Job Discussion Forums

[Ishmaeli.]

Hey, so I just wanted to know some basic stuff about teaching in Japan, from those that are veterans of it. I've already taught in Australia & Korea, so I'm not a total newbie, but I understand things are a bit different in japan.

first of all, is it realistic to look for jobs from the US and expect them to fly you over (it's common for Korea, but I only see Westgate doing it for Japan)?

secondly, if I'm looking for a job outside of Tokyo (hopefully Hokaido), will cost of living be any lower....and, in any case, is saving money a realistic goal? I don't eat out much or get wasted at ex-pat bars so I'm hoping that I can save a little over one thousand USD a month....is this realistic?

I'd love to hear what you folks have to say

thanks
Ish

[Rooster_2006]

I haven't even lived in Japan, but I can tell you the answers to those things...

[Fina1]

Although I'm not a veteran (my job isn't even starting until March) I believe I can answer some of your questions. Hopefully someone else can verify my answers.

No, I don't think it is realistic to expect the company to fly you over. I think in the past this was more common, but I believe that the trend of people getting a work visa, having the company pay for their plane ride, and then quiting their job on the first day stopped that. Even if they quit their working visa is still good for a year and they can find another teaching job more easily once in Japan.

I've heard cost of living in Tokyo is extremely high and I think that if you live elsewhere you will definitely be able to save more money.
On Hokkaido, I think it may be harder to get a job there, especially from overseas, because the companies that commonly recruit overseas don't have many (if any) schools in Hokkaido.
Hokkaido was my first choice when applying for a job but I was told there were only three company schools there and none had openings any time soon.

I think that saving over a thousand a month is going to be extremely difficult. The normal base pay for eikaiwa teachers (if that's what you plan on doing) is 250,000 JPY a month (some places pay slightly more). For ALTs I think it's lower, but I'm not 100% sure.
You need to factor in housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, taxes, any outstanding bills from the U.S., and mandatory health insurance. In fact, there may be more you need to consider.
I had a rough estimate of what I could save of about $900 a month...and that was being very frugal.
I won't say it's impossible, but from what I've heard, saving money in Japan is much harder than it is in Korea.

[mushroomyakuza]

Like, Fina, I haven't been there yet but have my job lined up for March.

Yes, the cost of living in Tokyo is high, but I'm in contact with two people over there who say it's not as high as it's made out to be and a lot of it depends on your lifestyle ie. if you frequently get bladdered on week nights, you may be in trouble.

One of them constantly tells me to "chill out" about it all, and insists that I'm worrying too much. Maybe I am.

Airfare being paid seems to be a thing of the past with exception of being on JET or some other government program, so you might as well forget about it.

As for savings, well, I'd say a thousand a month is unlikely, given the cost of accommodation, living etc but you're free to try. One of my contacts says he has managed to save about �3000, but that's been throughout the year. I, on the other hand, fully expect to burn every last yen to keep myself and my girlfriend (who may not be working) afloat.

[Glenski]

Being a decade-long veteran here, I will just add to what the others have written with a bit of polishing.

Airfare.
Don't expect anyone to do it. Westgate reimburses after the fact in 2 paychecks, BTW. JET pays up front (but you have missed the application deadline for 2010 jobs). About 99% of other places do not pay airfare.

[Apsara]

While rent may be high in Tokyo compared to the rest of the country (and that varies hugely depending on where in Tokyo, age of the building, distance from the station etc), I can't think what else is more expensive here than elsewhere in Japan. Food is not expensive here (unless you shop at import stores and eat at restaurants all the time), transport is no more expensive than anywhere else in Japan (although distances may be greater), clothing, haircuts, household items are certainly no more expensive here than elsewhere, and in fact may be cheaper as there is more competition here than anywhere else.

There is definitely more temptation to spend in Tokyo, but other than that, and rent, the constant claims that "Tokyo is expensive!" (usually by people who have never been there) actually don't reflect reality that much.

Someone mentioned riding a bicycle to work- in any larger city in Japan this may not be possible as the average commute is over 30 mins by train. There is also the issue of parking the bicycle when you get there- bike parking is in demand and if you are at an eikaiwa in particular there is usually no parking provided. Leaving your bike on the street usually results in it being picked up by the city authorities and impounded.

[cornishmuppet]

[flyer]

I am in Hokkaido and while it is cheaper housing, the power and heating (much colder and longer winters) are more expensive. On top of this unless you are in central Sapporo you would probably need a car (as public transport is few and far between)
and then there is the problem of much less work!
IMO if you don't have any experience a bigger city might be a good place to start

but there are a few jobs advertised from time to time in Hokkaido for green teachers

good luck

PS
My whole house rent is 50,000 (large free standing house) with its own garage and parking space for 2 cars (free)

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

Text deleted

[Glenski]

[Deep Thirteen]

James English School seems to have most of its locations in Hokkaido. Interac also does Hokkaido. Both recruit from overseas.

[seklarwia]

But Interac doesn't seem to have so many placements up in Hokkaido which is probably why its also managed by the Tokyo branch. In my training group, only one newbie got placed in Sapporo last spring.

[Glenski]

[ssjup81]