Job Discussion Forums

Ketch · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I was just offered a job teaching English in Matsuyama City. I am not sure if I will except. I am nervous but excited.

I am looking for any advice from current or past teachers, and anyone who knows about Matsuyama City or the surrounding area

thanks

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

What school are you going to? I live in Matsuyama, pretty good place imo.

Ketch · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I would be teaching with AEON.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Matsuyama has a good rep. Fairly quiet but not a million miles from Osaka and Kyoto if you want a weekend away.

gaijin4life · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:28 am Post subject:

I went to Matsuyama recently for a couple of days to visit some friends. It seemed like a pretty nice little place. People were friendly and helpful and there seemed to be quite a few things to see and do, - if you`re into history, culture and travelling..

The location of Matsuyama is not bad, its close-ish to the bigger cities of Okayama, Hiroshima and not so far from Osaka, if you want to hit the bigger cities.

If `island-life` appeals to you, Im sure you would like it there. It seemed to be quite a chilled out, pretty little place and I think small towns/cities are what you make them. - I have had a blast living and working in small towns and cities in Japan. As a teacher I found the students to mostly be very motivated and interested in learning English and in foreign people/ways etc.

You cant beat small town people for being friendly and chilled out, often, IMHO. Smile

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:45 am Post subject:

Here you go: http://wikitravel.org/en/Matsuyama

Looks like a nice place.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

See http://www.city-matsuyama.net/book/e/ if you haven't already.

I was in Ehime for a year on the JET Program.

West Shikoku is outdoor paradise, lots of hiking, biking, temple walking and bird watching, amazing beaches on the Seto Inland Sea, and hotsprings in abundance.

Hiroshima is really close, as is Okayama, headed for Tokyo.

I second what gaijin4life says - Matsuyama people are really warm hearted.

japanman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 281 Location: England

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

matador · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 281

My in-laws live there and I must have visited the place about 5 times.

Very cool; mid-size city....has a kind of late 70s worn out/seen better days...vibe to it.

...not unlike me in some ways Wink

I would direct you towards:

http://www.moremusic.co.jp/english/usstoreguide.htm

A great local store run by a unique 50 year old woman.

There are also some great bars and fish restaurants.

There is this great place that does lasagne as well...I am sure you will find it....

You will have a wonderful time!

gaijin4life · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:11 am Post subject:

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

Ehime is a conservative kind of place. Even the communists vote for the LDP. If Abe was caught shagging a goat the locals would reckon the goat asked for it. Other posters have described it as a little run-down which is a touch unfair I feel. While it's obvious that there is less money here than in say Fukuoka, Hiroshima or Osaka it's hardly a backwater. Still it does lack the pace of the big cities but also lacks the prices. Your 250k will go further here than in Osaka.
While I do live here I'm a little out of town and I like it enough to not feel like climbing the clock tower..well not very often at least.
P.M me when you're a little closer to coming and I'll tell you where are some good places to go/shop although your co-workers will help you there no doubt.