Job Discussion Forums

[aso43]

Hello all!
I have been offered a teaching job in Tsukuba City, in Ibaraki Prefecture. Does anyone know anything about this place?
That is: are there decent restaurants and shopping areas? What about the nightlife? Are there many foreigners? Is there a gym? Are there many English resources available (magazines, books, videos, etc...)?
I don't know much about this area of Japan (or any other area of Japan for that matter), but I do know that Tsukuba is the Science City, and that it is the home to much scientific activity. It's also pretty small, in fact smaller than my Toronto suburb.
If anyone can offer any knowledge I would appreciate it!

Thanks, aso43.

[guest of Japan]

I've only driven through it, but it seems like one big office park. I think that you have to use the bus to escape to Tokyo.

I've heard that there is a small foreigner population there.

It would not be one of my top choices of places to live.

[Glenski]

It's a pretty sterile place. Have you seen their home page?
http://www.city.tsukuba.ibaraki.jp/english/

[aso43]

I've been searching the Internet, and there really isn't much info about the city.
The teacher I'm replacing is supposed to get in touch with me, but until then I was hoping for more information. When I spoke with someone at the school, I was told around half of the teaching staff (24 teachers in total) had renewed for a second year, and that 3 or 4 of them had renewed for a third year. So it can't be horrible!
I was initially hoping for a position in a larger city, but I'm rather nervous about turning this job down. The school also seems pretty great, I just wish it were somewhere else...
The population is under 200 000, which makes it smaller than my Toronto suburb. On the other hand, Tokyo is approximately an hour away, perhaps it can be my big-city refuge!

[TokyoLiz]

But people tell me there is a mountain there, and it's a great place to hike. Is Tsukuba all bad?

Check out http://www.city.tsukuba.ibaraki.jp/english/

I checked www.ekitan.com and it says that Tsuchiura station is only 90 minutes from Tokyo.