Visiting and moving to japan.

[dj gman]

Hi everyone! I haven't been here in quite a while but I was wondering if you all could give me some pointers...

See Just recently I've really wanted to move away from the U.S. I just can't stand this country and it's policies on...pretty much everything. So I was wondering what I would have to do in order to secure myself a quaint living in japan.

I've heard that visiting japan first is essential when moving there. I was wondering about how much money would I have to save up for a weeks visit in japan? What kind of accommodations should I look for? I'm looking to have a pretty modest budget for visiting, but I would also like to take in a few of the sights while I'm there. I'm also wondering about what all legal mumbo jumbo I would have to go through such as getting a passport and whatnot.

With that said, now for the big questions...
What kind of apartment housing should I look for when deciding to move there and where? I'm also wondering what kind of employment would be available to me when I get there (I can't live on my savings forever...). I'm also curious about how much it would cost to have some of my belongings from here in the states shipped. I would take any advice really on the subject and I would love to hear some of your stories.

[dj gman]

75 views and no response?

Wow these forums are inactive...

[Belton]

The problem might be there aren't that many people here with experience of immigrating to Japan.

Visiting Japan
Yes you'll need a passport. I presume you're an American citizen so you don't need a visa in advance you'll get one for 90 days on landing. You fill in a landing card and customs declaration, get photographed and fingerprinted maybe speak to immigration officer and usually speak to customs officer. (everyone stops at customs, unlike Europe where you keep going (green channel, blue channel) unless stopped or if you have goods to declare in the red channel)
Getting a passport? In the US the State department handles this.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Travel insurance is a good idea as well.

Google for flights to Japan, check airlines sites. I imagine it'll cost over $1500 depending on where you're starting from. There are 3 main airports Kansai (Osaka), Centair (Nagoya) and Narita (Tokyo). I've never flown through Tokyo myself. Osaka and Nagoya are very pleasant with good transport links. If you are travelling about anyhow it's worth considering using these airports and taking the shinkansen to Tokyo.

Hotels
These sites should give you an idea of what's available depending on your budget.
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/
http://www.hostelworld.com/countries/japanhostels.html
there's a large variety of accommodation available in most places in Japan.

Cost.
hard to say. depends what you do, depends where you stay.
I'd allow at least 5,000yen per day after accommodation costs.

Internal travel.
If you're going to go between Kyoto and Tokyo (or beyond) the Japan rail pass is good value. If you're only going for a week, you might find it better to stay in one region though. 2 weeks or more I'd travel about a bit.
http://www.seat61.com/Japan.htm
timetable search including fares
http://www.hyperdia.com/

other sites
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html


Emmigration

The grass isn't always greener.
Japan is a conservative country by and large. I think there is a fair amount of scope for culture shock and feeling isolated because of an unfamiliar language and culture and probably being functionally illiterate too. Especially if you have no experience of foreign travel before. It'd be a good idea to have some friends or contacts in Japan to help smooth things out.

You will need a visa to work in Japan. To get one you'll need an employer to sponsor you. I'm pretty sure you have to apply for the visa from outside Japan.
Check with the Embassy.
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/

If you have an undergraduate degree, it seems the biggest potential job market for English speakers is teaching English.
If you're under 30 (I think) the JET program is worth a look as a way to live in Japan for a couple of years. Teaching isn't an easy option though. like most things you need skill and aptitude and an interest in teaching.
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/japanjobs.htm


good luck.

[dj gman]

Thanks for the advice. At least now I have a good idea of what to shoot for now.

[annie]

I read your post, but you really didn't offer a lot of information about yourself and your background, making it hard to answer your questions.

Yes, you need a passport. Yes, you need a visa if you want to stay here for more than 3 months or work here. A simple internet search on Japanese visas will give you far more accurate information than this forum. But a 4 year university degree is fairly standard for working here, unless you are brought over by a US company.

I don't think you need to visit Japan before you move here. Visiting Japan and living in Japan are very different experiences. Honestly, I know a lot of people who thought Japan was great and amazing the 3 or 4 times they came to visit, but grew quite frustrated with life in Japan when they came to live.

[untmdsprt]

From my short experience living here, unless you look Asian, you're not going to make many friends in the bigger cities. I live in Yokohama and am always treated like a tourist. Most expect me to always speak English especially when I'm in Tokyo, even other foreigners. They're always shocked when Japanese comes out.

Do yourself a favor and at least learn how to read Japanese. It makes life easier when you can read a menu, directions, etc.

Walk your feet off before you get here. You'll be glad you got those blisters in your home country instead of here.

Decide on how you want to live before you get here. Do you want a place to yourself or find roommates? Be forewarned that renting an apartment in Tokyo doesn't always mean you'll have your own kitchen, bath and toilet. I've seen some that have a seperate shower, toilet among 5 or 6 apartments. Living at the smaller stations outside of Tokyo or Yokohama gives you the freedom of having a bigger place, but you have to watch out if it's in the middle of nowhere. Life centers around the stations, and some stations have more life than others. I can name 4 of them that I really like and hope I can find an apartment near one of them.

As for jobs, the easiest to get is teaching English. You will be required to have a 4 year degree in anything though. This is the government's requirement, not the English school. I'd stay away from Berlitz though. They will hire you and be your guarantor, but nothing else. You are expected to find your own apartment, find your own way to the school, etc. Interac, who I work for, is actually better, helpful though shorthanded in Yokohama, and will promote based on your Japanese ability. One downfall though is their full-time positions require you to work from 8:30am - 5:15pm M-F. Don't be fooled by the 29.5 hour work week. At most I help teach 5 classes during the day, and the rest of the time is mine to do as I please. I can't leave the school grounds, but at least they don't mind me reading or studying for the JLPT.