BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi!

For any of you who might have gone worked with one of the "big four" (well, three now that NOVA has died) schools. I just have a simple question: how much money did you bring with you to survive that first month in Japan sans a salary? My company recomends bringing about 1,800 which almost anywhere but Japan would seem reasonable.Given they don't make you pay rent in advance or "key money" (otherwise the setup costs are astronomical!)is 1800k going to be suffciant?
Thank You!

While I never taught English in Japan, I did live there for a few years (Japanese ex-husband). So yes, about 2000 bucks for the first month should be OK.

You see, Japan is not really that expensive, regardless of what people (tourists) may say, once when you actually LIVE there.

Personally, I find Sweden more expensive than JP.

You'll love Kansai - much better than Tokyo, IMO.

Enjoy!!!

I agree with Anna. $1800 should be plenty since you don't have to get a place to live.

The best thing to do for saving money is to learn how to cook as after rent, food is the biggest expense. Be open-minded about what you buy at the supermarket -- if you eat more like a local, your costs will go way down (for example, a little pack of 8-9 white mushrooms will cost you in excess of $2, but for the same price, you can get a large bunch of "scary" local fungus).

Japan is expensive, though. While it might be cheaper than Sweden, it is more expensive than New York in most ways, but not all. If you smoke, you're going to be really happy as that's one thing that's a real bargain there. Having a few drinks out is no more expensive than New York either, if you go to the sorts of places English teachers hang out -- actually, it's cheaper as tipping is essentially prohibited there.

What I found to be really pricey were the little things, which seem to add up -- a can of soda costs 120-yen, postage is the highest in the world and regional transportation seems to be a rip off, especially things like airport trains (city mass transit tends to be cheap, though). Another danger is the money itself. Since the smallest bill is 1,000-yen and the coins go up to 500, you can get a bit confused about what is cheap or not until you get used to that.

You can save there without living like a monk. I took two or three internation vacations a year and left with a good bit of change after five years.

Haci Richard,
I soooo miss that scary local fungus!!!
LOL!

I can get in here in New York, but the price is even scarier than the fungus!

Yeah, I remember! We shopped at Sunrise Mart, or at Yagura. New York! Good times!!! Is Panya still next to Sunrise Mart?

(Sorry to the OP for totally hijacking the thread...)

quote:

Originally posted by Anna_ET:
Is Panya still next to Sunrise Mart?

I don't know -- I live and work just over the bridge from Manhattan in Queens, but rarely cross the East River these days. I go to Woodside or Flushing for my Asian supplies.

quote:

(Sorry to the OP for totally hijacking the thread...)

Me, too. Gomen nasai, yo.