Tips for Living in Japan as a Foreigner: Your Ultimate Guide
Where to Live, Which Apps to Download and How to Fit into Japanese Society
Living outside of one’s own country can be difficult, no matter what country you are going to live in. This is especially true in a country like Japan, which has unique customs and culture that are difficult for foreigners to understand.
Japanese people generally do not speak their true intentions, are not very expressive, and it is difficult to understand what they are thinking.
When living in Japan, you may often be confused by customs and manners that are not clearly stated. Renting a house can be a source of confusion even for Japanese people, as customs vary from region to region.
If you’re new to living in Japan, taking out the trash, attending weddings and funerals and going to the hospital can all be daunting experiences!
However, you need not worry as we’re here to help. In this article, we will introduce some useful knowledge for living in Japan as a foreigner.
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || Which City Should You Live In?
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || Useful Apps for Living in Japan
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || To Fit in With the Area
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || FAQs
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || Which City Should You Live In?
Japan, in a word, has a great variety of cities, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. Within Hokkaido, the cities of Sapporo and Hakodate differ considerably in size and lifestyle.
Generally speaking, the larger the city, the more tolerant it is of other cultures.
Tokyo is probably the most comfortable place for foreigners to live. Tokyo has already had a large number of foreign residents and tourists, so there are many English-language signs and menus, and many of the residents are used to the presence of foreigners.
In some rural areas, there are cities where there are almost no foreigners, and in such cases, the risk of being looked at strangely may be great.
Tokyo has an excellent public transportation system, including subways, and cab drivers are accustomed to foreigners, so you can smoothly get where you want to go. If you do not have a strong desire or motivation to live in a regional city, Tokyo is a good choice for now.
The disadvantage is that rent and living costs are high.
Generally speaking, it is still difficult for foreigners to get a mortgage in Japan, so buying a house can be challenging.
However, there are many employment opportunities in Tokyo, and living in Tokyo is not a bad option if you can find a well-paying job. One thing that differs greatly from region to region in Japan in terms of customs is renting real estate.
In Tokyo, for example, there is an up-front payment of one to two months’ rent, and in addition to the commission paid to the broker, there is what is called a shikikin 敷金 しききん ） or reikin (礼金 れいきん ）.
This is generally a kind of reserve fund for cleaning costs and restoration of the property to its original condition when the tenant moves out. In some areas of Japan, it is customary for these deposits not to be returned, so the only way to know for sure is to ask the people who actually live there.
When attending a wedding or funeral, it is customary to bring a congratulatory gift or kouden (香典 [こうでん]) .
A kouden is money that you bring to a funeral to express your condolences.
However, there are differences in the envelopes used, the amount of money, and so on, depending on the region. Just knowing that there are such differences will be appreciated by local people. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || Useful Apps for Living in Japan
In this section, we will introduce applications that are useful when living in Japan. Apps related to information gathering in Japan may be useful even if you are abroad, so you may want to try using them before you actually come to Japan.
LINE: LINE is a chat application used by most people in Japan.
It is easy to understand if we say it is like WhatsApp in Japan. Although older people sometimes do not use it, LINE has more than 95 million users in Japan, and we can assume that most people use it.
It is used not only in Japan, but also in Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia, although it is not available in some countries. The application itself seems to be available in the U.S. and Europe, so those who want to make Japanese friends may want to create an account.
In recent years, many local governments have LINE accounts, and in some cases, disaster information is distributed through LINE. In addition, it is often possible to receive discounts at restaurants and shops by following their LINE accounts.
X (Twitter): X is one of the most popular applications among Japanese.
Because it can be used anonymously, it is characterized by the fact that Japanese people, who do not often speak their true feelings in real situations, write things relatively openly.
Of course, it can be used from all over the world, so it is also convenient to search in Japanese and read posts from Japanese people to learn about the Japanese language and situation in Japan from abroad. Since each post is not very long, it is also good as an exercise to translate Japanese.
As with LINE, in many cases, local governments have accounts and provide disaster and disaster prevention information.
Google Translate: It’s a great time to translate easily with an app.
No matter how much you study, there will be times when a specific situation requires a word or phrase that you are completely unfamiliar with. In such cases, one major survival technique is to enter what you want to say into Google Translate and show the resulting Japanese to others.
Of course, there are phrases and words that are easily machine-translatable, so it is necessary to devise English that can be easily translated into Japanese. In parallel with learning Japanese, it may be useful to try machine translation of English to see if it can be translated into the Japanese you want.
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Living in Japan as a Foreigner || To Fit in With the Area
In this section, we will discuss how to fit in, whether in Tokyo or any other city.
Generally speaking, Japan has an ageing population, so taking the lead in physically demanding work is greatly appreciated.
This is a list of recommended activities to help you fit in:
– Actively participate in local festivals and events.
– Engage in work in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries, such as rice planting and fishing.
– Engage in neighborhood association activities and help with cleanups, etc.
– Become familiar with local songs and customs.
Each region has its own unique festivals, and many regions hold festivals with dancing, especially in summer, such as Bon Odori.
Many regions are troubled by the fact that young Japanese people do not readily participate in such events and festivals. If you actively participate in such places and make the festivals more lively, you will be welcomed.
Another problem is the shortage of labor and young people in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries. Although there are visa and other issues involved in working in this field, if there is an opportunity, taking the initiative in taking on such work in the primary industry would also be appreciated.
One trick to getting to know locals at these meetings and community events is to eat and drink everything.
When you are engaged in activities, you may be offered food and drinks by locals, so be bold and try to eat and drink whatever you can.
Of course, if you have allergies or religious reasons, there is no need to go overboard, but strengthening relationships through eating and drinking is common to all humankind. Enjoying and eating local food and cuisine is another very effective way to fit in.
Living abroad is a very challenging activity. However, with the digital tools available today, any challenge can be overcome if one is willing.
Why not start by talking to native speakers online to learn about their customs, or watch videos to learn about their culture, and take action from a familiar place?
Do you know any other tips? We’d love to hear from you here!
Living in Japan as a Foreigner || FAQs
Why is it so difficult to live in Japan?]
Japan has many unique customs, and Japanese people tend not to speak frankly about their true feelings. As a result, the truth is often difficult for foreigners to see and understand.
If you were to live in Japan, which city would you prefer?
A large city like Tokyo would be a good choice. There are many signs and guidance for foreigners, and the people living there are often accustomed to foreigners.
How can I gather information about living in Japan?
It is helpful to look for information in Japanese on X or refer to the English page on the local government website. You can also find native Japanese speakers and ask them questions about their real lives.
Is it difficult to rent real estate in Japan?
The Japanese real estate industry has many customs that are unique to each region. After you have decided on a place to live, it is most efficient to talk to someone who has first-hand experience with the area.
How do you fit in with the local community in Japan?
Participation in local festivals and community cleanups are greatly appreciated.
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