| Tokyo |
Tokyo is an exciting and dynamic city of roughly 12 million people. Tokyo has it all. French restaurants, sushi bars, professional baseball, theatre, even mountains!
Most people find life in Tokyo to be quite convenient. Excellent public transportation, modern utilities and plenty of the foods you're probably accustomed to in your home country.
If you're not into the crowded, bustling city life then historical sites such as Nikko and Kamakura are within day trip range of Tokyo. Also the hot springs of nearby Chichibu or Tochigi can be quite relaxing. Don't forget the excellent skiing in nearby Nagano either.
When Berkeley House Language Center teachers are not teaching they often enjoy studying Japanese, visiting fitness centers, having a beer at the local izakaya (Japanese style pub). Or even travelling to a nearby Asian country.
You certainly will not get bored living in Tokyo! |
| Getting Established |
| Getting set up in Japan can be quite expensive. Apartment rent generally runs about US$600 per month and a total of three months rent is usually (but not always) required up front. There are "gaijin houses" (basically one room with community bath and showers) available which require only a one month deposit. In addition to rent the newly arrived teacher must pay to have a phone line set up. This costs between US$300 and US$800. Phone line rental might be the best way to go. Renting a phone line currently costs US$25.00 month. Another option and probably the most popular one among BHLC teachers is to purchase a cellular phone. Surprisingly, cellular phone service in Japan is quite reasonable. The phone itself may cost US$50 to purchase then another US$ 50.00 per month for service (of course, this depends on how much talking you do). Generally overseas calls can be made/accepted using cellular phones.
Apartments in Japan are usually not furnished so you will need to purchase a refrigerator, pots/pans, rice cooker etc. Buying these items from your local department store can be costly. Many teachers purchase used items from the local trading post type magazines. There are always a number of foreigners returning to their home countries who are trying to get rid of their old appliances, furniture, bicycles etc.
If you plan to bring appliances to Japan it is recommended that you make sure that they are compatible with the Japanese electrical system.
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| Weather |
| In Tokyo, it can be very hot and humid during summer, and it is somewhat cold and dry during the winter months. In spring and fall it is usually nice and mild. It can be very rainy from about the end of May till the beginning of July. |
| Berkeley's home - Ichigaya, Tokyo |
| Centrally located in upscale Chiyoda ward, Ichigaya, offers an ideal work setting in a leafy residential and commercial area. The streets are alive with students coming and going to Sophia University, Otsuma Women's University, Hosei University and others very nearby and professionals heading to Japan Television, Sony Music, and other top companies . As a teacher at Berkeley House Language Center, you can take advantage of the schools prime location and enjoy the time between classes. You can have a leisurely lunch in one of the many restaurants, which mostly have Japanese and Italian menus, have a quick cappuccino in a bustling cafe, or just explore the area and see what you find. (For instance, a short walk up the street from Ichigaya station, will bring you to Yasukuni Shrine, a historic, solemn site that becomes shrouded in a blanket of lush cherry blossoms in the spring.). Ichigaya is only 15 minutes away from the major shopping and business areas of Shinjuku and Shibuya, so most errands can be taken care of quite easily. The rents on apartments near Ichigaya tend to be high, so most teachers choose to live in one of the many bedroom communities outside of Tokyo. However, commuting is extremely easy as Ichigaya sits at the crossroads of the JR Sobu line and three subayway lines - the Yurakucho, Shinjuku, and Namboku lines. Ichigaya is very convenient location to work!
If you are looking for a good apartment, you may want to try Sakura House.
Sakura House - is a Tokyo apartment & guest house agency providing accommodation in Japan since 1992 exclusively for foreign people. Now we proudly present over 600 furnished rooms at 60 convenient locations in central Tokyo. Sakura means cherry blossom, which is the national flower of Japan - We would always want to be your home in Tokyo. (Quoted from HP of Sakura Hause's web site.) |
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