Hello all
I have recently arrived in Japan for a working holiday, with the intention of perfecting my Japanese and getting to better know the country. Based on advice from other friends and associates who've undertaken this trip before, I've decided to settle in Kyoto for the first three months, and we'll see where that takes me.
One of the things I was advised to do when first starting to plan out my trip, however, was looking for a job only a few weeks before I actually entered the country, since Japan is still very keen on in-person interviews and me not being able to attend possible job offers might close more doors than it opens. And while I have started slowly perusing the kind of apps and websites like Gaijinpot and Baitoru, I still would like to bet on the more reliable, in-person knowledge of people who actually have been to Japan and ask for their advice.
Therefore, if anyone could recommend a good place to look for a job within Kyoto, from personal experience or based on reputation, I'd be extremely grateful. I'm not looking for the most high-paying or high-profile job (my rent is cheap and I have a decent amount of savings), but I do want a job where my main goal – developing my Japanese skills – would be best served.
Likewise, I'd like to actively participate in some kind of social life in Japan, start attending some kind of hobby or social gathering to meet people and develop connections. Might anyone recommend any venues or organisations which draw both foreigners and natives and afford a good opportunity to socialise and get acquainted?
Thank you all for reading.
tldr; I'll be staying in Kyoto for the foreseeable future and would like to get a job where I can better learn Japanese. Any other advice is also appreciated.
by Samael737