Job Discussion Forums

[Berzerker]

So I've been told this is where I'm going to be placed for my contract. Has anyone ever been/lived there? Any info would be great. How far is it from Chiba city to Tokyo?

[Mahik]

I lived in Mobara, Chiba for awhile last year. It was maybe an hour or two from Tokyo by train. If I remember correctly (and it's kinda difficult for me to remember) I think the metro line goes all the way to mobara from Tokyo (was it the yellow line?).

Personally, I found Mobara to be a very refreshing change from Tokyo. It was extremely rural and had a lot of wide open space (we also weren't too far from the beach, but it was unusually cold while I was there). A good place to bike around, and I hope you like biking because if you don't drive and don't bike then the open spaces will suddenly feel a whole lot wider. I was in a suburban area mind you, so it may be different once you get into the city proper. Still, I had an enjoyable experience. Not as exciting or fast-paced as Tokyo but still very fun and relaxing in contrast.

And I actually saw a car accident there! The only car accident I have ever seen in my travels abroad. Honestly, with the way people drive there I'm surprised I didn't see an accident at least every other week.

Edit: Now that I think about it I may have had to transfer to a JR line from the metro... Anyways it was extremely painless and I traveled inbetween Mobara and Tokyo often.

[Berzerker]

Thanks for the info Mahik..

Yeah it looks as though Kimitsu is probably about the same distance to Tokyo as Mobara, maybe a little farther. Mobara's population is similar to that of Kimitsu's, a little less that 100,000. Were there many (if any) foreigners in Mobara?

[Mahik]

Yes there were foreigners there. On separate occasions I ran into two different JET teachers. These were the only foreigners I met there, so there are likely more. Just don't expect to see the same levels as in Tokyo or another large city. There were many Japanese I met who spoke english enough to communicate however. I had a conversation with a grocery store worker at the Deli who apparently lived in Brazil for awhile. It still helps if you have a decent level of Japanese though.

The people were very friendly, and there were craploads of fireflies near the wooded areas as well. So it's good if you enjoy catching/watching fireflies, Japanese of all ages seem to.

[Berzerker]

Was the train you were taking from Mobara to Tokyo (1-2 hours) the rapid service line?

http://www.u-bourgogne.fr/monge/g.dito/poisson2006/images/JRgreaterTokyo.pdf

[Mahik]

Could be. The only thing I remember with certainty is that there is an express, and it is faster than the local train. The train ride really wasn't all that much, so it's honestly one of the few things I don't remember particularly well.

[suboken]

Hey, my friend told me about this topic.
I've lived and worked in Kimitsu for over 3 years. It's about 90 minutes to Tokyo by train, but 70 by bus (going through a tunnel under Tokyo Bay.) Who are you going to be working for? PM me or e-mail me off the board if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help out.

[Berzerker]

I will PM you, but first I need 25 posts before being allowed to do so.

Question for everyone else... can people recieve PM's with less that 25 posts?

[Berzerker]

13...

[Mahik]

I'm gonna say yes.

But why don't you just ask your questions in this thread so it'll be useful in the future for anyone teaching in Kimitsu? Unless it's very private stuff.

[Berzerker]

The private stuff I can PM...

In general it's good to see there is foreign life in Kimitsu, the city's English website hasn't been updated since 2004 .

I guess I'm just wondering if there's anything to do there...if there's any kind of nightlife, hiking trails, whatever. Friendly people? Clean? How are the cities nearby... Kisarazu? You name it, I'd love to know. I can't find any info on the place whatsoever.

The tunnel to Tokyo by bus is this super expensive? Thanks for any info..

[Berzerker]

*tumbleweed goes by*

[Mahik]

I know nothing about Kimitsu.

In Mobara, there were things to do, like in any city. There are bars and restaurants. However way out in the burbs it's much harder to get around, let alone find stuff to do.

It really depends on the people you meet and make friends with there. The area is nice, with great open spaces. But may seem desolate when compared to the likes of Tokyo. Not sure of the nightlife, I didn't see much of one. Dunno why you would want to know of hiking trails, unless you have a car you'll be doing plenty of 'hiking' already. The people were very friendly.

Hope this helps.

[Berzerker]

Because I enjoy hiking. Open space will be good for jogging and stuff too, I suppose. Regardless, I'm looking forward to the change and I'm sure I'll figure everything out soon enough. Thanks for the info...

[Mahik]

Well, I refer to it as 'hiking' because in many areas there are no sidewalks, very small roads, and larger vehicles than you'd find in the city.

And apparently there you're so supposed to jump into the ditch rather than have them drive around you.

Jerks...