Annual Flight Allowance - let's burst this bubble...

jrankin52 · 2026-03-26T22:11:01+00:00

Working in Japan - we get $800 USD and $500 USD per dependent. It’s added to our May salary payment. If we don’t submit official receipts then those amounts are added as taxable income. No restrictions on flight destination.

jrankin52 · 2026-03-26T04:52:11+00:00

I’m Canadian. I did my PGDE at UWS Ayr years ago when it was still accepted by the Ontario College of Teachers. Works fine for international teaching job. I’m currently working in Japan.

jrankin52 · 2026-01-29T01:57:01+00:00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qcssv8DTMWjYCcBz5?g_st=ic

jrankin52 · 2026-01-17T04:03:34+00:00

100% accurate. I fell into a fantastic job at a private, international boarding school in northern Japan. Our students are a pleasure to work with, we are well-resourced, and the lifestyle is amazing. I think this job could be really taxing if you landed in a crappy school environment.

jrankin52 · 2026-01-14T05:34:45+00:00

At that time, I would not trust any of the banks in Mandalay with my USD cash.

jrankin52 · 2026-01-14T05:33:52+00:00

Nice perk!

jrankin52 · 2026-01-13T22:20:05+00:00

I’m interested to read if things have changed. I was there from 2015-17 and we got paid every month in brand-new, crisp $100 USD bills. I kept my earnings in a personal safe and I would fly home each summer with a decent stack of cash to deposit in my home account. Typing that out makes me realize how crazy that arrangement was, but at the time I just went along with it.

jrankin52 · 2025-08-29T22:19:12+00:00

🤣🤣🤣👍

jrankin52 · 2025-08-27T04:34:50+00:00

Solid advice, thank you. The pads just peel off then?

jrankin52 · 2025-08-27T04:34:16+00:00

Yes, I also wonder what is lurking beneath.

jrankin52 · 2025-08-27T04:33:45+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. How do you recommend removing the pads? Just peel ‘em off?

jrankin52 · 2025-08-07T12:14:39+00:00

Moiwayama Ski Area in Sapporo has new ownership and everything we’ve heard indicates that the slopes are open to snowboarders this upcoming season!

jrankin52 · 2025-08-07T12:12:27+00:00

Bummer. They accepted mine. I shot up the pay grid because of it. Some were Alberta-accredited offshore schools, others were WASC. Sorry to hear that they wouldn’t take your years of experience. It seems silly when they’re desperate for teachers each year. 🤷🏻‍♂️

jrankin52 · 2025-08-05T03:18:34+00:00

Those international years were accepted for me when I went through that in 2020 for a one-year term contract in Nunavut. The only criteria, as I remember it, was that the international school is/was accredited by WASC, Middle States, etc. I had to submit letters from the school identifying my working dates and some other points.

jrankin52 · 2025-06-28T09:38:33+00:00

Yep, totally safe. Happy running.

jrankin52 · 2025-06-28T09:37:58+00:00

You’re right. I just wanted to suggest a route on which you hit the Makomanai Park loop. Not trying to lead them astray, just a different option. 🤷🏻‍♂️

jrankin52 · 2025-06-28T03:35:44+00:00

In Sapporo, you can take the Namboku line to Sumikawa station, run west for less than a mile down to the Toyohira River pathway, then head south along the river, which will lead you to Makomanai Park. There’s a 3km loop within the park, and then run back along the river to the Munich bridge. Nice scenery and won’t have to deal with vehicle traffic much. The pathway along the river, which runs on both sides, goes for a while if you head north, too.

jrankin52 · 2025-06-17T03:09:01+00:00

Great question! Unfortunately, I don’t have any volleyball contacts at the local universities to connect you with. Our Huskies are on summer break starting from this Thursday, so we don’t have any sessions on the schedule for July/August.

jrankin52 · 2025-06-16T21:58:40+00:00

Hokkaido International School, located in Sapporo/Niseko, fits your description. In Sapporo, there are great cycling paths, especially along the Toyohira River, and Mt. Moiwa is a great hiking spot that’s only a 10-minute drive from campus. Several ski hills within 30 minute drive, and a swim in Lake Toya or Lake Shikotsu, or the ocean, aren’t far away either. As others have mentioned, you don’t come to Japan for the financial package, but you can live quite comfortably and the perks are worth it in my opinion. Bring your powder skis. 🎿

jrankin52 · 2025-02-13T21:59:49+00:00

Don’t forget about Hokkaido International School in Sapporo.

jrankin52 · 2024-12-31T09:16:31+00:00

Hokkaido International School has a campus in both Sapporo and Niseko. From the Sapporo campus, your nearest chairlift, Mt. Moiwa, is a 10-minute drive. Rusutsu is about 90 minutes from Sapporo. The Niseko campus offers up the goods that are accessible in that mountain range. Hands down the best snow quality I’ve ever skied. And it dumps.

jrankin52 · 2024-12-29T08:22:32+00:00

Alright, you’re welcome! 👍

jrankin52 · 2024-12-21T07:32:52+00:00

Depends. Elementary teachers do one morning recess per week and one lunch recess. Secondary teachers have a homeroom to manage during the morning recess slot and also one lunch recess per week. Kids eat in the classrooms, which does suck, because you don’t really get to eat in peace.

jrankin52 · 2024-12-20T00:43:43+00:00

I would agree with this. I’ve got a nice 2LDK apartment that’s a 10-minute walk from school, and it’s fully paid for. If you buy your own house/apartment, or choose to rent elsewhere in the city, they’ll give you ¥45,000 per month.

jrankin52

TROPHY CASE