Job Discussion Forums

Simplex · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 9

Anyone living in this region? I got a job with MEC, a small and laid back school in the area that I think I can trust (well, I do trust it or I wouldnt be going).

The city/town of Suwa has population of only 53 000, but Im up for that!

If your around, or have been to Nagano, lemme know! I'd also like to post my contract if anyone is willing to review it.

Synne · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku

I played Tourist through Suwa to see the Takashima Castle...

...great tourist area.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I spent 3 months working at a ski resort near Suwa a few years ago and sometimes go back to stay in Hara-mura, a small village about 20 mins drive up into the mountains from Suwa, in summer and at New Year. Beautiful area, surrounded by mountains- Yatsugatake is very well known and a popular hiking spot. About 90 mins to 2 hours from Shinjuku to Suwa station on the Chuo line depending on which train you take.

Lots of snow in winter, but not too much hangs around the city itself- about 50 cm to a metre on the ground at the most. Lots of places to ski/ snowboard within easy striking distance. Temps of around -10 deg C on a cold day in winter to average 25 deg C in summer, I once arrived there from Tokyo in August and it was such a relief- Tokyo was a humid hellhole at 36 deg that day and Suwa/ Chino were about 24 deg with a beautiful clear sky and a nice breeze.

Lake Suwa partly freezes over in winter, and Suwa Taisha (large shrine) is a popular place for Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year.

For me it's a bit small and the winter is too cold, but if that doesn't bother you at all and you like being in the mountains you'll enjoy it I think.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sounds like a nice area to live. Cool in the summer and skiing in the winter. Any universities nearby?

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

Suwa is not a happenin' place... But it's in the mountains and close to ski resorts.... It's fairly close to Kofu, Yamanashi, which is not huge but good sized, and Nagano City in the other direction.

Suwa is home to the Onbashira Festival... That's the one where suicidal locals go screaming down the mountain riding humungous logs -- as you may have seen on Ripley's or some other TV show... Since it's not an annual festival and the last one was 2 years ago, you will need to wait another 4 or so before seeing it again, but that's what I know about Suwa.

It's also on the way to Matumoto -- fair-sized city and home to a beautiful castle.

I've been through Suwa many times, but can't say that I've had reason to stop there very often.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The Ombashira festival is every seven years- the last one was in 2004. Two of the suicidal locals riding the logs are my home stay family uncles- they're in their fifties now and did the last one- not sure about the next one though...

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

I live in Nagano and was down around Suwa in the highland area last Sunday. It looked pretty nice to me, on a lake and all that. I can't imagine there would be much going on though, but its not so far from Tokyo. Matsumoto's ok and Nagano has a wicked temple (next door to me!). I wouldn't fancy it for the nightlife (or lack of) but if you like skiing and hiking I expect its a pretty cool place to be.