Job Discussion Forums

qjmonster · Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 2

Hi!
I'm thinking about going to Japan to teach in a few months. I think Tokyo might be a little expensive for me, but I would like to stay in a city with a great vibe. Can anyone recommend some less expensive alternatives or just some general advice of nice places to live?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Kobe.

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

What interests you? That is, what is that "vibe" to you?

Personally, I like Sapporo, where I have lived since 1998. Nice clean, neatly laid-out city of 1.8 million close to the mountains and lakes.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

"Less expensive" is a bit of an oxymoron in Japan. In any event, I like Hiroshima, Sendai, and Miyazaki (though not a "big" city, about 220,000).

chixdiggit · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 60 Location: ROK

I'm with Glenski, Sapporo is my fave although many seem to recommend Kobe. Haven't been there yet so can't comment.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I like Kobe too. It has everything you need, but it's not too big. I also don't think they're due for another biq quake for awhile either.

vash3000 · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 56

Do not, under any circumstances, teach English in Gunma.

As one previous teacher said before sailing off to Tokyo:

"Gunma is good for two things: saving money and sleeping."

Best,
V.

(ps Personally, I had an awesome time in Osaka. Great vibe, hot girls, all you can drink karaoke, friendly people. Sigh...I miss Japan. In comparison, Gunma is some sorta freakoid armpit colony.)

(pps That all said and done, there is an old maxim by advantage players: There is an edge in every game. When I crack the code, I`ll let y`all know.)

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

"Great vibes" are in the eye of the beholder.

OK, that sounded a bit lame, but hopefully my point is clear.

I'm in Niigata, not in the city (pop. roughly 500,000) but out in the rice fields. It's generally not regarded as a hip place, and we all kind of joke about how uncool it can be, but I've managed to find quite a few things to keep me occupied, and there are loads of opportunities that I haven't even looked into yet. I'm rarely bored here.

V3K--how can Gunma be the armpit? I thought Niigata-ken had the dubious distinction of being, in the words of a colleague of mine, "the armpit of Japan."

d

vash3000 · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 56

V3K--how can Gunma be the armpit? I thought Niigata-ken had the dubious distinction of being, in the words of a colleague of mine, "the armpit of Japan."

Hmm...must be the other armpit.

Actually, I`m a little harsh on Gunma. It`s probably no worse than many areas in Japan...I was just expecting more, I guess.

It`s kinda funny. When I returned home, I raved about many of my experiences in Japan. Everyone told me I should go back (some friends, huh?)...so I did.

Been a bit of a grind ever since.

But I suspect a lot of that has to do with my poor Japanese, and on that note...

To the original poster, consider larger cities if your aptitude for learning another language is poor. Otherwise, you`re really rolling the dice with small villages. Attitudes aren`t the same everywhere in Japan.

Best,
V.

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Denise, I'd rather be in Nigata than Gumma.

Nigata has mountains to ski, the Sea of Japan, and really friendly people.

Gumma has onsens (oops Nigata has those) and inferior mountains.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

OK, I relinquish the Armpit title, then! I did enjoy the brief time that I spent passing through Gunma, though--we stopped in Kusatsu and I went to a lovely little onsen (at which I accidentally inhaled sulphur water--ouch!).

As I've said before, I'm finding plenty of things to do in (sunny? nah--humid and overcast) Niigata.

Back to the OP's question--regardless of what advice you get, which will naturally be subjective and based on people's own subjective ideas of what "fun" is, and regardless of where you end up, there is fun to be had and hobbies to be discovered, as long as you seek them out.

d

vash3000 · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 56

Hey!

Yup, Sen, you nailed it with your description of an ampit.

That said, relations play a large part in my happiness, and those are difficult to form in Gunma. I`ve talked to many foreigners living here and of those who have worked elsewhere in Japan, their views are similiar to mine.

I`d give you the thumbnail response that I get over and over again about Gunma, but its a bit offensive for a public board. And I still believe, as Denise wrote, that the quality of our life really depends upon us.

So...I guess I`m just a little slow to rise to the task.

Best,
V.

(As for why I`m here given my discontent. Geez...I`ve got such a cushy 9-5 job, M-F, 320K...car, nice apartment, 2-3 adult students a day...it`s difficult to leave. And I refuse to take a job that involves babysitting children, so I`m a little limited in my options.)

(Also, just from a matter of pride...Gunma is not going to beat me down. I`m listening to a lot of Dr. Dre lately, and I think its really helping with my attitude.)

Bubba · Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 34

Sapporo all the way. Lived there from 1997-2001. Best 4 years of my life. Now I'm in purgatory (Hong Kong) - helluva contrast...