2013 Toyama Welcome Letters
Table of Contents
Title
Page
Welcome to Toyama!
1
Toyama AJET
2
Packing – What to Bring
3
Making an Impression
4
Your First Month in Japan
7
Your First Class (Self Introduction)
10
Senior High School 101
12
Introduction to Junior High School Life
13
Teaching at Elementary Schools
15
Teaching at Multiple Schools
18
Teaching at a Special Needs School
19
Teaching Non-Japanese Students
20
Life as a JET in the Japanese Countryside
22
Food
24
Vegetarian and Vegan ALTs
32
JETs of African Descent
33
The Asian JET
35
The JET from Developing Countries
35
JETs Coming with Relationships
37
JETs Coming with Families
39
Japan for Religious JETs
40
Tall JETs
41
Culture Shock
43
Staying Sane
44
Learning Japanese in Japan
45
Professionalism as an ALT
49
Welcome to Toyama!
Welcome to a coastal prefecture surrounded by stunning mountain views where owara
is danced into the night along streets lit with paper lanterns, rows of rice sway in the
breeze, and fields of tulips appear in the spring.
My name is Christina Pancoast. I am the Prefectural Advisor for Toyama.
Congratulations on being selected as a Toyama JET! Toyama is a cozy countryside
filled with amazing people, places, and opportunities. I really feel at home here. And
when you feel like a change of scene, big cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya are
easily accessible – just a three or four hour train ride away.
Our local AJET chapter organizes events and excursions for the 80 members of our
community. Regional Representatives will also plan events throughout the year. The
community itself is active and offers a lot of opportunities to pursue music, art, or
sports.
There are three PAs in Toyama. Including me, the JET PA, you have Yoshikuni sensei
and Hirose sensei as the two Japanese PAs. You will see us directing all of the
orientations, seminars, and meetings you will attend. We do our best to keep you
updated with all the important information and relaying news as soon as we get them.
Anytime you have a question or concern about making the transition over here whether
it is work-related issues, medical needs, or any other stressful situation, we are here to
provide support. You always have someone you can turn to.
Our JETs have put together this welcome packet, covering almost every topic you could
imagine. These letters were written to help provide a glimpse of what is to come and
insight into what life in Toyama holds, as well as the many resources available to make
your life more comfortable. Enjoy reading. We look forward to greeting you in person
very soon.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me, even if it is just a simple hello. You can also take a
look at the Toyama JETs website http://www.toyamajets.net. If you would like to get in
touch with your soon-to-be peers, you will find links on the website to The Tram,
Toyama AJETs online magazine, and the Toyama JETs facebook group.
Take Care,
Christina Pancoast
Toyama ALT Prefectural Advisor
1
toyamapa@hotmail.com
Toyama AJET
Hello and welcome to Toyama, to Japan, and to your next great adventure. I’m here
on behalf of Toyama AJET to tell you what we are all about. We are here to keep you
happy and busy outside your office hours, because life is not all about work.
What is AJET?!
National AJET is a support and social network for JET Program participants. Therefore
it follows that Toyama AJET offers those things at the local level. More specifically,
Toyama AJET is here to provide various organized and inclusive events that allow
community members (JETs and non-JETs) to interact and make connections.
What kind of events?!
The events cover a wide range of interests. Some large trips we have done in the past
have included climbing Fuji, going to see Sumo Wrestling, a Ski trips to Nagano. A
little closer to home we have had Welcome Weekends (YAY for celebrating you!), a
Halloween party, Charity pub quizzes, Hanami (Cherry blossom viewing) in the park,
and Leaver’s Weekends. Some of these trips are strictly for your own personal
enjoyment, but many are also for charity because what could be better than having fun
while helping out.
Does AJET do anything besides events?!
Yes, Toyama AJET also runs The TRAM an online magazine. Check it out at
http://toyama.press.ajet.net/tram/ In it are articles and updates about local events,
traveling, cooking, book reviews, concerts, photo contests and much more. You can
not only read about what is going on with other JETs here, but can contribute, so think
about submitting your own art, ideas, articles or work. Additionally AJET has a
library making it much easier to get your hands on English reading materials locally.
I’m sold! How do I get involved in AJET?!
AJET is inclusive. Anyone can attend the AJET-organized socials. However, due to the
costs (location rental, food, drinks, transportation, all that boring stuff), there is usually
a fee accompanying the event. Members get reduced fees at many of the events and
we strongly encourage you all to become AJET Members. Membership dues are 2,000
yen, you can sign up at orientation, or at any Toyama AJET run excursion or event.
See you soon!
If you would like to know more about National AJET in Japan, visit www.ajet.net. If
you would like more information on Toyama AJET, you can contact me at
toyama.ajet@gmail.com We will always welcome your suggestions, ideas, comments,
etc. Last, on behalf of the AJET Officers and myself, we wish you a safe trip. See you
soon!
Rebecca A. Reed
Toyama AJET Prefectural Representative
2
Toyama.ajet@gmail.com
Packing – What to Bring
Hello!
At this moment in time you are probably trying to figure out all the last minute details
before you come to your new home for the next year or more. Congratulations by the
way and welcome to JET. You are going to have a great experience but first let’s get
you here. I’m here to help you navigate though the packing bit of this wonderfully
stressful time before coming to Japan.
Let’s start off about where you will be - Toyama Prefecture; think clouds, rain, snow,
sleet, ice, and few and far between times of the warmth of the sun shining through.
Summer can be awful (as you will hear from anyplace in Japan) and you will be
wanting to jump into the nearest freezer on a daily basis. When you first get here it will
be hot. Not just hot but HOT. You will be in Tokyo for a few days and you will
need to pack a suit for that time. You will also need a suit for the ceremonies that
happen quite often. So bring a few suit jackets, black pants (everything is black here),
nice blouses or dress shirts, and ties for men. As for men, pack a WHITE tie or buy it
here in Japan. You will need this for graduation. Ladies, don’t worry about wearing
heels in school with your suit. You will come to see that everyone wears sneakers
with any outfit they have on. Do bring flats if that is your fancy. I had a pair that I
wore out in the first few months.
So recap: black pants, suit jackets, sneakers or flats, white tie for men, blouses or
dress shirts. Ok onwards.
What to pack for everyday at school. Ok this can be one of those annoying ESID
comments (Every Situation is Different). For your first few days at school wear a suit
until you notice what your other teachers are wearing. For elementary/junior high
school ALTs you will find that your ES teachers wear track suits or are on borderline
casual. I’d still say wear one step up. In JHS during the summer the dress code is
much more relaxed. Cropped knee length pants, skirts, casual pants and blouses and
dress shirts are all ok. It is called Cool Biz here. During the winter you’ll find it
notches up to business attire (especially for men). I see all of my JHS male teachers
wearing suits. Again see what your school does in those first few days. I normally
wear black pants and a sweater and another jacket sweater during the winter. Just be
sure to pack enough light clothes to get you through the two months of blistering heat
and pack more on the heavier clothing side. Winter in Toyama is longer than summer
and also comes earlier. Also if you want to and can fit into Japanese sizes you can
always pack light and buy your clothes here. That is an option. You can also have
your winter clothes shipped at a later date which some ALT’s here have done. It saves
on baggage weight and space.
I highly, HIGHLY suggest investing in Space Bags. Best investment I have ever done.
You can get the kind that you need a vacuum for or the kind that you can roll the air out
of which is great for your carry on. These come in small, medium, and large bags
that fit everything.
Onwards! All you poor glasses/contact afflicted people out there can be rest assured;
your brand of contact solution is available here. I use Clear Care and was afraid I
wouldn’t find it in Japan. STOP! DO NOT waste precious baggage weight on contact
solution, toothpaste, and other toiletries. Pack enough maybe for a month in small
3
light weight quantities. You can find all your brands here. Toothpaste wise you may
read and hear that the brands in Japan do not have fluoride which is true. However,
Aquafresh and other brands do, so you do not need to pack a thousand tubes to get your
proper dental hygiene. As for deodorant, I like my brands from home and they have
the anti-perspirant that you will not find in most brands here. I’d suggest packing that.
If you have a special shampoo brand that you can’t do without (Deva Care anyone?)
pack it. I can’t find what I want ANYWHERE in Asia.
What else? You have (hopefully) 2 bags at 50lbs each to fill. We covered clothing
(light clothes for summer, more for winter, a few suits for those special occasions when
you need them) and toiletries.
Let’s move on to shoes. You will need indoor shoes for you schools. I have one pair
that I take around with me to each of my four schools, or you can be like another ALT I
know and have one pair at each school. These can be sneakers, flats, clogs, anything
really except sandals or flip flops. Think comfort, but professional. Also you will
need a separate pair of shoes if you want to use a gym. Just remember any shoes you
wear outside, most of the time the time you will need to wear separate indoor shoes
when going inside. Good thing though is that sneakers here are pretty cheap and you
can go to any ABC Mart or other sneaker store. Bad thing is you need to find your
size. The largest size for women is an LL or 25 (which is a size 8) or at rare times 26.
If you need larger you can dip in to the men’s. Men’s sizes I’m not quite sure about,
but I think largest size is around 29 or 30. So if you have big feet, trust me you will
need to bring or ship plenty of shoes from home.
Electricity wise you do not need to bring any kind of converters. Everything is run on
or around 100voltage but you will need to bring or can buy here a three prong converter
for the three prong type of plugs. Only two prong outlets are available but you can
easily buy these converters here.
This is really just about the basics that you will need. You will acquire a lot of stuff in
the first few weeks you are here while you are getting settled.
If you have any
specific questions about what you need to bring or what I brought and how I packed my
life in to two 50lb bags, feel free to email me any time. I’d be happy to make this part
of your transition to Japan a little easier.
Good luck and see you soon!
Best regards,
Alexandra (Alex) Melillo
alexandra.melillo@yahoo.com
Making an Impression
Hello, and welcome to the mystical land of Toyama full of fish and mountains and snow
and things! Your schools and your fellow JETs are all eagerly waiting to meet you.
My name is Elizabeth, and this letter is here to help you a bit with making an
impression (preferably a good one) at your new job in Japan.
4
How should you look? Professional and clean! You are a poor college student/
farmer/ backpacker/ part-time Dominoes employee no longer.
Take frequent showers! Get a suit (one or two will do just fine; you really, really
don’t need five), iron it, and wear it like you mean it. Unless you’re told otherwise,
keep that suit on for a week or so until you get a grip on your workplace’s general dress
code. (Beware: Everyone may look casual when you come in during summer break,
but it all goes more formal in September.) Keep your hair neat; bushy is not a
favorable quality here. If you’ve got wonky hair that just doesn’t listen, try to at least
look like you made an effort.
Showing lots of skin is frowned upon, so avoid sleeveless or low-cut shirts. Tattoos
are a no-go, so cover them up. Jewelry and makeup are all right, so long as it’s not
excessive. Toyama is hot and muggy in the summer, so if you ever want the chance to
take off your suit jacket, make sure what you wear underneath is also professional.
Short-sleeved dress shirts are just fine. The Japanese will never tell you outright if
your ensemble is iffy unless you’ve seriously messed up. (They may, however, hint at
it; if you get anything like, “My, those earrings are lovely!” or, “That shirt just lights up
the whole room, hohoho!” then chances are you probably shouldn’t be wearing that.)
Use common sense, and err on the side of professionalism and modesty!
How should you act? Friendly and inviting! If you’re naturally shy, just do the best
you can until you become more comfortable. Smile! Kill them with kindness, and
never assume.
Greet people! The Japanese are huge on greetings in general, so make sure to say
hello to anyone you see from now on, always, forever. If you have Japanese at your
disposal, use it as much as you can (but not with your students; that’s cheating). Even
the tiniest bit of Japanese can help your coworkers warm to you. Show them that
you’re trying, and people will want to help you. I will include a few Japanese phrases
at the end of this letter.
Get enough sleep! Millions of new things will be hitting you in your first days here, so
you want to be alert. Yawning while the principal is trying to introduce you to the
staff is tacky. If you do manage to offend the dignitaries by looking sleepy at
important things, try apologizing with, “Sumimasen, jisa-boke desu… (Pardon me, it’s
the jet lag…).”
When you first arrive, some people (especially your supervisor) will be doing a lot to
take care of you (and taking time out of their busy schedules to do it), so be gracious
and polite. Be more polite than you really feel, all the time, always. Try to make
conversation, and always say thank you (I’m channeling my mother here).
Omiyage (souvenirs) are a common part of Japanese culture and are very nice to give to
your coworkers on the first day, but they’re not expected or required. I spent needless
amounts of stress trying to think of a good gift when I was getting ready for Japan.
Don’t be like me. If you do want to bring omiyage, aim for something edible that
comes in individual packets (although an open box of something left in the staff break
room works just fine, too). If your town or city has some sort of local specialty, it
might be fun to share that, as well.
5
Talk to people. Get to know your coworkers. This might be tough for those who
can’t speak Japanese, but it won’t hurt to start with your English teachers (or the
random P.E. teacher who wants to improve his English). Language and cultural
barriers aside, you may be working alongside some really lovely people, and trying to
get to know them will make you more a part of the school than just the resident
foreigner.
You’ll be asked to make a speech (or three) of some sort when you first get to your
schools. Keep it short, sweet, and in Japanese if you can manage. Smile a lot while
you do it.
You’ll also be asked by several different people why you wanted to work in Japan. I
suggest you tell a nobler version of the truth. “The pay is good,” and “I like anime,”
are both terrible answers, even if they might be true. You don’t need to lie, but try to
aim for an answer that expresses your intentions and praises Japan as well.
Don’t be late. The Japanese abhor tardiness. Be (or at least look) as productive as
you can at work. If there’s nothing to help your JTEs with, go out and meet your
students (way more fun)!
Your first month can seem a bit of a mess (new job, new apartment, new country, new
culture, new all of it), but do try to keep a good attitude. Attitude runs a close second
to appearance in what factors into a first impression, so keep your mind open to the
unexpected and unknown. Try new things, and show the Japanese people that you’re
trying the new things! Don’t let “No,” “I don’t like…” or “I can’t…” be the most
common words out of your mouth. Try to keep yourself flexible! People can smell a
bad attitude from a mile away.
I tried to keep this short and to the point, but I think I failed. At any rate, I hope it
helps! There’s really no one way to make a good impression, but just remember:
Good Appearance, Good Attitude. Otherwise, just be yourself; that’s why we want
you here! Here’s the Japanese I promised:
Konnichiwa. Hello.
Watashi no namae wa ~ desu. My name is ~.
~ sai desu. I’m ~ years old.
~ shusshin desu. I’m from ~.
Arigatou gozaimasu. Thank you very much.
Sumimasen. Excuse me/I’m sorry.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Say it whenever you give a speech or meet someone new; it
means something like, “Please treat me well,” or, “I hope we’ll work together well.”
Good luck, and welcome!
Elizabeth Mager
Fukuoka JHS
rainbowyarnsg@gmail.com
6
Your First Month in Japan
‘Every situation is different’. Be prepared to hear this at least fifty times before you
actually get to Toyama and maybe another fifty times when you do get here. This
statement cannot highlight enough that it’s going to be different for everyone on JET.
However, your experience will only be what you make it!
That said and out of the way, let me say Biggest Congratulations to you on being
accepted to the biggest and most organized exchange program. You have reached this
far and your courage deserves a big applause. 
My task is to give you an idea, as clear as possible, of your first month in Japan. The
best I can do is to make reference to my first month, which for me, was not too long ago
since I am currently a first year ALT.
It was definitely a mix of emotions for me; a bittersweet time of change and acceptance.
You will start at the top of the hill, (I should say mountain, since that’s what Toyama is
famous for) anyways, you will start at the top of the mountain, not long after end up at
the bottom or close to the bottom and at some point, not too far off, gradually start
ascending again. Now, let’s put this analogy into perspective. We will begin at the top
of the mountain.
Your arrival in Tokyo
You will be greeted by smiling faces and sign boards as you disembark the plane
arriving from your departed airport. Okay, let me restate that, you will be greeted by lots
of smiling faces and sign boards; endless, too many to count. These smiling bodies will
guide you along the airport to the bus that takes you to the hotel; The Keio Plaza Hotel.
Now, if you need to use the bathroom then this is the place to do so. When you arrive to
the hotel, about 30-40 minutes away, you will check in to your room and only be
allowed to take one piece of luggage with you to the room. The others will be tagged
and shipped to your base school. Please pack in such a way that everything you need for
the three days in Tokyo will be in one bag. After you’ve settled in, it will be a good idea
to shower and stay in. You’ll likely be extremely tired and jet-lagged after the plane ride,
but try to get as much sleep as possible. This is because you have two very packed days
of workshops and seminars. These seminars are very important as they are organized to
help transition you into your new life. All the presenters are carefully selected and this
is some of the most formal training you will receive before embarking on your new
career.
Also, please be prepared to attend embassy dinners on the first night of the workshop
day. These are important so if you are making plans to meet up with friends it might be
safer to do this on the second night.
An important note; while you are in Tokyo, please find a few minutes to inform your
family of your safe arrival. When you get to your new hometown there will be no
guarantee of phone, internet or any means of communication. Let them know when you
will be leaving Tokyo and that it might not be possible to contact them for a while
because of the lack of resources.
On the third day of the orientation, you will break off into groups based on your
prefecture and fly to your designated city and meet your local employers. Be formally
dressed for the plane ride and get ready for a lot of yoroshiku onegaishimasus [nice to
meet you/I hope we get along well together].
7
On my first day, I was greeted with a large sign, by my JTE. As I said, every situation is
different so I didn’t meet my supervisor until one week after because she was away on
some business trips. However, my other JTEs took me around and we did all that we
had to do, that is, register at the city hall, open a bank account, get keys for the
apartment, and do some grocery shopping. Please be prepared to enter an apartment that
will make you gasp. Honestly, most times it’s all good but there are many instances
where new JETs walk into an apartment and there’s absolutely nothing in there. Don’t
panic, you will most likely have a futon (Japanese style bed) to sleep on.
In the next few days, with the help of your supervisor, you will set up your mobile
phone service and receive your national health insurance card. Sometimes, however,
you cannot get a mobile phone until after you’ve received your resident card. This can
take between four-six weeks so please prepare for this. Independently, you should start
applying for the Internet. Ask your predecessor about what service he/she used. You can
also pick up packets at Tokyo Orientation about Internet providers with info in English
about how to apply.
At the bottom of the mountain
Now, if you’re like me and don’t speak a word of Japanese then this will definitely be
your lowest point. It will be highly likely that you will not make contact with another
English speaker until the first day of the orientation. You will report to work the day
after you arrive and since it will be the summer vacation many teachers might be away
on business trips. On some days it might just be you and the vice principal; who likely
doesn’t speak English. You will go home to your apartment; no phone or no internet
and maybe cry because you haven’t had a decent conversation in a couple days. Now,
the good part is that this doesn’t last for very long. And this is probably the worst you’ll
ever feel in all your life. However, I am just painting the gloomiest picture and your
situation could be a million times better than this. I am preparing you for the worst case
scenario; which was really my situation, except the crying part because I had my music
player and blasting music helped me through that lonely/ alone time.
The Ascension: Toyama Orientation（August 9th, 12th and 20th）
This is where things start feeling a bit normal; you start socializing with everyone,
building bonds and forming friendships. The more you interact with everyone, the more
you will realize that everyone was going through the same thing and you will get
strength from knowing that you’re not alone. Please make the most of these orientation
days because you will need the strength gathered from these events because the reality
might still be that you do not have any form of communication.
Okay so specifically looking at the days of orientation; Toyama Orientation is a three
day event designed to help you prepare for your new job and life in Toyama prefecture.
On first day of orientation, you will attend a series of workshops held by senior JET
participants which will provide information and support on getting settled in Toyama,
what to expect in your new workplace and more.
On the second day of orientation, you will attend a regional meeting where new JETs
will receive helpful information from re-contracting JETs who live and work in your
same region. On both the first and second day of orientation, please wear appropriate
business attire.
On the third day of orientation, all new JETs will be led on a hike of Mt. Tate. This is a
great way to meet new people and bond with other JETs. The climb itself is an amazing
8
experience as Mt. Tate is one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains.” While it will be hot
and humid in Toyama at this time of year, please bring adequate cold weather clothing,
rain gear, and hiking shoes as it will be much colder at the top of the mountain and the
trail is very rocky at times. Please note that you don’t actually have to climb the
mountain. You can relax at the onsen (public bath) or take a tour of the museum and
take many pictures.
The Following Weeks
You will start feeling at home in no time. Tokyo will become just a vague memory and
you will have to start taking on the responsibility of your home, work and yourself. The
faster you learn your way around the easier it will be for you. The trains are very easy to
use, always on time and available schedules are on hyperdia.com.
The month of August will basically be slow and free. The kids are on summer break so
this is a good time to prepare your lesson plans and self-introduction materials. You will
have to introduce yourself and your country to all your students, so try to think of
creative ways to tell your students about your life. Since I am from a country most
people don’t really know about; at least not in Japan, I was free to present any aspect of
my country. I used a video which helped a lot. A word of advice, don’t try to give too
much information. Don’t let it be a monologue. The reality is the kids might fall asleep
halfway through and that will create a dent in your ego. Make your lesson as interactive
as possible. Include some games and fun activities.
At school, walk around – take this time to learn the environs of your new school.
Explore this new territory and discover the hideouts . During the summer break you
will only report to your base school. If you have a visiting school, or several visiting
schools, someone will contact your supervisor and let you know when they would like
you to come in; be it only for a visit.
Stay active – Go to Toyama AJET events- there is Welcome Weekend, a party in a
lovely camping area.
Know you’re not alone – JET is one of the most, well-organized programs. In addition
to your fellow JETs and supervisor, you also have a strong network of professionals to
help you in any situation, including your regional rep, your prefectural advisor and a
national JET hotline that you can call at any time (providing you have access to a
phone)
Explore your new town; it will be your home for the next year or more. There is a post
office located in every town; try and discover places that will be useful to you in the
coming future; the post office, supermarket, train station, bike shop, gas station. If you
are interested in a certain sport or cultural activity ask around for a class or club you can
join.
Well that’s all for now. Again, I want to say biggest Congratulations and I hope your
new journey will be all that you expected and I wish you all the best in the coming year.
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any further concerns or questions.
Safe trip and see you soon!
Kavita Premchan
Nyuzen HS and Tomari HS.
kpremchan@gmail.com
9
Your First Class (Self-Introductions)
So, first things first, congratulations! You did it. You got past the application and the
interview and of course waiting and waiting for them to get back to you, and now you
are in! Welcome to Japan and Toyama! It’s going to be an interesting first year for you
and it may take some time to get used to Japan, but out here in Toyama we have a great
community of people who will help you adjust to your new home.
After you get here, it may seem a little strange that for the first month you won’t be
teaching very many (if any) classes. It is nice because it gives you a nice period to
adjust to your new town and surroundings, but at the same time it can be quite boring.
You will be meeting so many new people (whose names you will forget) and you will
be going to work and potentially doing nothing for most of your time. This is the perfect
time to get started on lesson planning and, in particular, your first lesson or your
self-introduction.
So first, you won’t see many of your students, unless they have club activities at the
school or come in for academic lessons. And even then, you may be confined to the
teacher’s room and won’t see any students at all. So, the first lesson is pretty much the
first time you will be meeting any of your new students. Of course your students will
have a big interest in you. You are the new foreigner and you will be replacing the only
foreigner many of them come into contact with on a regular basis, especially if you are
out in the inaka (countryside). That being said, you also will experience many questions
(in Japanese mainly) and also you will be called by your predecessor’s name. A lot. I
have been here for almost 2 years and I still get called by my predecessor’s name. So
obviously it is important to set yourself apart from your predecessor and give them an
interesting and fun classroom experience. And so your first class should be just that. It
should set the tone for the rest of the year. It should be engaging and fun, but also
pertinent to oral communication. Your job will be to get students speaking English! And
so even with your first class, you will want to try to get the students speaking. Try to set
the tone for the rest of the year with this class and you will be set.
The First Class
You are going to be a little nervous. Even if you have taught before, this is Japan and it
is not going to be what you are used to and probably not what you had in mind.
Different class sizes, different class attitudes, different mannerisms, different, different,
and different. Every situation is different. You should already know this, since JET
bangs that into your head. But generally speaking, the first class should be a way for the
students to get to know you, and vice versa, even though it may be in a small way.
Sitting at the front of the class and speaking about yourself for 50 minutes is going to
put the class to sleep (and even if you don’t do this, some of the students may still be
sleeping). Speaking about yourself is fine, but it is better to do so for a short time (10 –
15 minutes max) and then to move on to something else. Try to engage the students
with something fun and interesting. The best way to do this is to have a game of some
sort on the first day. Whether you want to teach a new game that you know or just
simply play bingo or a simple word game is completely up to you. But it is better to
have some game or activity at some point in the lesson. It sets the tone for the year, and
it can make your class seem like the fun class out of all the academic courses they have
to take.
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Another good thing to do is to have the students make their own name cards (quickly),
and to stand and at least tell you their name and maybe one of their hobbies. Get them
up and speaking, otherwise they may lull and fall asleep. After this, you can move on to
a quick game or attempt a more detailed one if you have the time.
I teach at a private high school, where the level of academics and English in particular is
fairly low, so I tend to play Bingo, Battleship, Shiritori (a simple word game), Fruits
Basket, or Hangman with my students. On my first day, I did shiritori. First, put your
students into teams. It is a game where students write words on the board. You give the
first letter and they make a word from it. Then, the next student in the group has to write
a word using the last letter of the previous student’s word. So for example, the letter is
K. The first student writes Kid. The next student writes dog. Then, good, then dust, then
true and so on until time runs out. The last letter starts the next word. Then, the students
must say the words as you check them. Each correct word scores a point. It is
competitive, especially if you bring candy or prizes for the winners. This gets the
students up and moving and also speaking English.
That was just an example of something you can do with your students and of course you
can do anything you want, but I would suggest that you make your first lesson as
interesting as possible. Boring the students on the first day won’t set a good example for
the rest of the year and it may make them less inclined to pay attention in class. Games
and warm-ups are important for just about every lesson, because you want your students
to pay attention and also to have fun with English, rather than treating it as something
they simply must do for a grade.
So wrapping up: Your First Lesson
1) Don’t sit there and talk about yourself the whole time
2) Let the students talk about themselves and introduce themselves
3) Make it interesting and fun, but also educational
4) Use a game to get the students interested and moving around
5) Bring prizes or candy for them (speak with your school / teachers first)
6) Don’t be nervous! You can do this and it will get much easier with time.
So, don’t sweat it. You will be awesome and you will be the cool new gaijin (foreigner)
that all the students will be interested in. Just go with it and make it fun for them in the
beginning and it will be much easier in the months after.
Have a nice few remaining weeks at home and don’t forget anything while you are
packing! Everyone here is looking forward to meeting you and helping out in any way
possible!
Mark Sullivan
Niikawa High School
mp.sullivan08@gmail.com
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Senior High School Life 101
As you will hear ad nauseam, every school/situation is different. This is perhaps most
evident in high schools across the prefecture. At this point in their education career,
students are essentially divided onto a particular track, academic, non-academic,
technical, etc., and so different schools have different focuses and end goals. It is
important to realize what the focus of your school is so that you can best facilitate
students’ success reaching that goal.
A brief introduction to some different kinds of high schools:
Academic: These are generally high-ranking schools in the prefecture. Students are
likely going to take college entrance exams and will spend a large chunk of their high
school careers (especially their third year) studying for said exams. Not to overly
generalize, but these students may be very nice if a bit shy and stressed. ALTs in these
high schools may be surprised by the amount of work and the responsibilities they are
given. ALTs will likely write and grade tests, may grade large numbers of essays, may
plan lessons, may run English clubs after school a couple of days a week, probably will
work with students for speech contest in September and October, and may work with
students individually to prepare them for entrance exams, along with other assorted
duties. You probably won’t have much of a chance to use the cool games introduced to
you in various orientations. This may be intimidating at first, but you will be a valued
member of the English team with a more clearly defined role than other ALTs may
experience, which is a positive. Another plus, students may be more interested in
learning English and have a higher language level than students at non-academic
schools.
Private: I work at a private high school. Although private high schools may seem more
prestigious and high-level, the opposite is actually true in Toyama. Private high schools
are often for those students who perhaps did not do as well on HS entrance exams either
because they are not great test-takers or are not academic-focused. Private schools are
expensive and some students are not happy to be there initially. However, some students
deliberately choose private schools because of programs offered (my school as a pretty
awesome cooking program, for example), because of athletics, or for any other number
of reasons. Some of the perks of working at a private school may include students who
are more genki and less shy, more flexibility in teaching lessons (perhaps more games!),
less stress for you as an ALT because you probably won’t have to do so much grading
or so much college prep. Downsides may include students with little interest in learning
English (although this is not just specific to private schools), students with a lower level
of English, and possibly less-clearly defined responsibilities for yourself. Also, at least
at my school, there are a couple of academic-track students, so there can be some
differences in English language levels between different classes.
Technical: Technical high schools are intended for students interested in pursuing
specific careers. Like private schools, this can be advantageous for the ALT since you
may have fewer intimidating responsibilities and less grading. However, again, students
may have little interest in learning English and little motivation to do so. Students may
be more genki than academic-track students, which can be a plus or a negative. You
may also have less-clearly-defined responsibilities than at other kinds of high schools
which may mean you are confused about your job at the school, or it may mean that you
get to play more games in the classroom.
Calendar year at high schools:
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Work at all senior high schools comes and goes in waves. When you first arrive here,
you will probably have little to do and will just sit lost and confused in the teacher’s
room for about a month. This is followed by Speech Contest Season when the semester
starts up again, and in addition to teaching classes during the day, you may be expected
to prepare students for Speech Contest after school. So, expect to have some longer
work days from around September-October (if your school participates—probably most
relevant for academic high schools). After that comes December when many ALTs
leave the country for exciting destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, or Nebraska. In
January things start back up again at school and continue until around the end of
February or March. At that point, like back in August, you may have nothing to do and
may become addicted to Sudoku or may start incessantly singing Lady Gaga songs to
yourself until you realize you are humming loudly in the teacher’s room. April starts a
new school year and things are shifted around (including desks, classrooms, and
teachers).
Each school has its own advantages and disadvantages. And you may personally be
very happy about some aspects of your school and less excited about others. My school
in particular is very into sports, and I am not. I had to play dodge ball four different
sports days this year, and I had vowed never to play dodge ball again after I left junior
high school. Mainly I just cower behind my students and use them like human shields
(it brings us closer together). However, I know that some ALTs would be super psyched
for epic, day-long dodge ball tournaments. I would rather grade essays.
Each school has interesting aspects to it from cool fieldtrips you may get to go on, to
sweet English club students who are really interested in learning, from the TV-worthy
drama surrounding Speech Contest, to students who soundly defeat you at sports. So
enjoy, think about the odd turn your life has taken when you are doing something
particularly unexpected, and be happy you are working at a Senior High School!
Chelsea Edge
Chelsea.e.edge@gmail.com
Introduction to Junior High School Life
Hello, congratulations and welcome to the Toyama JET family!
I am writing to give you a little insight into life as a Junior High School ALT. At Tokyo
Orientation, many people will tell you over and over again that every situation is
different. Bearing this in mind, I will talk about my experience, and I think the basis of
your situation will be fairly similar.
Daily routine
8:00-8:15-The students and the last of the teachers arrive at school. At my school there
is a staff meeting every Friday at 8:20, and some schools have this meeting every day. It
is important to be at this meeting, so make sure you attend unless told otherwise. During
the meeting the students will be in their classrooms preparing the day.
8:25- The homeroom teachers hold a morning meeting with their class. During this time
you can prepare your lessons and double check the timetable as it changes regularly.
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8:40-The first period starts. There are generally 4 periods in the morning, they are
usually 50 minutes each, but sometimes they are 45 or 40 minutes if a special event is
happening that day. There is only a 10 minute break between each class.
12:30- Lunch time. Lunch is either eaten in the classrooms or in a communal lunch
room. All students are required to eat the school lunch, and I believe that all teachers eat
it too. As an ALT, you may be given the choice to eat it or to bring your own. I
recommend you try it. It is cheap, generous, and usually ok. I generally eat my lunch in
the teacher’s lunch room with teachers who do not have a homeroom class. However, I
eat with my students at my ES school. At many schools you will have the choice about
where you want to eat.
1:30- The fifth period of the day begins, and this is followed up by a sixth and final
period.
3:30- The students return to their homeroom for an end of day meeting.
3:40- All students and most teachers clean the school for about 15 minutes. While this
may not be in your job description it is a good idea to help out. The students and
teachers will appreciate it.
4:00- The students begin club activities.
4:15- Home time for ALTs, or you can stay for club activities.
Team teaching
I have found that my role as ALT changes depending on the Japanese Teacher of
English (JTE) that I am working with. Some teachers ask me to prepare activities and
correct work, and other teachers use me mostly in the classroom to participate in games
with the students, help with pronunciation and grammar, correct work, and try to coax
the students into speaking English as much as possible. Sometimes I have a lot of work,
and sometimes I have hardly any (exam time and holidays). In the down time, my
school lets me study Japanese. My Japanese ability is abysmal, but improving. I always
make sure that I am available to help the JTEs at all times throughout the day. I am their
ALT after all.
Team teaching hours differ depending on where you work, I am scheduled to team teach
18 classes per week. This often changes though, depending on school activities, events,
exams and tests. So remember to ALWAYS check the daily timetable in the teachers
room (usually on the black board), and ALWAYS ask if you are unsure.
And a few little tips….

Try to never be late. (I know you know this already)

Always double check the daily time table.

Talk to your students as much as possible. At first, some students may do everything
possible to avoid talking to you, while others may be extremely confident. Keep
persisting. The most memorable moments at my JHS have usually been outside of class,
when students have said or done something really interesting/funny/completely out
there.

Remember what the ‘A’ in ALT stands for. You are an assistant. Even if you are a
qualified teacher back home, here you are an assistant.

Remember to pack new and comfortable indoor shoes.

Your predecessor is the best person to inform you about what goes on at you new school,
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so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Make friends with the office lady and other teachers who can keep you informed on
what is going on in the school. This is especially useful if you have really busy JTEs.

Every ALT has moments of utter confusion and culture shock. Just take a deep breath,
ask questions to reduce uncertainty, and go with the flow.
When I arrived I was sure I would only stay one year. However, I have signed on for
another year knowing that I would be disappointed if I left so soon. Toyama is full of
amazing people and places, you guys have a lot to look forward to. Congratulations and
I look forward to meeting you soon.
Deborah Clayton
Inami JHS and ES
debclayton859@yahoo.com.au
Teaching at Elementary Schools
Welcome! In Toyama, many junior high school teachers may also work in a few or
several elementary schools. If you’re one of these teachers, then congratulations!
Elementary schools feature some of the most enthusiastic and bright students you’ll
meet. Your classes will be full of energy and fun, dynamic activities, so be prepared
for a very lively atmosphere!
Japanese elementary schools consist of grades first through sixth, ages ranging from six
to twelve. In the morning, many students walk to school together in small groups and
do the same on their way home. You’ll encounter your students playing in the streets
or local parks on the weekends or at the supermarket. They’ll be glad to greet you in
English or introduce you to their parents!
In elementary schools, the first class starts around 8:45 am, with a short recess after the
second period. School lunch is provided and eaten after fourth period around 12:15
pm. After lunch, students are responsible for gathering and organizing all lunch trays,
dishes, chopsticks, and other utensils. Following lunch is a long recess and cleaning.
After cleaning, there are two more classes before the day finishes around 3:30 pm.
Throughout both the short and long recesses, students play outside, in the gym, in
classrooms, and in the hallways. During these times, you can join them in rigorous
jump rope sessions, shoot hoops with them, or just take a breather in the teachers’ room
and organize your next lesson.
Classes at elementary schools are 45 minutes each. Typically, the nicchoku kids, or
the class representatives for the day, will come find you in the teachers’ room and ask
you to come to class. Classes generally start a bit late, so it’s helpful to create a lesson
plan bearing this in mind. Also, some classes may end five minutes early for reflecting
on the content or what was fun, interesting, etc. Some schools may even have the
students fill out a response card rating how they felt about the class. Personally, I plan
for a 35-40 minute class, especially if I know I want to do an activity that involves
moving desks around, distributing worksheets, or electronic materials.
15
In theory, you can teach together with the homeroom teacher. However, it seems to be
very rare that the homeroom teacher will actively contribute to lesson planning; usually
their primary role is keeping the class under control and disciplining kids. Some of
them may want a rough outline of your plan, while some may not ask for anything. In
my experience, homeroom teachers can be very helpful with making sure the class pays
attention to your instructions and actively participates. Also, some of you may work
with a JTE each class, while some of you may alternate with JTEs, teaching biweekly
each month.
It’s beneficial to try and speak in English as much as possible, only
having the JTE translate when the class encounters utter bewilderment. If you end up
by yourself in a class with no Japanese teachers to translate for you, fear not; the
children are highly receptive to gestures and demonstrations. Also, many of the
students, excited about English classes, will be very eager to listen to you, even if they
have trouble understanding. This is one of the features that makes teaching English at
elementary school so fun and rewarding!
By the way, you might teach only the fifth and sixth grades, which the textbook is
geared for, or you might occasionally teach the other younger grades material of your
choice (usually basics like colors, animals, holidays, etc.)
In many parts of Toyama, the elementary school textbooks have just changed in 2012 to
a series entitled Hi, friends!, which fundamentally differs from past material in that it
heavily relies upon technology. While the students have concrete books in front of
them, the textbooks are accompanied by interactive DVD versions of the textbook that
feature videos and animation. Thus, you must use an electronic blackboard, or denshi
kokuban, to execute some of the lessons (though not all). Unlike its predecessor, it
does not come with any paper materials such as flash cards or posters. Instead, the
DVD includes numerous PDF files of worksheets, flashcards, templates, and more,
which you can choose to print at your discretion. As for the textbook itself, the
teachers’ version, which includes lesson and activity explanations, is entirely in
Japanese. If you have any Japanese reading ability, this will probably be just a minor
inconvenience.
There are various advantages and disadvantages to this system with the denshi kokuban.
First of all, the electronic material is engaging for the students and really captures their
attention in class. Some of the videos, especially those that depict international events
and daily life, are quite exciting for the students to watch. It’s also helpful to be able
to show an exact image of their textbooks page by page on a TV monitor with fun
animated versions of activities in the book. However, if the computer lags, which it
probably will, the rhythmic animation for songs and chants will be useless. Also,
moving around the blackboard and setting it up between each class can be troublesome,
although some schools will assist you with this.
In any case, as long as you stick to the objectives of each chapter, you typically have
freedom to deviate from the prescribed textbook activities and create your own games.
You can use the electronic blackboard frequently or only when you feel it’s necessary.
The Hi, friends! textbook provides a valuable outline for target grammar and vocabulary,
but if you find a certain textbook activity stale or you simply want to experiment or
enliven the lesson, feel free to scrap the electronic stuff and be creative. In elementary
school, the overall aim is for the students to have fun learning English, engage in
communicative activities, and enrich their interest in the world abroad; as long as you
keep that goal in mind, things will likely work out smoothly with the other teachers you
work with and your students.
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One of the positive aspects of teaching in elementary schools is that the atmosphere
tends to be more relaxed than higher level schools. Staff members are rather friendly
and may often ask you questions about English and your home country. It’s a great
chance for practicing your Japanese. Students will be excited to interact with you not
only during classes, but also outside of classes, whether it’s by trying out English words
in the hallway, playing dodgeball, or asking you silly questions.
Some quick tips:
Smile  (this may sound like ridiculous advice, but it’s absolutely necessary! )
Play with kids during the breaks. The special education classroom is especially fun, as
it has lots of space and many toys. Check out the gym too during breaks to find kids
playing basketball or a mysterious form of dodgeball or something.
Test anything electronic before class. Save most documents or Power Points as older
versions of files.
Be flexible with JTEs. Each has a unique teaching style and, depending on where
they’ve studied English, a different take on vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.
Be aware of kids who have taken extra English conversation lessons outside of school.
It’s ok to praise their ability, but not in a way that makes the other students feel less
capable.
Be sure to remember your students’ faces and say hello outside of school!
Some elementary school events helpful to know about:
Jugyou sankan
The parents come in and observe class.
Gakushuu happyoukai
A school festival. Students put on performances.
sometimes affects class scheduling temporarily.
Preparation for this event
Shaonshiki
Graduating students show gratitude and give letters/gifts to teachers.
Bottom line: the most important thing is for the kids to enjoy learning English.
Teaching English in elementary schools isn’t about tests or papers. If you leave the
classroom knowing that students have had fun and gained confidence from your lesson,
then mission accomplished! Get to know your elementary school students and build
lasting relationships with them, because hopefully, you’ll see them again in junior high
school, too.
Good luck!
Amy Darwick
Takaoka ALT
adarwick@gmail.com
17
Teaching at Multiple Schools
Hello and welcome to Toyama! If you’re reading this section, you either have already
been notified that you will be teaching at more than one school or you are being very
thorough and reading the whole packet. Many Toyama ALTs are assigned to a “base
school” or 本務校 honmukou and one or more visiting schools. Your base school is
usually your numerically largest school, and your visiting schools are ones that need
you for fewer classes. Your predecessor should explain your schedule to you, or you
may receive a schedule sheet from your supervisor. Each year in April, there is a
somewhat unpredictable chance that your visiting schools may be changed – either the
number of schools you attend or the days on which you attend them.
Having a large number of schools can be challenging, especially at first, but there are
ways to manage it, and sooner or later you will slip into a weekly rhythm. The best
thing to do at first, though, is to make a notebook that carries all of the information
about each school – your method of commuting (maps, bus schedules, etc.), the school’s
class timetable and your expected class periods, the school’s yearly calendar of events,
the names of your co-teachers, and contact information. You should build a calendar of
where you’ll be each day and what you’re scheduled to do with whom, especially if you
have a 1-3-5/2-4 rotation or morning/afternoon school visits.
If you can get copies of each school’s calendar of yearly events (年間計画 nenkan
keikaku) you can begin to predict what days will have changes, but be aware that classes
can and do change with no warning, and you may get stuck with a first period class and
no time to prepare your activity – or an entire day of guarding an empty staffroom while
teachers hold meetings. Sometimes, schools may hold classes or an event on a weekend
day and have a holiday during the week – depending on how your substitute leave (代休
daikyu) works, you may have to arrange between your schools to switch days around.
It is important to communicate with your schools about what will happen each week
when you come. But it is also important to simply be prepared for breakdowns in
communication. If you wish for something to be clearly communicated from one school
to the next, the best way to do it is to have one vice principal call the other. It doesn’t
hurt to confirm things even if they’ve already been discussed, either. You should be
meticulous when communicating to your schools and JTEs about things like taking paid
time off (年休 nenkyu), meetings that you must attend during school hours (出張
shuccho), and things like class observation ( 授 業 参 観 jugyo sankan) and
demonstration lessons (研修会 kenshuukai). Those last two may require you to give
lessons very different from your normal pattern in front of parents or other teachers, and
they will almost certainly cause your schedule to change.
Lesson planning may involve several people. At the very least, you and the JTE and/or
HRT you work with should talk about the lesson a week in advance. If the person you
need to speak to is out of the office, you may need to leave a note, send a fax, call them
on the phone from another school, or exchange emails. If you can’t get in touch, you
may need to do a rapid emergency meeting (打ち合せ uchiawase) before class – or
during it! If you are planning the lesson, write it out simply and clearly and have your
materials ready for a quick demo. If you are not planning the lesson, be at least
somewhat prepared for the contingency that your co-teacher thinks you are, and be
familiar with what the topic of the hour is supposed to be. It sounds daunting, but
remember that you are a co-teacher, and your teaching partner is also responsible for
making sure things go smoothly. Don’t be too harsh on yourself if they don’t!
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Having four or five schools, each with a full load of classes every day, may look like a
huge workload on paper, but it is highly unlikely that you will ever have to make
separate, unique lessons and materials for everyone every week. Your co-teachers will
do a lot of planning, you can use material and plans from your textbook, and you can
recycle plans from school to school and reuse activities from grammar point to grammar
point.
Having a large number of schools can make it difficult just to get to know all your
co-workers well, let alone your students. You won’t be able to memorize the names of
all your hundreds of students and eventually alums – it simply isn’t humanly possible.
But you can be on friendly terms with your classes, and you will be able to get a sense
of each class’ and each school’s (admittedly ever-changing) character. Some students
will get closer to you of their own accord, and so long as you don’t play favorites,
there’s nothing wrong with reciprocating their interest in you, your country, or English.
If you have any questions about teaching at multiple schools, feel free to contact me.
Best wishes!
Caitlin Mellicant
Caitlin.mellicant@gmail.com
Teaching at a Special Needs School
Applying to the JET Programme is like planning a fabulous work vacation – to Japan.
You buy a bunch of guide books, Japanese language books, teachings aids and think
about lesson ideas you want to implement. Self-introduction presentations, fun English
games and other engaging activities fill your brain. It’s all very exciting and you can’t
wait to put these plans into action.
After months of eager anticipation, you finally get an email from your predecessor
detailing your work life in your new town/city. You learn that you will be visiting a
school for students with special needs. If you have no prior experience working with
students with special needs, you might feel confused, nervous and start to panic. So let
me ease your anxiety a little and congratulate you because this will (most likely) be one
of the best and most rewarding experiences you’ll receive during your stay in Japan!
There are several types of Special Education Schools in Toyama that cater to a variety
of students who have vision and hearing impairment, intellectual disabilities, learning
disabilities and physical disabilities. Some schools accommodate a variety of needs
while others are more specialized. For example, at Tonami Sougou Shien the type of
students range from learning disabilities to severe developmental disabilities but other
Special Education Schools might only have students who are hearing impaired.
Special needs schools are slower-paced than regular academic schools and after you’ve
been there for a while, you’ll begin to notice that these schools have supportive,
energetic and nurturing environments. They even have school festivals, sports day and
fans for the summer! There are more teachers in special needs schools so many classes
will have 2 teachers and an education assistant (depending on the special needs). The
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classes are also much smaller in size ranging from 1 – 10 students. This makes it very
easy to not only remember your students’ names but also get to know with them.
In terms of lessons, you’ll find that there’s no curriculum to follow because the students
don’t take University Entrance Examinations. It’s up to you and your JTE to decide
what you’ll teach – this can be anything from numbers to feelings. With regards to the
actual planning, think of activities that incorporate all the senses and keep instructions
simple. I find that using shorter sentences are better than elaborate sentences. Showing
examples and demonstrating are also great ways to help your students understand. How
you accommodate your lesson will ultimately be determined by the type of students you
have and their special needs.
Communication is key to the success of your lessons so discuss and plan with your JTE
as much as possible because they not only have the expertise but also a better
understanding of what their students are capable of. Having said that, don’t be afraid to
challenge your students once you’re able to grasp their ability level. Of course you can
also ask your predecessor about what worked and what didn’t.
Popular activities include singing songs, playing games (ex: fruits basket, eye spy,
Simon says, Pictionary, card games, etc) and role playing activities. Games that allow
students to interact with one another are great for teaching social interactions. As a
general rule of thumb, if you are having fun, then the students are also having fun so
don’t be afraid to play the clown or be silly. Finally, if you ever get stuck, there are a
plethora of activities that can be found online.
Apart from your English class, you may also be encouraged to attend other
(non-English) classes to observe or participate such as music or gym. If you have a
non-Japanese student at your Special Education School, you might even be asked to
help them with a particular subject such as math.
I hope this letter answered some of the question marks in your head and remember don’t
panic! Just take a deep breath and enjoy the very special and very lovely things about
each of your students. がんばって [Ganbatte, good luck]!! May the odds be ever in
your favour!
Jennifer Cheung
Tonami Kougyo SHS & Tonami Sougou Shien
cheung.jenn@gmail.com
Teaching Non-Japanese Students
Welcome to Toyama! I hope you all the best during your JET adventure!
Having gone through this packet of different perspectives and different aspects of
teaching in Toyama, I am certain that by this point you have come to the understanding
that NO two schools in Toyama are the same. This can be refreshing news but it can
also lead to further confusion as to how to conduct your job as an ALT in the classroom.
The greatest sense of confusion I’ve encountered was walking into a classroom full of
foreigners! Not only non-native speakers from Pakistan, India, the Philippines, South
20
Korea, China, Russia and Germany, but also native speakers from Canada, the United
States and Australia! With non-Japanese students, all bets are off!
So, what’s the best way to approach this situation? As with most things JET, the answer
is creativity! In being creative, one doesn’t approach all foreign students with the same
strategy in mind. Instead, as a general guideline, you should be open to them, learn
about the circumstances that brought them to Japan, and find out how to best help them
improve their English.
Being open and learning about the foreign students at your school can be a tricky
situation. Few students actualize what their foreign status means in the same way. Some
of my students take active pride in separating themselves from their peers and love
referring to their past experiences while other students I’ve met do their best to
assimilate into the class and do not want to be singled out or asked about their culture.
I’ve found that the best way to deal with this situation is to first inquire about the
student from their homeroom teacher or previous English teachers. With the former,
homeroom teachers are well known to invest a lot of time and energy into their students
and know the most about their family’s story and English ability. They can give a good
indication as to how to work with their students. In addition, when classmates are busy
doing individual activities in class, feel free to approach the student and ask
non-invasive questions. Be sure to make yourself available as a friend. For some
students, this sense of friendship can give them an opportunity to express themselves
outside of Japanese-speaking world.
In addition, as you become better friends with your fellow foreigners, be sure to learn
what circumstance brought them to Japan. Once again, it is important to navigate this
topic carefully as a few students I’ve met have come here because of death of their main
guardian or failed family business ventures. Once again, it is smart to start from the
teachers and move in. The activity that best helped me learn about my foreign students
was from their journal activities. Our first entry was a self-introduction. Use
information given by the student to start conversations and eventual friendships.
This leads me to another point: finding out the best way to help these students. More
often than not, the foreign students I’ve met in Japan tend to have higher English levels
than their Japanese peers. Because of this, the English classroom may seem like a dull
and wasted period for them. Instead, pending approval from your JTE, find out whether
they are comfortable with you assigning them additional work in class that would
challenge them at their appropriate levels. Complex short fiction, contemporary articles
from the New Yorker and the Economist followed by questions are a great way to make
their mental gears work harder. Also, in my Current Issues class, I weekly assign the
foreign students in class to work on research projects that they eventually present in
class. This not only keeps them busy, but it also provides an opportunity for their
Japanese peers to learn from them.
In addition, some foreign students may not be as skilled in Japanese as they are in
English. As a JET studying Japanese, you can use this to create a sense of solidarity. Be
sure to encourage each other and consider having the student sign up for the Japanese
Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Not only will studying with your student encourage
you to study more, other teachers will be grateful to see an increase in the student’s
Japanese ability. In addition, should your student be a non-native English speaker or
near non-native level, it would be wise to consider what level Eiken (Test in Practical
English Proficiency) exam they should consider. Study materials for the Eiken exams
make great additional class work if they finish the class assigned work before their peers.
Having seen the level-1 Eiken exam, I firmly attest that there is an appropriate level for
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all foreign students in Japan. I’ve even seen an Australian student struggle to pass the
vocabulary section of this exam!
Lastly, keep it fun! Foreign students give an opportunity to bring a whole new
perspective into the classroom. Ask them to help explain an English term. Have them
help out at an English Club event. Help each other navigate through the confusing and
exciting world of Japanese education!
Cullan Riley
Toyama Kokusai Dai Fuzoku
Cullanriley@gmail.com
Life as a JET in the Japanese Countryside
First and foremost, welcome to Toyama JET! You are about to begin an exciting new
experience that you will find challenging, and hopefully very rewarding too.
As you prepare for you arrival in Japan, you undoubtedly have many questions about
your new job and the new lifestyle awaiting you. If this is your first time coming to
Japan, you will have some adjustments to make as you get used to a culture very
different from your own. These differences are likely to be especially remarkable if you
are living in a rural environment. Speaking personally, having come from New York
City to Nyuzen, a small town in eastern Toyama, there were some pretty fundamental
lifestyle changes for me to get used to. I’d like to tell you about a few things to keep in
mind as a new ALT in a rural setting.
First, the good news: The countryside is peaceful, quiet, and safe. In my opinion, the
Japanese countryside, or inaka, is quite beautiful environmentally as well. In Toyama,
you are always relatively close to the sea, and made-for-postcard mountain views
surround this coastal prefecture. For a city boy like myself, the scenery in my small
town of just under thirty thousand is pretty special to behold. Also, if you are an
outdoors kind of person and you live close enough to the mountains, you will probably
have no trouble finding hiking trails nearby.
Speaking of that community of thirty thousand, I can happily say that in my experience,
the people here, and in other rural parts of Japan, tend to be quite friendly and
hospitable to their foreign ALT neighbors. Of course there are exceptions; I’m not
saying that everyone is thrilled that a gaijin (foreigner) has moved into town, but for the
most part, people have been quite nice to me, certainly more so than strangers back
where I come from can be. I’ve become friendly with the family that runs a local meat
shop, and it seems like every time I go to pick up a small package of pork, I walk away
with two or three other items free of charge. I find that people tend to appreciate my
taking an interest in their community and my engagement with the people in it (but
don’t do it just to get free stuff!). One of my favorite things about living here is how
welcome I feel.
With regard to living in this kind of community, here is an important idea to keep in
mind. Typically, in more rural parts of Japan, there are few if any foreigners around
other than ALTs. Where I live, I’m pretty sure that the only gaijin are myself and the
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two other ALTs that live here. However, in cities like Takaoka and Toyama City, there
are more foreigners living and working there. This means that you will be an object of
fascination on the part of local residents in countryside locales. I often attract stares
from adults and children alike, and although it threw me off at first, I realize that people
aren’t trying to be rude; they just aren’t used to seeing foreigners all that much. For
many students in rural areas, their ALTs may be the only foreigners to whom they have
direct exposure. I find that this element of the inaka experience makes things all the
more interesting as an ambassador. I would also add that because the community is
small, you can expect to see your students and their parents around town regularly, so
it’s all the more important to conduct oneself appropriately in public.
Now, I would be lying if I told you there aren’t some significant challenges to living in
more remote parts of the country as well. Let me tell you about some aspects of the
countryside lifestyle that can be especially tough, at least in the beginning.
For me, the most challenging element of life in the sticks is the feeling that, well, there
just isn’t much to do sometimes. Whether it’s shopping, nightlife, or entertainment,
your options will be limited when you live in the inaka. That’s not to say you won’t find
a favorite place to eat out, or a bar or two that you like, but you may find yourself
frustrated by the lack of access to certain amenities you were used to where you come
from. For instance, I live a one-hour drive away from the nearest movie theater. The
only place I know of that I can shop for clothes (granted, I’m a pretty tall guy, so that
limits things in and of itself), is a UNIQLO store thirty minutes away. And while there
are some bars, they probably will not be the kind where you will find people your age
with whom to hang out or meet. Actually, that last part brings me to my next point.
I mentioned earlier that I like the fact that people are friendly here, and that I’ve been
able to have a friendly, familiar relationship with some locals. However, one of the
things I was looking forward to when I came here was making actual Japanese friends
my own age, and that has been difficult in the countryside. It feels like there just aren’t
many people under the age of fifty around here. I can probably count on one hand the
number of people around my age (twenty-five) I have met in town outside of people
associated with my schools or the board of education. That aspect makes having a social
life outside of the JET community, if that’s important to you, more challenging than for
your urban counterparts. In general, you will likely have to travel a bit to entertain
yourself. Even the grocery store will probably not be within walking distance.
I can guarantee that there will be times when you feel like you need to get away from
the countryside every once in awhile. Fortunately, thanks to Japan’s exceptional train
system, that’s easy to do, even if you don’t have a car. So don’t worry!
All things considered, life in the Japanese countryside is a unique experience that you
may not have again. Whether you love life in the country or you live for the fast pace of
the big city, there’s plenty to enjoy about the inaka life. It’s a pleasant lifestyle,
especially in the warmer months, and if you make an effort to be involved in your
community, you won’t feel isolated or bored.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all soon!
Simon Robinson
simonrobinson42@gmail.com
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Food
Hello, my name is Cory Caldwell. Welcome to Toyama! Like so many other aspects of
your Toyama JET experience, how much you enjoy the culinary odyssey that is life in
rural Japan is going to largely depend on your attitude and your expectations. While
your attitude is entirely up to you, I’m going to try to help you line up your expectations
with reality as best as I can. Your diet in Japan will almost definitely look different than
your diet wherever you are living now. This is nothing to worry about–while the
differences might be overwhelming at first, you'll soon adapt, and by the time you leave
Japan you’ll worry about missing all your new favorite foods.
Your Kitchen
Your kitchen will likely be on the small side, with a modestly sized refrigerator, a
two-burner stove, and maybe a small broiler. Some of you will move into a kitchen fully
stocked with appliances, cookware, and tableware, while others of you will have to start
from scratch. If you fall into the latter category, you can get all kinds of tableware and
kitchenware at 100-yen shops, and second-hand shops are great places to score cheap
appliances and cookware in like-new condition. It’s worth it to create a serviceable
kitchen for yourself even if you plan to stay just one year.
The Supermarket
It is really easy to get overwhelmed during your first visit to the supermarket. The bright
lights, the different advertisements being sung or shouted in every aisle, and the
packages with indecipherable writing and unknown contents. To help feel more in
control of it all, I have three suggestions.
The first you can start on right now: learn katakana. Katakana is the syllabary mostly
used for loan words, and while it's often a minor player in written Japanese, it features
prominently in the supermarket. It's amazing how often labels, even for food items
that have a proper Japanese name, are written with the English name in katakana. It
won't be on everything, but it will get you well on your way until you can start picking
up more Japanese.
My second suggestion really goes for supermarkets in a lot of countries – stick to the
outside aisles as much as possible. While the inner aisles (at first-you'll get them down
eventually) are a confusing collection of bottles, jars, boxes, and bags of
who-knows-what, the sections in the outside aisles will seem more familiar.
One of those sections is produce. It might not have everything you're looking for, and
will likely have some unfamiliar items, but you'll surely find plenty to eat here no
matter the season. If you come from a country where the produce sections seem to have
no seasons, you'll have some adjustments to make. For example, peaches are going to
come into season right around the time of your arrival. During this time, the
supermarket will be full of amazingly delicious, relatively inexpensive peaches. If you
want a peach in January, even if you find one, it's probably not going to be as tasty, and
will be five times the price. This can be hard to get used to – you'll sometimes hear
people complain about the high price of produce. This is true and it's not. Sometimes
you will just have to have that tiny, expensive head of cauliflower, but generally try to
eat in season and you'll get the cheapest, tastiest, healthiest food any time of year. Also,
some grocery stores have a special section for locally grown produce, which I
recommend checking out.
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Continuing around the outside, you'll find the soy product section. Even if you've been
turned off by lackluster tofu back home, I strongly recommend you try it in Japan. The
variety, taste, and jaw-droppingly low price might just change your mind. And then
seafood – I probably don't have to tell you that the seafood section in a Japanese grocery
is a revelation. The quality is amazing and the prices are generally pretty low (though
there's definitely a seasonal element with some of this stuff). Meat, especially beef,
can get pretty expensive. If you are a serious carnivore, be prepared to reduce the
amount of meat in your diet if you don't want to suck your wallet dry. However, you can
save a lot if you shop later at night when stores sell perishable foods at reduced prices.
It is normal for perfectly good food to be sold at half price. Of course, if you do shop
late at night, many items will be out of stock as well. As for dairy, most of what's here is
delicious and not so expensive. If you are a big cheese eater, you might get a bit of a
shock. If you are lucky enough to live near a grocery that carries varieties beyond cream
cheese, processed sandwich slices, and bags of shredded pizza cheese, expect to spend
some cash. Cheese, like meat, becomes a small treat for a lot of JETs.
OK, so you're not a big cook. Or maybe you want to try some new things. Or you're
tired and just want something easy. Well, also on the outside aisles you can find the
prepared foods section, with everything from pre-made lunch boxes to fried meats to
salads to sushi rolls. Most groceries have a little bakery where you can try all kinds of
new & tasty breads and pastries.
Some notes about the supermarket experience: (1) In Japan, you bag your own groceries.
Once you check out, you take your basket full of groceries and take them to the bagging
area just past the register. (2) Make sure you bring your own shopping bag, since many
supermarkets charge 5 or 10 yen for a plastic bag. (3) See if your local supermarket
offers a point card system; this can often save you money, especially if you regularly
shop at one place. Besides, you will be asked if you have the point card every time you
go shopping anyway.
My third suggestion seems obvious, but most people don’t do it: if you don’t already
know how, learn to cook Japanese food! Many new JETs aren’t used to cooking for
themselves regularly, and living alone in Japan is a great opportunity to learn. Read up
on Japanese cooking on the internet, ask your officemates, or buy a cookbook. If you
learn to cook not only will you impress your friends and coworkers, but it’ll give you a
way to occupy your time in the winter when going out can feel more like a chore than a
treat.
Beyond The Supermarket
100-yen shops. The 100-yen shop has a small grocery section. You'll often find the same
brands as in the supermarket for less money. It’s not a bad idea to go here first to stock
up on things like spices, tomato sauce, seaweed, tea, and snacks.
Specialty shops. Although the supermarket definitely serves as the food hub for most
people, many places have neighborhood butchers, fishmongers, bakeries and produce
stands that carry good quality, local items. Some cities also have
organic/natural/vegetarian shops. I suggest asking your local JET neighbors or
coworkers about the best places to find good eats in your area.
Import shops. Your best bet for finding imported foods is at Yamaya or Marushin,
which have a few locations in Toyama's bigger cities. Also, there is a small Brazilian
grocery just south of the station in Takaoka and a superstore called Plant 3 in
Namerikawa. Even if you don't live near any of these shops, it can be worth the
occasional trip to stock up on peanut butter, chili sauce, baked beans, and Earl Grey.
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Also, the JETs in your region are the best resources for finding that one grocery that
carries gorgonzola or the toy shop that randomly carries Nutella. Ask them.
Mail order. If you’re starting to stress about never getting your favorite foods the whole
time you’re in Japan, look up “the flying pig,” “foreign buyers club,” “tengu natural
foods,” “indojin,” and “the meat guy” to see the huge variety of things that can be
delivered right to your door. It couldn’t be easier—the whole process is in English
down to deciding what time the delivery will arrive, and all these companies offer
C.O.D. Some sites are cheaper than others, and most offer free or discounted shipping
for spending above a set amount.
Eating Out
Eating out is incredibly common, easy and relatively affordable in Toyama. You will
probably be eating out a lot, not only to meet up with your English speaking friends
from around the prefecture, but also because parties and social gatherings often happen
at restaurants in Japan. As is probably the case for many of us back home, the more
you’re willing to spend on a meal, the more posh your dining experience will be. Eating
establishments here run the gamut.
For cheap eats, ramen or soba joints can give you a good meal for well under 1000 yen,
but be prepared to figure out how to read these items in Japanese, unless these places
have either (a) a picture menu or (b) wax models of popular menu items in a glass
casing outside the restaurant. In busier, urban areas, places like Yoshinoya (fast-food
gyu-don—beef over rice) or family restaurants (Gusto, Coco’s, Denny’s, etc.) are very
foreigner-friendly with large colorful picture menus that often include English
descriptions. If you’re feeling cheap and lazy and don’t want to even sit in a restaurant,
freshly prepared meals and snacks can be found in supermarkets or combinis
(convenient stores). Keep in mind that these aren’t necessarily the healthiest things to
eat.
On the other side of the spectrum, really expensive restaurants are often not as easy for
us gaijin to figure out. You probably won’t be eating at places like these on too much of
a regular basis when out with friends, but rather with fellow teachers for enkais
(eating/drinking parties with coworkers). These restaurants can be intimidating for
many reasons. Firstly, if this is a posh, Japanese-style restaurant, you may have to sit on
a tatami (bamboo straw) floor rather than in a chair. And while everyone else may sit in
seiza position and remain that way for the entire evening, you will probably feel your
legs start to scream with pain within five minutes. Everyone will understand when you
finally slide out of seiza and into a cross-legged position, and they may even commend
you for trying during the first five minutes.
Second, meals in these traditional establishments often consist of several courses of too
many little dishes to be eaten in a specific order or manner which you have no way of
knowing. Don’t worry. Just make sure you know how to use chopsticks and enjoy the
delicious food; and if you don’t know what that off-colored dip is for or how to eat the
prawn-looking creature in your miso soup, do your best to copy the people around you.
A kind teacher to your side may even help you after s/he commends you on your ability
to use chopsticks.
Many of you will probably be itching for quesadillas, pad thai, or chicken masala at
some point. The good news is that ethnic cuisine is abundant in Toyama prefecture. The
bad news is that it’s mostly limited to the major cities (Toyama, Takaoka, etc). So those
of you who are lucky enough to be in or around these areas can regularly satisfy the
26
needs of your diverse palate. Those of you who are more on the outskirts may have to
travel a little more or be resigned to not eat at these restaurants quite as often as you’d
like. (A note for those in the inaka: inaka life has its glorious plusses, such as fresh air,
open spaces, awesome festivals, and the opportunity to really get to know people in
your community. But international eating may require a long train ride, so most of you
will probably learn to save those restaurant visits for weekends or other special
occasions here and there.)
Be sure to check out the Toyama JETs website and the Tram. There are recipes and
restaurant locations listed. We may like to joke that Toyama is the countryside because
it is a very different world from Tokyo, but in reality there are loads of places to go to
and have a good time.
Fear Factor
Yes, some Japanese dishes are just downright scary to many of us. Japanese cuisine
tends to embrace food textures that many of our home countries tend to shy away from:
particularly mushy and/or slimy. Sashimi may still be manageable for a lot of us, but it’s
only the beginning. The following is by no means a complete list of Japanese
delicacies/atrocities, but just some examples of things to watch out for that you may
actually end up liking:
Natto: fermented soybeans with a particularly pungent odor and gooey consistency. A
favorite among Japanese, and a legitimate cause of fear among foreigners. Natto is a
staple of traditional Japanese breakfast. I’ve heard rumors that it’s delicious mixed with
rice.
Uni: sea-urchin. Usually found raw and on sushi. Orange and mushy, and according to a
friend, has the appearance of baby poop. Many people (Japanese and foreigners) enjoy
it, as it is a real delicacy.
Shirako: simply put, it’s cod semen. It is the counterpart of tarako, cod roe, which
makes frequent appearances in Japanese dishes or Japanese renditions of western dishes
(e.g. tarako pasta). But shirako is much more of a delicacy. When in season, you may
encounter it raw on sushi or in cold soups. But you may also find it as tempura or in
nabe (big boiling stew pot). Shirako is usually white and sectioned into little pouches,
which makes it look like brains.
I hope that you’re truly excited about all the amazing things you’re going to be eating in
the next year and maybe beyond. You’re minutes away from a sea full of super
yummy fish and also in the middle of the countryside where the veggies you buy might
have been grown around the corner. We all miss food from home from time to time,
and there are some cravings that just can’t be quelled without a trip home (oh, how I’ve
missed you Chipotle!) but in my experience it’s all been worth it. Keep an open mind
and a positive attitude, and you’ll be gold.
Cory Caldwell
corycaldwell@gmail.com
27
Food
Helloooo! Welcome to Toyama, I’m really no good at long introductions so I’m just
going to jump right in. Some of you will no doubt be familiar with Japanese food, and
some of you… won’t be. Doesn’t matter; just keep an open mind and a positive attitude
and a sense of perspective (even the bad stuff will make an entertaining story in the
future) and you’ll have a good time. Apologies in advance; for the most part this is
probably going to be slanted more towards people who like to cook, or are interested in
cooking.
On cooking, and why you should (consider) do(ing) it
As ALTs we make bank, and it’s entirely possible to live your entire JET career dining
out every day. That said, it’s somewhat wasteful to do so, both from a financial
standpoint, as well as a culinary standpoint. It’s cheaper and healthier to make your own
food, and more importantly, it can be excellent stress relief when you first get here.
Some people like to go exploring. Others like to get maps, or memorize train schedules,
or memorize local landmarks…and some people like to cook. All of these are effective
ways of establishing control over your surroundings, and at the end of the day, even if
you don’t understand what the hell is going on around you, even if the culture seems
alien to you and you have no idea what people are babbling at you about, having the
ability to feed yourself without having to rely on external aid can be a huge load off
your mind.
Your Tools
Although trying to figure out the supermarket can be terrifying, once you get back to the
kitchen, you’re going to realize that though the layout is different, the basic tools remain
the same; if you have a knife, a chopping board, and some pots and pans, you’re good.
If you have a source of heat, you can cook it. If you can cook it, you can eat it. And if
you can eat it, you’re gold.
That said, ESID. Some of you will have gas burners, others will have IR burners or
hotplates; some will have large kitchens and others will have to put improvise with
chopping boards over sinks and drawers because their kitchens are situated in their
hallways. It’s worth investing in some basic tools if you don’t have them; a knife and
skillet are obvious starting points but a hotplate is a good investment, especially the
3-in-1 types, since they can serve as hotplate, griddle and hot pot. Likewise, newer
model rice cookers tend to be quite versatile, allowing you to make bread, rice and/or
cakes in them though you will likely inherit one from your predecessor.
100-yen shops (Daiso) and hardware stores (Kahma, Musashi) and the cooking section
of Jusco are all good starting points for functional, affordable equipment. Amazon also,
though you’ll obviously need to have internet first. (Even if you don't want to use your
credit card, you can pay for stuff online through the wonders of convenience stores. It's
like maaaagic.) Secondhand stores are also a great option for some of the more
expensive appliances you might want (ovens, microwaves , etc)
Note that some things in your kitchen are more versatile than you think, even if you
can’t figure out how to use them initially. It’s good to experiment before you go crazy
with new purchases; I had no idea what my fish grill was for at first but I’ve since
managed to use it as a barbecue, steak broiler and toaster, though I doubt that it was
designed with said functions in mind.
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Ingredients (aka oh god I don’t understand where anything is the supermarket is terrifying)
KISS principle. Keep it simple, stupid. Things are going to be stocked differently from
what you expect; the layout will be bewildering, you won’t be able to read labels,
pictures won’t help at all, etc.
So don’t even bother trying to, in the beginning. Stick with things you know. An onion
is an onion, a potato is a potato, carrots are carrots, etc. It’s pretty hard to screw these
things up. Then, once you’re comfortable navigating the produce section, try
memorizing a couple of basic kanji. Katakana can also help you figure out what you’re
looking at; katana will usually be Engrish’d, and if you can’t figure out meats by their
appearance, knowing the difference between 鳥, 牛, and 豚肉 (chicken, beef and
pork) will carry you pretty far. Speaking of kanji: smartphone users: Imiwa (formerly
Kotoba) is a pretty nifty app if you need help figuring something out. Obviously its use
isn't just limited to food, but if you're trying to figure out what you're looking at,
tracing the kanji will usually help solve your problems.
Ingredients Mk II
Produce is seasonal. Things will go on sale depending on the time of the year. That said,
fresh produce is almost always going to be much more expensive than what you’re used
to. If there are particular ingredients you need, doing your homework beforehand can be
beneficial; if you figure out what something is called in Japanese, all you have to do is
write it down, gesture wildly, and be all “THIS I NEED THIS, TAKE ME TO IT” to
any employee at the supermarket. That said, there are going to be things that are more
difficult to acquire. Unfortunately, aside from buying things online (which can be
prohibitively expensive) and hunting the local import stores, there isn’t much you can
do about this. (Speaking of import stores: Yamaya, Marushin and Kaldi coffee are going
to be your best bets. I won’t bother going in depth here because chances are, someone’s
going to take you on a foreign food supply run within your first month. Just ask the
veterans in your area. Most of the ‘major’ cities will have one in the area. Needless to
say, if you’re out in the sticks, you’re going to have to go on a bit of a journey to get
your fix.)
If you like to cook, don’t bemoan the lack of ingredients that you’re used to, or think
you need. Instead, take it for what it is: An opportunity to improvise with fresh new
ingredients that you don’t have access to at home. Make no mistake, while you live here,
you have access to a goldmine of ingredients that would be exotic back home.
Experiment! The sheer variety of things available can be exciting. I can’t count the
number of times I’ve substituted a local ingredient for something else and ended up
with a completely different (yet equally delicious) dish. And even the things you think
you know will be available in different varieties—the sheer variance in tofu/soy
products can be mind boggling, and likewise with pickled tsukemono, to say nothing of
the abundance of your seafood options.
If you aren’t exactly sure what something is and don’t want to waste a lot of money on
it, don’t fret! In the supermarket, there’s usually a discount section with day old
veggies; the portions there are both cheaper and smaller. As well, near the front of the
store, there will usually be a section with locally grown stuff that is cheaper. If you
don’t know what it is, buy it anyways, fool around with it, taste it, and you’ll probably
find a way to incorporate it into something. Speaking of discounted food: near the end
of the day, most things will be discounted; there will also be specific discount days,
though they will differ from store to store. These discounts are cumulative, and while
29
you don’t want older discounted meats to sit around in your fridge, your freezer is an
invaluable tool. (Discounted food usually either has a sticker that says 割引 and a
number to indicate what % off it is, or just has a new price on it over the old price.)
The point to take away from this, essentially, is: try to figure out ways to cook using the
things that are available to you.
And if that's too stressful, well, learning how to cook Japanese food is a pretty nifty
thing you can pick up instead. Honestly YouTube, (and the internet in general), is a
pretty awesome cookbook/resource to start with, but you'll always be able to find
someone (a local interested in foreigners, someone wanting to practice their English, a
coworker, a friend of a friend, etc) who's willing to show you the ropes. Basic Japanese
cuisine itself is fairly simple to learn; gaining the ability to use the basic fundamental
seasonings will allow you to adapt and modify most anything you can find in the
supermarket with relative ease into something vaguely 'Japanese-ish'.
However, with all that said and done, there are going to be things that you just can’t
substitute, or crave more than anything else. I’ve listed a bunch of online ordering
options in the links section below; most of them are fairly well known to the Japanese
expat community.
Growing your own stuff
The climate here allows for growing your own stuff fairly easily; there’s quite a lot you
can do, even with a small planter on your balcony. I only bothered with lettuce,
tomatoes, basil, etc myself, but some people have done beans, jalapenos, entire herb
gardens and much more. All the supplies you need can be acquired at home centers,
and… frankly, this is a farming prefecture. Again, if you need advice, chances are most
of your coworkers will have excellent advice on how to get started.
Dining Out
Not much to say here. There are established ALT hangouts that other veterans will tell
you about; while these places are fun, I do recommend going off the beaten path and
trying random other places. There will be times when you are confronted with
completely unfamiliar food that you don’t know how to approach, much less eat; not
much you can do except copy other people or… shrug helplessly and look lost. People
will usually take pity on you if you seem too lost, don’t worry about it too much.
The Tram website also has a restaurant guide, and it’s a decent place to start with. If
nothing else, you can be assured that most of the restaurants listed in it will have
foreigner friendly menus, either listed in English, or with plenty of pictures.
This prefecture also happens to have many food festivals at different times of the year;
some of them will be announced in newsletters, you’ll find out about others via word of
mouth and still others via posters and billboards. Try to keep an eye out, as many of
them are excellent, and are a lot of fun to attend. (The curry, ramen and nabe festivals
are the most notable ones I can recall off the top of my head, but there have been
international food festivals, as well as seafood themed ones as well)
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The Enkai Experience / Eating with coworkers
I'm sure you'll get a more in-depth crash course in this multiple times from various
sources but I feel it bears mentioning: there will be times where you will be surrounded
in a not-really-all-that-casual environment with coworkers gleefully watching you
attempt to eat things of a questionable nature with baited breath.
Realize that you don't have to eat anything you don't feel comfortable eating. Despite
what you may be told during orientation, people will not be offended by your refusal to
eat things. It is not the end of the world if you don't. Point of fact, remember that you
are only the most recent in a long line (decades long) of foreigners come to Japan; it's
entirely likely that watching you squirm as you politely try to eat something you really
don't want to eat has become an established form of workplace culture and foreigner
initiation. The forgone conclusion in the minds of many of your coworkers that you, as
a foreigner, will be unable to eat natto (fermented soybeans) or shirako (cod sperm) or
shishamo (pregnant fish, eggs and all) is something you can easily turn to your own
advantage; though your squeamishness may be something for them to derive
amusement from, previous generations of ALTs all acting in certain ways have created
an established perception of foreigners; it is entirely your choice whether or not you
choose to fulfill their expectations or fight an uphill battle against the flow. It's not
really a big deal at the end of the day.
That said, even if you don't think you'll like something, it's worth trying everything at
least once. You might like it more than you think, and even if you don't, it'll make a
pretty good story to entertain people back home.
Random other links you might find of interest
http://tabelog.com/toyama/
Listing of places to eat categorized by location and rating, reviews, etc
http://www.themeatguy.jp/
http://www.indojin.com/zstore/index.php?language=en
http://alishan-organics.com/
http://www.fbcusa.com/
http://www.iherb.com?rcode=vej927
Guess I’ll cut this short here, apologies for this being as long and rambly as it is. I’ll be
the first to admit that I’m hardly a food expert, but living here these three years has
definitely made me more enthusiastic about cooking in general. While I probably won’t
be here by the time you get here, feel free to contact me (or any of the other, numerous
foodies living in Toyama) if you’ve got any questions. Good luck, have fun, follow your
heart, you can if you believe you can, there’s no time, random generic inspirational
advice, whatever etc.
Kai Saito
Takaoka ALT, 2010-2013
ksaito@alumni.sfu.
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Vegetarian and Vegan ALTs
Dear Vegetarians/Vegans,
Firstly let me start by telling you that I was neither vegan nor vegetarian when I came to
Japan. About a year ago I decided to become vegan - gradual as it may have been. So
for all the fears that you may have about maintaining your eating habits here in Japan,
fear not. If it was so difficult, perhaps Japan would be the last place to choose to do this
- but it’s really not. However, there may be a few hurdles upon the way - I’ll do my best
to help in this letter.
At home - if you are in a habit of cooking your meals from scratch everyday then I can’t
see you having any problems eating the right foods at home. If you’re not, and prefer to
eat package vegan/ vegetarian meals or pre made sauces/stocks/etc then I can only
recommend you learn to cook your own meals. I’ve never really come across any labels,
in Japanese even, that state, “suitable for vegans/ vegetarians” - and I’ve heard even the
bread is made using animal fat, or uses shortening or something that isn’t
vegetarian/vegan friendly. Even from reading the ingredient label it is hard to tell if the
food is absolutely animal free, this really depends how strict you want to be though. But
Japan IS a great country to cook vegetarian/vegan meals. Although their supermarkets
are packed full of meat and fish, they also have a great selection of seasonal fruit and
vegetables - plants play just as important role, if not more, on a Japanese plate as meat
and fish does. On top of vegetables, there is a wide variety of seaweeds, tofu, and
noodles. By the way, Toyama is actually quite well known for its kombu (edible kelp).
Don’t be afraid to try new things too, some really healthy and delicious new ingredients
await you. In this respect, Japan is a great country for being vegan at home. What I
would say supermarkets do lack though is good cheese (for vegetarians), and bread!
(buy a bread maker, your new best friend) Also I recommend reaching further out and
grow your own herbs and/or veggies, there are lots of places to buy seeds and seedlings
and there are lots of morning farmer’s markets during the warmer months to buy fresh
local seasonal vegetables (once you learn where they are hiding). You will meet fellow
vegan/vegetarians in the prefecture too, so you can get together, share food, ideas and
help each other.
So eating at home shouldn’t present any issues. Eating out is a different game altogether
it seems. I have to confess, I’ve not tried this yet - I just eat whatever still when I’m out
with friends and at enkais (work parties). Back in my own country, most menus will
have at least a vegetarian option but not the case in Japan. Pretty much everything has
something that might displease you. I’ve heard though, and believe it to be true, that
restaurants will try to accommodate you if you ask and if what you want can be
prepared without meat and/or fish. Of course this may limit you to salads and simple
things - I doubt a chef will put on a new batch of ramen soup on just for you :) But
you’ll find friendly places I’m sure. Just be aware of this though because it’s not just
meat and fish as dashi (bonito flake stock) too is used in lots of dishes - even vegetable
salad/side bento boxes at the supermarket, many of those may be cooked using dashi.
Also, you really might need to ask in detail what food you do not want to eat. Being
assured that something doesn’t have meat might have fish. Something that is said not to
have fish may have other seafood animals (octopus, squid etc) in it. It’s just not really
an eating habit that is understood here. One place to check out though, I’ve only heard
of myself, is SOL (formally Peace St. Kitchen) who provide vegan cooking http://cat.cn1.jp/kitchen/ I really want to try this place myself, I’ve heard it’s really
great.
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Work enkais - these are drinking parties that your school will throw from time to time
(after graduation, end of year etc). Lots of fun, you won’t forget your first bounenkai
(end of year party). BUT as for getting vegan or even vegetarian food I’m not sure. I’ve
never tried, and I’m back to my old eating habits when I go to them. I guess though I
feel a little more awkward about telling them that, “oh by the way, I used to eat meat but
now I don’t”. I’ll probably never become a 100% vegan in Japan because of this. But,
don’t you be afraid to tell them from day 1 that you don’t eat meat/fish/dairy. As much
as you will be quizzed possibly about “do you eat this, do you eat that .. why not???” no
one will take offence. If they do, well, it can’t be helped. As much as it’s our role to
respect Japanese customs and habits, the same should be expected for your own. And
I’m sure they will. Whether or not you will be accommodated at enkais, I’m not sure. I
would advise you ask your school, go to some, see how it plays out for you. If you don’t
feel happy about paying money for all the meat and fish and beer (by the way, if you
like drinking then that’s pretty much what you’re paying for anyway, more so that the
food - if you don’t mind passing on the food, go for the beer! :) then your school should
allow you to pull out of them. (You will save yourself about 6000~8000 a party
anyway.)
Anyway that kind of covers my experience of getting by in Japan. As mentioned, plenty
of fresh fruit (pricey here, but great in season) and vegetables - you can find a wide
variety of beans at foreign food shops such as Yamaya and Marushin too. I would also
mention that you can buy lots of things online too, Tengu is a great online store run by a
vegan couple selling a wide variety of organic foods - http://store.alishan.jp. It’s in
English too. I order from here about once a month. Japanese Amazon
(http://www.amazon.co.jp/) website also has an English link, you can buy nuts, dried
fruits and some harder to find ingredients. If you know, or learning, Japanese then check
out the http://store.rakuten.co.jp/ - I managed to find lots of things I can’t find on the
other sites from seeds for sprouting to nut milk bags. And if all else fails, a loving care
package of your must-have ingredients from friends and family back home is always
nice - shows that they haven’t forgotten about you too :)
Well, that’s kind of it. Don’t feel that all hope is lost, it’s not, you’ll find your way. Feel
free to send any questions you may have my way, I’ll do my best to help out. Facebook
is a great way to ask questions to fellow Toyama ALTs too as well as for organizing
occasional vegan/vegetarian dinner parties. Being a “new” vegan myself, it will most
likely be me asking the new experienced vegan/vegetarian ALTs the questions. I look
forward to meeting you :)
Martyn Bissett
Vegan-ish for about 1 year
martynbissett@yahoo.co.uk
JETs of African Descent
Dear incoming JET,
First let me start by saying congratulations on making it into the program. I can say
without a shadow of a doubt you will have an amazing time and a lot of fun in and
outside of your classes. Just take advantage of every opportunity presented to you and
you will have the time of your life in this country. For those of us of African descent
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there are a few things to keep in mind about living in Japan. Well, a lot, but we’ll just be
covering the basics right now with a few tips.
The first question that gets asked a lot is “Are there any black people in Toyama?” The
answer is “Of course!” The JET program has a decent amount of people from multiple
backgrounds and ethnicities and many of them are of African descent coming from
America, the Caribbean, South America and Africa. We may all be spread out in
different parts of the prefecture, but as a community we try to create plenty of events
and opportunities for everyone to get together and meet one another to have fun. And of
course I’ll be here, so there will at be least one black person around.
Question number 2 usually is “Are there any stores that sell black people hair products
or clothes that will fit me?” Unfortunately for this, the answer is no. Black hair care
products are very uncommon in Japan and even more so in Toyama. There is the
possibility that you could get lucky and find some things at an imports store or in cities
more heavily populated like Tokyo, but things off the shelf of a supermarket or a beauty
shop are sadly slim to nil. It is easier to bring whatever you feel you need with you
when you come to Japan and then having your family send you more of what you need
when you run out. As for clothes, if you are of a bigger physique (like myself) I will say
without hesitation that it is very difficult to find clothes that fit body types other than the
Japanese or just generally skinny people. Particularly pants. For men, I hear that some
big and tall stores do exist and that they carry decent clothing, but for women, finding
clothes and underwear that fit well can be a bit of a chore. Luckily many shops employ
pretty awesome customer service and will help you to the best of their ability.
Something that is very important to remember while you’re here is that Japan as a
whole is a very homogenous society and subsequently its people are not used to seeing
many people of color. For some people you might be the very first black person they see
in real life and not just on TV or magazines. This can be both a good and bad thing. In
some situations you will have people who are curious to talk to you and want to know
more about you because you are so different. This is especially true with the students
you will be teaching. If you will be teaching elementary school, they may want to touch
your hair if they have never seen curly hair or touch your skin because of you being
darker than they are. In other situations people may be intimidated by you because of
their exposure to American culture and movies where we are seen as dangerous or even
violent. People may stare at you while you are walking down the street or in a grocery
store, or may compare you to one of the minor handful of black celebrities that you
know you don’t look anything like which can be very flattering or annoying (people
often said I looked like Bob Sapp because of my size even though we don’t look alike in
the slightest), but is usually never intended as a genuine insult. This can be a little
discouraging at times, but just remember that you are here in Japan not just to teach
English, but to be an envoy about your culture and share yourself with the community
so these negative perceptions can be changed for the future. As long as you keep that in
mind, establish a good friend base and exercise lots of patience you will have a great
time here. If you need any help or advice, I’m always willing to help.
Good luck and I hope this helps prepare you for your amazing adventure here in Japan.
Hoping to meet you soon,
Austin Richardson
Kurobe City ALT
austinrichardson26@gmail.com
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The Asian JET
Back in your home country, have you ever been asked “where do you come from?”
followed by a “no, where do you really come from?” Well, whatever your answer was,
this is something to expect here in Japan as an Asian JET. You might answer this
question with a “well, I’m from [insert your home country here]” and you might get a
confused look and a “but your face looks Asian…” response. As a primarily
homogenous country, most people in Japan don’t fully understand the difference
between nationality and ethnicity. However, being an Asian JET allows us to teach
people these concepts from our own cultural backgrounds, which is a shining example
of what the JET Program is all about – learning through cultural exchange. Woo…!
As an Asian JET, you will have a slightly different experience compared to non-Asian
JETs. You might find yourself in some awkward (and amusing) situations because some
people (both Japanese and foreigners) will think you are Japanese. You might
experience eating dinner with other JETs and having the waiter/waitress look at you
expectantly, assuming you know the best Japanese of the group; or walking around
town with other JETs and having people possibly think that you’re their tour guide. You
might also find yourself in a situation where a Japanese person may ask you for help or
directions and have to deal with the confusion afterwards as they realize you’re actually
a foreigner. On the positive side, think of this as more opportunities to practice your
Japanese! You may also find yourself being a little more ignored but this can be a good
thing, especially when it comes to privacy. There’s some perks to being an Asian JET,
such as not being so blatantly stared at as much by strangers, allowing us to go on with
our daily lives with a little more ease. Sometimes I find myself walking through a
crowd and thinking to myself, “haha! Nobody knows what I really am!” like it’s my
own little secret that I’m not Japanese when I blend in so easily. As Asian JETs, we are
caught in this sort of in-between place with a little more fluidity, where at some times
we can choose whether we want to blend in or stand out.
If you worry that your students will be disappointed because you may not fit the
Hollywood celebrity (or whatever stereotype) you think they’ll expect… don’t. It’s a
good thing to break the stereotypical images and expectations that people assume when
thinking of certain countries. They can learn a lot about the world from you, your
background, and your personal experiences. They’ll also be just as excited and
interested in learning about you and your home country as they would for any other
non-Asian JET. People are incredibly kind here so you don’t need to worry too much.
The most important thing is having an open mind and positive attitude. Good luck! 
Clarissa Tong
clarissa.tong@gmail.com
The JET from Developing Countries
Within Toyama’s JET community, those from developing countries are amongst the
least represented. One developing country might have a maximum of three participants,
so you might be the first person from your country that the local people might and will
ever get to see.
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This means that, you might be bombarded with a lot of questions about your country.
Do not be surprised, if people have never heard about your country before, or may have
heard about it but are clueless about things like its location and culture. If you are of
African descent, most people will automatically associate your country with the African
continent.
However, bear in mind that not everyone will be clueless about you. I have come
across quite a number of Japanese who are keen on cultures and will know a lot about
your country. Be prepared to answer questions about plants, mountains, birds,
constellation, sightseeing spots and other nature- related things as most Japanese are
nature lovers. Many will also ask if you have the four seasons. Your colleagues will
likely be worried about you in winter if it does not snow in your country, even if it is not
your first winter experience. Japanese also tend to be interested in food, like what do
you eat or how do you prepare the same thing that they eat. I emphasize the need to
know your country well. Do not just take it for granted that you know your country but
do some research as Japanese like specifics.
Some people however, would have learned about your country through the media
(which unfortunately can be very sensational) and have developed a stereotypical view
based on what they would have perceived as facts. So, if the media portray your country
in a bad light, you might be asked uncomfortable questions related to things that you are
clueless about. Even recently, there was a “fun program” on a Japanese television
station and weird things were said just for laugh (which have no proof) which
unfortunately, the public has no choice but to believe because they could see it for
themselves on the television. The next day I was asked about them and I myself was
shocked because it was news for me too. I felt like a Japanese hearing about something
foreign.
In light of all the above, it is very easy to get discouraged, but just stop for a while and
think, why am I here? Part of our responsibility is to promote international awareness
and so we should cease the moment to educate and to enlighten people. There are often
talks/ forums at international exchange centers such as the third floor of the CIC
building in Toyama, go there and talk about your country. Go to chat-rooms.
November is culture month in Japan. Why not participate in the international festival
and do a booth or share your country’s food? There are unlimited opportunities to
display your country. You do not have to feel isolated and sorry for yourself. It is a
rich opportunity to be your country’s ambassador. At school, do lessons about your
culture to let students and teachers know who you are and where you are from. I have
always found this rewarding and now I have students who have done projects about
food and reggae music. Some of them cannot wait to start working to travel to
Jamaica!
As a JET from a developing country, not only do you get a chance to shed light about
your culture but you can have first hand experience of life in a developed country. There
is so much that you can learn that you can try to implement in your home countries.
For example, it will not take long before you figure out that there is certainly no
comparison when it comes on to things like punctuality. Everything seems to function
on time so if you are late, you will definitely miss out as nobody will wait for you.
Another shocker for me was to experience Japan’s friendly customer service. People
here seem to recognize your presence in an extraordinary way, the minute you step into
their establishment. Sometimes though I wonder, if it is for the excellent customer
service that it boasts, why the prices of goods as services appear to be so expensive.
However, I have learnt not to convert to my local currency while shopping so I am
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gradually getting over it.
While being a JET from a developing country might seem like hard work, it can be
incredibly rewarding. In addition to teaching English, you also have the opportunity to
introduce your culture to the local people from a very intimate viewpoint. Doing so will
not only increase their cultural-awareness, but it will leave you feeling satisfied and
enriched.
Venesa Tomlin
Venesatomlin_83@yahoo.com
JETs Coming With Relationships
Congratulations!!!! Welcome to our beautiful little prefecture! You have a lot of
interesting times ahead of you. I hope you will find this information useful as you start
your life in Toyama. Well, you’re coming to Japan with a relationship and you WILL be
asked about it. That is a guarantee. I think Japanese people take great pleasure in trying
to find out about our personal lives just because we’re foreign. We seem exotic to them.
Whether you’re single, engaged or married, they will always have a number of
questions lined up for you. “Do you have a boyfriend?”, “Ooooh!! When will you be
married?” “Will you get married in Japan?” “Do you have any children?” “When will
you start having children?”…and just when you thought they were done, “Will your
spouse come to Japan?” “Do you want to have children in Japan?” It never ends, and
what’s more is that when you think you’ve answered all the questions in the world, they
repeat the same questions in the same order! It baffles me! Whatever may be your
situation, expect the questions. They WILL come from students, coworkers and
sometimes, the lady who knows a bit of English on your apartment building. That being
said, you reserve the right to keep your personal information as private as you want to.
It’s up to you.
When all is said and done, the crux of the matter lies in the fact that you have to keep
your relationship going once you arrive here. Your approach to how you do that, of
course, lies in how you do things generally. In my particular situation, I have arrived
ahead of my fiancé. I am one who loves to communicate and so that is of utmost
importance to me. Thanks to technology, I can always stay connected via very useful
smart phone apps. There is a multiplicity of apps out there that you can choose from to
call or text home, including: Whatsapp, Viber, Vonage, LINE, Bobsled and of course
Skype. I have decided to just keep a few but if you are an apps person, knock yourself
out! If you are coming ahead of your partner, communication is going to be critical.
This is especially since you will often go home to an empty apartment. It can get very
depressing after a while, especially in the bleak, bitter and often long winters (trust me!).
Having no company on a very cold, snowy day is not the best experience at all.
If you are in a similar position as me, then you will have lots to do in terms of having
your spouse join you here. By now you should know that boyfriends/girlfriends and
fiancés/fiancées are not allowed to live with you on the JET Programme. Therefore, you
will have to do groundwork in preparing documents for your partner. It’s a chain
process from the BOE and on to the other higher authorities. You must consult your
37
Embassy/Consulate on the steps you will have to take. You will also need to do
paperwork at your city office so bear that in mind. Additionally, he/she may not teach
on the JET programme, but there are several job opportunities in teaching English
here…it’s just that you have to find them. You will have to ask around and see which
international programmes are offered by your city. Many people crave for private
classes too, so if you make good friends they can become great linkages for individual
tutoring. There are also several other bonafide teaching programmes that your spouse
can apply for which also pay well. Most of the jobs available to foreigners are for
teaching English. However, maybe your partner has a good command of the Japanese
language and would like to apply elsewhere. He/She can also consider that avenue, but
it might take some more researching prior to coming here.
Well, what if your spouse is coming with you? Good for you!! You have a great
advantage because you will have someone to share in the experience of adjusting to a
new culture and environment. On the contrary, it can prove a little problematic, since
you both might experience the same culture and environment in two totally different
ways. It’s often said that people experience different stages upon arriving in Japan. You
could be in a state of euphoria and wonder at all you are imbibing, while your partner
may be depressed or even annoyed (it happens…and it could take place for longer than
you can imagine).
With regards to having your partner in a different prefecture, that can be equally as
logistically inconvenient as being in a different country. However, the good thing is that
you are a shorter distance apart and in the same time zone. Though I have very little
experience regarding this situation, I do know that you can utilize night buses, day
buses, express trains or the Shinkansen to see each other on your time off. If it is that
you want to move to where your partner is, you will have to get married. You should
contact your BOE and/or CLAIR for further information on that.
While on the subject on time off, please note that if you will be teaching at two different
schools, the modus operandi might be on either extremes. Some schools are really very
flexible with giving you time off, while others might be very rigid. You will have to
ease into the system and see what each workplace is like in order to work out your
schedules. This is important to note because your holiday or vacation is less likely to be
enjoyable if only one of you is busy working on lessons.
On another note, when you get here, you should try to do things together. There are
many places to see in Japan and it will be a more fulfilling experience for both of you to
share in the thrill of learning about this fascinating place. You will not only learn about
your new home, but also more about each other. It helps to know you can share in the
same experience and grow together out of it (I’m assuming that anyways. I haven’t
actually experienced that as yet :) You should also try to meet as many of the ALTs as
you can. Forging friendships with them can add to how well you spend your time here.
All in all, you will definitely be ok as long as you have the sort of tenacity to maintain
the well oiled machine that is your relationship. It is often said that in Japan “Every
Situation Is Different” (ESID), so it is likely that you may encounter something
different from me. You can always refer to the General Information Handbook (GIH)
which is full of pertinent information on living in Japan.
Once again, congratulations! I hope that you will thoroughly enjoy your experience here.
It has been a definite ‘eye-opener’ for me and I am confident that you will be positively
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affected in one way or another. I wish God’s blessings on you and your relationship as
you embark on a new path in this journey called life.
Rochelle Brooks
rochellesong@gmail.com
JETs with Families
Hello,
First I would like to congratulate you on being accepted into the JET program and being
placed in Toyama.
It is a wonderful prefecture and I have had a wonderful five years here with my family,
my wife Lisa, and our two sons Darcy (now 9) and Bryn (now 7). We live in Inami in
Nanto city. And I am guessing if you are reading this you are bringing your family
with you.
I would like to start by pointing out there are, in effect, two types on families in Japan –
married, and unmarried.
If you are unmarried and your partner is coming with you as a non-JET participant
much of the information below does not apply to you as Japan does not recognize
partnerships which are not legally documented as a marriage. Thus your partner is
seen as a separate individual who needs to get their own visa etc.
If you are married the rules are very different. Anyone who comes to Japan on a
dependent visa is deemed to have the same rights as the family of a Japanese citizen.
They receive health care through your health care provider, any entitlements provided to
families will also be available (for example child care rebate and child subsidy) and
your children will be able to attend the local school (though there is no requirement to
provide education for children over the age of 15).
One of the first things you should do is organize for your family to be registered (the
system is changing before you arrive so I am not 100% sure what this means), your
school and supervisor should be able to assist with this. Once your family is registered
a number of automatic steps should occur, your family should be provided with health
care (including a card each) and any benefits should be organized.
Organizing work for your husband or wife is also simple. They will need to have their
visa changed (this is done at the immigration center at Toyama airport) and will need to
recorded at your town hall. Once this is done your spouse is entitled to work for up to
20 hours per week on their dependent visa.
For your children if they are 6 on the 1st of April they are eligible to go to school.
This is largely free, though you will need to pay for school lunch. Before the age of 6
they can go to youchien (privately run, they cost more, and you will pay for care outside
normal hours (8-3 during school terms). Or hoikuen (public day care which operates
all year round). I suggest you have a look at your local ones and decide which one you
prefer (we went youchien as they had fences between them and the main road (the local
39
hoikuen did not).
A Personal perspective
For us there have been 999 good things for every bad thing we have experienced. Our
family has been accepted without issue into our local community and we have
experienced almost no discrimination. There are strange things which take some
getting used to but that is all part of the experience. My suggestion is flow with it and
if you are unsure ask someone you trust in a similar situation. For us we have a couple
of close friends with young children and when things get confusing we ask them things then usually begin to make sense.
I really hope you enjoy your stay here with your family.
Kieran Murphy
Ianmi Junior high school
lisakieran@yhahoo.com
Japan for Religious JETs
Hello new JETs!
First off, welcome to Toyama! You’re on your way to a wonderful prefecture in the
countryside of Japan. I'm hoping everyone can take something from this letter whether
you have a religion, are looking for one, or are just wondering what your new life in
Japan is going to be like.
Though many Japanese people are not religious, Japan does offer a lot of opportunities
to the spiritual. Shinto and Buddhism are the major religions of Japan, with temples and
shrines spread all over the country. Many of the festivals, activities, and even sports,
you'll participate in have religious roots. I encourage you to take part in as many of
these activities as you can so that you can experience both modern and old Japan. That’s
part of why you’re coming here, right? As you experience Japanese culture, you should
never be ashamed or afraid to tell people about your own faith and beliefs. Your faith
and background are a part of who you are. One of the great things I've experienced in
Japan is peoples’ respect for foreign cultures and religions. Honor that part of yourself,
and share it with others if you are comfortable doing so. You faith also opens up an
opportunity to teach. As ALTs and CIRs, part of our job is cultural exchange –as much
of a buzz phrase as that is at Tokyo Orientation (you’ll see what I mean) – it is
important. The incredible thing about religion is that regardless of personal beliefs,
mutual respect opens up so many opportunities for learning and friendship.
Likewise, no matter what your religion, faith, or creed is, your beliefs can be a huge
support to you in Japan. As wonderful as this job is, there are hard times ahead. There
will be days of culture shock, homesickness, doubts, frustration, and downright
depression. I’m not trying to scare you (because you are about to have some of the most
amazing experiences and fun times of your life), but everyone will face hard times,
however brief, at some point. When those times come you may not know who to talk to
or where to go about it. I have a couple of recommendation. First, anyone in the JET
Program can always contact the JET Peer Advisor Line (050-5534-5566). This is an
excellent resource where you can call anytime just to talk to someone about whatever
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you’re going through. It’s confidential, it’s personal, and it helps. The second is using
your religion as a means of support.
Remember that in times of stress or difficulties, your beliefs can become your
foundation and support. Whether you are comfortable connecting to a local church,
friends and other JETs, or just want to pray on your own, all of these support systems
can help you in the hard times and they can make the good times even better. If you do
worship regularly, there are a variety of churches in Toyama that you can reach out to
(check out the Toyama JET website - www.toyamajets.net/ - for a complete listing).
Personally, I was able to find a branch of my church here and it has been a huge
blessing for me. It’s really helped me to branch out in the Toyama community, and the
members of my church have become wonderful friends. Ultimately you should do
whatever you are comfortable with. Find a local church, talk with other ALTs and find
friends who share your beliefs, keep in touch with friends and family back home, or just
practice on your own. Whatever you decide to do, you can find religious support here.
I’ll admit being a religious JET can have its challenges, but it’s going to be an
incredible experience for you in the end. In the best of times, enjoy life to the fullest.
Honor your faith and who you are, and I promise, you will have a better experience here
in Japan. In the hardest times, remember your faith, remember your beliefs, and most
importantly, remember that you are never alone.
Best wishes,
Catherine Danley
catherinedanley@gmail.com
Tall JETs
Being tall in Japan has its many pros and cons, depending on your approach in general.
If you take things too literal or personal, you might live a life of frustration rather than
enjoying and learning from the many experiences you can have as a foreigner, living on
the outskirts of the main cities. As a JET of almost 3 years, I just want to expose you as
best as I can, to some of the things that I’ve observed or have had happened to me, as
well as from the experiences of others. Bear in mind though that each situation is
different and even though we are in the same prefecture, things might vary depending
on where exactly you are being placed.
In my opinion, Japanese consider anyone above 170cm to be tall because the average
Japanese is in the 155-165 cm range, even though younger ladies seem taller because of
their love for high heels. So, especially during my first week at school, my students kept
on telling me, “you’re powerful” and I kept on thinking, “why do they say that, they
don’t know me as yet”. It took a while to figure out that it was because of my height.
Naturally, I didn’t really notice that I was significantly tall until my students told me
this and are always trying to measure on me. I could then see how significantly higher
my waist was to theirs (high school students). They also use words like “sugoi” a lot,
meaning “great”. Some students even ask me to exchange legs with them (which I find
a bit weird). From this, I deduce that being a tall female is apparently something
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desirable by at least some Japanese females. I’m not so sure about the compliments that
men receive because generally men suppress their true feelings more. However, I don’t
think that Japanese ladies have a problem with tall guys.
I have also being asked about a hundred times, “How tall are you?” For me, there is no
problem in telling people my height. However, to be honest, I do get a bit frustrated
being asked by the same person my height, over and over. Whenever this happens I try
to count slowly before I answer or sometimes I just pretend as though I didn’t hear the
question. Also, because you are tall, most Japanese will assume that everyone in your
family or your country is tall and immediately develop a stereotypical view. I find it
hard to convince them otherwise, which is necessary for cultural understanding.
So, the fact that we stand out as foreigners in Japan, being tall, of a different body shape
and form, tells us that we will have to search a bit harder to find suitable clothes, if at all.
Being tall and slender you might stand a better chance because most of the clothes that
are bigger are usually shorter. Buying short pants, skirts, dresses and short sleeves are
quite easy. However, when it comes on to long pants or long sleeves, you might have to
walk the stores to see if just in case, they have a few items in the event a foreigner
comes along. If you have what is considered a big feet like (size 25 or 26) for both sexes,
shoes are not impossible but might take a little extra effort. I’ve gotten shoes and long
sleeves here by doing just a little more than the average search.
Well, other cons of being tall might be with regards to the stuff you use in daily life. In
terms of your apartment (chances are you’ll get a Japanese style one), the moment you
step through the door, you’ll realize that you’re above average. My friend bumped his
head into the top of his door for about a month before getting accustomed to bending a
bit to go inside. Once inside however, you’ll have no problem standing straight or
comfortable. However, you might find the furniture a bit low; tables, chairs, sink and so
on. Some things are easily rectified, like buying a higher table especially if you plan to
stay in Japan for some time. I’ve also bought a bed which, although it’s almost my exact
fit, it’s quite comfortable. However, built in stuff might not be so easy to change so
you’ll probably have to adjust yourself to the situation or find out from your school
what can be done about it.
At work, the furniture problem is basically the same because of course they were made
with Japanese in mind. If you do things like tea ceremony, I think it’s so easy for the
Japanese to just sit on their legs but for me I just extend mine a bit because of the
discomfort. With regards to the chalkboard, it’s actually an advantage being tall but
depending on how you manipulate it, it can be a disadvantage for the students. Once I
was giving the kids quiz, allowing them to come to the board to fill in the answers. One
kid was just looking at me without saying a word, only for me to realize that I had
written the blank too high up on the board. (Yes, kids here can be a bit quiet). Then
again, if I plan to do a lot of writing, I have access to the entire board. I’ve even being
asked in the teachers’ room and around to take down or reach for things that are stored
in high places, I get a chance to do volleyball, basketball, track and field and so on,
having people being scared into thinking that I’m so great apparently because of my
height.
The reality is, we are who we are and there are some things that cannot be changed. For
example, you can try to enhance beauty, do something about your weight or so on but if
you are tall or short, there is very little that you can do to change that truth. We just
have to do the best we can, with what we have. Coming here being tall, you are not
average so come prepared, embrace the reality, have a positive outlook and leave an
impression. I would suggest when you are packing, pack wisely. Remember those
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long sleeves and long pants. The others you can get here. If you happen to come without
them, then there’s always the option of having them sent to you (especially winter gears
before winter starts).
I hope you’ll have a wonderful experience and that you’ll turn even the most awkward
situation into something to smile about. Let’s enjoy beautiful Toyama and all it has to
offer. Welcome!
Venesa Tomlin
venesatomlin_83@yahoo.com
Culture shock
By now, you have all heard about culture shock to varying degrees, and might even be
able to identify what stage you are currently in. As helpful as it is, what we are taught
about culture shock in the orientations are naturally limited to being a one size fits all
education. We are all complex creatures, with different backgrounds, etc. and so our
experiences are going to obviously be completely different. So what can I tell you in
this letter that you haven’t already heard? From being here in Toyama for a bit, I think
the best I can try to share with you is some perspective. What you have likely heard
about culture shock is just a much generalized tip of the iceberg. I say that because,
the focus through orientation has been probably on being shocked specifically by
Japanese culture. But what else are you going to experience that might be considered
culture shock.
From here on, my goal is to help you break down culture shock, so you can digest any
challenges in bite size pieces. My main concern is for those of you that will
experience a very strong stage 2. We are all going to experience the language shock,
food variety shock, and all the typical foreign country stuff shocks. But not everything
that challenges us is because of Japan, or “Japan’s fault.” But, there are going to be
things that are going to be challenging for you now, no matter if you were working here
or moving to a new town back home. First, think about where you came from. Are
you a fresh graduate? A married couple? 23 years old? 40 years old? From a big city
in a big country? A tiny town in a tiny country? Chances are you are about to start
work in a place very different in almost every way than where you are coming from.
For example, If this is your first job fresh out of college, you are going to experience the
shock of working full time for the first time. If you’ve been surrounded by college
kids for the past 4 plus years, you are about to be submerged in a workplace full of
different ages and family statuses (new fathers, grandmothers, etc.). These are all
types of cultural shocks that may challenge you here in this new stage of your life, but
as you can imagine, could challenge you at any geographical location. So, think about
what type of life you came from, and imagine if you started working in a similar job in a
similar town back home. Those challenges that you might experience back home at a
similar job can be considered culture shock, as you go for example from your school’s
culture to your new workplace culture. Hope you’re following and this is making
some sense!
Thinking that all of our problems are to be blamed on one monolithic
problem “CULTURE SHOCK FROM JAPAN” can make the weight of those problems
even heavier. But when we realize that we are dealing with some of the same stuff we
would be dealing with back home, just in a different context, it will hopefully lessen the
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burden into bite size pieces, and make it easier to come out the other side. What are
some specific changes that you anticipate to be a challenge for you? Life is always
challenging. Are they challenges that would be exclusively experienced here in
Toyama?
So here we are, way out of our comfort zones, experiencing various types of culture
shock (Awesome Japan! WTF JAPAN! Etc)… Despite life being in many ways
uncontrollable, happiness in many ways is something we can control and have to work
at ourselves. There are different techniques out there that people use to achieve
happiness, but something I do is use a mantra to help level myself when living in a
foreign country.
It’s usually just something that caught my eye and helps me get
through tough times. Currently, when I find myself feeling a little off, my go to
mantra is “Stop blaming, impressing, clinging, interrupting, complaining, controlling,
criticizing, preaching, dwelling, and fearing.” Also, developing a good routine to reset
oneself helps. Every two weeks or so, I become a hermit and take a day off from the
world to recharge. I use that time to be lounge around, clean, catch up on email, call
family and friends back home, but mostly just recharge. Like I said, this works for me,
but everyone needs to find their own thing. Good luck out there, and remember that
you always have friends here, and many people who care about you. Including me!
The support network here is great. Hope to meet you all soon!!
-Hiro
Hiroyoshi Murasaki
Tonami ALT, JHS/ES
hiro.murasaki@gmail.com
Staying Sane
Toyama is a great place to live for numerous reasons. However, when living anywhere,
especially abroad (whether experienced in the situation or not) things can begin to wear
one down. Some general tips on staying sane will be discussed here, making living in
Toyama, or anywhere for that matter, a bit more enjoyable. Those three suggestions
are: talking with others, finding a hobby and getting out of the prefecture.
Over time, everyone will encounter some sort of issue at his or her workplace,
hometown, etc. Things can become extremely frustrating in some cases. However,
instead of ranting online about co-workers or taking otherwise drastic actions, find
someone to confide in and talk to about the issues being faced. Chances are, there is
someone out there who has experienced the same situation, can advise on what needs to
be done, or can offer a different perspective on things. Either way, sometimes it is just
nice to find someone to vent to and release that building frustration. There are also
numerous resources provided by our prefecture and the JET Program that allow
anonymity if preferred.
Finding a hobby and / or getting involved with the local / JET community here in
Toyama is another great way to stay sane. Feeling more involved with those around
you prevents isolation, which can be difficult to handle for some. Asking around
school for ways to get involved is recommended. JTEs may also be able to help with
finding things to do in the community, outside of the workplace. Many like to
44
participate in a culturally orientated hobby, taking advantage of being in Japan. There
are plenty of martial art (karate, judo, kendo), art (calligraphy, flower arranging), music
(taiko, karaoke, concerts) and food related (tea ceremony, sushi making) activities
special to Japan, to name a few.
The JETs of Toyama also have a tight-knit community, with people always looking for
others to join in various activities held all over the prefecture. From festivals, to ski
trips, to Frisbee games! Ask if others are interested in something, (we have an official
Toyama website with a forum and an active Facebook group) and chances other people
will want to join.
Finally, getting out of the prefecture can help tremendously when on the brink of
insanity. Change of scenery is good and sometimes all that is needed to get out of a
slump. Traveling around Japan is extremely convenient and rather affordable. There
is an extensive train system, highway buses and a local airport. Thanks to this, short
weekend trips are possible and many travel during three-day weekends here.
Experiencing a different part of Japan can breathe life into the JET experience, help in
one's discovery of new things, and even foster an appreciation for Toyama.
JETs also get ample vacation time and there are a few down periods at work (a two
week winter vacation, one week spring vacation and about a two month summer
vacation). Take advantage of this time. Go to a favorite location in Japan, explore
other parts of Asia, etc. Again, there are always others willing to join, so just ask.
Ways of managing stress and staying sane during one's time in Japan will differ from
person to person. The things mentioned about may seem rather obvious, but
sometimes when dealing with many new experiences, one forgets the simplest things.
Remember to enjoy life, be social and do not be afraid to ask questions. It helps a lot.
Patrick Finn
Pat2666@gmail.com
Learning Japanese in Japan
こんにちは、富山県へようこそ！Hello and welcome to Toyama-ken!
Have you ever studied Japanese before? If yes, that’s awesome, because welcome to the
best place in the world to continue your studies! If no, that’s just as awesome because
you going to be in the best place in the world to START! There is always a very wide
range of skill levels among new JETs. Some of you are coming to Japan with one, two,
three, or even more years of Japanese language experience and some of you have no
experience with the language yet whatsoever.
So why study Japanese? I’d like to take a minute to expound briefly on a few reasons
why exactly you should take studying Japanese to heart while you are living here in
Japan.
The first reason is simple: be proactive in your new life! Japanese language skill will be
incredibly enabling for you here. Even if it’s the simplest, most basic Japanese, you will
start being able to get things done on your own with out relying constantly on others to
45
save you. Nobody likes feeling helpless as a working adult, especially in another
country surrounded by a different culture. You can probably eke out a relatively
successful lifestyle on just English here, but I wouldn’t encourage that. Once you finish
your one or multiple year tenure on JET, I can one hundred percent guarantee that
people back home are going to ask you, “So you must know Japanese now huh!” I
sincerely hope your answer will sound something like, “Yeah, I do know some now!” or
“Yeah, I got a lot better at listening” instead of, “Oh, uh… not really actually.”
Another reason, (which sounds a little cheesy when I type it out but is totally true and
relevant) is that being able to speak another language is cool! Being able to speak
Japanese is cool. I mean, I think so, and that’s why I’m writing this letter to all of you.
Seriously though, “You can speak Japanese? Oh that’s lame.” said nobody ever.
My final reason is that showing a genuine interest in the Japanese language is met with
respect. Japanese people are usually very proud of all things “unique” to Japan and the
Japanese language is no exception. Japanese people are also very aware that Japanese,
along with English, is sometimes vilified as one of the hardest languages in the world to
learn, so most people don’t expect you to be able to speak any Japanese and even one
mumbled “arigato” can incite a chorus of “Nihongo ojyouzu desu ne!” “Your Japanese
is so good!” Looking past the passive aggressive twinge this phrase incites in many
after hearing it for the thousandth time, the fact of the matter is that many Japanese
people upon hearing that you are studying their language will be impressed and
immediately become more receptive to you. Learning the language really shows you
care about what Japanese people have to say even if it’s not in English. Revealing that
you are studying Japanese and are willing to speak a little also makes people relax
around you. Often, the social mentality around speaking English renders many unable to
express themselves so if you bring a little Japanese into your conversations the stress
they might be feeling about having to talk in English will ease and you can get some
real communication started!
Okay, so learning Japanese is a good idea. YES.
But, how should I go about studying Japanese?
First of all and most importantly I encourage you to find a way that makes learning fun,
interesting and relevant to your life. Before you get started, make sure you take some
time to think about what your personal goals for studying Japanese are. Do you want to
be able to talk more casually and confidently with new or old Japanese friends? Do you
want to focus on Japanese that will help you navigate work and life at your school(s)?
Are you studying seriously to pass the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)? Or
do you just want to be able to order your food in a restaurant without pointing stupidly
at a menu or poking your friend in the ribs for help. No matter what kind of goal it is,
make sure it is important to you and make sure it is realistic and defined.
Secondly find some resources and methods of study that are applicable to your goals.
Here are some study resources and make sure you also check out the brand spankin’
new toyamajets.net website which has been updated with some lovely study tips.
1. Textbooks
I personally LOVE the Japanese language textbooks you can buy here. They are
beautifully bound with lovely high quality paper….Mmm…. Anyways, go to a
Meibundo or Kinokuniya or other bookstore and find the section devoted to language
learning. There is always a shelf stuffed full of great textbooks for people learning
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Japanese at all different levels, from the most basic beginner to advanced. Once you’ve
got your hands on one, go spend some time with it over coffee.
2. JET Programme Language Course
This is offered by the JET program in beginner, intermediate and advanced courses. You
are sent textbooks to study and after you learn the contents of each one you take a test
either on paper to send in or online. I’m sure you will receive more information about it
later but just so you know it is FREE so why don’t you take advantage of it? Just make
sure you can commit to completing your course.
3. Websites
Never underestimate the powers of the internet. There are so many awesome resources
to be found online. This section has the potential to get very, very long so I'll just keep it
very short with two recommendations in particular:
www.japanesepod101.com (They make great podcasts)
www.guidetojapanese.org (Tae Kim's excellent grammar guide)
…and so much more! Go look!
4. Dramas/Movies/Anime
There is a plethora of Japanese dramas and movies that you can use to boost your active
or passive listening skills. You can rent drama series, anime and movies at places like
Tsutaya and watch to your heart’s content. Just be aware that many of these will most
likely not have an English subtitle option, only Japanese subtitles. If you want English
subtitles try looking online for sites that stream content that has been fan-subbed. Ask
around for good recommendations or ask the all-knowing entity that is Google. Learn
though imitation and try shadowing what the characters are saying or just enjoy
watching and listen carefully to how the characters speak to each other.
5. Music
Get some j-pop all up in your iPod! Or if that's not really your genre, Japanese music
isn't all just pop, there are plenty of other genres to choose from. Again, check out
Tsutaya or other rental places to get CDs you can rip to your computer. Listening to
music is yet another way to passively increase the amount of Japanese reaching
your ears. Not to mention singing-a-long is always fun. Then take the next step and
blow your co-workers' minds when you start singing Japanese love ballads at karaoke
6. iPhone or Android Apps
Being an iPhone user myself I don't know much about other smartphone apps but in the
Apple app store, there are tons of free and paid apps for studying Japanese. "imiwa?" is
a trusty English-Japanese dictionary that every iPhone user should have. Also check out
flashcard apps and kanji writing/reading quiz apps. I have a whole screen on my iPhone
47
dedicated to Japanese language study apps.
7. Find a Teacher, Class or Conversation/Study Circle
Please check toyamajets.net for a nice list of schools, international centers and other
places to contact for Japanese lessons! Taking a class is an excellent motivator. You
have to show up, it’s structured and a teacher can judge your skill level and help you
strengthen your weak points.
8. Japanese Friends
Kind of seems like a no-brainer, but seriously, if you want to get better at speaking
Japanese you need some friends or a language exchange buddy to talk to regularly. Get
out there and take up a new hobby, join a club or learn a new skill. Check out a local bar
or izakaya as well and strike up some conversations over a beer or two (or oolong tea if
you don't drink!). By the night of the night you'll be shouting "yay, friends!" with your
new buddies and hopefully make plans to meet up again for round two of fun language
mixing conversations.
I really enjoy learning Japanese and I could go on for days about learning languages so
my final word of advice is take advantage of your surroundings and don't get
discouraged! Learning a new language takes time and can be frustrating. Be patient with
yourself and don't forget what your original goal in learning Japanese was. Don't beat
yourself over the head if you feel like you're not making progress. Forgive yourself and
try a change of pace or a new study method. Whenever I feel discouraged about
studying I go to the stationary store, spend too much money on cute file folders and call
my friend so we can commiserate about being bad language students and make a new
pact to be awesome, proactive, and positive about learning.
To wrap this up, I'll end with a quote because they always seem to tie things up so
nicely. “You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one
language you live only once.” Depending on where you look on the internet this quote
is either unknown or Czech proverb. Go figure. But regardless of where it came from
originally, the quote resonated with me personally because learning Japanese really was
the start of a new “life” for me and opened up a lot of opportunities that I would not
have had otherwise. I promise that learning Japanese will enrich your life here in so
many ways. So let's get started on living that new life of yours! Through language you
can understand Japan and Japanese people on a totally different level and develop an
open, meaningful connection to the cultural mindset of this weird and wonderful
country.
Again, welcome! And a happy day to you!
Chloe Delzell
chloedelzell@gmail.com
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Professionalism as an ALT
Hello, and welcome to Toyama. I expect that by the time you get to reading this, you
will already be thoroughly knowledgeable about your new home. Therefore, at the risk
of writing about what you already know, let me just wish you congratulations, and I
hope that you will come to fully embrace the experiences that await you. Like living at
your current home, please come to expect times of enjoyment and happiness, as well as
times of boredom and sadness. However, living in another country can offer other
challenges and rewards. Allow me to delve into these as we explore the topic at hand.
So, what do you know about professionalism? It’s expected at most places of
employment, and you may feel that you have nothing more to learn. After all, the basics
remain the same, right? Be punctual. Dress properly. Do what is expected of you.
We’ve come to know it even without being told. What then can be offered through this
letter? What is the point, you may ask. Well, consider that you’re heading to a culture
that is not your own. The rules may be similar in principle, but do you really know if
you’re wearing your clothes the right way or doing something offensive without intent?
Furthermore, consider that even if you know how to act, can you know for sure how
you will act? After all, how many jobs have you worked where 95% of your coworkers
don’t speak your language or where you spend two months out of the year doing
nothing? It’s with these things in mind that I am writing to you, and I hope that you will
come away from reading having learned a thing or two about Japanese culture, as well
as having tempered your expectations.
Professionalism: Cultural Elements
When you arrive, you'll want to try to make a good first impression. It's true that first
impressions imprint on us at a subconscious level and are not easily erased. It's also true
that you'll probably end up making several mistakes in the first few days. Some things
that may be commonplace or acceptable in our own culture, may not be in Japan. What's
more, some people won't even tell you if you're doing something wrong or inappropriate.
Being the new ALT, however, you'll be given a lot of leeway for error and mistakes, so
there is no need to worry too much. In fact, the first impression will not be so important
as the lasting impression that you create in the first few months. So as long as it's clear
that you're making an effort when you arrive, you will probably be in good shape. I'll
avoid talking too much about making your good initial impression, as there is already a
separate letter for you. Just keep in mind the advice I have to offer below, and I
promise you at the least, some piece of mind in the workplace.
 Lateness - I need little explanation for this, yet it is also one of the most important
things to consider. Punctuality in Japanese society is sacrosanct. People are on time.
Always. Meetings begin and end when they're intended to, and trains arrive on the
dot. ...Okay, this is in fact the ideal, and the reality cannot live up to it, but Japanese
sure try their hardest. Do not be late to your job, your classes, your dentist appointment,
or anything. In fact, try to arrive no later than five minutes before any obligation.
Arriving one minute before something starts is the same as being late to the average
Japanese worker. Everyone will get one or two screw ups, but your frequent lateness
will definitely be noted.
 Dress - Dress usually consists of a suit or a nice pair of slacks with a good button-up
shirt for guys. Women can usually have more freedom for clothing, but it is
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recommended that you dress conservatively at first, and then take note of what your
female co-workers are wearing. A nice blouse and a skirt of a decent length will
probably suffice. Some things to avoid for both men and women are gaudy colors or all
black(you'll want to avoid a solid black necktie as well). Black attire is reserved for
funerals, so keep this in mind.
1. Dress will change depending on the time of year. When you arrive, you'll be in the
Cool-Biz season of things, which means short-sleeved polos or button-ups are
permissible. For guys, you can also remove your necktie and unfasten the top button of
your shirt. You'll need it, as Toyama's summers are hot and humid. That said, I implore
you to arrive in Toyama on your first day with a suit and tie. Even if your supervisor
tells you it's okay to remove it, wait until you've greeted some teachers to do so.
Especially, when you meet your principal or vice-principal for the first time, it will
make an incredibly fine impression and show them that you're willing to go above
what's expected of you.
 Grooming and Other - As a JET participant, you are a public servant whose paycheck
is provided through taxpayer money. Most Japanese schools are very conservative and
public servants are expected to be role models. Despite your foreigness, this generally
applies to you as well. Keep your body hair neatly trimmed. Excessively long hair for
guys may be an issue, but consult with your supervisor before you come. Beards should
be alright to keep, but know that they are not common in Japan. Keep that looking good
as well.
1. Let's give a mention to personal hygiene. Toyama's summers are a hot, sweaty affair,
and if you're not used to such weather you may get to know yourself in a way you
previously hadn't. If you somehow believe it's alright to forgo daily showers, I highly
suggest you change your habits here. I can say that there have been complains about a
few ALTs being a little too ripe in the past. Also note that perfume and cologne are not
so commonly used like they are in Western countries, and what we consider a normal
amount can be overpowering to those around you. Use it sparingly if at all. You've
likely read about deodorant in Japan being very weak, and I can confirm that
information for you. If you have specific hygienic products that you can't live with out,
bring a small supply to last a few months when you come. Japan is not a developing
country, so you may find that you can buy the same thing over here, but it never hurts
to be prepared.
2. Another topic worth discussing is piercings and tattoos. This goes back to being a role
model. It's fine if you have piercings, but do not come to school wearing any of the
jewelry, spacers, or other associated trinkets. For the guys, it's definitely not
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appropriate for a school teacher in Japan to wear such things in school. If you are a
woman who likes earrings and jewelry, know that most of it is probably not acceptable
at school. Some folks will tell you to wear what you like until you're told otherwise. I
would suggest the opposite approach of asking or imitating those around you. As for
tattoos, please keep them covered at school. If you have something easily visible, a
bandage or an arm band may suffice. Tattoos in Japan are commonly associated with
gangsters and criminals. It's perfectly fine to have one, and even to let your teachers
know about it, but avoid showing it your students.
 Enkais - If you're not familiar with them yet, an enkai is a dinner and drinking (lots of
it) event with your coworkers used to celebrate a certain occasion (e.g. your arrival, the
end of the year, the departure of certain teachers etc). Frequency probably depends on
your school, but you can probably expect an enkai about once a month. Many teachers
are busy and won't have time to go out with you if you invite them somewhere, so here's
your chance to really get to know them. You will find even the most seemingly uptight
teachers completely relaxed and very approachable. Grab a bottle of beer (or oolong
tea) and fill their glass to make a great impression. Some ALTs express reservations
about attending these, mainly due to cost. It's true that you may find yourself paying
5000-8000 yen ($50-$80, value-wise) for each one, but you make a good salary and
unless you're paying $1000 for student loans each month and/or have brought your
family with you to Japan, you should easily have the cash. Nothing says "I don't care
about the people in my workplace" like declining these on a regular basis. Do so at your
own risk.
Professionalism: Personal Elements
When living in a foreign country, we may often find ourselves in a place we are not
used to. This may sound obvious, but I am referring more to the mental than the
physical. Culture shock is real and not to be underestimated, and most people may not
even realize that it is happening to them. I won't give a detailed explanation of this topic,
as you've heard it already, or will hear it many times from now, but let me just say that
chances are better that you will experience it than not. What role does our job play in
this? How can it affect our professional attitude, and how can we prepare for or come to
terms with such things? Allow me to share with you some advice that may help you
avoid the worst of your experience.
 Being an ALT - First, I think it's important to understand exactly what it means to be an
ALT. Forget what you've been told, or what you've read in pamphlets because it's not
necessarily going to apply to you. ALT stands for Assistant Language Teacher, and it's
best not to forget this. Your involvement in the workings of your schools English
program may be deep, or it may be very minimal, but at the end of the day, you are the
hired help, as is listed on your contract. This is not to say your contribution is not
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valued, but that you are largely expected to follow the advice and instructions of your
teachers, even if you many disagree with them.
1. What is your job as an ALT? When you are hired as an ALT in the JET Program, you
are hired through CLAIR (The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations).
However, CLAIR is not your employer. Your employer is your contracting organization
(CO) that CLAIR finds on your behalf. This CO may be your school, or your local or
prefectural board of education. The contract you form with them may have slight
differences from that of other ALTs in terms of vacation days (nenkyuu), living
subsidies, and specific work hours, but things will be largely the same. You are first and
foremost hired to help the English needs of your school. This may be as simple as
providing your students with raw exposure to native English, to as involved as planning
and teaching full lessons. You may find your job painfully easy, or stressful and
challenging so be prepared for anything. Here are some of the possibilities.
 If you work at an elementary school, a special needs school, or a
school where the students focus on a trade, like fishing or agriculture,
you may probably be told just to let the students experience, or have
fun with English.
 If you work at a heavy academic school, the focus of your teachers
will be on preparing students for the very difficult entrance
examinations of senior high school or university. In these cases, you
may find yourself with less flexibility, but more responsibility.
 Finally, you may have a school that has a mixture of both, which can
be both challenging and refreshing.
2. What is not your job as an ALT? Your job is not to promote cultural exchange or to fully
experience Japan as much as you can. Your job is not to deliver your students to English
fluency. And your job is not to be Great Teacher John Smith and try to reform the
education system in Japan. Now, let me be clear. I'm not suggesting that these things are
bad, or that you shouldn't try to do them. In fact, I think you should absolutely try do
them whenever possible. What I'm saying is that none of this is in your contract. When
doing your job, please place priority on what is expected of you to help your school
meet its needs first, and let anything else be secondary.
 Maintaining a Professional Attitude as an ALT in Japan - Here's where I hope that I
can help you the most. When you come to Japan, come excited. Come ready to learn
and experience as much as you can, and meet whoever you can. This is absolutely the
right attitude to have.
Do not, however, come expecting a magical workplace
relationship where everyone is excited to meet the new foreigner. First, you're probably
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not the first ALT at the school, and there's no way to be sure of the precedent that was
set by your predecessor in terms of behavior or work ethic. And, while it may not be fair
to apply the same expectations to you, Japanese people carry stereotypes about
foreigners, just as people from other countries inevitably do. Second, Japanese people
are quiet around foreigners and may not approach you beyond a simple hello. Most
Japanese people have little confidence in their English, and even if the language barrier
isn't a problem (i.e. you can speak positively good Japanese) do not expect them to
come to you. This is not to say that you won't have people who go out of their way to
make you feel welcome, but please remember that most of the time, the impetus is on
you to build your good workplace relationships.
1. I'll say it again for effect: The impetus is on you to build good workplace relationships.
Why is all of this important for professionalism? Well, feeling constantly ignored
everyday can wear on you. It will dull your mind. Miscommunication of intent or a
general lack of communication can also leave your mind to fill in the gaps and make
assumptions. You may feel as if you're an outcast from the group, when there is likely
no ill intent directed towards you. This constant feeling of rejection can lead to
antagonism against your coworkers, and sometimes Japanese people in general.
2. How would you respond to such a thing if you found yourself in a situation like the one
described above? Despite being grown adults, some ALTs do respond poorly by not
taking their job seriously, or by acting less than their age in response. Such behavior
creates a bad impression for all ALTs, and has, in some cases, led to some undesirable
changes. As an ALT in Toyama, there are many outlets available to you for discussing
any serious workplace issues privately. But I would implore you to remember that no
matter your situation, you are coming to work a job that you were hired to do partly
because it is assumed you can handle yourself professionally. Be professional to the
end!
Like many places in Japan, Toyama is an amazing place, full of deep history, rich
culture, delicious food, and wonderful people. Working and living here can be very
rewarding, and will give you a wealth of memorable experiences if you open your mind
and reach out for them. But it is not without its challenges. I hope what I've written here
today will help make your time here even more successful. Get excited for your new life,
and I look forward to meeting you!
Cheers!
Darren Hamilton
xxdhamiltonxx@gmail.com
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