Hurdles You’ll Face Moving to Japan: How to Overcome Them

How hard is it to move to Japan?

If you’ve already got your visa and are wondering what kind of hurdles you’ll face moving to Japan and how to overcome them, then this is the post for you. How easy moving to Japan is subjective depending on your passport strength, education background, and financial situation. Some people will tell you that you need to teach English (a fate worse than death for many) but that isn’t the case! Moving to Japan is easier than you might think and if you’re looking for ways to move to Japan, I have a guide to help you out.

What you’ll find here: The biggest challenges you’ll face moving to japan

Here I’ll share some of the most common challenges you’ll face when moving to Japan based on my own personal experience. I moved from my home country of New Zealand to Japan and ended up living there for 7 years before I moved to Australia. 

hurdles you’ll face moving to Japan

Visa Requirements

This is the most obvious one and will apply to any country you move to where you do not have permanent residency. Many visas require you to meet certain eligibility criteria such as having a degree and keeping a job. Many work visas are given for particular positions or sectors such as teaching or high skilled jobs so if you lose that job or leave the company you’ll need to find a new job to keep your visa. If you want more information on the basics of moving to Japan I have a blog post for that!

Language Barrier

You will need to have a certain level of Japanese in order to do basic things like sign up for a phone plan, open a bank account, and register your address at the local ward office (local council office) unless you have a company or Japanese-speaking friend/family to help you. Make sure that your company or a friend is willing to spend the first few days helping you get these things set up because these will help you feel more independent and confident navigating transportation.

If you don’t speak any Japanese, I highly suggest you sign up to a course (most ward offices will offer this) which is a great place to meet other expats who are in a similar situation to you.

Job Opportunities

Finding a job as a gaijin (foreigner) in Japan really depends on what skills you have. I would not recommend going to Japan on a tourist visa and hoping to find a job as most companies will not offer sponsorship for a work visa, which you would need (unless you have a working holiday visa). If you’re on a working holiday visa or you’ve left your job and you’re looking for a new one the best place to start in my opinion is Gaijin Pot.

Cultural Adaptation

When you move somewhere else you’re bound to find some differences in the way things are done, the values society holds, or the expectations they have for you. Whether it is wearing shoes inside (I’m looking at you, Americans), pouring soy sauce on your food, or complaining to your friends about your problems, there will be an inner struggle within yourself as you try and decide if you want to adapt or continue the fight. Just remember, 出る釘は打たれる (the nail that sticks out gets hammered down). Choose your battles.

cost of living

Depending on where you are coming from Japan might be an expensive place to live. There are also a lot of up-front costs to moving into most apartments so you have to take that into account. Depending on what offer your job has provided you, you might have to pay for health insurance, flights back home, and taxes in Japan and your home country. Make sure you talk to your employer and research taxes in your home country to see what applies to your individual situation.

Support Network

Japan can be lonely at best and isolating at the worst. Make sure you have a good support network either in Japan or a phone call away because making friends in Japan is not easy. I recommend spending the first few months networking by attending meetups (either through Meetup or Facebook) or trying to get to know your co-workers. If you’re like me, this is going to be the most painful part but it really important that you set yourself up with a good local support network for when things get difficult (and they will – such is life!).