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Japan vs. Korea forums
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:10 pm    Post subject: Japan vs. Korea forums Reply with quote

Never thought I'd say this, but I kind of miss the Korea forum.

I'm moving to Japan in two weeks, so I started posting on the Japan forum, but it's so quiet over there. I liked all the action on this one. Um, also all the useful info, of course.

Anyways, I was just looking for general advice about Japan...
what's different from Korea and what's similar to Korea, what I should expect, and which one did you like best, if you also experienced both.

Thanks!
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Olivencia



Joined: 08 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

1. Korean alphabet is easier to learn since it is only 22 characters. Japan..katakana, hiragana and kanji. Much more work.
2. Japan is more organized than Korea. Plus for Japan. However with Korea being less organized allows you to maneuver in ways not possible in Japan.
3. The chicks in Japan are better. Very pretty in both places but man Japanese girls are so awesome to hang out with - more accepting of other people than their own.
4. More expensive in Japan. Yeah you get paid more but the money can drain away so easy.

That's a start...
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Olivencia wrote:
1. Korean alphabet is easier to learn since it is only 22 characters. Japan..katakana, hiragana and kanji. Much more work.
2. Japan is more organized than Korea. Plus for Japan. However with Korea being less organized allows you to maneuver in ways not possible in Japan.
3. The chicks in Japan are better. Very pretty in both places but man Japanese girls are so awesome to hang out with - more accepting of other people than their own.
4. More expensive in Japan. Yeah you get paid more but the money can drain away so easy.

That's a start...


Thanks! Good stuff.

Although I'm not too worried about hooking up with girls. I wonder if Japanese guys like Gaijin girls. Hmm.
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Olivencia



Joined: 08 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's been awhile since I lived in Japan.
Oh sorry I didn't know you are a woman.
If that is your photo..wow..I'm sure Japanes guys will like Gaijin girls Smile
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't mind fellow expats either Wink

Seriously, though. I already noticed Japan is so organized compared to Korea, I know every detail about my training and schedule, and I kind of like that.

My only worry is that I won't be living in a big city like Seoul (not in the sticks either), I just hope I can have fun and meet friends.
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Olivencia



Joined: 08 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry about that but I'm already married. And yes to a Filipina - I know to be very careful of her jealousy Smile

They didn't tell you what city you are in? I lived in Morikoa in Iwate. Smaller city but it was clean.
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I'll be living on the island of Shikoku, in a city called Marugame. Still subject to change, though. Apparently it's a beautiful location, very peaceful, with hot springs, mountains and the beach.

How was it to live in a smaller city? I just have no idea what to expect in Japan...
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Olivencia



Joined: 08 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes it does look very nice there..and you are not too far away from Tokyo. I think it is a very good location.
I prefer a smaller city. I am not into going out much..I just stay home or go jogging. Simple things.
I do remember though that if I were to return to Japan to bring as much "stuff" as possible. Stuff as in every day items..clothes, toiletries, etc. I can remember I needed a pair of earplugs for they were doing some major road work nearby. What I spent for a single pair of earplugs in Japan woulk have bought me ten pairs back in the USA.
See what I mean? Get the stuff BEFORE going there.

...All the best to you - gotta go jogging Smile
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tips. Yes, Japan is so expensive, so I'm definitely stocking up on everything before I go. I'm sure I'll forget a lot, though.

I like how my city is so close to Osaka and Kyoto (about one hour by train), so hopefully I'll have some fun weekends there. I don't go party too much or go clubbing, but I'm quite social, I love shopping and doing cultural things and running, so I think I'll be fine.
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eIn07912



Joined: 06 Dec 2008
Location: seoul

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How'd you get in Japan? Teaching work?

The market there is incredibly flooded. JET, Ekiwa's, Uni's... all are booked tight for a year or more.

I'm looking to get there next year.

Mind throwing some advice here?
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I'll go there to teach. I think it helped I had some prior experience in Korea, they seemed to like that. I'll be working with PKC. It's good if you like young kids, you're fairly independent (you open up and lock up the school), less hours than other companies, but more time spent commuting to different schools. I think I'll really enjoy it.... I liked Korea, but I needed some change.

PM me if you need more info!
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allovertheplace



Joined: 02 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ciccone -love the avatar, and I always have.

Best of luck in Japan. I had a uni gig in Tokyo that I passed up to return to school in the states. Ill live vicariously through you so keep updates coming.
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

allovertheplace wrote:
ciccone -love the avatar, and I always have.

Best of luck in Japan. I had a uni gig in Tokyo that I passed up to return to school in the states. Ill live vicariously through you so keep updates coming.


i'll keep my blog updated Embarassed
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b-class rambler



Joined: 25 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Olivencia wrote:
..and you are not too far away from Tokyo.



Er...yes, she is. Marugame to Tokyo is about 800km. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing though. You don't have to be near Tokyo to be happy in Japan.

Also, anyone saying that it's just an hour on the train from there to Osaka/Kyoto is either not being very honest or has little geographical awareness. It would be about 4 hours and a couple of transfers actually. You might get that down to 3 if you forked out the extra for the bullet train. And that's just to Osaka, Kyoto would be a little bit extra.

Again, that's not necessarily a problem unless you desperately need to be near a big city. Shikoku is considered to be THE rural part of Japan and is certainly a nice place if that's the kind of environment you're looking for.

FWIW, the two main cities of northern Shikoku, Takamatsu & Matsuyama, both have what I'd consider the best Indian restaurants of the many I tried in over 10 years in Japan. Razz


Last edited by b-class rambler on Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total
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ciccone_youth



Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks for the info. i'll definitely save those trips to kyoto and osaka for long weekends.

my location is still not final- i'm a bit annoyed they put me in the most rural part of japan when i specifically asked to be in an urban center, but then again, the more i look at it, the more i'm attracted to shikoku, so it can't be that bad.

i think i could enjoy the peace and quiet, and hiking and running. i've never lived in such a place, so it would be good for me.
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