Living in Japan

Japan is a rich and fascinating country, full of surprises and fun encounters. It would be hard not to be positively affected by the wealth of culture and experiences Japan has to offer. And indeed, most people who have spent some time in Japan describe their stay as a life-changing experience.

However, moving to Japan, like moving to any new, far-away, foreign country, can be a stressful experience.

Our Community pages are intended to provide you with the practical information you need if you are seriously considering moving to Japan.

We invite you to read these pages carefully and to visit the links listed in our Resources page to gather information and prepare for your big move to Japan.

Below is a brief introduction to important aspects of life in Japan.

Japan can be described as an exquisite juxtaposition of traditional and modern, low-tech and high-tech, digital and analog. Japan is among the most industrialized countries in the world. But unlike other developed societies, Japanese society is still deeply anchored in traditions.

Fireworks and street parties in Summer; rice cake pounding parties, new year celebrations and girls day in Winter; cherry blossom viewing in Spring… A myriad festivals and celebrations punctuate the year, each bringing a new occasion for children and adults alike to go out and revel in traditional foods, drinks, dances and customs.

Japan is a country where millions can cram into overcrowded cities and still stay civil, polite and calm.

Having to commute for two hours to go to work is no reason to disrespect others and forget the principles of politeness.

Politeness, or teinei, is extremely important in Japan, and more than just being polite, it also means putting others first and never losing patience.

There is no shortage of restaurants or of delicious traditional delicacies in Japan. Japanese food is among the best and most varied in the world, with plenty of meat, fish, tofu and vegetable-based dishes. The Japanese love going out to eat and drink and work days often end in a traditional Japanese pub (izakaya). They also enjoy foreign food and there are plenty of French, Italian, Asian and American restaurants in Japan. Tokyo has four times as many restaurants as London, Paris and New York together, or so the legend goes.

Travelling in Japan is very comfortable, even if you don’t speak Japanese. It might take few days to get used to the subway systems of big cities like Tokyo or Kobe, but once you get the hang of it, taking the train in Japan is very easy. You just need to remember that train lines are owned by different companies and that you will need to buy a new ticket every time you change company. Make sure you get a map of the subway system, or an application for your phone, and remember: do not be afraid to ask for help. People will be more than willing to help you if you are polite and patient, even if they don’t speak English.