Imagine waiting for months to find out where you will be living. To give up your job and home and have no idea where you will live in the next month.
That just happened to me and it was the most anxiety inducing time of my whole life!
I am very spontaneous but I do love planning, especially when I’m giving up a job I’ve done for 5 years to move to the other side of the world, I want a little hint of where I will end up. Japan is such a diverse country so where I’m placed will have a big impact on my lifestyle and what to pack. Couple that with the anxiety of doing a job I’ve never done before.
I felt so scared and apprehensive.
Luckily I found out where I’m placed last Friday, the day after my last day of work! I’ve never travelled to Japan and had never heard of the place I’ve been placed (Nasushiobara).
The place I’m moving to is in the North of Japan. Initially I requested anywhere but the North but after researching the region I think it will be a perfect match for me. It’s right near Nikko, an area rich with culture that houses Edo period temples. The surrounding nature of the region seems stunning, full of waterfalls and lush greenery and is famous for Onsen. Even the Imperial family has a holiday home there!
I’m looking forward to hiking regularly, exploring the temples and spending a few wild weekends in Tokyo, just 1 hour away by
Now I know where I am placed I can start to enjoy my last few days in the UK with my family and friends, pack and prepare for my new life in Japan.
What do you think of the place that will become my new home? Have you ever moved abroad? If so do you have any advice for me?
What a great experience. I’ve been to Nikko but not explored anywhere else in Tochigi so far. Will be doing more of the central areas on our winter trip next year. Looks like it’s central Japan close to the Fukushima border so I imagine will be cold in winter but it’s heading into spring now so will be starting to warm up a bit, . I’ll have to read back through the blog but I imagine your job being out of the cities is teaching? Have a great time and I can’t wait to read your posts about the area. If you haven’t been before you might find hyperdia dot com useful, it covers most transport and is a good way to find time and cost of getting from one place to another to give you an idea of where is ‘local’ enough to explore on the weekends. Have fun!
Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers recently posted…Exploring the Northern Coast of NSW
Hi Toni, yes I will be teaching English at Junior High School level. My school is very large and has 700 students!
Initially I hoped for Southern Japan (I love warm weather!), Tochigi looks beautiful though and I’m sure I can handle cold winters, after all I’m from the North of England!
Thanks for that website, I’ll check it out. I hope to explore most of Japan during my time there!
Hey!
I’ll be one of your colleagues in Nasushiobara. I’ve been working at ES for 9 months now (it’s gone by so quick!)
Let me know if you have any questions and see you in around a week!
Hi Naomi! Oh it will be lovely to get to know someone with experience! I’m also with es, I hope to meet you soon! x