Japan is a very historical and complex country in the Pacific Ocean equally known for its traditional customs as it is for its high-tech society. Although it is a country made up of almost 7000 islands, 97% of the 127 million population live on the four main islands of Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku. Many visitors go no further than visiting Tokyo; the capital city of the country and home to over 30 million residents in the metropolitan area. The city is also home to the Imperial Palace and has been described as one of the most liveable cities in the world. Although there are many very large and metropolitan cities in Japan, overseas teachers often favour teaching abroad in Tokyo due to its large number of international schools. Overlooked by the famous Mount Fuji, Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the most famous cities on earth but because of the expense of getting there, for many of us a brief holiday to the Japanese capital is just not cost-effective. Of course, should you wish to stay in Japan for a year or more, teaching in the many schools which place a great deal of importance on learning the English language and other 'Western' skills, is no longer an issue. Indeed, for many teachers teaching abroad, the cost of travel will even be included in their employment package, after initial interviews in the UK. As Tokyo is only paralleled by New York and London in terms of global economic importance, it is a city with depth, character and incredible infrastructure. The cost of living may well be high, but salaries for qualified overseas teachers usually reflect this and a very comfortable life and career can be built in this enormous city. Japanese students tend to be polite and cooperative, but even if you do want to relax amongst the Tokyo nightlife in the evening you will certainly not be short of options. With countless noodle and sushi bars, traditional Japanese restaurants and of course the famous karaoke bars, Tokyo nightlife is never-ending and your newfound colleagues, both local and overseas will be sure to help you enjoy it. Around 5 million overseas visitors arrive in Tokyo each year for its high-tech stores, entertainment districts and cultural heritage sites. There are plenty of excellent accommodation options in Tokyo and many schools will arrange an apartment for you in advance of your arrival so that you're sure to have a comfortable time before and after experiencing the hectic Tokyo lifestyle. The Tokyo Metro serves the vast majority of the city making getting around very simple; daily, weekly, monthly and yearly passes are available and it is highly unlikely you will wish to buy your own car during your time here. Of course, there are other large cities in Japan you may consider teaching in, such as Osaka, Nagoya and Sopporo, as well as smaller towns and villages if you have the opportunity. Japan is an unusual and exciting country to visit and spending a prolonged period of time teaching in Japan can be a real eye-opener.