Job Discussion Forums

skunk · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

I thinking of heading down to Kobe to look for some teaching work, can anyone out there give me a bit of an idea about what i should expect, availability of work, nightlife etc. any advice would be much appreciated..I planning on arriving around the 19th of March and would love to meet up with some teachers in the area as i have a million and one questions about Kobe life.Thankyou in advance for your replies.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

for nightlife, it is pretty good. Lots of expats there.
Jazz, too.

skunk · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

Hey thanks Brooks, i do enjoy going out, but im also wondering about ease in getting away from the city, i like the beach and countryside am i going to be stuck in a concrete jungle or am i going to be able to easily get away from it all after a hectic week at school...

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

well, Kobe is a picturesque city, between the sea and the mountains.
I liked the hiking around there.
For beaches, I guess you will have to go to Tokushima or Wakayama.
Kobe is in a good location.
By train it takes less than an hour to get to Kyoto, for example.

I live near the concrete jungle of Tokyo. Kobe seems small and quaint in comparison, and I think that is a good thing. It is easy to get around Kobe on foot, or by bike.

Longing for Nippon · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 49

If you want a beach in Kobe try Suma beach. Weirdest beach in the summer. Girls in bikinis and high heels walking in the sand! You'll find some great stereotypes there! Its kind of filthy but very amusing.

Kobe is a very popular area to work in, if you cant find work there try Ashiya or Nishinomiya. Nice areas between Kobe and Osaka and usually have some vacancies. Just check out the Kansai Flea Market for postings.

kitano · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 86

I've been living in Kobe for 5 years. It is a great place to live. Lots to do but not too big and you can always go to Osaka or Kyoto. For beaches Suma is good or farther west. There is not so much traditional Japanese cultural stuff but the hills behind the city are good if you want to get out of the city quickly. It seems like there is not so much work compared to the size of the city. Maybe people like it here so they hold on to their jobs longer?

skunk · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

Hey thanks good people for sharing your experiences with me...i really appreciate that you took the time to let me in on some of the secrets of Kobe life. I think for sure i will head down that way and was wondering if anyone has some advice on a cheap hostel style of place i could book into while im getting set up..thanks again in advance for any comments.

skunk · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

Hey Kitano, are you teaching in Kobe? what is your situation?. Im interested in ALT positions in Elementary/highschools, and am wondering if Kobe schools hire ALTs through agencies ie Interac.. if so who are the big agencies in the Kobe area?

kitano · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 86

Kobe city was hiring ALTs directly but I haven't seen any ads this year. I heard they were phasing JET back in but that is just a rumour, I really don't know. For short term accomodation their are some supercheap business hotels for 5000 and you can stay overnight in the kobe spa for cheap but other than that I'm not sure. The rent/key money has been really going down the past 5 years and more foreigner friendly agencies have opened up so they are your best bet. Keep combing KTO and KFM and get set up. Kobe seems to work on networks so you need the basics first and then you have to network for something better.