Job Discussion Forums

tails · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Hi all

I will be teaching with GEOS come july and I want to take up a Martial Art while I am in Japan. When I was in Korea a few years ago I did a Taekwondo class every weekday evening at 9pm and loved it.

Apparently GEOS classes tend to be within the hours of 12-9 (although I dont really uderstand how that fits in with the 29.5 hours "in-school" time per week) and I was wondering whether it was easy to find Martial Arts classes running from 9-10pm in most cities.

Any ideas?

Cheers...

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:45 pm Post subject:

I'd imagine that most martial arts classes will be over (or certainly winding down) by 9pm, especially if they don't own the facilities (e.g. are using hired municipal sports halls); bear in mind also that often you can't simply run out of your English lesson once the clock strikes 9 (there might be students or staff wanting to discuss something with you, paperwork to complete etc). You'll probably therefore be confined to practising mainly on your days off; still, let's hope you get lucky and find a dojo somewhere that runs adult classes well into the night.

Probably the best thing would be, once your current contract is near completion, to set up an AET-style job (JET or dispatch) where you'd be finished by 5pm Mon-Fri, and have your whole weekends free too. Very Happy

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Since you will be working at a large chain eikaiwa, you will almost definately be working on weekends (but that 's okay, because most of the martial arts places are run by a provate owner and don't operate on weekends). You're best bet is to get your two days off on the days when there is training at a locally run dojo.

I train from 8:30 until 9:30 or 10, and that's considered late.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:24 am Post subject:

I made a point today of noting the times that the Ashihara karate group train at this small dance studio on the way to my school: 8 - 10pm, as it turns out...so, I was just thinking, places like that (dance studios) might be worth checking out for a start.

tails · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks guys for the replies...

I guess I will just have to wait and see if I get lucky with the places in my vicinity and my timetable when I get to Hokkaido!

Sounds like there is a chance at least to find something, which is good news and I will keep an eye out for anything that looks like a dance studio when I get there.

Thanks again! Very Happy

buddhaboyjp · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 75 Location: Dai Po, Tai Wo

Some Martial art classes start at 6a.m.
I studied Aikido and Kendo, hence you can see the reason why I quit, besides getting my behind kicked in.

If you come here on a Cultural Visa say, to study Martial Arts, you WILL be required to meet their time tables, regardless.

Please call me Mr. Seagal. Rolling Eyes

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

tails wrote:

Hi all

I will be teaching with GEOS come july and I want to take up a Martial Art while I am in Japan. When I was in Korea a few years ago I did a Taekwondo class every weekday evening at 9pm and loved it.

Apparently GEOS classes tend to be within the hours of 12-9 (although I dont really uderstand how that fits in with the 29.5 hours "in-school" time per week) and I was wondering whether it was easy to find Martial Arts classes running from 9-10pm in most cities.

Any ideas?

Cheers...

You will have a very tough time finding martial art class so late. However, you may find morning classes or just take martial arts on your days off. I know the Aikido main dozo in Shinjuku offers morning classes.