Job Discussion Forums

[The Boz]

I posted about my plans in another thread (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=108537) if anyone wants a little more background, but basically, I'm planning to head to Japan this year to study Japanese on my own and just enjoy Japan for a while. I may also possibly look for EFL teaching or curriculum development work (the latter of which I have significant experience in) so that I can stay longer and keep things going financially.

In any case, before leaving, I'm trying to decide whether I want to start things off in Tokyo or Fukuoka, and I was hoping some people here might help me out with my decision since I've never lived in either city, even though I've visited both multiple times.

- Apartments. I've found potential accommodations in each city, but there's always a chance that things won't pan out with them. Fukuoka is obviously cheaper in this regard, but is it going to be possible to find a place there without a guarantor?

- Transportation. Is not having a car going to be a big obstacle when living in Fukuoka? Is there going to be much to do there if I'm limited to using the subway and buses?

- Weather. How much colder than Fukuoka is Tokyo in winter? Is there a significant difference in temperature between the two throughout the year?

- Cost of Living. Beyond apartment prices, is living in Tokyo that much more expensive than living in Fukuoka? I'm not into really fancy stuff but do like to go out and socialize.

- Social Life. I read somewhere that people in Fukuoka tended to marry and have children young, so I'm wondering if, being in my early 30s, I'm going to have trouble finding people my age to hang out with.

- Work. I've heard the EFL job market in Tokyo is glutted with competition, while the one in Fukuoka is close to non-existent. Are these exaggerations? Which city would I have a better chance of finding comfortable (though necessarily exceptionally lucrative) employment in?

My questions are a bit Fukuoka-centric since it's obviously the dark horse in this race. Still, it'd be great to hear more about life in either city. Thanks!

[nightsintodreams]

-As far as I know It's fairly easy to find accomodation anywhere in Japan, as long as you're not fussy.

-Do you mean Fukuoka-shi (city) or Fukuoka-ken (prefecture)? If you're living in a fairly large sized city such as Fukuoka-shi, not having a car shouldn't be a problem. If you're living out in the sticks on the outskirts of Fukuoka-ken then it might be more of an issue.

-Probably not a huge difference, but noticable. You can google search the average temperatures to find out exactly.

-I don't think it is. Tokyo has more competition so places like bars and nightclubs are often cheaper than in smaller cities. That's been my experience anyway. I'm not sure if supermarket prices are going to be any difference, but I'd guess that any chain stores will have the same price nationwide. (Can anyone confirm this?) Proabably the most noticeable difference will just be the price of rent, most people I know who live in the area actually live just outside of Tokyo and commute to work.

-I've travelled to Fukuoka-shi a few times, pretty good nightlife to be honest, but lot's of American soldiers about, which is a downside if you ask me. Most are obnoxious a-holes looking for trouble or lacking any respect for the culture around them. Obviously Tokyo has more variety, but people in Fukuoka-shi seem more laid back. I'd choose Osaka over both of them.

-No experience, probably better to leave this question to someone else. I'd guess Tokyo would be better, especially for a starter with limited Japanese.

[The Boz]

Thanks, nightsintodreams.

I did mean Fukuoka-shi, sorry. Good to know transportation shouldn't be a problem, though.

I checked out prices and temperatures on a couple of websites, and while I don't know how accurate the sites were, it seems like there's not much difference between Tokyo and Fukuoka in either category. Except when it comes to rent.

Accommodation-wise, I'm looking at an 80,000 yen a month place a little outside the center of Tokyo (but it looks like a pretty nice place) and a 32,000 yen a month place near the center of Fukuoka (but it doesn't look quite as nice). There's a pretty big difference in prices.

I've been out in Fukuoka a couple of times and thought it was alright, though I did notice the GIs as well. I'm kinda wondering if there's much to do socially outside of the club scene, though.

Thanks again for your help. It'd be great to hear more if you or anyone else has anything to share.

[hivans]

I have sat through a 4-hour Kabuki play (alas the shortened version) in a Fukuoka theatre, so I can confirm there is cultural life there beyond the club scene there!

Actually, I think you have quite a few options covering museums, professional football and baseball, beaches and islands, surrounding countryside, hydrofoil (and relatively cheap flights) to Korea to name but a few, so I think you would find enough to do there, although obviously Tokyo would be more lively.

I was first in Fukuoka when I was about 40, and I have never had trouble making friends or finding drinking partners there. I don’t know what the average marriage age is, but I think it should be a big enough city for any single or married person to find a reasonable social life there, whatever hobbies and interests he or she has. Strangely enough, I have never noticed a GI presence when I have been there (maybe that is not typical, but it shows it is possible, I suppose).

I know quite a few people who work/have worked in Fukuoka as English teachers, so I know such jobs exist, although I don’t know how frequently vacancies come up or how supply and demand for English teachers is balanced there.

Finally, I have found it easy to get around Fukuoka city without a car (but I don’t live there now, I should add).

Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision!

[The Boz]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. You definitely gave me a lot to think about in regard to Fukuoka, but in the end, I decided to go with Tokyo just because I was able to find accommodations there more easily, though at a much higher price. I also liked the idea of being around the excitement of Tokyo and thought I'd have an easier time of finding a job there.

I think the GIs mostly congregate in a few bars/clubs near Tenjin (at least that's where I saw them); at least that's the only place I saw them.

Thanks again to everyone for the help!

[timothypfox]

Go to Kagoshima City. You don't have to deal with the armed forces people here, and enjoy relaxing Kyushu style.