Just received the papers from my Contracting Organization in Kazusa. Here are the highlights:

Rent: ¥35,000 (about $320 a month)
Deposit: ¥105,000 (about $1000 - yikes! But this is because I have no predecessor...I guess it's better that this fall on me than on someone straight out of college)
My new address: 3382 ki, Kazusa town Minamitakaki-gun, Nagasaki, Japan
Under the "Special leave" section: Special leave shall be provided for the periods set out in the following items: (Menstrual leave) Those days when a female JET is unable to work due to severe menstrual discomfort. (LOL!)

Overall, it looks like a fair contract. I am relieved that there isn't a statement prohibiting others from cohabitating with me. I've heard some horror stories on Big Daikon about prefectures not allowing couples to live together, even if they are engaged.

I also found out that this is close to me - how cool!

Wow. I'm still processing my placement info and getting overwhelmed! Well, um, not overwhelmed by the size of my town (which is quite underwhelming at ~8000 peeps), but by the area in general.

Here's the town website. I can't read a word of it, but the splash page has some neat pics! I guess I'll have to become a beach bum and swim with the dolphins. <--that's a hilarious comment if you know me...the irony...

So the area I will be living on is known as the Shimabara Hanto peninsula. There are plenty of hot springs, a volcano (last eruption: 1991), and lots of Christian architecture. Yes, Christians settled this area long ago...Nagasaki is one of the most diverse areas of Japan. The Dutch influence is huge (which might be a factor in how I got placed here, because I mentioned in the interview that my mother is a Dutch immigrant).

*breathes* Must get back to research!

Placement!

Nagasaki-ken
Kazusa-machi

Right on the motherfuckin' ocean! I'm not sure how I feel about that yet - will post more about it after doing some research.