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jc1977 · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Nerima

Hey all. I am headed to Niigata, Japan to work for AEON in July and was wondering if anyone could help me with any info on the city or the schools in town.

I know the basics, but if anyone lives there or used to, I'd appreciate any additional info. Thanks in advance ...

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Bring skis.

Buy earthquake insurance.

Niigata is a prefecture. Which town? What information are you looking for? Can you be a bit more specific?

jc1977 · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Nerima

Sorry about that. It's Niigata City. I guess I'm just looking for info on night life, number of foreigners in the area, cool local stuff to do, etc. I have heard some good things about Sado Island, as well.

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

wintersweet · Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:09 am Post subject:

Look for _Snow Country Tales_ by Suzuki Bokushi if you want to read about the way it was in the old days out there. There's an English translation that's pretty easy to come by. (Of course, there's also the more famous prize-winning novel called _Snow Country_.) Really fascinating if you enjoy anthropological-type stuff. It's hard for me to imagine living that way. I've only been to Echigo/Yuzawa, so I can't say anything about Niigata City itself. Good luck!

jc1977 · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Nerima

Well, I'm hoping before this post gets completely buried someone out there will be kind enough to pass along some more info on Niigata City. Obviously, much of the research into the city was readily available online (the city is about 800,000 people, there's a place called the immigrant's Cafe that sound hip) but to me, there's nothing better than a firsthand account.

Thanks to everyone who has repiled so far. I do love skiing, so it's good to hear there's some Michigan-like winters there. Very Happy

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

I lived about 90 minutes west of Niigata in a smaller town, Toyama City - about 400,000 people - but it was still the countryside.

From what I remember students telling me about Niigata, it's similar to where I lived, so the best I can tell you is the following:

Probably a good amount of foreigners, mostly English speakers working for Aeon, Nova, Geos, Jet, and many small schools. I knew about 20 or so foreigners outside of co-workers.

I knew a girl who went to university in Niigata, and her ex-boyfriend (a Canadian) owned a bar, which was frequented by foreigners. There will probably be a few places your co-workers can introduce you to at first, and these places will likely speak a little English.

The Shinkansen passes through Niigata, so you'll have no problem getting to Tokyo or other large cities.

As for local things, the Japan guidebooks tend to give little information on cities not frequented by foreigners. Once in the city, find the cultural or international center, and there will be information about things you can do. There will probably be people's info posted for "language exchange." Within the first two weeks of moving to Toyama, I had met a few people this way, and their suggestions of places to go was helpful.

I know there's a university in town, and they probably have an English club of sorts. If you take a stroll around the campus, you might be able to find their information, but it might also be posted on a language exchange board at the cultural center. If you get in touch with them, you'll instantly be welcomed to their club by a good number of uni students, eager to show you their city and a good time.

You're moving in July, so be ready for brutal humidity. I'm also from Michigan, and although August is hot and humid at home, I found the first week really difficult to get used to the weather. Niigata is surrounded by mountains and the Sea of Japan, which causes a blanket of sorts, with the humidity. The humidity has no place to go, so it stays over the city. What worked for me was taking a cold shower before going to bed, and running cold water over my wrists after cycling to work. Before you know it, the leaves will change, and it's a beautiful sight.

Good luck.

jc1977 · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Nerima

Fantastic post. Thank you for the wealth of info. I'm a little concerned about the humidity (especially while wearing a full suit) but the cultural aspects of the city and its unique location were good enough for me.