Teaching English in Kobe

Teaching English in Kobe is a great way to experience the cherry blossoms or spend your day off at a local hot spring in the village of Arima Onsen. You can really feel the culture of spiritual reverence in Kobe, so don't miss one of its famous shrines. As a business hub that hosts several multinational corporations — Kawasaki, Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, ASICS — Kobe is a great place to teach Business English and earn a solid salary. Check out local conferences and the Kobe JALT chapter for further connections.

Indulge your senses in natural surroundings

People love teaching English in Kobe because it's a large metropolitan city with no shortage of entertainment, but without the relentless energy of Osaka and Tokyo. While a major city, Kobe sits right next to a mountain range that offers nature lovers an excellent range of activities.

First on the list: a visit to the hot springs at Arima Onsen, one of Japan's most famous spa towns. There are two types of hot springs — the Kinsen (golden) and the Ginsen (silver). Both offer a luxurious experience. Twenty minutes north of Hankyu Okamoto station, indulge in the cherry blossoms — especially the weeping cherry blossom — halfway up Mt. Kinchozan at the Hakura Shrine. Head out early in the morning; you'll see locals enjoying a morning hike, and it doesn't get busy with tourists until later in the day.

Where to live and connect with the TESOL community

Although access to nature is easy in Kobe, it remains an industrial city. When searching for housing, avoid the seaside areas — this part of town is more polluted. Many teachers love living slightly outside the core in areas like Takarazuka. For those who want to live closer to the centre, check out Rokko (not the island) and Okamoto.

For the TESOL community, you can connect and find resources at the annual PanSIG conference at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies. The Kobe JALT chapter is also an excellent ongoing resource.