Moving to Japan

Free Japan Life Setup Checklist Moving to Japan involves dozens of steps — in a specific order. Get the sequence wrong and you’re waiting weeks for things that should take days. This checklist covers everything from the day you land to the end of your first month. What’s inside: ✅ Week 1 essentials: address registration, SIM card, bank account ✅ Month 1: health insurance, My Number, driving licence conversion ✅ Money setup: bank → credit card → remittance apps ✅ Healthcare: insurance card, clinic registration, emergency numbers ✅ Housing: key documents, guarantor options, utility setup ✅ Language: JLPT planning, conversation school options Get the Checklist Enter your email and we’ll send you the printable PDF version — plus a short weekly guide covering Japan’s bureaucratic system in plain English. ...

Quick Answer First 30 days in Japan: register your address at city hall within 14 days (required by law) → get a SIM card → open a bank account → enroll in health insurance → get a My Number Card. Do them in this order — the bank account and insurance enrollment both require your residence card and address registration certificate. You just landed in Japan. You’re jet-lagged, everything around you is in a language you may not read, and somewhere in the next few weeks you need to figure out your address registration, your phone, your bank account, your health insurance — and ideally not in the wrong order. It’s a lot. ...

Choosing the wrong city is a mistake that takes a year to undo. Japan’s major cities are more different from each other than most people expect — in cost, pace, foreigner infrastructure, and job market. Here’s a clear-eyed comparison to help you decide where to actually land. 1. Tokyo — Best for Career and International Community Population: 14 million (metro: 37 million) Why foreigners choose it: Largest English-speaking expat community in Japan Most job opportunities, especially in finance, tech, and international business World-class food, entertainment, and transport Easiest city to live in without Japanese Downsides: ...

Fukuoka keeps appearing on lists of the best cities to live in Asia — and for foreigners, it often outperforms expectations. Cheap, relaxed, connected to the rest of Japan, and easier to navigate than Tokyo. Here’s an honest look at what life in Fukuoka is actually like. Why Fukuoka? Cheapest major city for foreigners in Japan Hakata Ramen — arguably Japan’s best ramen scene Yatai street stalls — open-air food stalls unique to Fukuoka 5-minute airport — Fukuoka Airport is the closest major airport to a city centre in Japan Startup ecosystem — Japan’s third-largest startup scene after Tokyo and Osaka International connections — closest Japanese city to South Korea and China; direct flights across Asia Neighborhoods Tenjin Fukuoka’s main commercial district. Great for transport access, shopping, and nightlife. Rents are higher here but still far below Tokyo equivalents. ...

Osaka has a reputation for being louder, friendlier, and more affordable than Tokyo — and it earns that reputation. But the reality of living here as a foreigner has its own quirks and challenges. Here’s an honest guide to daily life in Osaka. Why Foreigners Choose Osaka 30–40% cheaper than Tokyo for rent and daily costs Best food city in Japan (possibly in the world — locals believe it) Osaka people are famously outgoing — strangers talk to you, service is warm, humour is everywhere Central location — Kyoto 15 minutes away, Nara 35 minutes, Kobe 20 minutes, Tokyo 2.5 hours by Shinkansen Large international community — strong Korean, Chinese, and Western expat presence Neighborhoods Namba / Shinsaibashi The tourist heart of Osaka — Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, shopping. Great for nightlife but noisy and expensive. Most foreigners live here short-term. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Australia’s Working Holiday Visa for Japan — the easiest entry route Australia-Japan tax treaty explained (no double taxation) Cost of living comparison: Australia vs Japan in 2025 What to do with your superannuation when you leave Step-by-step first 30 days in Japan for Australians Banking setup: Wise, Japanese accounts, and keeping Australian banks open Quick Answer Australians can enter Japan on a Working Holiday Visa (ages 18–30), valid for 12 months with the right to work. For long-term residence, the most common route is employer-sponsored work visa. Japan is significantly cheaper than Australia — Sydney rent vs Tokyo rent is roughly 2:1 in Japan’s favour. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Canada’s Working Holiday Visa for Japan — eligibility, how to apply Canada-Japan Double Tax Agreement explained clearly CAD to JPY: real cost comparison for Canadians in Japan What to do with your RRSP, TFSA, and RESP when leaving Canada Banking setup using Wise and Japanese banks Canadian-specific checklist for the first month in Japan Quick Answer Canadian citizens aged 18–30 can enter Japan on a Working Holiday Visa (12 months, full work rights). For long-term stay, a work visa sponsored by a Japanese employer is the standard route. Japan is significantly cheaper than major Canadian cities — Toronto or Vancouver rent vs Tokyo runs about 2:1 in Japan’s favour. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Which visa types are available for Indian nationals moving to Japan Japan’s booming IT sector and why Indian engineers are in high demand Salary expectations for Indian IT professionals in Japan (2025 numbers) INR to JPY money transfers — how to avoid bank markups Indian community, food, and cultural support networks in Japan Complete first 30 days checklist for Indians arriving in Japan Quick Answer Indian nationals need a work visa (no Working Holiday Visa available for India-Japan). The most common route is an employer-sponsored Engineer/Humanities visa for IT and engineering roles. Japan has significant demand for Indian IT professionals, and salaries typically range ¥400,000–900,000/month for experienced engineers. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Visa options for British citizens moving to Japan — including the Working Holiday Visa UK-specific tax considerations when living in Japan NHS vs Japanese healthcare: what changes when you move UK vs Japan cost of living comparison (2025 numbers) Step-by-step first 30 days guide for British expats What to do with your UK bank accounts, pension, and NI contributions Japan is one of the most popular destinations for British expats — and British citizens have a significant advantage: access to the Japan Working Holiday Visa, one of the easiest legal routes into the country. Here’s the complete picture for anyone moving from the UK to Japan in 2025. ...

What you'll learn in this guide 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. ...