Job Discussion Forums

Robert100 · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 13 Location: England

Hello.

Sould be going to Fukushima City next year to start my teaching post. I have looked on this site, but there are only a few comments regarding the city. Is there anyone who is currently working there or have stayed there for awhile?

Could anyone let me know their thoughts on their experiences? Is travel to other parts of Japan serviced well and reasonable cost wise?

Have read the 'official' websites but it would be nice to hear actual experiences.

Many thanks in advance.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

There's hundreds of people in a couple Fukushima Facebook groups, you should ask on there.

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

Not a bad place at all. Its a pretty major Shinkansen hub so you're linked to a lot of places should you decide to get out of the city for a bit. You're within driving distance of some sites which Japanese people travel hours upon hours to see. Pretty good foreign community there...I remember lots of JETS stationed on the outskirts of the city would meet up there on the weekend. The actual city isn't anything special, pretty typical of most Japanese cities that size, but there are a good number of cool bars and restaurants to check out.

iverin · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Ontario

Ditto to what Canuck said. I lived there for two months last winter. There are lots of onsens, you're really close to the mountains if you like skiing or snowboarding. I was able to see the Russian swans that fly to Fukushima City every winter. The local train rides around the city have some nice rural scenery. Bars around the Paseo Dori downtown area are great, plenty of restaurants too. No net cafes though. At least not while I was there. They had some previously but they were closed just before I got there. Overall it was a little quiet. But a good city.

Lyrajean · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 109 Location: going to Okinawa

I haven't been there per say but you're on the Tohoku shinkansen line half way between Tokyo and Sendai. Good things in either direction.

Sendai doesn't see many foreign tourists but has a nice compact downtown around the train station and tanabata matsuri in August is really cool if you like that sort of thing. Also matsushima is nearby. If you speak some nihongo you'll have a wonderful challenge in Sendai without all the usual help in English you get in a place like Tokyo or Kyoto. I'm going to go way out on a limb and recommend Sendai to you. Its up there with Kyoto in terms of my favorite spots in Japan.

Also you can get to Nikko (Tochigi ken) very easily via train from Utsunomiya just south if you are into traditional temple/shrine type Japanese sightseeing.

Robert100 · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 13 Location: England

Thanks everyone for the info, but I have a question if that is alright?

I am happy with the Shinkensen access, but at least once during my stay, I would like to venture the West of Japan (Kyoto at least and hopefully a bit further) and was wondering if anyone has any info on the Fukushima airport?

I can't seem to find out costs and/or destinations of the airport. Does anyone have any experience of this? Or does anyone know a website where I can get further information? Have looked on the Fukushima airport website, but without knowing the destinations and dates, it always seems to come up with 'no flights'. Be aware sometimes I can be stupid!

Many thanks.

Ryu Hayabusa · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 182

I think intRAnational flights are usually more expensive than the Shinkansen. Round-trip from Fukushima to Kinki (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto) is around 40 000 yen whereas a flight (from Fukushima to Itami [Osaka]) is about 60 000 yen.

Perhaps you will be able to find better prices than the above. I used expedia.ca and http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:32 am Post subject:

And perhaps you should check out buses too.

The Japanese teachers at my school are always telling me about the great offers you can get using the buses.

Sure it takes a lot longer, but if you have the time for the journey and money is an issue, it might be something to consider.

Robert100 · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 13 Location: England

Thanks again for the responses.

Just heard back from the company and they also have an opening in Iwaki as well and they gave me the choice. Although not on the Shinkasen line, it does seem that I can save half the cost (but twice the time) by going by train. I am still confused by those websites...

Sorry to be a pain, but.... Iwaki (vs. Fuskushima City)? Anyone have any advice on Iwaki? Again websites seem a bit bare on actual people's experiances.

Many thanks.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

Iwaki is by the ocean. It is a port.
One of my students is from there.
Fukushima city is inland, and not far from Miyagi.

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239