Job Discussion Forums

run-jp · Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2003 8:16 am Post subject: Anyone worked in Kushiro?

i see plenty of ads for Kushiro work these days. Anybody there?
How are the locals and schools? guess you need a car to go see the
Big Noodle (Sapporo) sometimes, to keep up your eigo.
What a long drive? you could buy 4 s- k i p p u at a time to save on train fare, desho? and when does Spring weather roll in there?
namara arigato, ex-Dosanko Tom

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Ive been there while cycling around eastern Hokkaido. I doubt there's much work. The coals mines closed down for good a few years back leaving the local economy, reliant on natural resources, in bad shape. The place already looked pretty bleak.

If you find work, watch out! Your perspective employers might be quite desperate. Not many people on enemployment sending their kids to eikaiwa.

The city itslef isn't much. There was a really good kaiten sushi place though. There's some decent nature nearby.

The trek to Sapporo is a long and expensive one.
Still I would head for Sapporo as there's more to do.

Good luck.

genkiT · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Posts: 10 Location: Kushiro, Japan

I have been living in Kushiro for over 2yrs and it ain't so bad. Yes there aren 't many jobs (but mostly for Japanese workers). There are a few eikiwa, Nova and Geos in town with a total of about 20 native English Instructors. Quite a few people can't hack the isolation and climate and consequentially there tends to be a high turnover of teachers. Almost half of us have been here for a few years though and have made some great friendships with the exceptionally friendly locals. The town itself is similar in appearance to everywhere else I've been but is surrounded by some incredibly beautiful scenery. A large area on the outskirts of town is a protected wetland with a paved bicycle road and boardwalks. We're a couple of hours drive from Lakes Kussharo, Masshu, and Akan and there are a couple of mountains to climb. Onsen and Japanese cranes observation points are within a 20km radius of town. A car would definately improve your impressions of the area. As for Sapporo, you can get a return bus ticket for 10 000 yen.

kingjono · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 5

I'll be moving there in April, so it's good to hear some information. Most of my friends and workmates were really surprised when I told them. Everyone says things like "Wow! It's really cold there!", and "That's a long way from Tokyo!", and things like that. Everyone has become very good at pointing out the obvious. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. A change of pace would be nice. I'm looking forward to living close to the sea, mountains, outdoor etc. Not much of that here in Tsukuba. I'm also not too worried about the few number of foreigners. Actually, there are so many foreigners where I live now, it would be good to spend time with some Japanese people!

Do you have anymore tips or advice or anything at all to say? I know the obvious things (pants instead of shorts, snowboard instead of surfboard etc..), but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

genkiT · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Posts: 10 Location: Kushiro, Japan

Basic Advice - If you have access to a second hand book shop (and like reading) stock up before you get here. There's only 1 or 2 shops that sell english books and all they have is Lord of the Rings/ Harry Potter etc and they're pretty exey. There's a second-hand book shop in Sapporo but you might not get there too often. Also there isn't much in the way of foreign foods, so if you like baked beans, vegemite and museli bars bring them with you. Anything specifically you'd like advice on Kingjono? GenkiT

Sherri · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2003 12:10 pm Post subject:

Are you aware of the Foreign Buyers Club?

http://www.fbcusa.com/public2/

You can buy almost anything you want (marmite, vegemite, baked beans etc) and it will be shipped to your door. The prices are pretty reasonable too. For books, Amazon in Japan is also reasonable and you can access their pages in English now. Worth a try.