Job Discussion Forums

Ravlen · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 14

I've been accepted by ECC for the Osaka region (could be anywhere, haven't been officially placed but have been told it will be in the Kinki district, Osaka likely, but still a slim chance at Kyoto or Kobe).

Now, as we all know, ECC's schedule doesn't have consecutive days off 95% of the time, so I'm wondering about "day" trips. I'm sure that the first 6 months that I'm there I'll have all kinds of interesting sites to visit in the major areas, but I'm wondering about down the road, when I'll have a little bit of Japanese under my belt....

Should I bother packing some of my better hiking stuff? I've read about mountain cabins and such, where you can hike out into the wilderness, stay the night in a cabin or possible stay in a nice temple with the monks there... Is this something I can easily do in 24 hours (again, assuming Osaka and the surrounding areas). I'd leave in the morning on my day off, come back the next morning with the goal of being home by noon, with time to get to my afternoon classes.

Same thing with other outdoor activites, like kayaking... Is any of this possible in a 24hr timeframe? Take the train out there, do the activity, stay the night, return next morning... I'll definitely make use of holiday time for longer trips, but hope to maybe make a day trip once a month if I can...

I was thinking of applying to AEON, because the companies seem so similar and AEON has an actual weekend (sat-sun or sun-mon), but now that I'm accepted at ECC I figure I might as well run with it... Anyone think I should try for AEON? I like the weekends off, don't like the forced apt.

Ravlen

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

I joined a hiking club based in Nagoya and they do day hikes locally. Maybe you can find something similar in Osaka. Try the Outdoor Japan website.

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

yup, sounds possible.
You should pick up the Lonely Planet book Hiking in Japan.
Nara, Kyoto and Mt. Rokko aren`t far from Osaka.

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

Hey, this sounds like a great idea. Hell, if you can't get an actual weekend, at least take advantage of what you do get to do during the week. Btw: I do plan on applying to AEON, one of the reasons being that you get an actual weekend. As for the apt., I actually like the idea since it means I'll have accomodation waiting for me when I get there (if I get there). Besides, you get it all to yourself which is perfect for me Very Happy

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Firestarter · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 55

Totally possible. There's loads of great hiking that can be done within a day from Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe. Also lots of day trips to culturally significant places, onsens or whatever....

I'd recommend the Hiking in Japan by Lonely Planet as well.

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

Ravlen · Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 14

Hey, fantastic! Makes me even more excited about going. As a canuck, I'm not looking forward to the temps (Hokkaido would have been good for me, heh, but I wasn't even gonna bother try to get up there)... but if I can at least do some hiking in some real nature, then it's all worth it Smile

I've actually read up on the Lonely Planet guide before posting, and lots of people said that it is mainly a collection of major hiking trails that frequently are quite busy, so that's probably what I'd start with, then hopefully move into less traveled areas once I can cope with some basic Japanese.

Thanks gang Smile

As for the single AEON room, it certainly interests me to have a room by myself, but I'd like to start off with roommates. I currently live with roommates so that's not a problem (I know the risks too, have had both good and bad roommates)... The main thing is that with roommates hopefully they'll help with the culture shock in the first few months. If I'm by myself I wouldn't put it past me to shut myself off in my apartment when the shock really hits hard.

Ravlen