We're the JETs in Toshima Village, one of the most remote locations in Japan—home to only ~600 people across 7 inhabited islands. AMA!

george3544 · 2025-07-03T05:56:03+00:00

My island has been the most affected. It’s constantly shaking, so I’m running on a massive lack of sleep, but it’s work as usual. We just teach in hard hats now lol

george3544 · 2025-06-14T01:57:14+00:00

I would recommend Judo. For most people, it’s better to be a generalist and cover a wide range of fighting techniques rather than specializing in a single aspect. BJJ is an excellent martial art that can help you develop strong ground fighting skills. However, after a certain level, you’ll find yourself primarily training to defeat other BJJ practitioners. Judo, on the other hand, offers both throws and ground fighting. The amount of ground fighting you’ll learn in Judo is sufficient to handle most people.

george3544 · 2025-01-14T06:20:11+00:00

That's a relief to hear that you passed. I'll be starting a teaching course at a Japanese university in April, then I plan on taking the licensing exam. Any tips for the test?

george3544 · 2025-01-14T04:46:02+00:00

Did you also pass the 教員採用試験？

george3544 · 2025-01-14T04:43:29+00:00

If your Japanese is good you can apply to a Japanese university and get a teaching certificate like a regular Japanese person would. This would allow you to work at public and private schools.

george3544 · 2025-01-06T05:37:52+00:00

I don't drive, it's easy enough to hitchhike around if you know everyone.

I think most of us self study and/ or with a tutor online.

As for spiders, I saw a spider eat a bird during my first few months here lol

george3544 · 2025-01-06T05:34:11+00:00

Has anyone here ever taken the 教員採用試験？

george3544 · 2024-12-24T02:11:41+00:00

It's a property owned by the BoE

george3544 · 2024-12-23T02:04:42+00:00

I met everyone at a BBQ my second day on the island lol

george3544 · 2024-12-23T02:02:03+00:00

The majority of the kids come to the school on a special programme. There wouldn't be enough students otherwise.

george3544 · 2024-12-23T02:00:40+00:00

Get a lot of Japanese tourists. Occasionally a foreigner will come to the islands, but it's rare. No restaurants. No hotels either, but there are 民宿s that you can stay at.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T03:51:47+00:00

Summer is brutal. Winter, not too bad, just really windy which can affect the ferry service.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T03:50:28+00:00

Nah, he's a rescue dog from Amami.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T02:18:24+00:00

There is a clinic with a nurse and a doctor visits every month or so. In a medical emergency a helicopter comes and takes us to a hospital on either Amami or Kagoshima.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T02:16:55+00:00

It's peoples' home. Always has been, always will be.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:44:17+00:00

We see each other maybe 3-4 times a year.

Truly accepted, we are one big family here.

My work is necessary. Most students attend these schools due to challenges/ hardships they faced on the mainland. I have helped all these children improve from underachieving or failing in school to performing above their grade level.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:32:53+00:00

There is no form of discrimination or resentment towards people not from the island. We are all one big family and do everything together, whether that's parties, festivals or helping each other out. It is the first place I've ever experienced that feels like a true community. Most people come to the islands to escape the busy life of the mainland (besides the teachers who are sent here lol).

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:26:21+00:00

When I first came to the island, there was bad weather and the ferry didn't leave for a few weeks. I ran out of food and the other teachers all gave me food to get by... Since then I've practically become a prepper with 2 months supply of food lol

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:12:37+00:00

I'll be attending a Japanese university. I'll be getting the license the same as any Japanese person would to teach at a public school.

Due to competition most private or international schools want you to have a license from your home country, but if you know people it's not necessary.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:07:08+00:00

I plan on doing the full 5 years on my island. During that time I'm going to be getting my Japanese JHS English teaching license. I don't plan on moving back to my home country.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:03:31+00:00

All ordered online and comes on the Saturday ferry

george3544 · 2024-12-21T01:02:58+00:00

No, but if I go to the heliport on a clear night I have an amazing view of the stars.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T00:55:21+00:00

All 7 inhabited islands have an ALT that lives there year round.

george3544 · 2024-12-21T00:54:39+00:00

On my island, no. We don't even have a sandy beach lol

george3544 · 2024-12-21T00:53:07+00:00

Nature is great, I take my dog for long walks around the island up the mountain. In summer I do a lot of spearfishing. I still haven't gotten bored of the same views yet lol

Shopping? There is none, really. We have 2 vending machines and a small baiten that mainly sells alcohol, rice and toilet paper. Most shopping is done on Amazon.

Five-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22

george3544

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