- Visa options for Americans moving to Japan
- What to do before leaving the US (checklist)
- First 30 days in Japan: what to do and in what order
- US vs Japan cost of living (real numbers for 2025)
- US taxes when living abroad — what Americans must know
- Banking, healthcare, and phone setup for Americans in Japan
Moving to Japan from the US is one of the most significant quality-of-life moves an American can make. Low crime, excellent healthcare, world-class food, efficient public transit — and in 2025, with the yen weak against the dollar, the purchasing power of American salaries in Japan is remarkable. Here’s everything you need to know to make it happen.
Visa Options for Americans Moving to Japan
Americans do not need a visa to visit Japan for up to 90 days. But to live and work in Japan, you need a proper visa.
Work Visa (Most Common Path)
The most common path for Americans:
- Get a job offer from a Japanese company — they sponsor your visa
- Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — your employer handles this
- Apply for a work visa at a Japanese consulate in the US — takes 5–10 business days
- Enter Japan and convert to a residence card
Common work visa categories for Americans:
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services — for IT, business, and professional roles
- Skilled Labor — for specialized trades
- Intra-company Transfer — if your US employer has a Japanese office
Spouse Visa
If you’re married to a Japanese national, the spouse visa gives you the right to live and work in Japan without employer sponsorship.
Working Holiday Visa
Note: The US does NOT have a working holiday agreement with Japan. This option is not available for American citizens.
Digital Nomad / Freelance Options
Japan launched a Digital Nomad Visa in 2024 for remote workers earning from foreign companies. Requirements:
- Annual income equivalent to ¥10 million+ (~$65,000+)
- Remote work for a foreign company
- Health insurance coverage
The digital nomad visa is valid for 6 months and is not renewable. It’s a useful bridge but not a long-term solution.
Before You Leave the US: Checklist
6–12 Months Before
- Secure your visa or job offer
- Research and visit neighborhoods in Japan (or use forums/videos)
- Decide what to do with US property (sell, rent, or store)
- Research international moving companies vs shipping vs bringing only luggage
- Check your credit cards — get ones with no foreign transaction fees
- Set up a Wise account for currency exchange. See our Wise guide
3–6 Months Before
- Declutter: Japan apartments are smaller than US homes
- Get apostilled copies of important documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, educational degrees)
- Notify the IRS of your planned foreign residency (look into FBAR requirements)
- Set up a mail forwarding service in the US
- Research health insurance coverage (will your US plan cover you in Japan?)
1–3 Months Before
- Book temporary accommodation in Japan (monthly apartment, Airbnb, or gaijin house)
- Ship any luggage you’re not checking — sea freight takes 4–6 weeks
- Open a US bank account with international access (Charles Schwab is popular among expats for no-ATM-fee international withdrawals)
- Inform your US bank of your move so cards aren’t blocked
1 Month Before
- Check your Japanese visa is in order
- Scan all important documents (store in cloud)
- Arrange for someone to handle US mail and bills
- Cancel US subscriptions that don’t work in Japan (some streaming services geo-restrict content)
First 30 Days in Japan: Step-by-Step
Day 1–3: Arrive and Register
- Get your Residence Card (在留カード) at the airport immigration desk when you land — it’s issued on arrival for most long-term visa holders
- Check into temporary accommodation
- Get a local SIM card immediately — you need a Japanese phone number for almost everything. See our SIM card guide
Day 3–7: City Hall Registration
- Visit your nearest city hall (区役所/市役所)
- Register your address (住民登録) — mandatory within 14 days of arrival
- This step unlocks everything else: bank accounts, credit cards, national health insurance
Week 2: Banking and Insurance
- Open a Japanese bank account — Japan Post Bank is easiest for new arrivals. See our bank account guide
- Enroll in national health insurance (国民健康保険) — done at city hall
- Set up your Wise account for sending money back to the US
Week 3–4: Get Settled
- Apply for a Japanese credit card (Rakuten Card is most accessible). See our credit card guide
- Set up utilities (electricity, gas, water) — your landlord may help with this
- Find a regular grocery store, pharmacy, and neighborhood convenience store
- Join a local gym or community center if you want to meet people
US vs Japan: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
| Expense | New York City | Tokyo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR central) | $3,500–5,000/mo | $1,100–1,700/mo | Tokyo significantly cheaper |
| Groceries (1 person) | $400–600/mo | $250–450/mo | Japan cheaper for most staples |
| Dining out (budget) | $15–25 | $8–12 | Japan much cheaper |
| Healthcare | $300–600/mo (insurance) | ¥6,000–20,000/mo | Japan much cheaper |
| Public transit | $127/mo (MetroCard) | $80–120/mo | Similar |
| Total estimate | $4,500–7,000/mo | $2,000–3,500/mo | Tokyo ~50% cheaper |
At current exchange rates (~¥145/USD), the gap is even more pronounced for Americans earning in dollars.
US Taxes When Living in Japan
Critical for Americans: The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income, even when living abroad. You must file US tax returns every year regardless of where you live.
Key Concepts
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): If you qualify as a bona fide resident of Japan, you can exclude up to ~$120,000 of foreign earned income from US taxes (2025 figure — adjusted annually).
Foreign Tax Credit (FTC): You can offset your US tax liability by taxes paid to Japan.
FBAR: If you have Japanese bank accounts with an aggregate balance over $10,000 at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN 114) — separate from your tax return.
FATCA: Japanese banks are required to report US persons’ accounts to the IRS. Some banks refuse to open accounts for Americans due to the compliance burden — this is frustrating but increasingly rare at major banks.
Recommendation: Use an expat tax professional (companies like Greenback Tax Services, Taxes for Expats) who specializes in US citizens living in Japan. Filing yourself is possible at the FEIE level but complex once you add Japan income tax, iDeCo, or investments.
Banking for Americans in Japan
Recommended setup:
- Charles Schwab (US) — No-fee international ATM withdrawals worldwide. Essential for Americans living abroad.
- Wise — Currency conversion between USD and JPY at real rates. Use for transferring US income to Japan.
- Japan Post Bank or Rakuten Bank (Japan) — For daily yen transactions, salary receipt, bill payment.
FATCA note: Some Japanese banks have declined to open accounts for Americans in the past, but major banks (Japan Post Bank, SMBC, etc.) and online banks generally do accept US citizens. Be upfront about your citizenship on applications.
Healthcare in Japan as an American
Once enrolled in Japan’s National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / NHI), your healthcare costs are dramatically lower than in the US:
- Doctor visits: ¥1,000–3,000 out of pocket (30% of cost)
- Hospital stays: Capped at ¥80,000–100,000/month out of pocket
- Prescriptions: ¥200–2,000 per prescription
Finding English-speaking doctors: Major cities have English-speaking clinics. Look for hospitals affiliated with your local prefecture or city government — they often have multilingual support.
Dental: Not fully covered by NHI. Expect ¥3,000–10,000 for routine cleanings and fillings. Still far cheaper than US dental costs.
Shipping Belongings to Japan
Options:
- International movers (Allied, Crown, etc.): $5,000–15,000 for a container, depending on volume
- Japan Post / FedEx / DHL: For smaller shipments, boxes up to 30kg can be sent via SAL or EMS service
- Luggage only: Many expats start with 2–3 checked bags and buy the rest in Japan
Japan is excellent for buying furniture and electronics locally. Don’t ship heavy or bulky items unless they have specific sentimental value. Ikea, Nitori, and second-hand shops (Off House, Hard Off) make setting up an apartment affordable.
Learning Japanese Before You Move
Having basic Japanese (even just hiragana and katakana) dramatically reduces the stress of the first weeks. See our Japanese learning app guide for the best resources.
Minimum to learn before arriving:
- Hiragana and katakana (both scripts — 2–3 weeks)
- Numbers and counting systems
- Basic phrases: please, thank you, excuse me, how much, where is…
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Japanese to move to Japan? No, but it helps enormously. Many Americans live and work in Japan without Japanese (especially in international companies, tech, and English teaching). However, daily life — apartment hunting, medical appointments, government offices — is much easier with basic Japanese.
How much money do I need to move to Japan from the US? Budget $5,000–10,000 for initial setup: first month’s rent + deposit (often 2–3 months), visa fees, flights, initial furniture/supplies, and 1–2 months of living expenses as a buffer.
Is Japan safe for Americans? Japan is consistently ranked among the world’s safest countries. The violent crime rate is extremely low. Americans typically feel significantly safer in Japan than in most US cities.
Can Americans retire in Japan? Japan doesn’t have a specific retirement visa. Options include: a dependent visa if your spouse is Japanese, returning on a series of tourist visas (not ideal long-term), or finding a part-time teaching role that provides visa sponsorship. A specific long-term retirement pathway for foreigners doesn’t currently exist.