Living In Japan: Revealing Insights From a 20-Year Expat

Living in Japan is a vastly different experience from visiting Japan. Many people who visit Japan claim to fall in love with Japanese culture. They are sucked in by the Japanese temples, the delicious food, the manga and anime culture, and the difference in lifestyle.

However, there is a huge difference between experiencing Japan as a tourist vs the day-to-day realities of living in Japan. I have lived in Japan for about 20 years, and most people who come to live in Japan end up leaving. I am not trying to discourage you from moving to Japan. For me, I love living in Japan! But, if you are going to live in Japan, you need to be prepared.

Please share your ideas or opinions about this topic related to this article. You can write something in the comment section below.

1. Is Japan a Good Place to Live? The Pros & Cons to Living in Japan

First impressions of Japan often include how clean and organized everything seems. On the surface, Japanese people are cooperative and friendly to those around them.

When you first come to Japan, you will be struck by the following points:

• Japan has a strong social order that guides how people publicly behave.
• Japan has a low cost of living compared to countries like the USA, UK, and Australia.
• A strong feeling of community.
• Low crime rate makes Japan feel safe to travel.
• Clean streets and little to no graffiti.
• Local Japanese residents often go out of their way to assist tourists.

For many people, Japan is a wonderful place to live (myself included). However, living in Japan is not for everyone. People living in Japan face daily challenges due to complex socio-cultural differences. It's important to be realistic about your expectations before moving to Japan.

Some things that foreign residents living in Japan struggle with:

• Japan is slow, or even resistant, to change. This is partly due to Japan's aging population.
• It is behind many countries in online software development.
• Japanese workplaces are stuck in the past, with outdated work practices.
• Salaries are lower compared to other countries, with many people having to budget to $2,000 USD a month.
• Regrading gender equality, Japan ranks the lowest among developed countries.
• Critics say Japan's education system is conformist and fails to support student diversity.
• Making friends in Japan can be difficult and has a large learning curve.

While the idea of living in Japan might seem exciting, for some the reality can be starkly different. A large number of foreigners visit Japan, but few actually decide to settle down in there.

2. Language Challenges When Living in Japan

When you are a tourist in Japan, you tend to meet people who are there to help you. These people will often translate things for you and explain what they are. But, once you are living in Japan, you will need Japanese language to get by.

As a tourist, all you really need is some basic Japanese phrases to help you get around. Tourist information booths set up to deal with English speakers and explain how to get around and the best spots to visit.

The hotel staff are ready to explain where to go if you want to get something. Generally, as a tourist, Japanese locals will try to communicate with you in English to help you.

Living in Japan means that you will need to learn Japanese language. You might be thinking "Why do I need to study Japanese? I'm sure that I can get around with just English." Trust me, when living in Japan understanding Japanese language will make your life much easier. Knowing Japanese will help with the following:

• social integration,
• making friends,
• shopping,
• going to the doctor,
• dating,
• getting a job.

Even if you only learn the most basic Japanese, it will help you in your daily life. It will be hard if you don't know any Japanese. Foreign residents who reach even elementary level of Japanese language can manage day-to-day.

If you want to learn Japanese, I recommend studying in Japan at a language school. There are language schools in Japan that offer intensive courses for foreigners.

3. Finding Friends While Living in Japan

Making friends and building a social circle in Japan can be very difficult. It's common for foreigners to feel isolated during the early stages of their stay. I've had people tell me that the first year in Japan was the loneliest time they ever experienced. This is especially if you don't speak Japanese. In Japan, most foreigners hang out with other foreigners. It's true! Let me explain...

Making Japanese friends difficult because of complex cultural differences.

• Social distance between friends in Japanese culture is greater than Western cultures.
• Some Japanese people don't want to be socially close to other people.
• Making friends with your work colleagues can be difficult due to the importance of power distance in Japanese culture.
• Some Japanese people don't want foreign friends. This sounds harsh, but its true. Many Japanese people feel that they cannot relate to foreigners. Even if that foreigner speaks Japanese and understands the culture.
  

Check out our article on the Japanese concept of self to learn more about Japanese cultural perceptions. Otherwise, read more about making friends in Japan as a foreigner.

Here is a great youTube video that supports what I have been writing about here. This video was made by JESSEOGN, Japanese youTuber. Check it out!

4. Foreigners Struggle with Japanese Work Culture

It can be very difficult for foreigners in Japan to adjust to the countries work culture. In fact, Japanese work culture is often referred to as "toxic". This is due to low salaries, frequently reported cases of harassment and office bullying, resistance to change, and excessive overtime. Check out our article about Japan's work culture if you want to know more.

Maintaining a work-life balance while living in Japan can be a challenge. Mostly because of the demanding work culture of Japan. Your experience with this balance depends on the type of job you choose. In fact, it is the high-pressure working environment that causes many people to leave Japan.

• Corporate workers in Japan face a lot of pressure to prove themselves.
• Employees work late into the night. This is sometimes encouraged by the company managers.
• Employees who do not conform to company culture may experience bullying.
• Foreigners can face pressure to quit. Those who don't fit the company mold may be forced out (there are many stories like this on Reddit).
• Intense work culture can lead to 'karoshi' (過労死 - karoushi) (death from overwork).
  
  
  

School teachers in Japan face pressure to spend time preparing lessons long after classes. The teacher's office may gossip about the foreigner who left earlier than Japanese teachers. I knew teachers who cracked from the stress. They moved back to their home country. However, many teachers enjoy long paid breaks between semesters.

Taking holidays outside national periods like Golden Week and Obon is often discouraged. As there are so many national holidays, most employees only have one week of paid leave a year. However, a company will usually not allow you to take the full paid leave together. Instead, people often add some of their paid vacation time to the start and end of a national holiday period to extend their vacation time.

5. Finding Somewhere to Live in Japan

As a tourist in Japan, may have been staying in hotels, but now that you are living in Japan, you will need to deal with the Japanese rental market. You might be in for a culture shock...

• Small spaces: Be prepared to live in very small spaces, especially if you plan to live in a central location.
• Tiny kitchen spaces: There are no ovens in most Japanese kitchens (houses and apartments).
• Thin walls: Apartments have very thin walls, which makes it easy to hear your neighbors.
• Rent in Japan: Rent is cheap, but initial costs to securing a rental property can be very expensive.
• Racial discrimination: You may experience racial or cultural discrimination. Some landlords don’t want to rent to non-Japanese residents.
• It pays to speak Japanese: Some landlords may rent to a foreign resident, as long as they speak Japanese.

Are you looking for a detailed breakdown of rental process in Japan? If so, please refer to our dedicated article: Renting in Japan as a Foreigner.

Looking to rent an apartment in Japan? I recommend you check out Sakura House and Leopalace21. These places specialize in foreign residents. They are more expensive than the average price for apartments their size but offer convenience.

6. Is Japan the Right Fit for You?

Living in Japan as a foreigner depends on your personal situation and goals. First, visit Japan a few times to see how you feel about it. Ask others about their experiences living in Japan. If you're still drawn to Japan's culture, language, lifestyle, build a plan to make the big move. But be aware, that it could end up not agreeing with you.

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