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Kyotango-ichi

Kyotango's location in Japan


Kyōtango (京丹後市) is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It was formed on April 1, 2004 by the merger of several different towns. Technically, the population is 51,404 (as of May 2023), but these numbers are spread out over a large area. The city consists of the following towns, each with their own respective Municipal AET placements (only 1 per town). Due to the decreasing local population and low birthrate, this situation could easily change as schools can close down or merge.


In addition, there are currently 2 Prefectural AET placements (Mineyama HS and Tango Ryokufuu HS), with living accommodations near their respective schools. There are also three CIRs, one stationed at the city hall in Mineyama, one at the Tourism Association in Amino, and one at the Board of Education in Omiya, and all three are provided with housing nearby their workplace.

All JETs residing in Kyōtango are strongly advised to have cars due to having multiple widely spread schools. It's also quite inaka and isolated from the rest of the prefecture, thanks to the mountains. Although some areas (such as Mineyama) are more urban than other areas.

The towns are relatively straightforward, although there is an odd border here and there, except Tango. The town of Tango is very spread out and consists of two areas that are, for all intents and purposes, separate villages. The first is Taiza, where the Tango AET lives, and Ukawa, which is further north. Both of these villages are part of the town of Tango, but the residents all say they live in Taiza or Ukawa, never Tango. In recent years, more students are saying they are from Tango.

Amino is the largest town by population, but Mineyama and Omiya are the central areas, with Mineyama as the seat for the Kyotango City Hall. Mineyama is the commercial and transportation hub of Kyotango, with MINE Mall and other outlets accessible.

There is an X-band radar station operated by U.S. Forces Japan in Tango. There are many foreign contractors working in conjunction with the base, many of whom live in a suburb of Amino, but there are people scattered all over the area that work there as well.


Transportation

Getting In[]

From Tokyo Orientation, you will meet with the Kyoto Prefecture group and take the shinkansen together, into Kyoto-shi. Make sure you buy a bento and drinks before getting on the train. It's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes from the Keio Plaza Hotel, since you'll be walking a lot and switching trains. Once on the shinkansen, you can change into your proper business attire and shoes. Double-check that you have all necessary documents such as your passport, residence card (zairyu kaado), and some cash on you. You will need it!

Shortly after arriving at Kyoto Station, you will meet your supervisor and part ways with the group. You will most likely be riding in a car with your supervisor, and it can be a pretty long drive. Please bring something to read or do for the ride during those awkward moments, but also be sure to make small talk with your supervisor and get to know them. You may get lucky and have a veteran ALT or another JTE riding in the car.

Once you arrive in Kyōtango, your situation will vary. You will likely visit Mineyama to register at City Hall and visit MINE Mall to purchase some basic home goods. Many ALTs use Bank of Kyoto, so a bank stop is likely too. The first month will be a lot of bureaucracy. Always have some money and your basic documents on hand at all times for the first month.

Getting Around[]

  • By Car: This will be your easiest method of transportation. Kyōtango City ALTs have many schools to work at, so having a car is essential. The city of Kyōtango is very spread out, and the train services are quite limited. Unfortunately, the BOE does not provide us cars, or contribute funds for the purchase or rental of one. You have 3 options of obtaining a car:
  1. Renting: Most AETs rent from Wataki Motors in Toyooka. It's the easiest method, as they speak English and take care of all the difficult stuff for you, like insurance, shaken (annual check), snow tires (definitely need those), and more. This is also probably the most expensive way to go, although it removes the need for self-maintenance completely.
  2. Inheriting: If your predecessor owned a car themselves, they may fancy selling it to you. However, it will be up to you to take care of insurance, shaken, snow tires, etc. This is definitely a cheaper method due to the high costs of renting, even with shaken, although it can be difficult to manage this without proficiency in Japanese.
  3. Buying: Perhaps the most difficult option, but also another inexpensive alternative to renting. You or someone with you will need strong skills in reading and speaking Japanese to negotiate a sale. As with inheriting a car, everything is up to you, but the car is YOURS. If you move, you might have to pay someone to take it.
  • By Train: Depending on where you are placed in Kyōtango, you may have access to a train station. The area is serviced by the Tantetsu Kyoto Tango Railway which is run by Willer Trains. The trains aren't the most convenient method of transportation, as they don't run frequently, and the last trains leave quite early. However, they are still useful and fairly simple to navigate, even with limited Japanese skills. At some stations you can buy a ticket ahead of time, yet it is common to board these trains and pull a ticket from the back (similar to the buses). If you regularly commute, either your BOE will pay each fare or give you a commuter pass. Here is more information, in English, from the Kyotango City website.
  • By Bus: Kyōtango City does have a bus service, although it can be inconvenient for some folks. The buses do have more frequent service than the trains, though. You can find more information about fares and schedules here, although it's all in Japanese. There are also affordable highway express services to Kyoto City and Osaka City, and you can find fares and schedules here.
  • By Bicycle: The Tango area in general is quite beautiful and scenic for riding bicycles. Just be cautious of winding roads with deep gutters! There are bike repair shops, just call ahead. There is one in Mineyama, close to City Hall.

Working[]

Municipal[]

Municipal AETs of Kyōtango City are employed by the Board of Education. Like everyone else on the JET Programme, contracts are renewed on an annual basis. The official AET supervisor works at the BOE, but our direct supervisor is the Kyoto-sensei at our base schools. Typically, Kyōtango AETs report to their base school during student vacations and breaks, unless they are closed, in which case the BOE is our place of work. At this time, the BOE does not provide subsidies for housing or transportation.

Prefectural[]

Prefectural AETs are employed by the Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education, based in Kyoto City. Contracts are renewed on an annual basis. Prefectural AETs have one supervisor who is the Vice Principal at their base school.  In addition to this, Prefectural AETs have a Daily Supervisor at each school they work at who will, in almost every case, be a member of the English department. Like the Municipal AETs, Prefecturals will report to their base school during student vacations and breaks. However, it is possible that visit schools will ask them to attend sporadically for club meetings and events during this time. The Prefectural ALT's base school subsidizes transport costs, although housing is not.

For Prefectural ALTs, please refer to this regularly updated website by the PAs. Conferences are mandatory and your base school will reimburse you. There are ways to stay in touch with other Prefectural ALTs, mostly over the app LINE or Discord.

Other ALTs[]

In the area, there are a handful of direct hires, other dispatch companies, and private school teachers. If you are working with a non-JET ALT, notify your PA immediately. Sometimes, the non-JET ALT's work time will overlap with yours. There is one local ALT (direct hire) who is retired, yet often works for some of the senior high schools on an emergency basis.

CIRs[]

There are three CIR positions in Kyotango: one in Kyotango City Hall in Mineyama, one at the BOE in Omiya, and one at the Tourism Association in Amino. The City Hall CIR works closely with the Kyotango City International Association (KIA) and will be involved in activities with the local U.S. Army base. The BOE CIR works closely with the school system (preschool to junior high level) and has the most communication with the AETs. The Tourism CIR will be mostly promoting inbound tourism to Kyotango. So far, all of Kyotango's CIRs have been from English-speaking countries. This kind of arrangement is rare for rural municipalities, but it provides lots of opportunities to work together and collaborate on various translation and interpreting projects. The Kyoto Prefecture CIRs are also a part of the Kyoto Tabunka CIR Network, which allows for easier collaboration between CIRs of different cities for events promoting international exchange and multiculturalism.

Weather[]

The coast along the Sea of Japan has long been notorious for heavy snowfall due to the northern winds blowing down from Siberia. Although people say that it has been snowing less and less, you should be prepared appropriately. Winter precipitation often shifts between powder snow, hail, sleet, and cold rain, leading to unfavorably icy conditions on the roads. For a few years, there hasn't been too much single-time accumulation, as winter 2016-2017 saw more snow than previous years, but still not too much at any one time. Winter 2022 - 2023 was a bit colder and rougher. Bring your best snow boots and beware of black ice. Winter starts in December with snow flurries and ends in March with cherry blossoms. The heaviest months are usually in January and February. The winter waves are notoriously rough in the Sea of Japan, so many professional surfers will come to catch the high waves.

During the spring, Kyotango is a beautiful place for cherry blossom viewing and the season usually comes a week later than Kyoto City. In addition to the cherry blossoms, all sorts of flowers can be seen throughout the area throughout the year. Hanago Okada is a flower park featuring some beautiful seasonal blooms. Some prime cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyotango are Hanareko Park (Amino), Mineyama General Sports Park/Tango Performing Arts Hall Parking Lot (Mineyama), Takeno River (Wadanobashi, Yasaka), but you can see swathes of cherry trees flowering all around. When the weather begins to warm, be prepared for seasonal allergies as nearby forests are abundant with cedar, cypress, and beech.

Summer is hot and very humid and officially starts after tsuyu (rainy season) ends in mid-July. If you're in Amino, Tango, or Kumihama, you'll have a breeze off the ocean to help, but not by much. It will also be festival season, so look out for firework shows every weekend. For more details, you can check here in English or check here for more events in Japanese. Public beach season officially begins on Marine Day (third Monday of July), and most of the swimming beach parking lots will be staffed to collect parking fees. Kyotango is also affected by heavy rainfall during typhoon season, so please exercise caution if you live in a low elevation area near a major river or on the first floor for flooding. October is when it starts to cool off.

As the leaves change in November, Kyotango becomes a multicolored wonder to behold. Some places of note to see the autumn foliage are the Great Gingko Trees along National Route 178 (Amino) and the maple trees around the Tango Earthquake Memorial Hall (Mineyama).

Eating[]

Restaurants[]

Finding restaurants in Kyōtango may seem somewhat daunting, but there are many great places to eat in the area. Some of these have obvious locations, while others are hidden gems known only to the locals. Sometimes, ownership can change as well. Kyoto Prefectural ALTs have a Google Map dedicated to recommended places.

Just a warning, please make a reservation ahead of time. Many places will not serve you without a reservation. Many cafes and restaurants are not anti-foreigner. They are anti-non-reservation. For some places, you can make reservations online or through LINE.

  • Amino
    1. Ma Maison
    2. Torimatsu/Matsutaro (traditional Tango Fare and a noodle cafe)
    3. Little White Flower (hotel with restaurant)
    4. Urashima (the famous Neopolitan pizza place)
    5. Morigen (hotel restaurant and bar with English speaking staff)
    6. Shatte mo Coco // Green Leaf Cafe (American cafe, you can buy foreign goods here)
    7. Kokorajitei (ramen)
    8. Cafe Kosyumaru (seafront cafe with all-day lunch menu)
  • Kumihama
    1. Kaki no Ki
    2. Sala Thai Restaurant (only open from May to October)
    3. Bay Cook
    4. Kumihama Rest Inn
    5. Reception Garden
    6. Cocotte
    7. The Spice (popular curry restaurant)
    8. Aonone (high-end Italian-style restaurant with an affordable lunch course)
    9. Wakuden MORI (popular, expensive)
  • Mineyama
    1. McDonald's (chain restaurant)
    2. Sushiro (chain restaurant)
    3. Sukiya (chain restaurant)
    4. Tomato & Onion (chain restaurant)
    5. Gyoza no Ohsho (chain restaurant)
    6. Yakiniku Kalbitaro (AYCE Japanese BBQ)
    7. Pizakozo
    8. Ajiko (ramen)
    9. Cafe Angel (family-owned, near the station)
  • Omiya
    1. Usagiya
    2. Rairaitei Ramen
    3. Fufutei Ramen
    4. Namaste
    5. Marugame Udon
    6. Takumi (udon)
  • Tango
    1. Hisami
    2. Umashiyado Totoya Ryokan
    3. Kazan
    4. Patisserie Croq-mille
  • Yasaka
    1. Tango Kingdom
    2. Tentomushi Batake (organic vegetable cafe)
    3. Tempu Soba

Grocery Stores[]

  • A chain of grocery stores called Nishigaki services northern Kyoto Prefecture.
  • In Omiya, there is a store called Itotome that carries a lot of specialty import goods not found in normal grocery stores. A must-go for homesick foreigners, but very pricey.
  • There are several Fresh Bazaar supermarkets in Kyotango. Regional chain that mostly has stores across Northern Kinki.
  • There is a Gyomu Super in Mineyama, near the police station, that carries bulk, frozen, and foreign foods for low prices.

Convenience Stores[]

  • There are an abundance of FamilyMarts, Lawson Stations, and Yamazaki Shops.
  • If you want to find a 7-Eleven, the closest are in Maizuru and Fukuchiyama.

Drinking[]

Be careful about drinking! Drinking culture is still strongly rooted in the local social life, but don't drink and drive. More and more restaurants offer non-alcoholic menus, but even if you do drink, there are daikou (substitute driver) and taxi services available.

If you are looking to buy drinks, there is a popular store next to Mineyama Station called Yamasho, which carries a replete selection of sake, shochu, and imported liquors. Other places include FamilyMart, Lawsons, and Godai Drug Stores.

Sightseeing[]

If you are interested in shrines, beaches, silk textile, and ancient Japanese history, then you are in the right region! You can view the tourism website here for sightseeing and reserving various experiences.

The San'in Kaigan Geopark is popular to visit as well, and stretches from Kyogamisaki in Tango through Tottori Prefecture.

Shopping[]

Setting Up[]

  • MINE Mall (Mineyama) is where most folks go for Daiso and fashion apparel. They also have a Heiwado Supermarket, so you can pick up your groceries while you shop.
  • Recycle Mart is the secondhand store next to MINE Mall and is great if you want a good deal on home appliances, furniture, and vintage apparel. Most items have minimal wear and tear. You'll find lot of things from Nitori that are marked down here too. They also have a delivery service (via kei truck) for large items that you purchase. You can also sell your old goods here before you move out.
  • Juntendo, Komeri, and Nafco are home centers where you can buy tools to fix up your home, start your gardening hobby, or get your snow shovels and brushes. Juntendo sells pets like hamsters and fish if you want a little friend to accompany you.
  • Daiso and Seria are the main 100 yen store brands here. Daiso is located in Mineyama, Omiya, and Amino (albeit mini, off-brand looking one though). Seria carries a lot of cute items in their selection, which makes it easier to find things for gift giving.

Drug Stores[]

  • Godai Drug is the major drug store in northern Kyoto. They're a chain store that you can find in Fukuchiyama. Mineyama has 2 Godai stores, one in Sugitani (around City Hall) and the other next to MINE Mall.
  • Cosmos is recognizable with its big, pink signage and is another local favorite due to the large variety of products that they carry. There are stores in Amino, Mineyama, and Omiya.

Grocery Stores[]

  • Fresh Bazaar - Owned by Sato Group and is recognizable with its red signage. You will find their stores all over Northern Kinki, but they have locations in Amino, Yasaka, and Mineyama. They use the Ai Plus Card as their point card. They often have a good produce and seafood selection. Pretty reliable stock, but a lot of vegetables tend to run out at the later hours. The one in Mineyama is open until 12AM.
  • Nishigaki - Local grocery chain that operates only in the Tango Region due to new business directions from the parent company. The point reward card they use is KoGCa (pronounced Kojika) Card. They have a lot of seafood and produce from local producers. Some Nishigaki stores also have a special Costco section with all sorts of foods and goods, and stock will change on a weekly basis.
  • Gyomu Super - Wholesale bulk retailer with a good selection of import frozen foods, spices, and seasonings. Great for parties or hoarding in your extra deep freezer.
  • Heiwado (MINE) - Nationwide chain supermarket with everything you would need. It is on the pricier end for most items, but they have a larger selection of pickled foods, deli items, ice creams, and frozen foods compared to other supermarkets in the area.
  • Chokubaisho (Direct Sale Stands) - Managed by local farms, you can purchase fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables without paying the supermarket pricing. This option is more convenient if you live in Amino and Kumihama.

Clothing/Apparel[]

  • Shimamura - The budget-friendly clothing store available all over Japan. You can go treasure hunting for some fun Engrish apparel.
  • Chambre - A slightly upgraded version of Shimamura with lots of cute home goods, gifts, and K-beauty. A great place to find a gift for a gal-friend.
  • MINE Mall - They have a few stores inside that sell apparel for various age ranges. Honeys and other boutiques are on the 1st floor, and the more generic clothing store is on the 2nd floor.
  • Aoki - Business attire chain.
  • Uniqlo/GU - Closest Uniqlo stores are in Fukuchiyama and Toyooka. The one in Fukuchiyama carries the new collaboration items, but the one in Toyooka is just the basics.

Nearby Cities[]

  • Toyooka: If you're in the Kumihama placement, lucky you. This is the closest city of a decent size, located in Hyogo Prefecture, and it's even larger and more convenient than the main part of Kyōtango. You can reach Toyooka either by train, bus, or both. Most ALTs rent their cars from an English-speaking dealership here. You can also find 2 shopping malls, many grocery stores and restaurants, parks, a large fitness/recreation center, and more. There is also a larger train station (for the area, anyway) with limited express services to larger cities. They also have a thriving JET/Interac community and a Japanese language school that offers classes. Visiting the onsens in Kinosaki is a must!
  • Yosano: A small town directly to the southeast of Kyotango. There are four ALTs that teach at the local schools. The area is known for silk textile production, so some small textile artisans and companies call Yosano home. There's a historical street called the Chirimen Kaido, where you can see and experience the history of the town. There's also a great burger place and a lovely restaurant/inn that serves wild game up in the mountain area.
  • Miyazu: The city that is the home to Amanohashidate. Many JTEs live in this city, and there are a handful of ALTs. Also, there is the picturesque Ine Town as well! Ine only has one ALT. Miyazu BOE has 2 JET ALTs for elementary and junior high school, it could change soon. There are 2 Prefectural ALTs that work in the public senior high schools.
  • Maizuru: One of the larger port towns on this side of Japan with a long naval history. You can ride a ferry from here to get to Niigata, Aomori, or Hokkaido. There are two ALTs and one CIR.
  • Fukuchiyama: If you are in Mineyama or near Miyazu, you should consider yourself very lucky. This is where most folks go for their Starbucks, Mr. Donut, Uniqlo, or other large stores. Many students go to Fukuchiyama on the weekends as well. This is the southernmost point for the Tango Railway. It is easy to buy foreign goods here. Most ALTs here are with dispatch companies and there is a solid international community. There is only one JET ALT in the city.
  • Kyoto: This is the capital city of Kyoto-fu, where people think you are placed when you tell them you live in Kyoto (ah, if only). All major JET meetings, training seminars, etc. happen here, even though it's the least convenient location for us. It's approximately 2.5-3 hours away by car, train, or combination.
  • Kobe: You can get to Kobe from Fukuchiyama via train or bus.
  • Osaka: You can take a direct bus to Osaka via Tankai Highway Express Bus that will need prior reservation. However, you can also go by train from Toyooka, Fukuchiyama, Kyoto City, or another route.

External Links[]

Kyotango City Hall

Kyotango City Hall Foreign Residents Section

Kyotango Tourism (in English)

Tango Encyclopedia

Kyoto Prefecture Multilingual Website

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