

[kiracle]

Thanks, Celeste! I already feel a bit better. I might take you up on the mail offer if needed.

One more question now.. I've heard that F u kuoka is considered to have great weather. What does that mean exactely? Is it warm? Does it get very cold in the winter? Lots of sun or rain? I'm living in grey, rainy Belgium now, so I'm assuming almost anything would be an improvement...

Thanks again!

Ciera

[Celeste]

Too funny- I came here from Vancouver (also known for its rain) and I like the weather. It does rain a fair bit here, but it is not constant. It will only rain for one or two days, and it is generally puntuated with brilliant sunshine. The summer is flipping humid, and hot(32-34 degrees Celcius) to boot, but not as bad as some places, as we generally have a nice sea breeze- especially out by Meinohama. The winters are not particularly cold(it hovers around 1 or2 degrees Celcius), but they can seem that way because the apartments don't have central heat, and schools are generally UNHEATED. I wear long underwear to work in the winter. At home I say damn the expense and use my heaters in winter and myair conditioners in summer. Fall and spring are fabulous, and the weather is to die for. Lately, it has been about 20degrees and it has been rainy one day, sunny the next. I'm not fond of the rain, but my balcony garden is loving it. I am growing tomatoes, basil, parsley, peas, and rosemary. It is working out quite well so far.

[homersimpson]

Unless you live in Okinawa Prefecture, you will "feel" cold in the winter regardless of where you live in Japan. As Celeste rightly pointed out, there is no central heating in apartments or public schools (many schools only have space heaters in the teachers' room). Also, Japanese apartments have no insulation. In addition, you will probably be spending more time outside walking/biking to and from work.