Kinki, Japan Overview

kansai2.gif

No visit to Japan is complete without a trip to the old political, economic and cultural heartland of Kinki, also known as Kansai.

Situated in the middle of the western dogleg of Japan, Kinki is home to the famous cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara.

Although each of these are geographically close their atmosphere and lifestyles are far apart.

kyoto-temple-small.JPGFor instance, Kyoto, the old Imperial capital, is full of ancient temples, an imperial heritage in the form of the amazing Emperor’s palace, the old Geisha town of Gion, and a cultural background said to include the most refined manners and language in all Japan.



180px-umeda_sky_building.jpgOsaka, on the other hand, just seven minutes away by bullet train, is widely decried as Japan’s uncouth relative. Down to earth, direct and in turns hilarious and offensive to Japanese sensibilities, Osakans spawn Japan’s comedians, maintian its economic engine, and feed you some of the best cooking around.

 

kobe.jpgKobe, scene of the worst earthquake in living memory, has rebuilt and revitalised to form one of the most delightful and peaceful cities you can wish to visit.

Historically the interface to the outside world due to its port, Kobe has a long history of foreign contact which has imbued its people with a very global outlook and attitude.

kobeforeign.jpgThis is expressed nowhere more clearly than in its old foreign sector where houses built in European style still stand for crowds to visit, adjacent to the charming herb gardens planted on the side of a mountain.

 

naratemple.jpg

Finally Nara, the home of the world’s biggest free standing wooden structure (and today’s is smaller than previous buildings!), shelters a massive statue of Buddha which looks out serenely onto a large park filled with hungry deer and brings a spiritual calm to an ancient city.





Jobs in Japan

  • Teacher Position Available in Japan American/Canadian female English language teacher needed in Yamagata, Japan. The Academy of Language Arts is opening its brand new school, with a very nice large newly constructed building, in a clean, and newly created neighborhood. Teachers t
  • English Teacher Needed in Kushiro City, Hokaido Alpha English Academy is a small private English School located on the east coast of Hokkaido island in Japan. Alpha English Academy is now seeking for one energetic and outgoing English teacher. The position will begin April 1, 2010 or May 1, 2010.
  • Teach English in the Japanese Alps (Nagano Prefecture) Active English School in Shiojiri city, Nagano prefecture, Japan is looking for an energetic, versatile, and professional native English teacher to begin working in the middle of August, 2010. Position available: Assistant Language Teachers
  • Gifu kids class Thursday afternoons Fun native English speaker wanted immediately starting Thursdays in March for a weekly kids class, transportation paid and a fun atmosphere. Experience preferred but not necessary, some Japanese ability preferred, interested and qualified applicants
  • ESL Job - Japan ESL teacher openings. We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon straight from Kyushu island. Our city is called Sanyoonoda and it has a population of
  • Teach English in Nagoya - TEYL Experience Advantage English, a fun and growing conversation school located in Nagoya Japan, needs to fill a full- time, yearlong position immediately. At this time we are giving preference to North American applicants who have experience with kids or who have
  • Come Teach in Beautiful Japan ESL teacher openings. We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon straight from Kyushu island. Our city is called Sanyoonoda and it has a population of
  • Motivated Native English Teacher Wanted in Oita Urgent! A Motivated Native English Teacher Wanted! We are looking for a full-time teacher who: * is able to teach young children at kindergartens and a public elementary school. * is a native English speaker. English must be your FIRST language
  • Native English Speaking Teachers Needed in Kansai Region (Kyoto Prefecture) Wishborn Global Communication is searching for a native English speaker to work as an ALT in public schools beginning in late March and early April in the city of Fukuchiyama (Kyoto Prefecture). We will also be hiring ESL teachers for our other schoo
  • English Teacher Wanted in Aichi Prefecture in Central Japan Small, foreign-owned English conversation school for children is looking for 4-year university graduates with a desire to embrace the Japanese culture. ONLY enthusiastic, flexible NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS who are responsible self-starters and are inte
  • English Instructor - Japan Skay English Academy is searching for an experienced and suitably qualified instructor to fill a vacating position.Work Visa or Uni. degree if Work Visa required.Drivers Licence required.Professional,motivated, cheerful and well presented candidates
  • Japan - ESL Teacher Openings ESL teacher openings. We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon straight from Kyushu island. Our city is called Sanyoonoda and it has a population of
  • Head Teacher at a newly established school in Saitama Shintoshin ABC Kids English is a newly established Eikaiwa school located in the Saitama Shintoshin area (near Saitama Supre Arena). We are seeking an energetic, experienced, down-to-earth English teacher whose native language is English. Head teacher is
  • Childrens English Teacher Wanted in Central Japan Positions available: Starting March 25th 2010 Small, foreign-owned English conversation school for children is looking for 4-year university graduates with a desire to embrace the Japanese culture. ONLY enthusiastic, flexible NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS
  • English Language Instructor - Tokyo, Japan The University of Montana is a public, state, II research university with 13,900 students; Toyo University is a private university in central Tokyo with 30,000 students. Job Description English Language Instructor working as University of Mont
  • Native English Teacher Needed in Oita city, Kyushu Company - Power Point English (P.P.E) Type - Entry Level Full/Part Time Full-time Salary from 240,000 - 275,000/Month depending on experience. + monetary incentives Location - Oita city, Kyushu English Level - Native-level Japanese Level -
  • GES-April: Native English Teacher Needed in Mie (South of Nagoya) Global English School is accepting applications for a full-time 1-year teaching position that starts in April, 2010. Teaching starts on the 6th of April, however, we require the successful applicant to start work on the 23rd of March for orientation
  • Motivated instructor with a passion for teaching children needed in Japan Established school in Utsunomiya, 100km north of Tokyo, seeks motivated, energetic, native English speaker to teach children. Banana Kids English lesson: 1. We strive to make a comfortable atmosphere for Japanese children to get to know foreign
  • Super GENKI English Teachers One English teacher position is available at our private English school; Everyone R. Academy. Everyone R. Academy is very serious about English education and prizes itself in giving our students the highest quality lessons. Teachers are mainly
  • English Conversation Positions - start immediately POSITION: Positions start immediately. We are currently seeking instructors of English Conversation Classes. The applicants for these positions must be bright young individuals who would like to start His/Her career teaching English overseas.
  • Full-time Native English Speaking Instructor Needed in Okayama Brief description of the position: * Teaching pre-school to adult students, in private to large group settings. * Minimum 3 to 4 year Bachelor degree, preferably teaching related. * Sponsorship/visa renewal will be provided for suitably qualifie
  • English conversational teachers Gotemba is a peaceful town, approximately 1.5hour drive from Tokyo by highway. Population is about 85,000. Positions are available for English conversational teachers, positions opening in April 2010. There will be a 2week training/probation pe
  • Summer 2010 Position: Graduate School Japan About International University of Japan The International University of Japan is a small English-medium graduate university which specializes in teaching international business, international development and international relations. It is located
  • Native English Instructor wanted from April, 2010 Native English Instructor wanted from April, 2010 Teaching adults and children. Teaching on-site and off-site. Located at a small city of Takamatsu, Kagawa, Shikoku,Japan
  • Teacher Opportunities - Japan We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon straight from Kyushu island. Our city is called Sanyoonoda and it has a population of about 30,000 people. We t
  • English Conversation Instructors Positions start immediately. We are currently seeking instructors of English Conversation Classes. The applicants for these positions must be bright young individuals who would like to start His/Her career teaching English overseas. If yo
  • Japan: Native English Teacher Fun, local English school for children aged 2-15 looking for a friendly part-time native English teacher to join our team. 3-4 hours/day, 2-3 days/week, 2000yen or more/per lesson (40-, 50- and 60-minute lessons). Teaching location; Yokohama city, Ha
  • Teachers Needed in Ibaraki Prefecture OPENINGS FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS Starting August 2nd and October / November 2010. Qualifications: * Applicants MUST enjoy working with kids everyday, age 3 to 12. * Teaching skill is not so important, so we DO NOT require an applicant to have
  • Teach ESL to Kids in Japan! Interview in Honolulu! INTERVIEW DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 13th, 2010 Amity, a division of AEON Corporation, is a leading English conversation educator for children in Japan. Amity has been providing international teaching opportunities for more than a decade, in over 75 br
  • Full-time Teacher Needed in Hanno, Saitama Kidz Talk, a private English school for children, is seeking a full time teacher who will be available from the middle of June, 2010. Kidz Talk is the private English school for children age from 5 to 18 years old. There are about 170 students in all
  • English Native EFL Teacher Needed GLC-LA is looking an English native EFL teacher and a Japanese EFL teacher Position: An EFL instructor Starting date: April 1, 2010 & September 1, 2010@ Contract: One year -Contracts may be extended for another year at GLC-LA's discretion.
  • Full-time Female Teacher Needed Utsunomiya East YMCA is seeking an experienced full time female English teacher for children and adults. Must be a native english speaker. We would prefer a teacher who can stay for at least 2 years. Successful applicants will be required to teach
  • Teach ESL to Kids in Japan! INTERVIEW IN LOS ANGELES, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO AND TORONTO! Amity, a division of AEON Corporation, is a leading English conversation educator for children in Japan. Amity has been providing international teaching opportunities for more than a de
  • Bilingual Full-Time Teacher - Japan College of Business and Communication is a vocational school located in Kawasaki, Japan (near Tokyo and Yokohama). Job Description College of Business and Communication (Gaigo Business Senmon Gakkou), a vocational school located in Kawasaki,
  • ESP Japan - English for Specific Purposes Japan - Kanagawa and Tokyo, and Nagano Japan - Kanagawa & Tokyo, and Nagano Positions with ESP Japan (English for Specific Purposes Japan) 2 Positions Available Clearly indicate when applying which you are applying for. English for Specific Purposes - A Canadian owned and managed
  • ESL Conversation Teachers required Southwest Japan ESL teacher openings. We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon straight from Kyushu island. Our city is called Sanyoonoda and it has a population of
  • Full-time Female Teacher Needed in Japan Utsunomiya East YMCA is seeking an experienced full time female English teacher for children and adults. Must be a native english speaker. We would prefer a teacher who can stay for at least 2 years. Successful applicants will be required to teach
  • Japan - Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) ASSISTANT LANGUAGE TEACHERS (ALTs) for Kanto Region (Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama Areas), Japan QUALIFICATIONS: Must be a native of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and with a bachelors degree. Teaching experience and/or Japanese spea
  • Native English Conversation Instructor Needed in Japan * Starting late March * Female teacher preferred, but qualified male teachers also welcome. * Fun and friendly small group classes * US$2,240-US$2,800/month (based on workload) * Paid holidays * Company car or scooter. Requirements: *
  • Teach English with Japans premiere provider of 1-to-1 lessons Experience Japan on your terms while teaching with Gaba. Operating since 1995, Gaba provides private English instruction from numerous Learning Studio locations around Japan's biggest metropolitan areas: Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Learn more and apply
  • ESL teacher openings - Sanyoonoda-shi, Yamaguchi-ken, Japan The British English and New Dance Academy. Sanyoonoda-shi, Yamaguchi-ken. Japan. ESL teacher openings. We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon st
  • ESL Conversation Teachers Required in Southwest Japan ESL teacher openings. We are a small culture school located on the southern tip of Honshu Island, about 40 minutes by train from Shimonoseki - across the Kanmon straight from Kyushu island. Our city is called Sanyoonoda and it has a population of
  • Native English Speaking Teacher Needed in Shunan City, Yamaguchi-ken Shunan English School (SES) in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan is currently looking for a native English speaker to start a full-time teaching position on March 8, 2010 with a five-day training period starting March 1, 2010, for a monthly salary of 253,0
  • English teacher needed for March 2010 in Kato-shi, Hyogo-ken ACT English Center needs a full-time English teacher, starting the last ten days of March 2010, for their school in Kato-shi, Hyogo-ken, Japan. Experience teaching English in Japan is ideal, but not mandatory. ACT English Center is looking for an exp
  • Japan: Assistant Professor in TEFL Kansai Gaidai University Originally established as a small private language school in 1945, Kansai Gaidai is currently a private nonprofit institution with some 13,000 students on 2 campuses. The institution includes Kansai Gaidai University (a 4-
  • Position Available for Motivated Native English Teachers We are looking for full-time teachers who are: Position A * Able to teach young children at a kindergarten in Oita prefecture. * A native English speaker. English must be your FIRST language. * Dedicated, creative and enthusiastic. * Creat
  • University Teaching in Japan! We are now accepting application for SPRING 2010! About Westgate: We have been providing conversation-based practical English lessons since 1983 and hire over 350 instructors every year. Westgate is a major force in shaping the future of Jap
  • Teaching in Tokyo, Japan We are now accepting application for SPRING 2010! About Westgate: We have been providing conversation-based practical English lessons since 1983 and hire over 350 instructors every year. Westgate is a major force in shaping the future of Japan
  • Japan: Work and Live Among Nature COMBINE YOUR PASSION FOR TEACHING AND THE OUTDOORS! WORK & LIVE AMONG NATURE IN IWATE, JAPAN!! IF THE OUTDOORS AND NATURE RATHER THAN CROWDED SUBWAYS AND THE CONCRETE JUNGLE IS MORE THE LIFESTYLE YOU ASPIRE TO & YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR TEACHING AND F
  • Seeking Professional Teachers in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture Language House Inc. is a Professional Language Training Firm in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. We provide language training services to corporations, private companies, civil servants, government officials, and private individuals and groups. We have
  • Latest Posts

    Evolution of a skyscraper

    Posted in Uncategorized

    Umeda has a laboured new addition to its family.
    Share on Facebook

    Solar Powered Happy Hippy in Osaka

    Posted in Food and drink

    One cafe trying to “be the change that you want to see in the world” is Lotus Roots – a delightful Japanese interpretation of the innocence of the Hippies.
    A charming cafe, replete with candle gifts, hemp tshirts and peace and love music offers coffees and vegetarian food all powered by the rays of the [...]

    Sending money home from Japan

    Posted in Living

    Now that you’ve made your money and want to pay off the school loan or put in an account which earns (slightly) more than a Japanese bank account what is the best way to send the green home?
    The answer is not Golloyds!
    This service is widely promoted throughout Japan and while it is easy to use [...]

    No need for Gordon Ramsay at this Bistro

    Posted in Food and drink

    Gordon is always going on about rustic cuisine, simple food made fresh and served in buckets (well the buckets bit is mine, but in Japan anybody who didn’t grow up in Lilliput needs an XL size meal.
    So, Bistro Mishole (home page here)offers a good range of French / Italian menus at reasonable prices. A meal [...]

    Rise and Shin(e)

    Posted in Living, Osaka

    A quick question for you.
    When does Shin-Osaka shine?
    When it’s Shine-Osaka, that’s when.

    Share on Facebook

  • Sakura Buds Coming Out Just stopped by the park to check out the cherry trees and saw the buds are already out. Some of them are even green with a little pink showing. It’s time to start cherry blossom watching! Cherry trees this spring could bloom a little earlier this year. If you care about seeing the cherry blossoms in full-bloom, [...]
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Sakura Buds Coming Out Just stopped by the park to check out the cherry trees and saw the buds are already out. Some of them are even green with a little pink showing. It’s time to start cherry blossom watching! Cherry trees this spring could bloom a little earlier this year. If you care about seeing the cherry blossoms in full-bloom, [...]
  • Kansai Classifieds Revamped The original Kansai Classifieds has been revamped! The site now exists on its own domain and can be accessed by visiting KansaiClassifieds.com. Users can post ads with up to 4 photos for free. For more than 4 photos, they may soon offer a paid service, mostly for those who wish to save time and energy posting [...]
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Kansai Classifieds Revamped The original Kansai Classifieds has been revamped! The site now exists on its own domain and can be accessed by visiting KansaiClassifieds.com. Users can post ads with up to 4 photos for free. For more than 4 photos, they may soon offer a paid service, mostly for those who wish to save time and energy posting [...]
  • Arashiyama Sakura See sakura blossoms before they bloom! At Akamanma in Arashiyama, a cafe gallery along the Nagatsuji Dori, sakura are in bloom! Kyoka Okumura is showing her fine sakura art and sakura goods on the 2nd floor of Akamanma. Sakura Kyoka art and goods will be on display and for sale at Akamanma in Arashiyama until March 18th. [...]
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Arashiyama Sakura See sakura blossoms before they bloom! At Akamanma in Arashiyama, a cafe gallery along the Nagatsuji Dori, sakura are in bloom! Kyoka Okumura is showing her fine sakura art and sakura goods on the 2nd floor of Akamanma. Sakura Kyoka art and goods will be on display and for sale at Akamanma in Arashiyama until March 18th. [...]
  • Redeveloping Umeda At the end of this month, Osaka will begin redeveloping the Umeda Kita Yard, north of JR Osaka Station, where about 2.5 million passengers of railways and subway lines pass through daily.
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Redeveloping Umeda At the end of this month, Osaka will begin redeveloping the Umeda Kita Yard, north of JR Osaka Station, where about 2.5 million passengers of railways and subway lines pass through daily.
  • Get Out the Samura Sword The relationship between America and Japan has been strained by the recent Toyota malfunctions. However, if the people of Japan have their way, the relationship will continue to stay strong as most Japanese are worried more about their relationship with America than the Toyota company itself. Japanese have their ears to the tracks listening for any [...]
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Get Out the Samura Sword The relationship between America and Japan has been strained by the recent Toyota malfunctions. However, if the people of Japan have their way, the relationship will continue to stay strong as most Japanese are worried more about their relationship with America than the Toyota company itself. Japanese have their ears to the tracks listening for any [...]
  • Daisuke Takahashi ? Congratulations From Kansai! Daisuke Takahashi is the 2010 Olympic bronze medalist! Daisuke performed well enough to get the bronze medal in the 2010 Olympics even after falling on his quad attempt at the beginning of his last program giving Japan its first Olympic medal in a men’s singles figure skating event. Learn to Skate Faster! Takahashi is a student at Kansai [...]
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Daisuke Takahashi ? Congratulations From Kansai! Daisuke Takahashi is the 2010 Olympic bronze medalist! Daisuke performed well enough to get the bronze medal in the 2010 Olympics even after falling on his quad attempt at the beginning of his last program giving Japan its first Olympic medal in a men’s singles figure skating event. Learn to Skate Faster! Takahashi is a student at Kansai [...]
  • Shamisen and Piano Concert <a href="http://kansainews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/shamisen-icon.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-662" title="Japanese Shamisen" src="http://kansainews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/shamisen-icon.png" alt="Japanese Shamisen" width="256" height="256" /></a>The <strong>shamisen</strong>, also called <em>sangen</em><strong>, </strong>is a three-stringed banjo-like musical instrument played with a plectrum, a <em>bachi</em> in Japanese. The instrument makes a sound twangy sound similar to the banjo yet very distinct and very Japanese.
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Shamisen and Piano Concert <a href="http://kansainews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/shamisen-icon.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-662" title="Japanese Shamisen" src="http://kansainews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/shamisen-icon.png" alt="Japanese Shamisen" width="256" height="256" /></a>The <strong>shamisen</strong>, also called <em>sangen</em><strong>, </strong>is a three-stringed banjo-like musical instrument played with a plectrum, a <em>bachi</em> in Japanese. The instrument makes a sound twangy sound similar to the banjo yet very distinct and very Japanese.
  • Kyoto Housing Fair Looking for a room to rent? Do you like Kyoto? Kyoto Interntaional Community House in the Sakyo Ward of Kyoto will hold a one-day event to share the location of 1000 rooms in Kyoto City on February 6 from 1pm to 4:30 pm. For those seeking help renting a room, counseling will also be available at [...]
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Kyoto Housing Fair Looking for a room to rent? Do you like Kyoto? Kyoto Interntaional Community House in the Sakyo Ward of Kyoto will hold a one-day event to share the location of 1000 rooms in Kyoto City on February 6 from 1pm to 4:30 pm. For those seeking help renting a room, counseling will also be available at [...]
  • Compare Hotel Prices of the Big Guys! Now there is a much easier way to find the best hotel prices around the Kansai area, and the world for that matter!
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Compare Hotel Prices of the Big Guys! Now there is a much easier way to find the best hotel prices around the Kansai area, and the world for that matter!
  • Seeking Musicians The Phoenix Hall in the Kita Ward of Osaka is offering the hall to talented musicians free of charge on select dates in 2011 as a part of arts and cultural activities sponsored by Nissay Dowa General Insurance Company, which operates the venue.
  • $rss = @fetch_rss('http://www.seekjapan.jp/rss/onjapan_rss.xml'); if ( isset($rss->items) && 0 != count($rss->items) ) { foreach ($rss->items as $item ) { $rss->items = array_slice($rss->items, 0, 5); ?>
  • Seeking Musicians The Phoenix Hall in the Kita Ward of Osaka is offering the hall to talented musicians free of charge on select dates in 2011 as a part of arts and cultural activities sponsored by Nissay Dowa General Insurance Company, which operates the venue.
  • Switch to our mobile site