| A question we often receive is "Which is better for | | | | Rural Japan - Positives: |
| ESL teaching in Japan, a big city or a rural town?" | | | | - VIP Treatment - Believe it or not, foreigners are still a |
| For most people who imagine living and working in | | | | rarity in rural areas of Japan. As a result, locals will |
| Japan, they usually think of the major metropolitan | | | | often roll out the red carpet for 'visiting' foreigners. This |
| centres of Tokyo or Osaka as primary destinations. If | | | | is especially true for teachers, since this is a highly |
| you mention names such as Fukuoka, Gifu or Aomori | | | | regarded profession in Japan. |
| to someone who has never been to Japan, you will | | | | - Exposure to language & culture - If your goal is |
| likely be met with looks of confusion. | | | | to learn Japanese language and culture, you will literally |
| The truth is, both big cities and small towns in Japan | | | | be immersed when living in a smaller town or village. |
| have their points of appeal. It comes down to a matter | | | | This often accelerates the learning process when |
| of preference in the end, but here are some positives | | | | compared to city dwellers. |
| and negatives of both. | | | | Rural Japan - Negatives: |
| Urban Japan - Positives: | | | | - Isolation - Although internet and other technology |
| - Convenience - 24 hour access to restaurants and | | | | have certainly reduced feelings of isolation, it is |
| shops, often including better access to western goods. | | | | nonetheless a real issue when living in a small town. |
| - Transportation - Many people who live in large | | | | Taking up a hobby or joining a local club can be a |
| Japanese cities do not even own a car because of | | | | great way to beat the blues. |
| access to excellent public transit. | | | | - Limited access to western goods - If you have a |
| - Community - If you plan on continuing a hobby or | | | | special diet, or just a strong preference for certain |
| sport, or want to meet up with other people from your | | | | kinds of food, it can be difficult to locate certain goods |
| home country more easily, then cities have more | | | | when you're living in the country side. Luckily, Costco |
| choices. | | | | has several locations across Japan, and you can get |
| Urban Japan - Negatives: | | | | delivery services from FlyingPig. In the end, nothing in |
| - Difficult to learn Japanese - With so many other | | | | Japan is really too far away. With high speed trains |
| foreigners and western chain restaurants around, | | | | connecting the entire country, everything is available |
| some people find it more challenging to get exposure | | | | within a few hours. It truly is the land of convenience! |
| to Japanese language when living in a bigger city. | | | | Urban or rural - what's your choice? |