Job in Tokyo or Okinawa

6 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Job in Tokyo or Okinawa**

   I got a job interview with a Japanese company. I got to choose where I get to work (Okinawa or Tokyo). They offer fresh graduates in Tokyo for ~260000 yen and ~210000 for Okinawa. I am thinking of commuting from neighboring prefectures if I choose Tokyo. But I heard that commute in Tokyo is long stressful and the cost of living is much higher.

   This is what I am thinking

   ​

   Tokyo

   + higher pay

   + access to other parts of the country

   + more business/job opportunities

   – long and stressful commute

   – cost of living

   Okinawa

   + accommodation within the prefecture (potentially lower commute time)

   – Not connected to mainland

   – American military bases (I don’t want to live near soldier if possible)

   – lower pay

   I am not much familiar with living and lifestyle in Japan. I would be really grateful for any input.

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2. Some of my thoughts here.
   First, have you been to Okinawa? It’s important.

   Okinawa is an extremely lovely place with relaxed pace of life and warm weather, however:

   1) Yes, the pay is lower and the pay in general is lower in Okinawa. The rent is not that much lower.

   2) Commuting from, say, Kanagawa to Tokyo sounds like a big deal while in fact it isn’t. Tokyo has great public transportation. Okinawan transportation is awful and mainly consists of buses. Even if you live within the prefecture you can commute for hours. Okinawa is also much-much larger than Tokyo.

   3) Some things about lifestyle in Okinawa are worth to know and it’s that you will need a car. Without a car it’s not very nice to live there, unless you work and live in central Naha. You don’t need a car in Tokyo.

   4) Groceries are much cheaper in Okinawa, so yes, you don’t spend as much money as you would in Tokyo.

   To put things together, Okinawa has nicer weather, but it’s harder to live there, especially when you don’t have money. Tokyo is colder and don’t have as nice environment, but if you choose your place wisely your commute may not be that bad.

   Besides, be it 210 or 260 thousand, consider it a very low salary. It will be hard to live on it in both Tokyo and Okinawa.

3. Do you also have a bonus or any housing subsidy in addition to the 260k base salary

4. I wouldn’t say Okinawa has a lower commute time, Naha traffic is legendarily bad.

   You don’t say what sort of hobbies or interests you have. In the Tokyo area you can take a not very long train and be out of the area and in the countryside. You can do that by car a bit in Okinawa, but not in mountains and rivers and such. Of course if you like warmer weather and beach, Okinawa is much better.

   Honestly the commutes in Tokyo aren’t that terrible. Yeah, it’s crowded, but there’s also tons of trains to relieve some of that congestion.

   That Okinawa salary is what would worry me the most – that’s really low.

5. If I were you, I’d choose Tokyo.
   However, it depends on your preference, hobbies, and tastes.

   Okinawa is a really nice place. I’ve been there many times but I think it must be hard to live there as well.
   In Okinawa, you need to drive. The weather is much more humid. There are not so many events/conventions/exhibitions. You usually need to play extra shipment when you order something online.
   If you have niche genre hobbies and like going to museums and exhibitions, Tokyo is much better.

6. Why would you care that the us military is nearby?