When to Come to Japan? [introduction to Japan]
For most English speakers, coming to Japan is probably a once in a lifetime vacation. It’s really far, from my hometown’ it’s 14 hours of flying time, plus a transfer. The tickets are also really expensive. That means when coming here, you should make the most of your tip.
One way to maximize your experience in Japan, is to choose a good time to come. Japan is a fairly large country, and it spans a great deal from tropics in the south to what I would call sub artic in the north. There is a lot in between. Taking a flight, and bringing a large variety of clothes just isn’t practical. Also, you don’t want to be here when there are essentially public holidays.
Cherry blossom season, or cherry blossom viewing is a great time to come. It starts in early to mid-March in the south, and slowly moves north when the last flowers have blossomed by early May. The Tokyo area has peak blossoms around mid/late March. I think that’s the perfect time to come here. The weather is more mild, you just need a jacket, and you are fine. It’s usually not that rainy either.
What is also really cool, is that you can follow the blossoms as they bloom going north. In Japan a lot of people head to parks and areas with cherry trees, and have blossom viewing parties. They spread out sheets on the ground, bring some food, and drink some serious beer. It’s fun to see Japanese people let their guard down. As a foreigner here, this might maximize your interactions with otherwise shy Japanese people. You might just be able to share a sheet and drink under some blossoms. Who knows?
One way to maximize your experience in Japan, is to choose a good time to come. Japan is a fairly large country, and it spans a great deal from tropics in the south to what I would call sub artic in the north. There is a lot in between. Taking a flight, and bringing a large variety of clothes just isn’t practical. Also, you don’t want to be here when there are essentially public holidays.
Cherry blossom season, or cherry blossom viewing is a great time to come. It starts in early to mid-March in the south, and slowly moves north when the last flowers have blossomed by early May. The Tokyo area has peak blossoms around mid/late March. I think that’s the perfect time to come here. The weather is more mild, you just need a jacket, and you are fine. It’s usually not that rainy either.
What is also really cool, is that you can follow the blossoms as they bloom going north. In Japan a lot of people head to parks and areas with cherry trees, and have blossom viewing parties. They spread out sheets on the ground, bring some food, and drink some serious beer. It’s fun to see Japanese people let their guard down. As a foreigner here, this might maximize your interactions with otherwise shy Japanese people. You might just be able to share a sheet and drink under some blossoms. Who knows?
Coming to Japan as an Exchange Student [introduction to Japan]
So you want to come to Japan? If you can, I would highly recommend doing a study abroad exchange, if possible. For many, though, it may be a better option to come to work for a year or three. You can work, experience Japan at a deeper level than what you would see on vacation, and have more money than an exchange student.
There are two different types of companies to work for in Japan.
First, Eikaiwa(英会話) these are English schools, that are businesses. They are found around smaller train stations, and in shopping areas. They tend to pay decently. 250,000 yen per month, and some, especially the smaller ones, pay health and pension for you. You will most likely work from 11-8 or 1-10 or so. Vacation is usually around new years and in mid August. They are open weekends too, which may make having two days off in a row problematic. The age range of students is pretty wide, usually morning and early afternoon classes are kids, and the evenings are adults.
There are two different types of companies to work for in Japan.
First, Eikaiwa(英会話) these are English schools, that are businesses. They are found around smaller train stations, and in shopping areas. They tend to pay decently. 250,000 yen per month, and some, especially the smaller ones, pay health and pension for you. You will most likely work from 11-8 or 1-10 or so. Vacation is usually around new years and in mid August. They are open weekends too, which may make having two days off in a row problematic. The age range of students is pretty wide, usually morning and early afternoon classes are kids, and the evenings are adults.
