The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Japan

I want to move to Japan so where do I start?

Moving to Japan is a big deal and if you’re going alone it can feel overwhelming. Luckily, I’ve written some guides below to help you feel more at ease and make sure you don’t miss anything crucial. From preparing your visa application to getting a job to making friends, there are many difficult hurdles to get through when moving to Japan. I moved to Japan in 2015 and lived there for 7 years. It was an amazing experience that shaped who I am today. However, it was not without its challenges (especially in the first few months!).

Can I just up and move to Japan?

Uh, no. Like most countries you require a visa to stay long term. There are also a few things you’ll want to get sorted so that you can have the most stress-free move. 

What you will find here

Here you will find my (hopefully helpful!) advice on how to move to Japan, how to set yourself up for success in Japan, and what to be careful of and how to protect yourself (especially as a foreign woman). This guide to moving to Japan should help make the process a lot easier and hopefully inspire you to make an exciting life change!

This shows a woman standing next to a red vending machine for the Guide to Moving to Japan article.
Set yourself up for a great life in Japan.

Best places to book your trip

Did you love this post? By booking through these links, you can support me at no additional cost for you. Your support helps me write honest guides and helpful posts!

🖤 Book a hotel with Booking.com (this is my favourite website to book hotels)

🖤 Get an e-sim for your trip with Airalo

🖤 Book experiences with Viator.com

🖤 Book experiences with GetYourGuide.com

🖤 Book a car with Rentalcars.com

🖤 Book lounge access for your airport with Priority Pass (I’m an airport lounge girlie)

🖤 Find somewhere to leave your storage with Radical Storage

VERDICT

Verdict: Should I move to Japan?

I think Japan is a great place to move no matter what your background. Moving abroad alone is one of the most rewarding experiences. No matter who you are, you will find out what you are truly made of and learn great resilience skills that you can use in other aspects of your life in the future no matter where you end up. Plus, Japan is so cute! If you ever have a particular question or you want me to write about a particular subject about moving to Japan, send me a message on Instagram: @apicturesquelife

Thanks for reading!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!
xoxo,

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I strive to keep all of my guides accessible to all. If my free content has helped you in any way and you would like to say ‘thank you’, I would hugely appreciate any donation towards my work and the running costs of this blog. Any contribution is greatly appreciated!

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