How to Move to Japan In 4 Steps (how I did it)
I love Japan. I’ve been living here on and off for the past five years. It always feels like my second home each time I come back. The people are amazing, the food is great and it just feels right.
And I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with the whole process of packing up and settling down here.
So welcome to my guide on how to move to Japan.
We’ll be looking at the general process (from my experiences), key tips to know and the most common ways you can get a work visa.
So let’s wrap up this chit chat. Let’s get to it.
Table of Contents Show
Why Move to Japan, Anyways?
You likely have a reason or two you want to call the land of the rising sun home.
But given the many perks of moving here, it’s worth a quick discussion.
So why should you move to Japan? I mean, what’s so great about this place compared to other countries?
While there are downsides to Japan (like any country), the pros definitely outweigh any cons.
Here are my personal top reasons for moving to Japan (and why I keep coming back):
Amazing food
I get to practice and learn Japanese
The people here are really warm and welcoming
I have many friends here (and I’m always making more)
There’s great shopping and thrifting
The city’s vibe and general aesthetic is simply unmatched
I get spoiled by Japan’s excellent and convenient public transportation
There’s great snowboarding
Recommended: The Top Pros + Cons of Living In Japan
How to Move to Japan (4 steps)
Alright, now that we’re sufficiently jazzed, let’s look at how to get your Japanese address.
This is all based on my experience moving to Japan from the US to be an English teacher (two separate times) and more recently, as a remote worker.
So let’s dive in.
1. Budget for Your First Month(ish)
If you’re curious about moving to Japan, a good first step is to do some casual budgeting.
Namely, you want to answer two core questions:
How much money do I need to live and pay my bills (at home and abroad)?
What’s the average salary based on the type of work I’ll be doing in Japan?
If you don’t have any savings yet, then setting a budget over the next few months is a good first goal.
Even though you’ll be working in Japan, it can take up to a month or longer before you receive your first paycheck. So I recommend saving at least a few thousand dollars to hold you over.
Of course, I’ve gotten by on much less (so it all depends on how frugal you can be and your lifestyle).
So what’s a realistic budgeting timeline for you? How long will it take you to save an extra $2-3,000?
2. Get A Visa
Getting a visa to live in Japan is probably the longest and most cumbersome part of this process. But it’s also the most important step.
So how do you get a visa to live in Japan?
What are the requirements and how long does it take?
Let’s unpack things. Here are some FAQs about finding work and getting a visa to live in Japan.
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There are two main visas you’ll likely be considering if you want to move to Japan:
Student visa
Work visa
The student visa is perfect if you want to study Japanese at a language school or if you’re studying abroad through your university (in which case, your school should guide you on the process).
But for the rest of this section, let’s assume you’re going for a work visa.
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A Japanese work visa is a special permission that lets you live and work (or earn an income) while in Japan.
If you come on a tourist visa, you cannot work or earn money while visiting.
Here are a few of the main types of work visas:
Professor visa
Specialist in humanities visa
Instructor visa
Entertainer visa
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The main way to get a Japanese work visa is by applying for a job and getting sponsored by the hiring company.
Some companies will offer you an instructor visa while others may give you a specialist in humanities visa. You’ll learn which visa you’re getting during your application process.
For example, I was technically an independent contractor so I had a specialist in humanities visa.
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In my experience (and based on numbers I’ve gotten from employers), the visa process usually takes somewhere between 6-12 weeks.
As a reference point, my school recommended applying 3-5 months before my intended date of arrival.
This gave me enough time to go through the interviewing process, visa application procedures and any potential delays.
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If you’re a native English speaker, then applying to be an English teacher will be the quickest and easiest way to get a work visa for Japan.
The interviewing process is pretty simple and there are less requirements (compared to other jobs that may require Japanese skills or technical expertise).
This all probably comes as no surprise. So let’s talk more about teaching in Japan.
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Teaching in Japan is a nice life. It’s an awesome experience and a fun lifestyle.
There are tons of schools and positions available throughout the country, but your main options will be:
Working as an ALT (assistant language teacher) in a Japanese school
Working with young children (almost like an English daycare)
Working at an eikaiwa (which is an English conversation school)
A good first step would be to research these different positions and decide which would best suit your goals and personal preferences (because each one has their own pros and cons).
For example, working at an eikaiwa lets you work in smaller groups (or one-on-one), but for some schools, you won’t get paid unless a student actually books your open lesson times.
This can be stressful for some teachers.
But, you also get more autonomy and schedule flexibility. Plus, I like the one-on-one lesson formats.
I worked for a company called Gaba, and while there was less support and sometimes my schedule was unpredictable (booking rates are usually around 80%), I had a solid experience.
You can find open eikaiwa positions (and many other jobs) through GaijinPot (“gaijin” means foreign person).
But if you’re keen to work as an ALT, going through the Jet Program is probably the best route.
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While some schools and programs require TEFL certification and a degree from an English-speaking university, other places may not.
For example, having real experience teaching is sometimes enough.
But if you’re a native English speaker with a degree (any degree), you’re all but guaranteed to get a job offer somewhere.
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Besides English, there are plenty of other job opportunities – but they can be harder to get *unless you can speak Japanese or have specific skills and expertise.
If you know at least some Japanese, you can find work in the hospitality industry and if you have N2 level or higher, you can find work as a salaried worker.
While GaijinPot has jobs beyond English teaching, Daijob is another good website worth checking out.
It’s worth noting that I’ve noticed a lot of demand for IT positions, such as software engineering. So if you’re experienced in these fields, you may find yourself with more doors open.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling extra industrious, you could start a business in Japan to secure a visa. While this requires more money and planning, it is another option worth exploring.
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Yes — this is what I do. So this is the last way to move to Japan (as a tourist, technically).
You can work remotely and simply live here part-time.
I have clients based in the US, which allows me to work anywhere. So I usually come to Japan and live here for about 3 months at a time (sometimes more, if I leave and come back for a fresh tourist visa).
This would be the route of the digital nomad.
Technically, you’re not supposed to spend more than 180 days in Japan per year, starting from your first arrival date. But this law seems loosely enforced and information is scant.
Still, it’s something to keep in mind and you may want to speak with a lawyer or immigration expert to learn more (as I am neither of those things…).
So I usually come here in the fall and spring for three months each time (these are the best months to visit anyways).
3. Find Accommodation
After you’ve landed a job, often the next step is to start researching your accommodations. If you’re getting a sponsored visa, your employer will likely guide you (or help a bit) in this.
There are plenty of housing options in Japan – from affordable pads to more spacious places with gardens and rooftop decks.
But my favorite type of accommodation is a sharehouse. They’re cheap, convenient and super fun.
Sharing a kitchen and bathroom with other housemates keeps your rent cost down, but you still have privacy with your own room (which is enough for me).
Also, all of your utilities are usually included in your rent and security deposits are kept to a minimum.
Finally, staying at a sharehouse gives you an instant community of people to hang out with.
It’s a great way to make friends and ensure you have a social life while getting settled in a new country.
There are many sharehouse companies in Japan, but my top recommendation is Borderless House (if you’re staying in Tokyo or Osaka).
I’ve also stayed with Oakhouse and have had good experiences with them too.
As for location, I just try to choose an apartment that’s relatively close to work (within 30 minutes, ideally).
And if you’re staying in and around Tokyo, you’re usually not more than a 15 minutes walk to a train station. So I’ve never personally had issues with house location and nearby train stations.
4. Book Your Flight
Alright, now that you’ve got enough coins in your bank, secured a work visa and job and know where you’ll be living, it’s time to book your flight.
Again, similar to searching for your accommodations, your employer will likely guide you in this step as well.
But just be sure to not buy a plane ticket too soon. For example, during the visa application process, traveling or having a plane ticket may cause delays.
Also, there’s a chance that the visa process takes longer than expected, so needing to reschedule your flights can be bothersome.
But if you’ve got your visa application approved and the job lined up, you’ll be ready to purchase that one-way ticket into Japan.
This is always my favorite part.
Hot Tip: Tokyo has two major airports: Haneda and Narita. So research where your apartment is and, if possible, fly into the airport that’s closest to where you’re staying.
Recommended: My Experience Booking With Alternative Airlines
Moving to Japan (my 10 best tips)
Before wrapping up this post, I thought I’d share some of my top tips for moving to Japan.
Here are some ways to ensure everything goes extra smooth for you.
Learn Some Basic Japanese
Getting around Japan is way easier and more rewarding when you know a little Japanese.
You don’t need to be an expert or anything, but having a few phrases in your pocket will go a long way.
For starters, here are some core Japanese phrases worth learning (as you’ll use them almost everyday):
Daijoubu
It’s okay; I’m okay; are you okay?; I’m fine
Arigatou (gozaimasu)
Thank you
Onegaishimasu
Yes please (give me that thing)
Hai
Yes
Sumimasen
Excuse me
Tashikani
Ah yes, I know and I agree
Naruhodo
I understand
Eigo o hanase masu ka?
Can you speak English?
You Don’t Need to Bring Everything
Overpacking can be a problem. Especially when you’re moving overseas long-term, it’s hard to decide what you should bring.
So this tip is a friendly reminder that Japan is a very modern country and has most everything you could ever need (aside from your favorite brands or particular products you can only buy in your home country).
Recommended: How I Pack Like A Writer Writes (minimalist travel)
Embrace Discomfort + Have An Adventurer’s Mindset
Travel isn’t always easy. But it’s always worth it.
So when you start to feel discomfort (even before your flight), try to embrace it. These are feelings of being alive.
You’re on an epic adventure and it’s not always comfortable. The best solution is to accept it, love it and just go with the flow.
This is the art of having an adventurer's mindset.
Brush Up On Japanese Etiquette
When moving to Japan, it’s important that we respect our new home. And a lot of this comes down to understanding some of the etiquette.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing stressful and you’ll pick up on things pretty quick.
Here are the basic things to remember:
Avoid talking on your phone on trains
Avoid eating on the trains too
Eating while walking on the street can feel rude also (especially in busy areas)
Never litter or leave your trash
Stand to the left of escalators if you’re in Tokyo (and to the right in you’re in Osaka)
Just be polite and don’t act like an idiot (which is just solid advice in general)
Always Carry Some Cash On You
While credit cards are pretty much accepted everywhere these days, there are still places that are cash only (there’ll usually be a sign).
Also, train ticket machines tend to be cash only as well.
So it’s best to always have some cash on you (I usually keep between 3-10,000 yen on me).
Pick Up An IC Card
An IC card is Japan’s subway card. You can add money to it and use it at many stores and restaurants (like a debit card).
They’re super convenient and much easier than buying tickets each time (obviously).
But as of August 2023, there was a shortage of IC cards. I believe they’ll be back in stock by the new year, but it’s something to keep in mind.
You can also just download the app (for example, the Suica app), which lets you manage your card balance and go through ticket machines using your phone.
Fill Out Customs + Immigration Forms Online (*optional)
One positive that came out of the pandemic was an easier way to fill out your customs and immigration forms before entering Japan.
While it’s not terribly inconvenient to do this on the plane, you can opt to fill these out online before you leave through the Visit Japan Web service.
Again, this is totally optional, but it’s one less thing to do on the airplane. You can just show your QR code instead of dealing with those pesky papers.
Taking A Bus From the Airport Is Cheaper
Depending on where your apartment is, taking the train from the airport can be a bit pricey.
It usually costs me around 3,000 yen each time. This isn’t terrible, but if you’re looking to save a few coins, taking the bus is usually cheaper.
You can generally find bus ticket counters as soon as you exit customs with your luggage.
Order A SIM Card Before Coming to Japan
Trying to find your way around (e.g., to your hotel or new apartment) will be much easier if you have service in Japan.
While you’ll probably be getting a more permanent Japanese number with your job, grabbing a cheap one month SIM card can be helpful until you get a more permanent phone plan set up.
I usually use Mobal to order a SIM before I leave for Japan. But you can also just pick up a SIM card while at the airport once you arrive (or at major electronic stores like Bic Camera).
Explore Japan Before You Decide to Move Here
While I love Japan (and can’t imagine who wouldn’t), I also know it’s not for everyone.
So the best way to avoid regret is to know what you’re getting into. There are two main ways to do this:
Research
Going on a trip to Japan
Of course, taking a holiday to Japan before deciding to move there is expensive and often unrealistic. But if you can swing it, this would be the best way to ensure you’ll love it here.
The next best solution is to use YouTube. There are many Japanese walking tour channels that are just 1-2 hours videos of someone walking around Tokyo or another city.
It’s a great way to explore Japan without actually visiting. You can get a sense of the streets, vibe and atmosphere, all from the comfort of your home thousands of miles away.
Want More? Okay. Here’s More.
