12 Pros and Cons of Living In Japan (my experience)
I’ve been living in Japan on and off for the past six or seven years. I’ve experienced the country as both a resident working in Tokyo and also as a tourist (working remotely).
Overall, I love it here. I mean, there’s a reason I keep coming back. There’s a comfort and certain nostalgia I get whenever I visit.
But even though I call it my second home, it’s not always perfect (then again, no country is).
So after spending many years here, these are my top pros and cons of living in Japan.
Let’s do this!
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Japan 101
Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, Nippon and Nihon. Whatever you call it, it’s a unique place that’s captured the hearts of millions.
Japan is actually an archipelago of islands — over 14,000 islands to be exact (crazy, right?). It’s home to Mt. Fuji, anime culture and so much more.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Japan, then you’ve probably already researched or know about the country to some extent. But here are a few more facts worth knowing:
Japan has a population of around 125 million people
Japan is about 377,000 square kilometers in size
Japan is 98.5% Japanese
Japan is made up of 47 distinct prefectures
There are around 160,000 temples and shrines in Japan
Around 32 million people visited Japan in 2019
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12 Pros and Cons of Living In Japan (from my own experience)
I moved to Tokyo back in 2017 and I never looked back.
While Japan has always been a positive experience for me, there are a few downsides worth mentioning (as with any place). But let’s start with the pros.
7 Pros of Living In Japan
It’s Super Safe
Japan is known for its safety. This is one of the biggest draws of living here.
The crime rate is incredibly low and low-violence crimes like theft or property damage are the most common (although, still rare).
I don’t feel the need to constantly be looking over my shoulder and I rarely stress about leaving my laptop on a cafe table if I run out for a minute. These are just a couple examples of how safe it is here.
Japan is a non-confrontational society and people have a lot of respect for each other and other people’s property.
It can sometimes feel like you’re in a bubble, blissfully unaware of the normal dangers of a big city.
Of course, that’s not to say that Japan doesn’t have any issues or that you shouldn’t practice common sense.
But in general, I just don’t worry about things the same as I do in other places.
It’s Super Convenient
Another noteworthy perk about Japan is its convenience.
From trains that are never late to 24-hour konbini stores around every corner, Japan and its major cities are super convenient.
I love being able to pick up snacks, food or toiletries at all hours (usually without needing to walk too far).
I also love not needing to plan for train times or transportation. Unless you live farther outside of the main city areas, trains usually come every few minutes.
The transportation infrastructure in Japan and major cities like Tokyo is amazing. Truly, I get spoiled living here.
The People Are Amazing
People from Japan are incredibly friendly, warm and welcoming. I have virtually no bad experiences.
People are often more than willing to help you and give you compliments or praise (especially if you use some basic Japanese).
Often, many of my older friends will pay for meals or events when we go out (even though I try to pay or insist that I help out).
The customer service here is also unmatched. From restaurant staff to police officers, everyone is extremely friendly (for the most part).
I’ve never seen a fight break out or a public altercation between Japanese people. Keeping the peace is the norm.
While this can sometimes lead to issues (for example, not speaking up when you see something bad happening), in general it’s a great benefit to living here.
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The Food
The food in Japan is simply amazing. Ramen, soba, tempura, sushi…there are so many amazing dishes to try.
It’s a food lover’s paradise. Even the pub-style foods at izakayas are tasty. And the food culture in Japan doesn’t stop at restaurants.
If you’re moving to Japan, you’ll likely be doing a lot of cooking at home. So rest assured, the stores are full of awesome foods.
A few of my home-cooked go-tos include gyoza, noodles or nabe pots with tofu and veggies. And some of my favorite restaurants are:
Tokyo Abura Soba (soba oil noodles — so good!)
Ramen chain shops (like Korakuen or Ichiran)
Kurasushi (conveyor belt sushi)
AFURI ramen
It’s Pretty Affordable
Japan is affordable. While there are of course plenty of pricey things to do, you can easily live a solid life for cheap.
While the pay for jobs like teaching aren’t the best, it’s usually more than enough to live comfortably in Japan (even in places like Tokyo).
Although, if you’ll be transferring money to your home country to pay bills, you may notice a poor exchange rate with the weak yen.
But if you work remotely (and make money in USD, for example), you’ll notice that your money goes a lot further, making things even more affordable.
You can find apartments or sharehouses for as cheap as 50,000 yen (outside the main city centers). And with average teaching salaries hovering around 250,000 yen, you’ll find you have more than enough money to pay for transportation, food and life in general.
At least, this is my experience.
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So Much to Do + See
Japan is full of amazing adventures and things to do. It’s enough to keep you busy for at least one lifetime (if not more).
So this is my next big pro of living in Japan.
From nature and historical sites to weekly events and epic shopping, Japan does not disappoint.
Spring offers unmatched beauty with its sakura trees while the fall koyo season provides similarly beautiful fall foliage.
Fireworks displays are common throughout the summer and there are more shopping districts, bar streets and events to count.
Whatever your scene is, Japan has you covered (in the main cities like Tokyo, at least).
Of course, if you prefer a more introverted approach to things, Japan also has plenty of quieter attractions, such as photogenic cafes, beautiful parks and tons of museums.
The General Vibe + Aesthetic
I love Japan’s vibe and overall aesthetic. It’s unmatched.
From flashy neon lights to nostalgic wooden structures and shoji doors, Japan always makes me pause and reflect.
The parks and trees are perfectly manicured and everywhere is clean (more or less). Everyone respects their stuff and each other — and the vibe reflects this.
Truly, you can’t find the Japanese style anywhere else.
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BONUS (Japan is awesome for creative inspiration)
For me, travel is a creative act. And Japan is an amazing place for creative inspiration.
The artistic styles, unique museums, amazing local talent and general vibe all influence my creativity in exciting ways. Personally, I make a lot of music, blogs and short-film projects while I’m here.
And I see plenty of other creatives doing their thing here too (content creators, photographers, filmmakers, other musicians, performers at drag shows, shoppers and fashion lovers, etc.).
It’s an artistic powerhouse. So if you’re creative at all, make sure to take advantage of Japan’s unique inspiration.
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5 Cons of Living In Japan
Despite being overwhelmingly positive (in my experience), there are occasional moments of frustration.
These are the biggest cons I’ve noticed while living in Japan.
The Work Culture
This is probably the most talked about downside of living in Japan — the work culture.
Japan is notorious for overworking and living a “company-first” lifestyle. While tides are changing, it’s still a problem.
Taking long vacations is incredibly rare (outside of the major holidays like Golden Week or Obon) and strict, age-based hierarchy is still very common.
But as a foreign resident, you’ll experience different degrees of this Japanese work culture, depending on the industry you’re working in and your company.
For example, working for a large traditional Japanese company will be a totally different experience than working as an English teacher.
And even the work culture you experience teaching English can vary, depending on where you teach and what type of teacher you are.
I worked at an English conversation school and I was able to create my own schedule, so my life was pretty flexible. But working as an ALT can be more strict.
Here’s the bottom line: if you’re used to a laid-back work culture with long holiday time, Japanese work culture may be a bit of a shock for you.
(but I say, it’s still an awesome experience and totally worth it)
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The Language Barrier
Overall, it’s pretty easy to get around Japan (especially in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka).
There are plenty of English signs and people are usually more than willing to help. But of course, the language barrier is bound to pop up for you sooner or later.
From ordering food at restaurants (especially local ones or smaller establishments) to reading train platform updates, things can occasionally be confusing.
Luckily, we have smartphones and apps like Google Translate can help a lot.
But if you’re planning on spending some serious time in Japan, I’d recommend studying the language a bit.
Japanese is super fun to speak and learning the basics is easier than you think!
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The Social Nuances
Every culture has its own nuances and social context. So this is always an adjustment when traveling or living abroad.
But for Japan, people usually talk about it being more indirect, less social and less open. While this isn’t true for everyone or every place, it’s something I agree with in general.
This may also be more common in Tokyo, where people tend to be more business focused, shy and keep to themselves (compared to Osaka, which is more open, for example).
I rarely (i.e., never) strike up conversations with strangers and they never talk to me. Opening up and getting close with people can take longer compared to the West.
Of course, the fact that I’m a foreigner may also be a factor in this situation (since there’s an obvious language and cultural barrier).
Still, it’s something I notice for sure.
Dating Woes
This one is tricky, since everyone’s different and there’s a lot of nuance to it (and of course, I’m no Japan dating expert).
But I’ve heard enough of my friends complain about the dating culture in Japan that I thought I’d mention it here.
Besides the cheating culture, the social pressure to get married before getting “older” is real.
While younger generations often feel differently, I still hear about this pressure, which often comes from family or society in general.
There’s also the difficulty that comes with dating someone from another country. There’s a language barrier, cultural differences and logistical hurdles that eventually arise.
Still, love is love and if you find someone epic — that’s amazing and just go with it (but just be aware of potential nuances).
The Quiet (not tight for musicians + music-lovers)
At first glance, the quiet can sound like a positive (and it is, in general). But there’s a caveat.
I’m a musician, so this is a nuance I may feel more, but being noisy (even in your own apartment) is difficult.
Blasting music, playing guitar or having a house party late into the night is generally a no-go.
Many Japanese rooms and apartments have thin walls and noise travels easily (unless you have a newer building or a soundproof apartment).
So it’s important to be respectful of your neighbors and/or housemates.
Again, this downside is probably more front and center for me, since I like to practice singing and playing guitar. But I rarely hear parties or loud music in apartments or homes.
It’s nice and peaceful, but sometimes it is difficult.
(luckily you can let loose in busy areas like Shinjuku or music practice rooms)
So, Is Living In Japan Worth It? (final verdict)
Short answer — definitely!
I love living in Japan. I’ve met some of my best friends here and it’s somewhere I’ve come to call my second home.
It’s comfortable, artistically inspiring and gives me a comfortable, high-quality of living.
Living in Japan is more than worth it. It’s an adventure that opens amazing doors where you’ll meet amazing people and have equally epic experiences.
So come join us, and who knows, maybe we’ll bump into each one day!
Later ✌️
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