* Living here in Tajima, you will probably want to consider renting (leasing, hiring) a car. A good number of JETs in Tajima have found that they need a car. Although most other JETs here in Toyooka don't have cars, for your commute to Minato JHS, a car would make your life a lot easier. (The commute is 20 minutes by car, or maybe twice that if you go by foot-train-bus)
* I have been renting from Wataki Motors, a new & used car dealership located just a couple blocks from the apartment. Again, convenience! A number of JETs in Tajima have been renting from Wataki, and I haven't heard of any complaints or problems from anyone. Of course, there are other dealerships in town, but I find Wataki to be pretty good, especially since there is a man who works there, Naoki Ueda, who speaks fluent English.
Naoki had lived in Guatemala for a few years, and also lived in the United States for about 7 years (I think). He actually went to university in Iowa (a midwestern State), where he met his wife, Naoko (yes, it's Naoki and Naoko - how cutesy is that?). Naoko actually is one of the volunteers who teaches us foreigners English at the City Hall, and I really enjoy her classes. She actually taught Japanese at a university in the States, and her English is also quite excellent. (They both also speak fluent Spanish!) Naoki and Naoko married and both of their children were born in the States. They moved to Toyooka (from Michigan) almost two years ago, and they've been a great help to me, whenever I had questions or problems. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help you with anything (car-related, or otherwise). They're really down-to-earth and easy to talk to.
As another side-note, Naoki has just formed a band that plays Latin music (salsa), so if you can play any instrument (and if you like salsa music), then talk to him! (He's also talked about wanting to start bands that play other types of music, like ska, etc. So if you're musically inclined and interested, talk to Naoki!)
* But back to renting a car... Monthly rates range from under 28,000 to over 32,000 yen a month, of course depending on what kind of car you want; and there may be some room for negotiating. The monthly rate includes insurance, although some people get extra insurance just in case. The Japanese government requires every car to pass the safety inspection (sha-ken) every two years, and it usually costs an arm and a leg, but Wataki takes care of the sha-ken inspections on their rental cars. I've luckily never had to worry about or pay for sha-ken. They also will change oil and snow tires for you, free of charge.
* If you are definitely planning on staying for the full three years, I would suggest seriously considering buying a car, rather than leasing one the whole time. I ended up spending waaaaay more these three years of renting than I would have if I had bought a car my first year.
* At the Tokyo Orientation, you will be able to get more information on insurance, sha-ken, and leasing & buying cars.
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