{"id":391,"date":"2022-10-22T20:31:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-22T20:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/?page_id=391"},"modified":"2022-10-22T20:31:40","modified_gmt":"2022-10-22T20:31:40","slug":"moving-to-japan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/moving-to-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving to Japan: A Detailed Relocation Guide for Future Expats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having more than a dozen <\/span><b>UNESCO World Heritage Sites<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is indeed one of the reasons why Japan is considered among the best places for expats to move to. But also, this country is famous for its unique gardens, artwork, and poetry, not to mention its abundant natural wonders, including lavender fields, crystal-clear beaches, contemporary museums, mountaintop temples, and cherry blossoms in the spring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are one of those who intend to start a new life by moving to the land of the rising sun, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMovingTo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will do its best to guide you and simplify all the difficulties associated with the relocation process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Should You Know About Japanese Culture Before Moving?<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over <\/span><b>80%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Japan is mountainous, and nearly <\/span><b>70%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of it is covered in forests. Some rural destinations you can visit, such as the <\/span><b>Blue Pond of Biei<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the creaking <\/span><b>Bamboo Forest<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Sagano, and the <\/span><b>baby-blue flower fields<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Hitachi, seem like images from a fairytale. Here you can see <\/span><b>frosty mountains<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> north, dunes west, and Okinawa&#8217;s <\/span><b>stunning beaches <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to the south.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Japan, <\/span><b>tattoos<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are associated with criminality, as members of the Yakuza, Japan&#8217;s organized crime organization, get full-body tattoos. Historically, the Japanese used to tattoo their criminals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The world is your bed in Japan. You can sleep wherever you want without anyone noticing. People in Japan are allowed to fall asleep whenever they want because they work very hard.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to <\/span><b>unspoken rules,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it&#8217;s advisable to avoid being noisy in public, particularly on trains. Avoid making phone calls and having loud discussions unless you want to disturb the traditional peace of the Japanese.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost of Living in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan is widely known for its high living expenses, particularly in Tokyo, which consistently ranks in the world&#8217;s top <\/span><b>10 most expensive cities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The state of your finances in Japan varies depending on whether you plan to fully immerse yourself in Japanese culture or spend more time attempting to acquire imported products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you concentrate on Japanese foods like seasonal vegetables and seafood, local supermarkets are reasonably priced. Before the store closes each evening, pre-cooked foods are available at reduced costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being an island nation, everything that needs to be imported is usually more expensive. You can obtain a general sense of some basic pricing in Japan from the list below.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three-course meal for a couple at a mid-range restaurant: <\/span><b>$41.53<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly transportation pass:<\/span><b> $83.06<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent <\/span><b>1 bedroom apartment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the city center:<\/span><b> $715.24<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent <\/span><b>1 bedroom apartment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> outside the city center:<\/span><b> $474.71<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Set Up Your Finances in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Japan, setting up your finances is generally simple, and expats have multiple options as it has one of the best banking systems in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that you can\u2019t open a <\/span><b>Japanese bank account <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before your arrival. Besides, you might need to wait a few days before receiving a <\/span><b>cash card <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that can be used to withdraw money from ATMs. Therefore, you should have a plan regarding how you&#8217;ll manage your money while you wait.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, <\/span><b>Wise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a quick, inexpensive, and safe method of transferring funds abroad. This payment provider can help you reduce the cost of international transfers when sending money to or from Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are regarded as a tax resident in Japan, you should pay <\/span><b>municipal taxes <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of about <\/span><b>10%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on top of <\/span><b>personal income tax,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which ranges from <\/span><b>5% to 45%, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depending on your income. The flat rate for <\/span><b>non-resident taxes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is <\/span><b>20.42%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of income. To ensure that you are fully informed of your obligations in Japan, it is advisable to obtain <\/span><b>personal tax assistance.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visa, Passport &amp; Other Requirements<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan is an exception where obtaining a visa is the same whether you are from the European Union, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/moving-to-australia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, America, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/moving-to-uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the United Kingdom<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You simply need to apply for the appropriate visa at the closest <\/span><b>Japanese Embassy or Consulate General <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in your home country, depending on your reason for staying in Japan. You should bring the following documents:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your passport<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your visa application form<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A photograph<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A certificate verifying the completion of registration to the ERFS system<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>ERFS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stands for <\/span><b><i>Entrants, Returning Follow-up System<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is an official letter from a Japanese person, usually an employer, guaranteeing to look after your financial requirements while in Japan. Before starting the procedure, it is essential to confirm the details with the embassy or on the <\/span><b>Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare System in Japan: How to Get an Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan places a strong emphasis on preventative care. Every person over the <\/span><b>age of 20<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should have access to either <\/span><b>public or private health insurance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You need to obtain health insurance if you intend to live and work in Japan, as some hospitals and clinics have been known to turn away patients who cannot present documentation of insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&#8217;t have a job when you arrive in Japan, you should sign up for <\/span><b>Japanese National Health Insurance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you plan to stay in Japan for more than <\/span><b>90 days,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you require health insurance unless you have <\/span><b>private insurance <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">through another country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding employment, the <\/span><b>Employee Health Insurance Plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is intended for those working full-time in Japan. This program requires <\/span><b>10% <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of your monthly earnings. As an advantage, your employer provides you with <\/span><b>private medical insurance,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which saves you the inconvenience of having to apply for National Health Insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relocating Your Household Belongings &amp; Pets<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiring <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/international-moving-companies\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">international moving companies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the best option if you&#8217;re thinking about how to relocate your belongings to Japan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As long as you are prepared, moving to Japan is a simple process, and household items can be transported into the country without difficulty. An itemized list in both English and Japanese is a smart idea. You are allowed to import goods duty-free if you can demonstrate ownership for at least <\/span><b>6 months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before your relocation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pet owners<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might be upset that Japan requires a <\/span><b>quarantine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but moving there with animals is also simple. The quarantine period only lasts <\/span><b>7 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for dogs and cats. If the owners are unable to provide the required documentation, such as <\/span><b>titer test results<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a <\/span><b>microchip number,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the quarantine may remain longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recommended for foreigners moving to Japan to get vaccinated against the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mosquito-borne disease<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> known as <\/span><b>Japanese encephalitis.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Although the condition is mainly present in rural areas, foreign nationals should get vaccinated before traveling to Japan and other Asian nations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Language Barrier &amp; Japanese Etiquette<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&#8217;t speak Japanese, it might be challenging to adjust and navigate if you don&#8217;t speak Japanese. If you want to learn the Japanese language as quickly and effectively as possible, start learning the fundamentals before you relocate and enroll in a <\/span><b>Japanese language course<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> once you&#8217;ve arrived in Tokyo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t assume that what constitutes politeness, in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/moving-to-usa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/moving-to-europe\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Europe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will have the same meaning in Japan. This applies to everything from what constitutes appropriate clothing for the workplace to how you should behave as a guest in someone&#8217;s house. Many locals admire foreigners who take the time to understand and adapt to their <\/span><b>etiquette norms <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and make sure you don&#8217;t unintentionally come across as impolite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vast majority of foreigners in Japan simply aren&#8217;t familiar with all of their traditions, but the Japanese are incredibly understanding and accept this fact. So, the <\/span><b>golden rule <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is to be respectful simply. You&#8217;ll do well if you pay attention to your environment and always behave respectfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting Accommodation in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and Japan as a whole is a costly place to live. Usually, not including utilities, rent in the country ranges from <\/span><b>470 to 650 USD <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">per month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to renting, buying a property is expensive, with national average housing prices ranging around <\/span><b>337,000 USD<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Expats who are married to Japanese residents but do not have Japanese citizenship should be aware that buying a home will be challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, finding a Japanese apartment won&#8217;t be too complicated if you&#8217;re financially stable and speak a little Japanese. Working directly with the landlord is even an option and is commonly practiced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As they understand communities, rent costs, and what to anticipate from the apartment itself, hiring real estate agents may be the best option for you. Furthermore, hiring an <\/span><b>English-speaking agent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be simpler if you don&#8217;t speak Japanese<\/span><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Places to Move in Japan<\/span><\/h2>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tokyo<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><b>Tokyo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is considered Japan&#8217;s cultural, political, and financial powerhouse. Business centers, sky bridges, and expansive shopping malls coexist with quiet residential neighborhoods, Japanese gardens, and the occasional Geisha in the park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of foreigners employed by international corporations reside in central Tokyo, mostly in the districts of <\/span><b>Minato-ku<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Shibuya-ku<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kyoto<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><b>Kyoto<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is famous for its <\/span><b>traditional wooden houses,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gardens, palaces, and Buddhist temples. It is an excellent city for those who prefer to live near Japanese temples and gardens while remaining close to Japan&#8217;s typical major urban life. Kyoto is home to over <\/span><b>60,000 expats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who work in the <\/span><b>hospitality industry.<\/b><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yokohama<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second largest city in Japan, <\/span><b>Yokohama,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a thriving port and trade city. It is famous for its &#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinatown<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,&#8221; a district with more than <\/span><b>500 Chinese-owned stores<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, restaurants, and other enterprises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some foreigners relocate to Yokohama while working in Tokyo since it is a more affordable place to rent an apartment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sapporo<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With approximately <\/span><b>15,000 foreign residents, Sapporo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ranks as the fourth most populated city. Both locally and internationally, it is a favored skiing location. Sapporo is home to many expats due to its milder and cooler climate, incredibly <\/span><b>effective transportation system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and lower cost of living<\/span><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Information technology and tourism <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are two industries providing job opportunities in Sapporo for expats.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites is indeed one of the reasons why Japan is considered among the best places for expats to move to. But also, this country is famous for its unique gardens, artwork, and poetry, not to mention its abundant natural wonders, including lavender fields, crystal-clear beaches, contemporary museums, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/391"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":392,"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/391\/revisions\/392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.imovingto.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}