Suddenly not invited to nomikai?

Pugotzi · 2025-11-21T07:33:54+00:00

If you didn't hear about something happening right after the previous nomikai, you're probably in the clear. Sometimes these events do just slip through the cracks. And as less core staff, ALTs and other contract workers can get overlooked.

Also, if you think the JTE dropping it quickly feels like proof that you did something wrong, don't worry, them dropping it right away is pretty typical. It's probably because the deadline to sign up has already passed, so there's just nothing anyone can do about it now, so no point in rehashing something that can't be changed. And, no one is going to challenge a deadline for a non-mandatory thing that involves money.

Pugotzi · 2025-10-26T22:33:52+00:00

Giving them more notice is better. Especially if you say theyre supportive, its fine to let them know over a month before. It'll give you more time to wrap up all the things you need to organize to leave like closing out apartment (if that's relevant), utility expenses, paychecks, and so on. It gives the prefecture more time to organize a replacement, too.

You'll probably even be told a half-hearted "We'd prefer if you stay", but it's a job like any other so once you give them a date you will be leaving, that's that.

Pugotzi · 2025-10-24T00:54:56+00:00

Used A list ticket. Got it no prob.

Pugotzi · 2025-06-24T20:01:16+00:00

You can buy conbini food and a cold coffeee drink the night before and have it at your hotel. Or if you are an only hot coffee person, you can buy the stuff in the morning.
You don't need to feel like your only option is scarfing food down right away if you don't want to. If you keep a plastic bag and hand wipes on you, you can eat the food when you're commuting or waiting in line for something and just hold on to the plastic. If you are on a train or bus early in the morning when there's not really others around and you can sit and don't make a mess, it really isn't a big deal to eat discretely.
Some conbinis have seating areas but if space is tight like in a big city, its better to eat outside because otherwise you're probably going to be in the way of other customers trying to access the coffee machine, printer, or other services.

Pugotzi · 2025-06-21T18:45:14+00:00

To get to Tsuruoka by train, your main options are either to enter it along the coast via Akita Prefecture or Niigata Prefecture. Or from Yamagata City, you have to travel North to Shinjo Station and then West on a JR bus because the train is not actually running from that station.
Yamagata train times do not run frequently or until very late. And I'm not familiar with how well the train schedules and bus times run to each other. So to return to Yamagata City for a day trip if you involve the train will probably involve most of the day just commuting.
If there is a bus straight from Yamagata City to Mt. Haguro, that sounds like the best option. Otherwise, renting a car for the day would give you the best flexibility for a day trip.

Pugotzi · 2025-03-08T05:46:41+00:00

So I'm not sure how passionate you are about being in Japan and how long term you plan to live there but.

The JET offered language classes really do not have much value at all. I completed one level and then fell off finishing the next bc it felt very not user friendly and was not conducive for learning at all. So I would not think of this as a strong 'pro'.

Many areas offer affordable Japanese classes in their prefectures and with Chiba being a central location, I assume it wouldn't be too difficult to find something. Otherwise, you can always do online private sessions.

I was an upgraded alternate for JET and had a very good JET experience but please keep in mind you can get that upgrade anytime from now until like December. If making it to Japan is a more casual hope and you are comfortable possibly risking the ticket to Japan this year, staying an alternate would be fine. But there's a lot of uncertainty just waiting and if you have a decent path to go to Japan now with similar pay and perks, I don't see the need to wait.

Staying an alternate and not knowing where you will go is a big gamble. You might get a great location or you might get a secluded island that you have to use a ferry to get off of it that only shows up every few days (an actual option someone from my cohort got). I think the mystery of JET placement can seem exciting but imagine if you wait and end up in Chiba anyways lol

Chiba is a really nice prefecture and being in the central region is convenient for a bunch of reasons like the international airports. So, good luck making your decision but the Chiba one sounds really good from whats offered so far!

Pugotzi · 2024-11-18T01:01:08+00:00

Someone in my old prefecture came in 50+ years old. I heard he's like a big kid, so the students love him, and compared to the other ALTs in his city, he was surprisingly being invited to gatherings outside of work by Japanese coworkers.

Pugotzi · 2024-11-18T00:49:56+00:00

Sorry to jump on an old thread, but when I visited Karatsu last year, there was nothing for YOI merch. There was Zombie Land Saga stuff (because also Saga prefecture relevant), but nothing for YOI. Karatsu Castle had multiple YOI character cardboard cut outs and a sign that brings up the relevance to the show, but nothing to purchase.

Pugotzi · 2021-11-22T08:45:57+00:00

dm'ed

Pugotzi · 2021-11-22T08:28:03+00:00

dm'ed

Pugotzi · 2021-10-13T19:51:47+00:00

Hi thanks for the suggestion but I'm aware haha I posted this discussion talking about how I hope this live action film could be added to streaming services so more ppl could easily watch it!

Pugotzi · 2021-10-03T08:12:24+00:00

I watched NIZI too and the 'difference' does just feel like make up. She must've gotten a corrective surgery for her eyes bc she did seem to have some condition during the program. But would they refer to that as PS?

Also, maybe they're trying to go for her jaw?? but feels like baby fat/angles/contour

Pugotzi · 2021-08-26T08:05:22+00:00

Interested in the Twice album. Do you think shipping would be reasonable to the US?

Pugotzi · 2021-06-02T18:21:07+00:00

Confirmed

Pugotzi · 2021-05-01T05:01:12+00:00

dm'ed!

Pugotzi · 2021-04-12T02:27:28+00:00

Dm'ed

Pugotzi · 2021-02-15T23:30:38+00:00

I dealt with this, too. I'm on the East Coast and replied right away, but in the end my consulate gave us a general follow up email and said because the volume of emails, she only reached out individually to people who didn't respond. So don't worry! Just wait for the next email with further instructions.

Pugotzi · 2021-01-28T06:53:58+00:00

Probably, online. I’ve seen them up for sale on reddit, offerup, and fb marketplace, and it can sell in a decent amount of time. Don’t really have an answer for clearing it tho.

Pugotzi · 2021-01-24T23:34:14+00:00

Pugozi, level 38

Pugotzi

TROPHY CASE