Are you moving to Japan with your family?
With excellent cuisine, gorgeous natural sites, some of the world’s most exciting and modern cities, and a riveting ancient culture, it’s no surprise that so many families from all over the world choose to call Japan their home. No matter your reasons for relocating to Japan, you are surely in for an exciting adventure.
However, this experience can also be quite stressful and even overwhelming if you don’t prepare well. But don’t worry; we’ve prepared a thorough moving guide that will make your family’s relocation from the US to Japan as easy as possible.
Have a family talk about moving to Japan
Before you start planning your relocation, it’s crucial to sit down and talk to your kids about it.
Always keep in mind that children face their own challenges when moving to a different country, and you need to be there to support them.
Plus, the sooner they know, the more time they’ll have to accept and adjust to the upcoming change.
Depending on your kids’ age, it might be good to involve them in the moving process. For example, they can help you look for apartments online or research schools with you.
You can also introduce them to unique Japanese culture through exciting stories or videos online.
This will help them adapt after moving from the US more quickly.
Expert guide on moving to Japan from the US with your family
Expat life in Japan is a unique experience that combines the bustling, sophisticated, and thrilling cities of Tokyo and Osaka with Kyoto and Matsumoto’s historical and traditional rural landscapes.
In general, Japan has a high standard of living, with excellent health care and educational facilities.
All of these factors make Japan a very desirable location for expats. In fact, 50,000 Americans call Japan their home. If you and your family are planning on taking this step, further in this article, you’ll find a thorough guide that will help you prepare for your new adventure.
Expat living in Japan
As an expat location, Japan provides a unique opportunity to live a radically different life from what you’re used to. Around 3 million expats currently reside in Japan, with an estimated 75% hailing from Asia’s bordering countries.
Japan has a distinct and unique culture, which can be difficult for people from western countries to comprehend. But Japanese people, particularly the youth, embrace western ideas and trends and are known to have a friendly attitude toward foreigners.
Language and communication might be challenging. You’ll need to learn to cope with the language barrier, especially in rural locations. However, larger towns have English-speaking doctors as well as foreign schools.
Things to know about Japan before moving there
Here are some basic things about Japan you should know before your move:
- The official currency in Japan is the Japanese yen (JPY or ¥).
- Japan has 125 million residents, and 3 million of them are expats.
- When it comes to weather, it comes with hot and humid summers in many areas, while snowy winters are only expected in the east.
- The biggest cities in Japan are Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya, and they’re also some of the most convenient cities in Japan for foreigners.
- Japan is very safe, both in cities and in rural areas. As a parent, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your kids are not at risk.
- Prepare for using cash more often than your cards.
Fill all the moving to Japan requirements
No matter how excited you are about your move, before you start researching international movers and looking for the help of an experienced team, it’s important to finish all the paperwork.
The good news is that the visa application process is one of the easiest to understand and complete.
All you have to do is apply for the appropriate visa at the nearest Japanese Embassy, depending on your reason for visiting Japan. You’ll need to bring your passport, visa application form, photograph, and Certificate for completion of registration to the ERFS system.
Suppose you’re relocating for the long term. In that case, your employer will generally need to apply online in advance and acquire a certificate for completion of registration to the ERFS system on your behalf.
Research the job market in Japan
If a new job isn’t the reason for your move to Japan, it should be imperative for you to find one.
However, the bad news is that many companies prefer to hire Japanese citizens. This makes it much more difficult for expats to find work.
Engrained social and cultural behaviors highly influence the employment market. But finding a job in Japan, even if you don’t speak or write Japanese, isn’t impossible. Start by searching online on Di Job, GaijinPot, Jobs in Japan, and other similar websites.
For foreigners in Japan, there are two types of jobs available: unskilled, low-paying work (such as menial labor) and skilled work (engineers, English teachers, technologists).
In this country, English speakers are in high demand, and language teachers have many opportunities. It’s one of the most popular jobs for foreigners.
Set a realistic budget
You can’t finalize your moving plan without setting a realistic budget. Even though it’s a one-off cost, international moves can end up quite expensive.
That’s why many professional movers, such as Kokusai Express Japan, recommend determining a budget and doing thorough research before hiring movers.
Consider flight costs for all family members and expenses related to visas and permits. You’ll also have to think about shipping your belongings and making a deposit on the accommodation you choose.
Also, you’ll need enough money to live comfortably until your first paycheck.
Good luck moving to Japan!
And that’s it – moving to Japan from the US will be easy and smooth if you do your research and start planning on time. So, wait no more; start packing and looking for a new home for your family.
And make sure to sign up to prefectures.com and stay up to date with all relevant information about expat living in Japan and so much more!
Article by: Jassica Mendez