Question Joel, I have been offered a position teaching English in Wakayama, and I am curious about the nightlife, size of the foreign population, and what the bar/shopping arcade is like. I lived in Matsuyama for a year, and the populations of the two cities is close...Wakayama is a little smaller.
Answer I'm really sorry but I am not going to be of much help. I've not been to eiither place. When I lived in Japan I was in Tokyo. I talked to quite a few English teachers and most people wanted to either be in Tokyo or a smaller city. There are plusses and minuses for both the capitol and other places, but if you have taught in a medium siized city before, I can't imagine that Wakayama would be all that different from Matsuyama. As for specifics like malls and nightlife, perhaps another expert can help you or yoou can try the Lonely Planet message board at www.lonelyplanet.com then click Thorntree. Then either North Asia or Japan. Best of luck... Joel
