Job Discussion Forums

hentaigaijin · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 104

I have to make a decision about where to move to next month and I would be extremely grateful for any and all insights. I intend to go to Japan for 1 year, spend a year back at university and then return to Japan for something like 2 years, most likely.

i am a self-confessed japophile. though i have never been to japan. what can i expect? some suggest tokyo would be best because of the amenities and because of the many opportunities; others have told me that tokyo is too competitive and that i might be better off in a smaller city.

what is life like in tokyo on 250,000 yen a month?

part of me welcomes the challenge and the excitement tokyo might bring but then perhaps sendai would provide a better standard of living.

anyway, i'm pretty clueless so... Embarassed

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

Yemlin · Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 21

For someone who hasn't lived in Japan & therefore doesn't (I would imagine?) have regional preferences, it comes down to, which do you prefer, city or enormous megalopolis?

In terms of stuff, conveniences, etc., Tokyo has absolutely everything, but I'm sure you knew that. Maybe better to focus on what Sendai has.

Sendai has the bright lights and fun and foreign food and English books & periodicals. It has a subway. Of course all this stuff is smaller/less than in Tokyo, but it's there.

Sendai is not as crowded or insane as Tokyo. It has lots more trees than a typical Japanese city, and big, shady, accessible trees are precious and few in urban Japan.

The last time I was in Sendai (2003), there was a strong Russian & Ukrainian presence. I often saw large groups of blondes walking down the street and heard them speaking Slavic languages. It wasn't until I moved to Kansai that I realized that this was not typical in Japan. There are Russian signs in some shops. This is more noticeable in Sendai because it's the smallest of Japan's big cities: that is, over all, Tokyo has a greater foreign presence.

Sendai has easy access to serious outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. (I think Tokyo has some, too, but I think Sendai has more.) Sendai has colder winters and more snow than Tokyo, and cooler summers: Tokyo summers kill!

hentaigaijin · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 104

So Tokyo is crowded and insane. How will that affect me psychologically? I loved living in Bangkok so perhaps I will feel contented in Tokyo.

I am pleased to know that things in Tokyo won't be so bad on 250,000 yen.

The poll is currently tied neck and neck and 2 votes a piece. I am veering towards the idea of heading for Tokyo and living in a gaijin house for the first 2 months. If I am not happy in Tokyo then I could relocate to Sendai.

Would I be happy in the countryside? No idea. I don't even know what I'm talking about. Although I often think I do.

Are there any negatives to living in Tokyo? How much money can I realsitically make in Tokyo or Sendai? I have a good resume but no Japan experience and no masters.

My primary focus is to find a good Japanese course but I will obviously teach to support myself at the same time.

I am concerned that I will either find Sendai too pedestrian or that is Tokyo too impersonal. While I loved Bangkok, I also lived in London but on very little money and it was the worst experience of my life.

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

You will probably end up speaking more Japanese if you pick Sendai. In Tokyo there are so many English speakers that it's too easy to fall into an English bubble. If learning the language is a priority for you, go to a smaller city.

Yemlin · Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 21

Yemlin · Joined: 11 Oct 2006 Posts: 21

hentaigaijin · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 104

Cheers lads. I'm starting to get more of an idea now. However, I am still not convinced one way or the other.

Here is what my mate in Sendai had to say:

"My English friend was in rural area in Miyagi prefecture(Sendai), he did not speak English there so his Japanese is like native in few years. If youwant to learn Japanese, you should never go to Tokyo, there are too many gaijin. It is not good for your japanese."

There are some Japanese language schools in Sendai but won't there be better courses available in Tokyo? Could the commuting in Tokyo get me down do you think?

Having been at this teaching lark for a while now, and having good references, what kind of job do you I could land never having been to Japan/ rusty Japanese/ no masters degree? Will I make more money in Sendai because there is less competition or more in Tokyo because of the many opportunities.

Will I be bored by Sendai or will Tokyo be too intense?

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

It all depends on what you're into.... but i dont think your salary will be all that different in either city. but you will spend more money in tokyo. a lot more. partly because stuff is more expensive, but mostly because there is always something awesome to spend your money on. it will all disappear. is this a good thing or a bad thing? up to you.

hentaigaijin · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 104

Thanks chief.

I love spending money and I love big cities. Hence the fact that I am skint. Perhaps it would be a good idea to restrain myself by staying in Sendai.

I have to think about this one ...

sushi · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 145

It's a two hour shinkansen trip from Sendai to Tokyo, so should you go to Sendai, and feel you would like to visit Tokyo it's doable. It's a 5 hour bus trip and the buses run freqently. Prices for the buses vary according to the season. Around Christmas the fare is just a little less than the shinkansen fare. Other times its's less than half the price.

You will learn a lot of Japanese in Sendai, because there aren't that many English speakers. Japanese people of course will speak to you as though you are a fluent Japanese speaker, so you going to be carrying your conversation book where ever you go

mtheta · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 76

Hey there,

I just recently moved to Sendai. This is my opinion as a newbie having lived nowhere else in Japan.

Sendai is a large enough city. It has EVERYTHING you would need.

The whole Rusian thing is not that obvious, unless you maybe frequent a lot of hostess bars...

Good nightlife, TONS of resturaunts, more then enough shopping.

There are many schools here and although it would maybe not be as easy as Tokyo, my friend came without out a job lined up and now has 6 p/t positions. He works mainly evenings with adults. Makes enough money and really enjoys it. He just walked into places and asked if they were hiring. Even if they wern't they gave hime a shot. He has no BA either.

The down side. I am constantly reminded that I am a foreigner. I am stared at all the time. Little kids point and make a big deal of it. Sendai seems to be more conservative, so you stand out. It just takes some getting used to.

I also find it hard to meet other foreigners unless you work with them. It is good if you know people here. Tokyo is probably really easy to make connections. Here not so much. The foreigners tend to stick to themselves, not really reach out.

Good luck either way. Hope this helps. I am planning on leaving my F/T job here in the near future if you are interested. I also know of another school that will be hiring for the new year. F/T as well.

Very Happy

hentaigaijin · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 104

i just wrote a long reply and the pc crashed so i can't be bothered repeating it but thanks all for the info.

mtheta, you could prove an invaluable source of info for me. i will send you my cv - if you can doing anything with it that would be brilliant.

hentaigaijin · Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 104

in which city am i more likely to find work if i just turn up on a tourist visa next week?