Maps of Miyakonojo Commercial High School, Japan

Miyakonojo Commercial and Agricultural High Schools, Miyazaki Ken, Kyushu, Japan

For a year I taught English at the Miyakonojo Commerical High School, and Miyakonojo Agricultural High School, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Ken, Kyushu, Japan, with the JET program. Kuyshu is the second largest and most southerly of Japan’s four main islands. Having a minor in East Asian Studies, China and Japan, it was an interesting time for me to learn first hand what I had read in university text books. Living in a foreign country for an extended period of time immerses you into the culture and gives you invaluable first hand experiences.

As a Chinese Canadian living in Japan the experience was jolting. Me teachers would introduce me as Chinese, but I would introduce myself as Canadian, and the kids would talk to me as a Canadian. I found it ironic that the kids would be able to see with their eyes.

My memories if Japan are largely pleasant ones. I remember vividly arriving in August to 34C heat and high humidity, and having almost no energy to move the whole day. Half way through the month they broke down and allowed me to use an electric fan! There is no air conditioning in the school. From 09:00 to 16:00 I just laid down on a bench and sweat. In August there were no kids in school and therefore no work. All the other teachers were at home, but I was employed by the school so had to attend work.

Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Ken, Kyushu, Japan

Miyakonojo was, by far, the smallest town I’ve ever lived. I believe there were about 200,000 people in the city. Most people in their 20s and 30s moved away from the city, leaving school aged kids, their parents and the elderly. It was a somewhat socially limiting place, but I still had a good time. I concentrated in learning Japanese, as well as knowledge gems such as “Don’t fly a kite during a hurricane”. As the typhoon swept into the city that day I decided it was time to watch more news!

I rode my scooter around the city and traveled to nearby towns, learning Japanese as I went. I once visited an onsen, to find the nice girl a the front desk was my student. She blushed and so did I. To the south of my apartment were rice paddies, which I explored. My Japanese map of the city had some traditional ruins marked on the map, but when I tried to find them the locals had little idea of what I was looking for. Even they did not know. I eventually found them.

Miyakonojo Commercial High School map, Miyazaki Ken, Japan

It is interesting to be able to use Google Maps to find Miyakonojo Commercial, but to not have any detailed satellite images. Maybe there are some restrictions in Japan about satellite images? I have labeled certain buildings in red, which you won’t get with Google Maps. My apartment one street east of the school, within 5 minutes walk. There were lots of kids around, so I was able to play with them on a daily basis. They would come over and I would give them peanuts and snacks, ride bikes and play tag.

My apartment was 2 story, each story was 7 tatami mats large. Other families that lived in similar apartments had 4-5 people living in the apartment, and I only had one. As well, in front of my apartment was a small garage, where I could park my scooter and bicycle. I was not allowed to ride my scooter to school, because of insurance purposes.

I probably won’t be going back, and I knew that when I left. Still my memories are pleasant and I often wished I would have better appreciated the time when I was there.