Explore

9 Years On: A Reflection On My Japanese Adventure

As I look back on the last nine years, and consider the challenges I have faced and also the challenges this country has faced, I am hopeful for the future.

By 6 min read 15

August 1st may have seemed like an unremarkable day to most of you. In Osaka, the rain was falling heavily and the sky was gray, in a rare respite from the intense summer heat. And yet, my heart felt light, and my mind was at ease, as I came to a beautiful realization. That day was exactly 9 years since I first set foot on Japanese soil.

I was part of a delegation from the Edinburgh University Kendo Club to come to Japan for a two week Kendo Gasshuku (training camp). Our adventure saw us spend one week in Tokyo and several days in Akita, one of Japan’s less renowned, but astonishingly beautiful, prefectures. During those two weeks, I learned about Japan, its people, its culture and most of all its incredible fighting spirit. I knew from that day on, that as soon as I could, I would make this country my home.

And so it transpired, just over a year later, I moved to Chiba, to begin my first foray into the world of English teaching. Since then, I have dabbled in Eikaiwa (conversation schools), corporate head-hunting, sales, translation, private teaching, and now ALT work and writing. My work has taken me from Tokyo, to Okayama, over to Hong Kong and now back to where I feel most at peace, the wonderful city of Osaka.

It’s been an interesting nine years, both for me and for Japan.

Back in 2006, Japan was the place to be. High salaries, low teaching hours, a cost of living comparable to, or in many cases cheaper than, western countries made it the destination of choice for thousands of young graduates like me in pursuit of adventure.

The global financial crisis of 2008, coupled with the collapse of some of the larger Eikaiwa chains like NOVA and GEOS has made living in Japan a bit tougher for the average English teacher these days. Nevertheless, this still remains a great country for anyone in pursuit of new experiences.

Some of us enjoy the city life, others prefer a more sedate, rural existence. I have been fortunate to experience both during my time here. My first job placed me in Ichikawa city, Chiba prefecture, just outside of Tokyo. Chiba really is a great place to live. It isn’t quite as busy or as hectic as Tokyo, yet you are less than hour from the likes of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Roppongi. At the same time, a couple of hours in the other direction by train would take you to the stunning Nokogiriyama, home to the largest stone Buddha (Daibutsu) in Japan.

nokogiriyama_buddha

Whilst I enjoyed my time in the Kanto region, as the months went by I realised my Japanese wasn’t improving. Time for a change of scenery and it wasn’t long before I found myself in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. Here I worked as teaching assistant at a junior high and elementary school in the small village of Mabi-Cho.

To say that Mabi is a bit out of the way would be an understatement. 2 konbinis, a supermarket, and an ice cream shop was pretty much all this farming town had to offer in terms of entertainment. On the plus side, my Japanese improved very quickly and I soon found myself engaging in conversation with the locals. Though it has to be said, the Okayama dialect does take quite a bit of getting used to.

okayama_map

Being based in Okayama also opened up whole new options for weekend trips. For the first time, I was able to visit places like Kyushu, Tottori and Shimane. It was also at this time I first visited what remains to this day my favourite place in Japan.

Hiroshima, is undoubtedly one of Japanese most vibrant, beautiful and peaceful cities. We all know all too well the tragic history of this city, but it is a testament to the courage and dedication of the people of this city that they managed, in only a few decades to turn a war torn wasteland into one of Japan’s most picturesque city.

The jewel in the crown of Hiroshima is undoubtedly Miyajima. This small island, located in Hatsukaichi City, just outside Hiroshima is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Deer roam the streets freely as you make your way around the various shops, cafes and other attractions the island has to offer. At the centre of all this is the famous “Shrine on the Sea”, a red “Tori” gate which, depending on the timing of your visit is often half-submerged by the tides.

In time however, I did become frustrated with Okayama. There are a great many good people in Kurashiki, but sadly there will always be that small minority whom neither welcome nor accept foreigners into their community. Feeling somewhat jaded, I left Japan in 2010 to take up a new post as a teacher and magazine editor in Hong Kong.

Then came the great tragedy of 2011, I sat helplessly in my Hong Kong apartment watching as Tohoku was torn apart. Thankfully my friends in Akita were all safe, but many of my Japanese friends had been affected by the tragedy in different ways. I too felt a huge psychological impact. I then resolved to return to Japan and try, in some small way, to repay this great country for all it had given me.

It took more than a year before I was finally in a position to return to Japan. In October 2012 I was offered a job in Osaka as an Eikaiwa teacher. The pay and conditions were a bit of a step down from Hong Kong, but I really didn’t care, I would be coming home.

Finally, once all the paperwork was confirmed, I returned to Osaka in February 2013. I’ve been lucky enough to find a wonderful apartment, overlooking the harbour and within walking distance of the Aquarium and various other attractions.

osaka_dotonbori

These days I continue to teach English in junior high and elementary schools. I love my job, and for the first time in many years, I am content. Being a public school teacher in Japan will never make you a millionaire, but there are few things in life more rewarding than seeing that sparkle in a young student’s eye when they start to understand English for the first time.

As I look back on the last nine years, and consider the challenges I have faced and also the challenges this country has faced, I am hopeful for the future. Japan is like a totally different world compared to my native Scotland, but ultimately this is where I belong. I am proud to call this place my home.

Here’s to the next nine years, and beyond!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service

  • ProjektKobra says:

    If you go, I envy you what you are about to experience….but I warn you…..that place will tear your heart out…..

  • Brittany Butters says:

    I used to live in Hiroshima and there were some pros and cons, but overall it was a great experience and soooo beautiful. Miyajima is one of my favorite places! It is wonderful to see such a happy and optimistic outlook on life in Japan. I am quite tired of reading about all the foreigners who don’t do their research and get the opportunity to go to Japan, but then all they do is whine. I feel you don’t read as many happy experiences because the ones who are happy there are out enjoying life…

  • Raymond Diaz says:

    Hello Liam,

    Thank you for sharing your story with us all. I am inspired by it and happy to be moving to Tokyo in February. I do have a question for you. I will be working with GABA, which I heard can be a but unstable at times. Do you have any advice on how to give private lessons or supplement my living wage in anyway? I don’t need to or want to be rich but don’t want to struggle much either. Do you have any advice?

    • Liam Carrigan says:

      Hi Raymond,
      My advice to you would be to sign up for some websites that connect teachers with students. I have one private student i teach now and we met through findstudents.net
      Keep checking Gaijinpot too for extra business classes or part time jobs that may come up in your area. Expanding your social circle will also help. Try going to the local city hall or international centre. Often they have a notice board where you can advertise yourself as an English teacher. Its also a great way to network and find interesting activity groups in your area.
      Good luck 🙂

  • Liam Carrigan says:

    Osaka really is a great place, very different from Tokyo. To compare it to the UK i would say Tokyo is like London but Osaka is more like Glasgow or Liverpool. It has a unique character and once you get to know them, the people are wonderful.

  • German Garcia says:

    Great reading, i guess you are now living in 大阪港, i used to live there back in 2010 and planning to get back soon when the time is right and start another chapter of my life there where it really feels like home.

    • Liam Carrigan says:

      Osakako is a great place. So relaxing and yet you’re only 15-20 mins from downtown. Its also great to finally have an apartment with a seaview. Its something I always dreamed of.

  • Turner Wright says:

    Interesting. You kind of glossed over the transition from HK back to Japan, but you were really ok accepting an entry level position at an eikaiwa after all your experience?

    • Liam Carrigan says:

      When coming back to Japan especially after you’ve been away a couple of years, you really just have to take whatever is available. After so many people fled Japan in the wake of the 2011 disaster, many companies are now reluctant to hire from overseas. I basically took the first job that was offered to me. As soon as I was settled back in Osaka I started looking for something better and after about 6 months I secured a direct-hire ALT position. In my new role I get to help plan training seminars for colleagues and I have a lot more to do besides just being a regular ALT. To be honest, Hong Kong paid more, but the quality of life here in Osaka is much better. And since I finish at 4.30 every day I am now free to pursue other interests. Like studying Japanese and of course, writing blogs! 🙂

  • Sara says:

    Being half Japanese, I can understand and relate to your comment about not being accepted. I am half Swedish and half Japanese, graduated college in Japan, worked as part-time English tutor, but I too felt that I would never fully fit in, they will always consider me “gaijin” even though I speak fluent Japanese with no accent, so I decided to leave after 5 years of schooling. I love Japan and considered it more “home” to me than Sweden ever was, but I am happy to hear that you are now content and happy where you are. It is never easy to be a “gaijin” in Japan, but good luck and may you have many more happy years in Japan!

    • Liam Carrigan says:

      Thanks for sharing your experiences Sara. I’m very lucky in that my experience of Japan has been overwhelmingly positive. But like any country there is always that small minority of bigots who cant accept or understand anything even slightly different from them. Overall I feel i have been accepted into Japanese society quite well, though I really do need to learn the language more.

  • Budi says:

    Liam: Enjoyed reading your blog. I’ve always wanted to live and work in Japan, since I can’t seem to get enough of Japanese cultures.
    But being a person without a mother country, born and raised in a country that used to be very hostile towards Chinese decents – later left and came to US, I know it would remain as a dream.
    I’m not a native speaker of English, and although I learned little Japanese and Korean and very little French and Mandarin, I’m no good at any single language.

    I’ll be looking towards your next blog.

    Congrats on your 9th year.

    • Liam Carrigan says:

      Thanks, i hope you’ll make it to Japan someday. Keep studying Japanese and checking our jobs page regularly. You don’t always need to be a native speaker to work here.

  • Kavita says:

    Enjoyed reading that, a lovely reflection obv your time in Japan. Here’s to your next 9 years!

Related

Explore

Groovy Osaka: A Taste of Korea at Tsuruhashi

With a large Korean population that gives the area a uniqueness unlike anywhere else in Japan, Tsuruhashi is food lovers paradise.

By 4 min read 6

Work

4 Habits of Highly Successful Teachers

Cultivating these habits will go a long way towards making you, your students and your employer happier.

By 3 min read 7

Explore

Kawagoe: Modern Treats in an Old-Time Setting

There's no need to hesitate when deciding whether to go to Kawagoe or not. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo and a great traditional town to explore. Have a good time and let the fun treats enhance your experience!

By 3 min read