Job Discussion Forums

Chris_Travel_the_world · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Canada

I have just been offered a position with Aeon at the Tennoji station plaza location. I am assuming that I will be living near the station as my travel time is supposed to be 15 minutes.

I did some research into Tennoji and have mixed feelings about this area. I hear that there are a lot of homeless people, that its dirty, full of love hotels, Yakuza, etc... but at the same time it has a zoo, park, temple, etc...

Does anyone have any first hand experience of this part of Osaka?

Thanks,
Chris

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

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Tennoji is one of the 5 major stations in Osaka (along with Umeda, Namba, Kyobashi, and Shin Osaka). You should consider yourself lucky to be assigned there.

Tennoji itself is not so far away from the action in Namba, but it's also not so far away from the dirtier parts of the city, such as Daikokucho and Shin Imamiya, like Paul said. Tennoji Station itself reeks of urine after the station closes because of all the homeless people that camp out there overnight.

Having said that, Tennoji is a major hub and it's easy to get wherever you need to go in and around Osaka. There are several department stores and restaurants and banks, so it's quite convenient. You could easily do worse than Tennoji. Have fun working for AEON, and welcome to Osaka.

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

Oi! Daikokucho is where I call home! Very Happy

People's definition of "dirty" in Japan is weird. I've heard people call Osaka an ugly city, call parts like Daikokucho and Juso dirty but to me they're just urban areas.

There are homeless people in Daikokucho and some of the subway entrances have a hideous stench near them but all in all, I feel safe here. Plus being on the Midosuji line it's very handy and I can't say I have any major complaints. I'm actually heading into Tennoji today for the first time but if it's like the other areas around here, I wouldn't be too concerned. The best thing is the location!

shuize · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1270

sallycat · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 303 Location: behind you. BOO!

rai · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 119 Location: Osaka

Dave Bain · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

C-
my good mate taught at tennoji aeon and i stayed with her a few times and she told me about her experience. basically, a good place to work: nice staff and good students.
i have firsthand experience on the location and it is spot on, because it is on the midosuji line. that is the best subway line to be on in osaka. period. it's real close to namba, shinsaibashi, and umeda. those places may or may not mean a lot to you now, but they will once you get to osaka. that is were the nightlife is. you'll get a trainpass from aeon so basically your transpo trips to the bars will be paid for..
tennoji is also on the loop line, but the midosuji line is more useful.
in terms of living. im sure the current aeon foreign teachers at tennoji live in nagai, kitahanada and some place near osaka castle. having a place on the midosuji line is best. it is best to live in nagai cuz there are a lot of foreigners there and a big park. plus it is close to tennoji. and on the midosuji line. kitahanada is after nagai and is a bit dumpy but still conveinient. visited my mate there.. nagai and kitahanada are on the midosuji line. that is key. i heard the apartment near osaka castle is in a industrial area, but so is most of osaka.
if you dont like the apartment aeon sticks you in, you *can* move to another location. sure, they'll make a bit of a fuzzy but u can do it. other teachers do.
tennoji is not a bad area. there are some dumpy parts a few blocks away, but we never went there. no reason to. my mate had some problems cause she's a sheila but blokes dont have any problems.. never heard about yakuza in tennoji. some of the older men are freaks but basically harmless.
the best part about tennoji is that is a big train station which means you can go places, like nara or the airport ez, and there are a lot of good bars in the area. tins hall is one. the zoo and the temple are not interesting. if you are into culture, nara is close to tennoji and kyoto is close to osaka.
tennoji is a good bet.
post a reply if u have anymore question.s
i can ask my mate too.
good luck and such.
DB

[quote="Chris_Travel_the_world"]I have just been offered a position with Aeon at the Tennoji station plaza location. I am assuming that I will be living near the station as my travel time is supposed to be 15 minutes.

I did some research into Tennoji and have mixed feelings about this area. I hear that there are a lot of homeless people, that its dirty, full of love hotels, Yakuza, etc... but at the same time it has a zoo, park, temple, etc...

Does anyone have any first hand experience of this part of Osaka?

Thanks,
Chris[/quote]

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Just to add. Check your living location. 15 mins from Tennoji by train and you could well be living in the sticks. Well at least my version of the sticks. If you don't want to be stuck to the last train home or just want that city living feel then if I were you I'd live near your work.

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

Luna Chica · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Trujillo, Peru

Tennoji is the heart of the "real" Osaka. This is where you will hear the best Osaka Ben (Osaka dialect), yep it is a bit seedy, but it is earthy and has real spriti. I guess if you were looking for an understandable comparison it would be what cockney East End is to London.

It is perfectly safe though, I think you will have a great time there. You will certianly meet some characters.

Luna Chica · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Trujillo, Peru

That beep was suppoesed to be co ck ney

Luna Chica · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Trujillo, Peru

Spaworld!!!!!! Spaworld is awesome and right smack bang in Tennoji. After a tough day at the office you can hot foot it to Spaworld to get naked with lots of other people in the sento of your choice be it Turkish, Chinese, Japanese or other themed. That place rocks!

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Paul, I wasn't thinking of 15 mins from Tennoji on the subway. That would indeed be still in the city. I can't remember the name of the line but I used to teach a kids class about 15 mins from Tennoji from the Uenobashii station I think. It really was a different world to Osaka city. I had to hire a pushbike to get to the school as the whole area was quite spread out. I did go past a few rice fields too.