A gap year in Japan
Gap years in Japan
Say hello to Kitty, karaoke, raw fish and frighteningly ordered civilisation. Japan is the home of invention and electronics. But you can fondle the latest games consoles in any country in the world; what is it that brings backpackers to Japan? The neon sparkle of Tokyo, vintage glamour of Osaka, and the infamous Mount Fuji, to name three. Look outside the cities for a land immersed in beauty: largely mountainous and dotted with temples and volcanoes, this is the scenery that got Memoirs of a Geisha its Oscar in 2006. Of course, you’re not here to gaze at cherry blossom. You’re here with serious ambitions for your future… right?
Gap Year Opportunities
The best way to get yourself to Japan for your Gap year is by teaching. If you’ve already qualified in TEFL then you’ve got a head start. And if you thought English was the only language worth selling, you’d be wrong. Japanese society is way ahead of the game: there are currently opportunities for teachers of German and French as well as English. World domination starts here.
If teaching sounds less appealing than getting your fingers broken in the playground, we’d suggest a gap itinerary that begins with some work in Thailand, Nepal, or China. Book a RTW ticket and you can include several months in Japan as part of any stint spent in Asia. And if you are planning a visit as part of your world tour, it might be a good idea to hit Japan at the start of your trip – when your budget is at its healthiest.
Getting Around
As you’d expect, Japan has a sophisticated transport system. Train is the best way to travel between cities: book a Japan RailPass covering several or one region, and avoid peak hours, when trains turn into a scenario resembling the Tube at 8am. If you’re a budgetophile, you can travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe very cheaply (at time of writing, around £15 one-way) by bus. This route will take longer, but if you fancy seeing more scenery and saving your cash for sushi, it’s perfect.
Teaching English in Japan
As an island, Japan has an unusually isolated society, with around 90% of the population of singularly Japanese descent. Although English is taught at school age, many adults struggle to use it conversationally – if you’re lost, travel guides suggest that you find a child to ask for directions, which is a deeply unpromising method. When you start looking for a teaching job in Japan, make sure you do it through a reputable company. Teaching institutions can be anything from a two-room classroom upwards; if your Japanese language skills are a little lacking, then you’ll come to rely on English-speaking colleagues for advice. Finally, don’t think that teaching is easy; as well as lessons you’ll be expected to prepare material and you may also be asked to host after-school clubs.
What to do and see
Japan has a vivid catalogue of social activities for you to enjoy. Choosing your sushi from a vast conveyor belt, daring fellow expats to eat the eyeball-like creations, and washing everything down with green tea or sake, is all part of a lively Japanese social life. In a society where conformity and order are so highly valued, you may be surprised with the freedom in bars and restaurants. Forget ‘eat all you can’ policies – in Japan you can ‘drink as much as you like’.
See Tokyo
What an introduction to the country: luxury and tradition battle for your attention in modern-day Tokyo. Compared to other capitals across the world, Tokyo is relatively new; bombs and earthquakes have destroyed the city but each time it’s been redesigned – bigger and better. You can shop and dine with the country’s elite, or marvel at ‘Shiodome’, a futuristic quarter bordered by a monorail. You’ll get a taste of Japan’s architectural diversity; amidst incredible sky-scrapers are the remains of traditional shrines and temples. Check out the Museum of Modern Art, an interesting example of Meji architecture; for a moment’s peace, head for the Imperial Park, home of the now-closed Palace.