Job Discussion Forums

[mafdet22]

Hi all,

I'm interested in teaching in Sapporo or another city in Hokkaido. Does anyone know of good schools in the area (respectful employers, high quality curriculum, good pay, true to contracts and so on). I understand that it's a bit tricky to land a job there compared to other places (i.e. Honshu). Also, if anyone has good tips about the place in general, that'd be great. Is it true about the clean air? I lived in Korea for two years, and the pollution mixed with humidity there made me really sick. I would like some accounts of the air and general quality of life in Hokkaido / Sapporo so that I can make a truly informed decision. As a standard, I am from British Columbia, Canada (Vancouver and area). I have also been to several other major world cities, so comparisons would help (simply stating that the air is "good" or "okay" is too vague). Thanks!

[Glenski]

I lived in Sapporo for almost 8 years. The air is pretty clean, yes. Near the paper mills it is obviously bad, as it is near any farm.

What kind of school are you looking for? What are your credentials? What is your timeline for getting here? What do you consider "good pay"?

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[mafdet22]

Well, my credentials are a BA (anthropology), over two years of English teaching experience (from Korea), and TA experience from university. As far as good pay, around 250,000 yen per month and up is alright. The main thnig is that the school is positive, welcoming and professional (no scamming at the end of contracts, and other nastiness). My timeline is late August or very early September, so I'm looking like mad. I've heard about Hokkaido Insider, but am always suspicious of Internet sites that require payment (I'm a little paranoid about giving credit card info out for these types of things). So it's legit? You're not a fake poster are you (ha ha)?

Really though, thanks for all your information. If you have time, could you let me know of the main paper mill, industrial and farming neighbourhoods in Sapporo? I'd love to know so I can avoid them. Also, if anyone else has suggestions or tips, I'd love to know!

Oh yeah, I have another question..... Being a thin blonde, in Korea I was often called a "Da-bang" girl because people assumed I was a Russian prostitute. Does this happen in Japan? Hokkaido is near Russia, so I thought I'd ask (I was actually held against my will for a few hours in Korea because of this "misunderstanding"). Please let me know, as I can't find forums about this topic. I hope that means it doesn't happen in Japan!

[sallycat]

when i was living in kyoto i was occasionally (say, once every six months) mistaken for a prostitute because i'm blonde (and also because i was living in a red light district). i'd be walking down my block at night and a guy would approach me and say "hello, how much?", i'd shout at him to f*** off, and he'd leave. it was an occasional irritation but not a serious concern, and it was never a problem making them go away: i probably didn't even need to shout at them, i just did because i have an unpleasant personality.

[Glenski]

[Ai]

[ironopolis]

A woman from NZ I used to work with, who was blonde, complained quite a few times of being hassled by local men who thought she was Russian and therefore probably a prostitute. This usually happened when she was walking home at night, although one time she even had a taxi driver try it on with her, who initially wouldn't let her out of the taxi.

Perhaps getting a taxi home on her own might be one of those harlotish things she really ought to have known better than to try doing, although I wouldn't have considered it so myself

This all happened at the opposite end of the country, in Kyushu - Fukuoka, to be precise. So the point I'm making is that I don't think this is necessarily a problem you could only encounter in Hokkaido.

To the OP, to be honest, my guess is that you're neither much more nor less likely to find this a problem in Japan than you did in Korea. I say that from my experience of both countries, although I'm not a woman, so I'm admittedly just going on what I've heard second hand from people I've known in both places.

[Apsara]

I'm a tall blonde living in Tokyo and if anyone has mistaken me for a prostitute they haven't mentioned it to me. Short skirts and high heels aren't my thing though- I'm sure that helps!

I was approached by a scout once when I was waiting for my husband in Roppongi- he wanted to know if I was looking for a job as a "dancer". Also one or two dodgy older guys looking for "models". Apart from that I haven't had any similar trouble in the almost 10 years I've been here.

Hokkaido may be a different story with its proximity to Russia but I believe there are plenty of foreigners in Sapporo these days.

[mafdet22]

Thanks all!

I'll keep up the search. Froom what I hear, the prostitute thing doesn't seem to be as big of an issue as it was in Korea (where I'd get hassled at least five times a week, sometimes several times a day - wearing jeans and a button-down shirt or some other non-prostitutish thing). Hey, what's the deal with NOVA? Some posts say they're great, but others say beware....is it true they were being sued by former teachers? Any useful stories?

[Glenski]