![Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, Photo Source: James Saunders-Wyndham Living In Japan Vs Visiting Japan: The Key Differences?](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fx0c10dda%2Fproduction%2Fcc2445c5e5c4db47ec18aa12ace25cfedb582868-2480x1551.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
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Although more people than ever are interested in Japanese culture, living in Japan is a vastly different experience from visiting Japan. Many people who visit Japan claim to fall in love with Japanese cultural, such as the traditional temples and shrines, food, pop culture, manga and anime, and the peaceful lifestyle.
After visiting Japan, some people may decide to make the leap and commit to living in Japan as a foreigner. However, the truth is that there is a large difference between enjoying Japan's tourist spots and actually moving to Japan. Although I am not trying to discourage you from moving to Japan, you should understand how your experiences will evolve if you decide to put down roots and start your life in Japan. This guide seeks to highlight these differences and provide a panoramic view of both — the thrill of being a tourist vs the day-to-day realities of living in Japan.
If you would like to share your ideas or opinions about the topic related to this article, please be sure to leave a comment below, in the comment section.
The number of tourists that travel to Japan since the end of COVID have continued to grow. In fact, they have grown so fast that Japanese federal government and local governments have expressed concern over issues related overtourism. However, thanks to the falling value of the Japanese yen, overseas travelers continue to be attracted to Japan as an affordable tourist destination.
People's first impressions of Japan often include how impeccably clean, carefully organized, socially cooperative, and genuinely friendly the society is. There resides a social order that guides how people act and blend their lives in Japan. There is an inviting sense of community that is comforting. Crime rates are low, and the sense of security is high. Local residents will often go out of their way to assist tourists. So, if you get lost, it is normal for a random passerby, who understands what is it like living in Japan, to help you find your direction. If Japanese text puzzles you, they will often decipher it for you. This can make anyone new to Japan feel safe and welcome.
Japan, as a country, has a unique way of seamlessly merging the past with the present, a characteristic that often leaves visitors utterly captivated. This beautiful nation offers a wide array of experiences that are designed to cater to a diverse range of interests, ensuring that every traveler finds something that resonates with them.
For those who are drawn to historical sites, the ancient temples of Kyoto provide a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage. On the other hand, if you are someone who enjoys the hustle and bustle of city life, you may be visiting Japan to take a stroll around the trendy streets of Harajuku in Tokyo or spending the day at Tokyo Disneyland.
For those seeking relaxation, the onsen baths of Kyushu offer a tranquil retreat. And let's not forget the exceptional quality of the local cuisine, which is available at surprisingly reasonable prices! If seafood isn't to your liking, you can always opt for a meal at a yakitori bar, where you can enjoy charcoal-grilled chicken.
And for those who prefer plant-based diets, there's no need to worry - vegan ramen is readily available. Japan truly has something for everyone.
As a tourist, there a lot of options available to help you deal with the Japanese language. 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 is 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.
Japan is facing a long period of population decline. From 2007 to 2024, the population has fallen by roughly 6 million people. Such a fall in population would be devastating for many countries. And due to a continued decline in national birth rates, the population numbers will continue to fall. Therefore, the government is now looking at significantly increasing migrant numbers to help boost the economy. Right now is a better time than ever to think about moving to Japan.
For many people, Japan is a wonderful place to live (myself included). However, living in Japan is not for everyone. After moving to Japan, many people are often confronted by cultural aspects of the country that they weren't prepared for. Many people who immigrate to Japan are surprised by the socio-cultural challenges that they face day-to-day.
As a resident, you'll have to navigate the challenges of living in Japan while finding accommodation, looking for a job, integrating into Japanese society, developing a social circle, and potentially starting a family. And you have to do all this while learning the Japanese language and navigating cultural expectations that you probably don't fully understand. For most people this could be very complex and overwhelming. It's crucial to be realistic about your expectations before deciding to move to Japan.
While the idea of living in Japan might seem exciting, the reality can be starkly different. Despite the growing number of foreigners visiting the country, a relatively small number of people actually decide to settle down in Japan. To prepare efficiently for a long-term stay in Japan, you need to inform yourself about the realities of living there. It's essential to understand that adapting to Japanese habits and traditions can be challenging and requires a certain level of compromise.
There are several types of Japanese visa, including student, working holiday, work, spouse, and permanent resident visa. Your chosen visa will depend on your purpose of stay and other personal circumstances. In the past securing a long-term visa for Japan was difficult. However, as the country faces labor shortages, due to Japan’s declining population, visa conditions have become more flexible. The government is hoping to attract more skilled long-term foreign residents.
For more information on Japan visa requirements, check out our comprehensive article on the different type of Japanese visas.
As a foreign resident, you are able to legally purchase land and build a house. Or if you prefer, you can buy a house and fix it up. However, if you choose to buy a house in Japan, there are many complex aspects to consider while planning to make this big step. If you are interested, please check out our full guide on buying a Japanese home for foreign residents.
While Japan offers various types of accommodation, such as traditional houses and modern apartments, you should prepare yourself to live in relatively small spaces. Moreover, securing an apartment or house can be a challenging and expensive task.
Firstly, you must pay a lot of different charges before moving into your new place. Please note that every new place may not include all of these.
The tenant pays a fee to the property owner when signing the lease, and the fee cannot be refunded. Typically, one - two months' rent is required.
The property owner charges a non-refundable fee two years after the start of a contract when renewing the contract. You usually pay one to two months' rent.
You generally pay one month's rent plus a 10% consumption tax. The real estate company typically collects the brokerage fee from the renter.
The renter pays a fee to a guarantor company. Landlords typically require tenants to pay between 50% and 100% of a month's rent as a deposit. Then, the guarantor company will require a fee of 10,000 yen at the time of contract renewal, either 1 or 2 years later.
You must clean up the room and fix anything that got broken while you were there. Most of the time, the landlord will return the security deposit if you don't break anything on purpose or by chance when you move out. But they might take cleaning costs out of it.
You may encounter racial or cultural discrimination. Some landlords don’t wish to rent to non-Japanese residents and give these instructions to the real estate agent. On the other hand, some landlords may not mind renting to a foreign resident, as long as they speak Japanese.
A solution to this problem is use a rental agency that deal with foreigners. Three advantages of this option are English support, flexible contracts, and in some cases furnished apartments. Two companies that I recommend are Sakura House and Leopalace21. The downside to these options is the expense. They are more expensive than the average price for apartments their size but offer convenience.
Culture shock is another common issue for new residents. Japanese culture is complex and multifaceted, and it can take time to fully understand and appreciate it.
Learning Japanese is important for integration, and it will also make your daily life a lot easier. Even if you only learn the most basic Japanese, it will help you in your daily life. Don't think you can get by if you don't know any Japanese. It will be hard if you don't know any Japanese. Many foreign residents in Japan who manage to reach an elementary level of Japanese language skills are able to manage from day-to-day. However, when it comes time to needing more advanced levels of Japanese, some people may require the help from their spouse, friends, or co-workers. Although I have a lot of experience with Japanese language, I still require the help of my spouse when dealing with certain tasks. For example, communicating with the doctor about a complex health issue, or dealing with the phone company about my contract.
If you really are interested in learning Japanese, I recommend studying in Japan at a language school. There are many language schools in Japan that offer intensive courses for foreigners. These schools provide a structured learning environment and the opportunity to practice Japanese with native speakers. They also often offer cultural activities and excursions, which can further enhance your understanding of Japan and its people. Plus, it is a great way to make friends with other foreigners who are living in Japan.
Many people come to Japan as a tourist and comment “Japanese people are super friendly!” But are they really? I’ll let you make that assessment for yourself. For the meantime, you should understand the Japanese concept of 'self', which distinguishes between honne (本音, the true self) and tatemae (建前, the self you show to others). This means that many Japanese people will show you the face that to the social expectation of politeness and social harmony. The difference between honne and tatemae can be confusing to foreigners and can sometimes cause frustration and misunderstanding. If you are interested in find out more about the Japanese concept of self, please check out our article on the difference between honne and tatemae.
Making friends and building a social circle can be very difficult when you first come to Japan (especially if you don't speak Japanese). Because of this, it's common for foreigners to feel isolated, particularly in the initial stages of their stay. The truth is that making Japanese friends is made more difficult by complex socio-cultural differences. I’ve listed a few reasons why making friends with Japanese people can be difficult.
Remember what I wrote about “reading the air” (reading between the lines)? Japanese people might feel weird hanging out with a stranger who doesn't know how to read the room. They might think that person will make the group less peaceful.
Japan has a different idea of what friendship is. In Western cultures, friends can be very close and form strong personal ties. The gap between Japanese friends is greater. Some people don't want to be close to other people. This can be hard for people from other countries to understand, and it can make them feel alone.
The language barrier can be a big obstacle that can prevent many potential friendships from blossoming.
Maintaining a work-life balance while living in Japan can be a challenging endeavor, largely attributed to the demanding work culture of life in Japan. Your experience with this balance heavily depends on the type of job you've applied for, effectively making it one of the reasons not to move to Japan if you can't handle high-pressure environments. When it comes to teachers, those who move to Japan to teach English or work in elementary, secondary, or tertiary schools may feel a lot of pressure and a greater weight on their work-life balance in Japan.
For instance, secondary teachers may have to stay late to manage club activities or have a lot of time to prepare. Along these lines, these individuals who took the decision to move to Japan to teach English may find that they get long paid breaks between semesters, subtly introducing a silver lining to life in Japan. On the other hand, those who choose a career in corporate Japan may find themselves operating under great pressure to prove themselves in the unique environment of life in Japan.
This could include instances where you're working overtime and being conditioned to avoid applying for holidays outside of the national holiday periods such as the Golden Week and Obon, thereby further corroborating the reasons not to move to Japan. So, whether you decide to live in Japan or move to Japan to teach English, it's important to familiarize yourself with these realities of living and working in Japan.
As a tourist, cost of living in Japan can seen very reasonable. However, after become a resident of Japan and earning Japanese yen, you begin to realize the hidden costs of life in Japan. On top of income tax, health insurance, and pension tax, you must also pay city taxes. Due to the lower cost of living, salaries in Japan are also lower than in other places. You should also take note that Japanese salaries have barely changed since 1991. Even worse, many companies will pay you less for the first two or three years, and then slowly raise your salary each year. This can make a difference in where you choose to live and how often you can go out. If you're interested in learning more about the cost of living in Japan, check out our detailed article.
Living in Japan provides an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. From exploring traditional festivals to sampling local cuisine, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the country's rich heritage.
Learning Japanese can be a rewarding experience. Not only does it make daily life easier, but it also opens up new opportunities for work and social connections. Learning Japanese can help you to gain a new perspective on life. Help you to understand Japanese better on a cultural level. In addition, people will be much more willing to open up and welcome you if you make the effort to learn.
Living in a foreign country encourages personal growth and development. You'll learn to adapt to new situations, navigate cultural differences, and become more independent. Personally, living in Japan changed my life and helped me to grow in ways that I don't think I could have achieved back in my home country.
The ultimate decision to move to Japan, especially for living in Japan as a foreigner, rests on your own personal circumstances and goals. First, visit Japan a few times and se what you think. If you find the allure of Japan's culture, language, lifestyle, and the promise of finding love in Japan intriguing, and are open-minded enough about learning how to live in Japan - embracing its traditions and lifestyle - your life experiences would certainly be elevated and enriched by choosing to reside here.
Living in Japan as a foreigner, for me, has not always been a bed of roses. Using the guidelines on how to live in Japan took some time to sink in. I underwent some solitary and difficult periods while living here. Times when it felt extremely isolating. Living in Japan, negotiating its nuances, is no small task. Yet, I came out harder, more sensible, and with a new-found love in Japan, a happier person due to my commitment to understanding how to live in Japan. Interestingly, I have adapted so well that these days, I feel more at home living in Japan as a foreigner than I do when I visit my own birth country.
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With over 30 years of experience in Japanese culture and lifestyle, I am a permanent resident of Japan. As a web developer, I built Romancing Japan from scratch. Although originally from Australia, I have dedicated a significant part of my professional career to teaching at Japanese universities. My extensive travels across Japan have given me intimate knowledge of life in this country, and I am excited to share these insights with you.