teaching in japan...MINO

[namerased]

Hi everyone

I recently got a job through GEOS working in Japan and i just found out my location is going to be a place called Mino in the Kansai area in western Honshu. There are actually a few Minos that i have found in this area but I'm assuming that it is the one just north of Kyoto. Has anyone ever been there before or worked there and know what it is like? Does anyone know about how easy (or not) the travel is, especially from Kansai to Kyushu, i know the bullet train goes through Kyoto so i should imagine that it is quite easy. Any information anyone has about the area or the town .....or anything at all.... i would love to hear about it

Thanks

Meredith

[Sally Olsen]

You might want to check out the Japanese job forum on Dave's - lots of infomation there. You can travel anywhere you want in Japan with great ease on the trains if you have the money. It is expensive but you will be paid well. The trains are fast and clean and you meet really nice people. Try not to travel during the Japanese holidays though because everyone does it then or book well ahead, like now. The same for flights. It is really easy to go to Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia, wherever. But book early during the holiday - again, like now. There are a lot of special fares for toursand it is fun to go with a group of Japanese housewives to some special sights in another country. They take complete care of you and your Japanese will improve in listening to the guides and the ladies chatting away. Walk as much as you can though - that is when you see the beauty of the country. It is little streets in your town with the old people who have bonsai gardens, the bamboo swaying the wind, the cherry trees smell in the morning, the little house that is a thousand years old tucked into the hillside, the shrines along the road, being able to get away from the city into the hills so easily (take along an umbrella even it is not raining both for the hot sun and snakes). If you walk early in the morning you will meet the housewives out sweeping their portion of the street, the farmers will give you fresh produce, the children will get to know you on their way to school and pass on your name for lessons and so on. Sign up for free Japanese lessons at the cultural center and take advantage of the classes in the neighbourhood. We had cooking lessons from the gas company, walked in a parade as Japanese soldiers from our connection to the cultural center, participated in many holidays in the shrines next to our apartment. When you have walked your area, take the train to the next station and walk back. There is so much in Japan to see and get to know about. The number of religions is tremendous and they have special centers which are like Jerusalem to Christians. If you have any health problems go to Personal Liberty in Tondabiashi. They have a clinic there that rivals the one in the US. Kyoto will take many weekends to explore, especially the Kubuki theater, and Nara is another favourite destination. Lots of mountains to climb in that area as well and beautiful views. Get to know some of your housewife students and they will invite you to tea in the morning or take you to the nearest shrine or temple or shopping. Eat out as much as you can - it is actually cheaper. Find the small shops in the neighbourhood and make a habit of going there on a certain day. Okonemiaki is a very nourshing dinner and you can usually get it at the cafe in the department store. We used to call it Economyaki because when we were broke at the end of the month, it filled you nicely. I don't think in the whole year I was there, I ate at home more than once. The restauranteers will shout at you when you arrive - it is a greeting though and meant to be welcoming. Eat your noodles by slurping or they will be offended. Eat your noodles and not the soup first or they will come and fill up your bowl with noodles again and "show" you how to eat properly. Everyone will show you how to do things properly and you might be frustrated by the close observation or the way they stick to rules, but if you relax and take it as necessary for so many people in such a small place you will have a better perspective on things. Never tell anyone what your students say to you - it is like a doctor and your student's revelations should be sacred to the classroom. It won't seem like a small town but it is and everyone will know you and they know everyone else too. Walk on the outside of the sidewalk close to the road or the smaller children will be scared of you and run into the road. If you walk on the outside, they run to their mothers or their house. I always brought animal balloons with me and made them something and they soon are won over. Wear your country's pin to identify where you are from and learn to say, "I am an English teacher. I am ? years old. I love Japan. I am from ?" in Japanese so you can talk to the older people. Never wear short sleeves or revealing dresses, shorts and so on or be prepared for the older people to object. It is not a good idea to give that impression for your school though. Go and stand in the train station at 8 in the morning in Osaka and watch a million people go by. Amazing. http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/teacher/v ... ight=japan

[namerased]

Thanks for that, there was some great advice...especially about the kids....don't think i want to be responsible for any kiddie deaths and be labelled somekind of western devil or whatever My placement has been changed to shikoku but i still totally plan to explore kansai as much as possible.. i really can't wait to get out there. thanks again sally