Job Discussion Forums

[Sadebugo]

To all:

I work for the American government and am being sent to Nagoya to train members of the Japanese military. I have never been to Japan before and so have no idea what I will be facing. I don't expect anyone to give me a primer on Japan, but I hope someone can give me some information about Nagoya or some good websites I can look at myself. Then, maybe I can follow up with some specific questions.

Thanks in advance!

[markle]

Some things specific to Nagoya that is different to the rest of Japan.

It's quite an open city, not as claustrophobic as Tokyo/Osaka

Currently booming so the price advantage it once had is fast dissapating.

The local expat community usually ended up here rather than made a concious decision to come here.

Really not that much you will really notice that is unique.

Try Japazine website for more Nagoya specific

[Sadebugo]

Thanks for the info! Do you happen to know if there are any US military bases nearby?

[markle]

No, none I know of in fact I've never noticed a military presence here at all, not that I get out that much.

[bearcat]

No bases near by. Just the J-base in Komaki.

Working for the Defense's program outa TX to do lang training at Komaki?

Nagoya as some have already mentioned is not as "active" a city as Tokyo or Osaka but its got its nice places.

As far as sites on the net to look up stuff about Nagoya this might help a bit:

http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/

Other than that, your gov program should have plenty of resouce info on Nagoya for ya.

[Sadebugo]

Thanks for your help. No, no language training, technical training related to aircraft. I may get more info from my employer in the future, but thought I'd get a heads up first. I won't be going over until summer.

[Sadebugo]

Did anyone ever see/publish a list of typical costs for food/services in Japan. I don't have to worry about lodging/utilities, but do have to buy other things.

[wintersweet]

You could try searching for "cost of living"--there have been a lot of threads on this topic.

One frequently recommended site is http://www.pricechecktokyo.com/index.html

[BritishEnglish]

Well just to put my twopenneth in about Nagoya, I lived there from Sept 03 to June 06 and really enjoyed it...It is a place you would avoid on the tourist trail... it has the usual generic castle (however it is historically important if you are interested in that type of thing Tokogawa and those fter him had a role in Nagoya), Atsuta jngu (shrine...very important but visually crap) and the other usual assortment....
Living there was completely different if you want an ex pat community that is huge and just go to the gaijin (foreigner) bars and you'll meet tonnes of people but also there is plenty of friendly Japanese that you can meet just got to make the effort. The other advantage of Nagoya is it is easy to get out of...sounds strange but useful. You can be in Osaka in an hour plus the likes of Kyoto, Kobe, Nara not much more or in kyoto's case less and in the other sdirection Tokyo is 2 odd hours. These are by Shinkansen (bullet train) so pricey but much better than buses and more comfortable than airplane!
You'll find most Japanese cities are ugly but they each have there certain charm. The advantage of Nagoya although being 4th largest city with 2.7million visitors the places of interest for those who live there are close and easily manageable. The subway is efficient and gets you everywhere but then again most places of interest are within 45 minute walk of Nagoya station. It's good. Although if you are out in Komaki that is a bit out in the sticks but you can get into the centre by train easily enough
Any questions feel free to ask. I may well be returning myself in the future as my love affair with Japan hasn't ended yet!!

[Sadebugo]

Thanks to everyone for all your help. It's confirmed. I'll be departing for Nagoya on 26 Feb. and will be there for six months. Hope to run into some of you. Take care.