Living in Japan is a vastly different experience from visiting Japan. Many people who visit Japan claim to fall in love with Japanese culture. They are sucked in by the Japanese temples, the delicious food, the manga and anime culture, and the difference in lifestyle.
However, there is a huge difference between experiencing Japan as a tourist vs the day-to-day realities of living in Japan. I have lived in Japan for about 20 years, and most people who come to live in Japan end up leaving. I am not trying to discourage you from moving to Japan. For me, I love living in Japan! But, if you are going to live in Japan, you need to be prepared.
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First impressions of Japan often include how clean and organized everything seems. On the surface, Japanese people are cooperative and friendly to those around them.
When you first come to Japan, you will be struck by the following points:
For many people, Japan is a wonderful place to live (myself included). However, living in Japan is not for everyone. People living in Japan face daily challenges due to complex socio-cultural differences. It's important to be realistic about your expectations before moving to Japan.
Some things that foreign residents living in Japan struggle with:
While the idea of living in Japan might seem exciting, for some the reality can be starkly different. A large number of foreigners visit Japan, but few actually decide to settle down in there.
When you are a tourist in Japan, you tend to meet people who are there to help you. These people will often translate things for you and explain what they are. But, once you are living in Japan, you will need Japanese language to get by.
As a tourist, all you really need is some basic Japanese phrases to help you get around. Tourist information booths set up to deal with English speakers and explain how to get around and the best spots to visit.
The hotel staff are ready to explain where to go if you want to get something. Generally, as a tourist, Japanese locals will try to communicate with you in English to help you.
Living in Japan means that you will need to learn Japanese language. You might be thinking "Why do I need to study Japanese? I'm sure that I can get around with just English." Trust me, when living in Japan understanding Japanese language will make your life much easier. Knowing Japanese will help with the following:
Even if you only learn the most basic Japanese, it will help you in your daily life. It will be hard if you don't know any Japanese. Foreign residents who reach even elementary level of Japanese language can manage day-to-day.
If you want to learn Japanese, I recommend studying in Japan at a language school. There are language schools in Japan that offer intensive courses for foreigners.
Making friends and building a social circle in Japan can be very difficult. It's common for foreigners to feel isolated during the early stages of their stay. I've had people tell me that the first year in Japan was the loneliest time they ever experienced. This is especially if you don't speak Japanese. In Japan, most foreigners hang out with other foreigners. It's true! Let me explain...
Making Japanese friends difficult because of complex cultural differences.
Check out our article on the Japanese concept of self to learn more about Japanese cultural perceptions.
Here is a great youTube video that supports what I have been writing about here. This video was made by JESSEOGN, Japanese youTuber. Check it out!
Maintaining a work-life balance while living in Japan can be a challenge. Mostly because of the demanding work culture of Japan. Your experience with this balance depends on the type of job you choose. In fact, it is the high-pressure working environment that causes many people to leave Japan.
School teachers in Japan face pressure to spend time preparing lessons long after classes. The teacher's office may gossip about the foreigner who left earlier than Japanese teachers. I knew teachers who cracked from the stress. They moved back to their home country. However, many teachers enjoy long paid breaks between semesters.
Taking holidays outside national periods like Golden Week and Obon is often discouraged. As there are so many national holidays, most employees only have one week of paid leave a year. However, a company will usually not allow you to take the full paid leave together. Instead, people often add some of their paid vacation time to the start and end of a national holiday period to extend their vacation time.
As a tourist in Japan, may have been staying in hotels, but now that you are living in Japan, you will need to deal with the Japanese rental market. You might be in for a culture shock...
Are you looking for a detailed breakdown of rental process in Japan? If so, please refer to our dedicated article: Renting in Japan as a Foreigner.
Looking to rent an apartment in Japan? I recommend you check out Sakura House and Leopalace21. These places specialize in foreign residents. They are more expensive than the average price for apartments their size but offer convenience.
Living in Japan as a foreigner depends on your personal situation and goals. First, visit Japan a few times to see how you feel about it. Ask others about their experiences living in Japan. If you're still drawn to Japan's culture, language, lifestyle, build a plan to make the big move. But be aware, that it could end up not agreeing with you.
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With over 30 years of experience in Japanese culture and lifestyle, I am a permanent resident of Japan. As a web developer, I built Romancing Japan from scratch. Although originally from Australia, I have dedicated a significant part of my professional career to teaching at Japanese universities. My extensive travels across Japan have given me intimate knowledge of life in this country, and I am excited to share these insights with you.