Moving to Japan: A Definitive Guide
Japan, an island country surrounded by beautiful mountains, is located in East Asia. Four of the largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku.
Known for its rich history, unique culture and economic strength, Japan has many things to offer. Besides having a popular cuisine, Japan has lots of attractions. Most areas in Japan have a climate temperature with all four seasons. Mount Fuji, the Imperial Palace and Itsukushima are only a small part of what this country has to offer.
Many people choose Japan as a country where they would like to live and work. Japan is a very affordable country. Kyoto and Kawasaki are amongst the cities that have the lowest rent budgets in Japan. In terms of groceries, utilities and some other similar things, Tsushima City and Fukuoka are cheaper. With a big city like Tokyo it is a little different, as it is a little expensive.
About Japan
Moving to Japan is something that people nowadays are more and more interested in. Japan is famous for the innovative tech industries and the business – friendly environment. People from all over the world are able to live, work or even start a business in Japan.
The country offers many job opportunities, making it very popular. As an English speaker, you can even find a job as an English teacher.
Just like some Asian countries, Japan also has a policy of paying people that want to move there. This is due to the fact that the birth rate is very low, not just in Japan, but in most Asian countries.
Why Move to Japan?
People move for all kinds of reasons. Some of the reasons are:
- Japanese national people have a healthy lifestyle which attracts foreigners. Due to Japanese cuisine, the people there are very healthy. If you are a first timer, then using chopsticks might feel complicated, but you can learn that with time. The food is cooked for a very short time, and in some cases it is served raw. If you are on a diet, then you can eat noodles as they are a part of Japanese diets.
- Japan is a safe country with a very low crime rate. Not only people that live in Japan, but also tourists have said that Japan is a safe country. Surprisingly, as a big city Tokyo too has a low crime rate.
- Japan has the best public transportation in the entire world. It is very reliable, punctual and efficient.
- There are many job opportunities in Japan. The county is filled with many thriving industries, so finding a job would not be a problem.
- The natural landscape is another reason why this country is famous. Japan has been an inspiration for many poets and artists. The cherry blossom trees are very popular, but they are a small part of Japan’s beauty.
- Japan is known for the koi fish. Many Japanese meals have fish and many houses have their own aquariums.
- Living in Japan can be very expensive, especially if you live in Tokyo or Osaka. However, Japan always encourages low – skilled guest workers to move to the country and work.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Japan
There are many advantages to living in Japan. But, naturally there are disadvantages too.
Pros of Moving to Japan
- It is known that Japanese public transportation is the best in the world. If you want to travel from one city to another, whether for work or pleasure, you can take the train. And if you want to take a tour, taking a train would be a good choice.
- If you are familiar with big cities like New York then you would know that it is very dirty. Well, in Japan it is very different. Japanese people believe in taking care of their surroundings, not just for themselves but for everyone. You might be surprised to hear that even the streets in Tokyo are very clean.
- Shopping in Japanese malls is unique. They have the latest trends and technology, and even some fun activities to do.
- Healthcare in Japan is really good and it is always available to everyone. Costs are at affordable prices and patients do not wait long for the bill. What is very important is that children that are below the age of 15 will receive free health care.
Cons of Moving to Japan
- Being a foreigner in Japan could be challenging. Japanese people are very warm and welcoming, but culturally they are way different from other people, as they have different beliefs.
- Things like buying a car or a house could be more difficult for you since you are not a native person.
- The language might be a problem too. Learning Japanese language might be a long and hard process, but it will be worth it in the end. In order to master the local language you need to put in a lot of effort.
- Food, shopping and rent might cost you a little more in Japan. It is easy to find a job, but you might need to find a job according to your living needs and expenses. Not every job pays well.
- The streets of Japan are very crowded, so that might be one of the cons. If you easily get overwhelmed or anxious, or even if you just do not like big crowds, Japan might not be the right place for you to live in.
- Carefully selecting your workplace is very important when you move to Japan. Most employers still have the old - fashioned views about taking an annual leave or being the last one in the office. Overall, their workplace is a lot different than the workplaces in America.
Moving to Japan from U.S
Moving to Japan from the US will not be hard as long as you are prepared. If you are not prepared, then the moment you step foot on Japanese land, you will get culture shock. Not only is the language different, but also the lifestyle and cuisine. So take your time to learn and experience everything.
Americans moving to Japan is a very popular topic. Many Americans move to Japan mostly for work. As we mentioned before, in Japan it is very easy to find a job. But, most of the time people move to Japan because of the food. The food in Japan is very rich, not just by meals but flavors as well.
To most Americans, the process of moving to Japan might seem very complicated. However, the process is very simple. You will need to apply for a visa. In case you are planning to live there for a long time, then getting the long – term visa would be the best. This visa is divided into a few categories, so you need to be careful which you pick. You can pick from a work visa, a study visa or just a regular visa for traveling.
Moving to Japan as an American
Moving to Japan as an American citizen is very challenging. There are many differences, whether that is in the culture, the people or the food, so you will need to give yourself the time to settle down. However, as long as you are ready, moving to Japan is very easy.
As an American moving to Japan you will need to prepare yourself for everything. The people there are not English speakers. You might need to learn a thing or two just to show your appreciation for the country. With time, you will learn a lot more.
If you are moving from America, then you will be surprised by the living costs. Living costs in Japan are way cheaper than the U.S.A. If you move with your family, it will be cheaper as well. In Japan, you will pay half of what you are paying in the U.S.A. That alone should be a good reason for you to move to Japan. You may also apply for a student visa in Japan or Japan’s digital nomad visa.
Cultural Differences: Japan vs. U.S.A.
There are many differences between Japan and the United States of America. The differences are not just cultural, but language, education and food too. The list below is the main cultural differences between the two countries:
- Differences in religious practices.
- Japanese culture is a lot more formal than American culture.
- In Japan, politics are not as intense as it is in America.
- America is filled with people with different ethnicities, while in Japan almost everyone is Japanese citizen.
- While in America people greet each other by shaking hands, in Japan people bow to one another.
- In America, adults live separately from their parents. In Japan, most adults live with their parents.
- While tipping your waiter is a common thing in most countries, in Japan and other Asian countries tipping is considered rude.
- Japanese people tend to communicate more subtly, while Americans do it bluntly.
- Gender roles are very strict in Japan.
- In Japan, social hierarchy is very important.
- Eating out in public is considered impolite in Japan, while in America it is okay.
- Cash is not exchanged by hand, as most people use phone applications.
- For Japanese people, it is really bad to show physical affection in public places, while in America it is different.
- Punctuality is very important in Japan. If you show up even a few seconds later it will be counted as impolite.
Acceptable Job Titles with a Visa
As an American planning to move to Japan to work, you will need a work visa. If you do not have a visa, you cannot work. But, if you do, getting a job will be easy. The following is a list of job titles for foreigners that move to Japan:
- Professor
- Doctor or nurse
- You can also choose to do some religious activities
- Artist
- Legal or accounting services
- Researcher
- Investigator
- Business manager
- Investor
- Journalist
- Entertainer
A Guide for Moving to Japan
Before moving to Japan you will need to think about a few things and you will need to prepare some documents. In order to help you, we have made an easy – to – follow guide.
- First you need to prepare the documents. You need to make sure you have all documents and that they are valid. Some documents might need to be translated into Japanese, so you will need to hire a professional Japanese translator.
- Next is managing your finances. This step is very important. You need to consider all living costs, taxes, banking and currency exchange. These are very important to complete.
- Next is arranging a house. You need to decide if you will buy a house or rent one. Once you make the decision, you can start looking at options and choose a home.
- Explore different job opportunities before moving to Japan. Do not just stick to one job, but explore different jobs, because the job that you want might not pay you well in Japan. Also, you need to learn about the work culture in Japan, so you need to do research.
- Organizing healthcare and education. You will need to sign up for health insurance so that you can get the best healthcare for you and your family. If you have children, you need to explore Japanese education culture and education options. Most schools teach in Japanese, so that might be a problem for your child. So you might want to look up international schools that teach in English.
- Staying informed about natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons or other types of storms.
- Experience Japanese culture. Engaging with different things could help you learn more about Japanese culture. You can explore the food, you can go to some traditional ceremonies or festivals.
Interesting Facts about Japan
Japan is a country where many people go when they need a vacation. Many people like living there because it is a very safe country. Not only is it safe, but also the healthcare and education are way better than they are in the U.S.A.
The following is a list of some interesting facts about Japan. Some of them might be familiar to you, while others might not.
- Japan is made up of over 6,800 smaller islands.
- Japan’s national sport is sumo wrestling.
- Japanese cuisine was acknowledged by UNESCO for being healthy.
- The tallest peak in Japan is Mount Fuji.
- Removing shoes before entering a home or a temple is a custom.
- Japan is known for its speedy trains.
- Slurping your noodles is considered to be polite.
- In Japan the number four is considered to be unlucky.
- Japanese people live the longest.
- The transportation system is very punctual.
- Tokyo is the world’s most populated city.
- World’s oldest company is in Japan.
- Japan is full of vending machines.
- Japanese melons are really expensive.
- In the past, Japan had the world’s largest fish market.
- In Japanese cuisine, there is a meat dish made of horse.
- Eating alone is very common in Japan.
- Around 1500 earthquakes strike Japan per year.
- There is a festival where many Japanese men strip naked in public, as it is believed to be a way of securing a fortune – filled year.
Conclusion
Besides being a tourist destination, Japan is a home to many foreigners as well. People from all over the world move there, even Americans. Not only is it cheaper, but Japan has better healthcare and education.
If you are moving to Japan as an American, you need to make sure you have all documents, including your work visa and passport. So remember that if you have a work visa, it will be easier for you to get a job and a car.
Moving to Japan from the US could be challenging. You need to keep in mind that there are many differences. But do not worry, because with time you will get used to your life in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a US citizen move to Japan?
Yes, US citizens can move to Japan. As someone from the US, you may have some challenges like the language barrier and job market in Japan may not be suitable for you. Besides, there might be many benefits of moving to Japan.
How difficult is it to move to Japan?
I depends on your situation. Japanese government and the American government are also different from each other. Japanese citizenship provide various national rights. There are major cities in Japan many digital nomads may prefer. Furthermore, if you especially plan to move Japan permanently, having a Japanese bank account will be a plus.
