Comments on: Teach English In Japan

By: Vodi

Vodi — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:51:08 +0000

I’m still tempting to learn more about japan and how to survive there. I know it is nightmare mode but that is probably the best of it. However, I am probably bloody young (27 years old) and still without a bachalor of arts/science. Teaching seems to be a very interesting way in my opinion.

Thank you for the gaijin link.

By: Miss Bangkok Hotels

Miss Bangkok Hotels — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:01:17 +0000

No Idea but thank you for sharing your story for readers….

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:54:53 +0000

Thanks for the comments John …. i’m sure some people will find them useful. I agree with Thailand … it’s CHEAP!!

By: John Williams

John Williams — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:44:44 +0000

You definitely are going to want to visit. I lived in Tokyo while working for Hino Motors (Toyota’s truck manufacturing division). I was given an apartment and left to fend for myself. It was eye opening to say the least. I had the good fortune of having my apartment expenses paid for. It is very expensive. I remember a loaf of bread (which is about the quarter size of an American loaf) was about $4 USD. A beer in a bar costs about $8 USD. But a train ticket to Shinjuku and back would cost me about $12 USD each direction (I was in Hamura). From my perspective, life is somewhat harder than it is in the US. Shopping, although enjoyable, is much more difficult because there’s more walking involved. You likely won’t be running down to the mall in your Corolla either. But the experiences were life changing for me. Although I am in my mid 40s and I’m not sure I would have appreciated it as much when I was younger. I didn’t see a lot of night life while in Tokyo. If you want that, I highly recommending going to Bangkok, Thailand instead. It is MUCH less expensive. It took me about 2 weeks to tire of Japan. So if you visit, try to go for a long visit. Perhaps afterwards you may re-think you’re desire to live there permanently. Good luck! John

By: Chris B

Chris B — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:30:30 +0000

You should take a trip regardless of anything else…just to see what it is as opposed to what you imagine it is.
IMO

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:39:13 +0000

I figured that’s why you wanted to come here … maybe the “payment / price” for living here for a few years is a small apartment and go without some things your used to from home ….. and probably not save money. Would still be a great few years and a great working holiday. Maybe a trip would be good first …. you may hate it!

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:50:00 +0000

Thanks for the reply, Neil.

Well, I guess it is just the culture that embraces and interests me.

I guess I will have to be willing to make a sacrifice to live there?

Maybe I should take a trip there and get a feel for it first?

- Jay

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:27:11 +0000

Hey Jay, i cant really comment tooo much on the teaching because i dont do it. At the end of the day though, PLENTY of people do and they survive no probs on that money. The apartment you rent though will be extremely small compared to what your used to back home. I wouldn`t discount it as possible yewt, you just need to understand that you probably wont save too much money nor will you live an extravagant lifestyle here. Living in somewhere more remote would always be a good option. Maybe you just need to weigh up what you want to get out of living in Japan then go from there.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:46:35 +0000

Awesome site Neil and great input Jason.

I guess I always figured before reading this article that becoming an english teacher was my best shot at life in Japan (Tokyo area), but after reading this, I don’t know how probable and realistic it really is.

250,000 yen a month. Now, I don’t know much about the living situation there, nor the costs of living (yes, I read your other article, great work again btw) but it doesn’t seem very comfortable on this pay….

Also, 4.5% of applicants are actually hired? Very discouraging.

It seems after reading this information, I may have to disregard my dream of living in Japan some day, and most definitely as an english teacher.

If I am just dead wrong, I would so greatly appreciate it if you would shed more light on the situation.

I am not trying to come off as a jerk in this post, I guess just disappointed.

Thanks,

- Jay

By: Chris B

Chris B — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:08:51 +0000

Man…
That sounds like a total mess.
Hope you get that IT job!!