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Best Places to Teach English in Japan

By Geddy Gee
Covering the best locations in Japan for teaching English. From Tokyo and Osaka, to Kyoto
Jezael Melgoza | Unsplash

For at least five decades, Japan has been a place foreigners prefer when it comes to teaching English. At the same time, it needs to be said that Japan is the best-known country in the western part of the world. Therefore, you can see that this represents a combination that results in a great collaboration between the country and foreigners.

When it comes to the number of schools that employ English teachers, you will see that Japan is the number one country in Asia. The country also has a lot to offer when it comes to the local culture, and it’s no wonder why so many foreigners are so interested in visiting this country and living in it for some time.

We are talking about a country with a high population, therefore, you can come across numerous job opportunities. However, understanding what are the best places for you to do so is an absolute must. Therefore, we want to provide you with a list of the places where you can teach English in Japan and have the best possible experience.

Tokyo

When we’re talking about Tokyo, it must be said that this city is like a dream come true for English teachers. At the same time, when you take a look at the city itself and what it has to offer to visitors, you will understand why this is the case. First, it is one of the most populous cities in the world.

Also, it is home to some of the most captivating places you will ever see. You can visit either the parts of the city where you can get that old-school Japanese vibe or you can also visit the places that are modern but still have that Japanese twist to them. Both of these categories are nothing short of exceptional.

We can say that the city has something for everyone, with the utmost assurance. Before you arrive in the city, we’d recommend you take a look at the list of these places and make some plans on which ones you want to visit first. The reason is quite simple, there are so many of them to choose from, and having some sort of plan is always helpful.

Osaka

Osaka is a well-known place for foreigners since it is a place where millions of people from all over the world come every year. Still, you would be surprised by how low the percentage of locals who speak English is. That is the sole reason why we believe Osaka is a great place for you to start your journey as an English teacher in Japan.

At the same time, this is the second-largest city when it comes to the number of people who teach English in the country. Therefore, you can be sure you will have enough people to keep you company while you are in a bar or when you want to travel outside of the city to visit some of the beauties the region can offer you with.

Osaka is very well known for its cuisine. Even though many would think that the cuisine found here is the same as it is the one in other parts of the country, this is not the case. Locals have made it special, and this is one of the first things you should pay attention to when you arrive in Osaka.

Kyoto

Kyoto, as one of the most ancient and beautiful places in the country, has always attracted a lot of interest from foreigners. If you had the pleasure of visiting the city, then you will have no doubt whatsoever about why this is the case. Many don’t know that this city was the capital of the country for a long time before the capital was moved to Tokyo.

Another thing that’s important to remember is that Kyoto is a religious center of the country. When you take a look at all the Buddhist temples there, you will see that their number amasses to nothing short of a thousand. But, the natural and cultural aspects are not the only ones we want to talk about when it comes to Kyoto.

Kyoto has a high population, and it is not impossible to see why so many foreigners can find a job as English teachers quite easily. The number of locals who speak English fluently is not high, but a high percentage of them wish to learn it. Therefore, you will see that the number of job opportunities in Kyoto is quite high.

Hiroshima

We’re sure you know what is the only thing foreigners associate Hiroshima with. However, when you visit this beautiful city, you will see that things are completely different from what you imagined. We are talking about one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, which offers numerous work opportunities when it comes to teaching English.

One of the most interesting things is that you can get a job even if you don’t have any previous experience. Hiroshima is a place where you can get employment as an English conversation instructor. The whole program lasts for around three months. After that, you can easily find a job in one of the schools.

Nagoya

Nagoya is well-known because this is the place where practically all the Japanese automotive companies originate from. At the same time, this city is home to one of the most successful football clubs in the country. Outside that, Nagoya and the region that surrounds it has some of the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see.

In addition to that, Nagoya is a perfect place to start teaching English in Japan. It is a smaller city when you compare it to others on this list of ours, but that doesn’t mean you will have a hard time finding a job, it’s quite the opposite. 

Summary

Visiting Japan, or living there and teaching English, is bound to leave you speechless. To make it easier for you to find the place where you can start this journey of yours, we’ve provided a list of the best places for you to do so.

Written by Geddy Gee for Teflnet November 2022
Ex-teacher, traveler, and writer at Teast
© Teflnet

One Comment

  • Alex Case says:

    I’d be interested to hear how you decided these are “the best”. Why Kyoto rather than Kobe? Why Nagoya instead of Yokohama? And so on. And then there’s the fact that for many people it’s best to start in a small town, often as an ALT, given having more chance to find out about local culture.

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