I've been living in Japan since 2006 and I enjoy living here.
Here's a thread of 20 things to consider if you want to have a good life in Japan.
Here's a thread of 20 things to consider if you want to have a good life in Japan.
1/20 : First job
It's fine to be an assistant language teacher (ALT)/英会話 (Eikaiwa : English conversation) teacher...for a while.
These are entry level jobs to get your foot in the door. Use them to get a visa and a paycheck for a few years then move on.
It's fine to be an assistant language teacher (ALT)/英会話 (Eikaiwa : English conversation) teacher...for a while.
These are entry level jobs to get your foot in the door. Use them to get a visa and a paycheck for a few years then move on.
2/20 : Japanese isn't optional
This is Japan. Speak Japanese.
Learning a language is difficult but you have to do it. Your life improves the more Japanese you can speak.
It's strange to see people living long term in Japan that refuse to learn Japanese.
This is Japan. Speak Japanese.
Learning a language is difficult but you have to do it. Your life improves the more Japanese you can speak.
It's strange to see people living long term in Japan that refuse to learn Japanese.
3/20 : Get used to being a minority
Foreigners in Japan are a minority by a huge degree. Many locals may not know how to react to you. Just roll with it.
Most people are not deliberately trying to offend you.
Foreigners in Japan are a minority by a huge degree. Many locals may not know how to react to you. Just roll with it.
Most people are not deliberately trying to offend you.
4/20 : Find a realistic place to live
Finding an apartment as a foreigner is not as difficult as some people want you to believe. An agent can introduce you to places you are allowed to rent.
"I want to live in a place I'm not allowed to rent," is a ridiculous attitude.
Finding an apartment as a foreigner is not as difficult as some people want you to believe. An agent can introduce you to places you are allowed to rent.
"I want to live in a place I'm not allowed to rent," is a ridiculous attitude.
5/20 : Alcohol is not your friend
The friends you make through booze are generally not real friends. If the only thing you have in common with someone is alcohol, you need to find better friends.
Enjoy a beer with real friends.
The friends you make through booze are generally not real friends. If the only thing you have in common with someone is alcohol, you need to find better friends.
Enjoy a beer with real friends.
6/20 : Focus on your visa
You cannot do anything if you don't have a visa. Getting permanent residency should be your number 1 priority. Pay your taxes/pension, serve your time, and apply as soon as possible.
Don't put it off.
You cannot do anything if you don't have a visa. Getting permanent residency should be your number 1 priority. Pay your taxes/pension, serve your time, and apply as soon as possible.
Don't put it off.
7/20 : Get a hobby
You NEED a hobby. A real hobby. Go out and meet people you share an interest with.
This is good advice wherever you are in the world but people who simply aim to be in Japan forget this. Being in Japan isn't a hobby.
You NEED a hobby. A real hobby. Go out and meet people you share an interest with.
This is good advice wherever you are in the world but people who simply aim to be in Japan forget this. Being in Japan isn't a hobby.
8/20 : Ignore vending machines
Vending machines are a cool novelty but the prices are marked up a lot. If you are in a pinch, use them. If not, take the extra couple of minutes to go to a store and buy the same thing at a much lower price.
Vending machines are a cool novelty but the prices are marked up a lot. If you are in a pinch, use them. If not, take the extra couple of minutes to go to a store and buy the same thing at a much lower price.
9/20 : ATM fees
Learn how ATMs work. In my first few years in Japan I ended up losing a lot of money on fees because I didn't understand them. 100 yen here and there adds up over time. Choose which ATMs to use and when to use them.
Learn how ATMs work. In my first few years in Japan I ended up losing a lot of money on fees because I didn't understand them. 100 yen here and there adds up over time. Choose which ATMs to use and when to use them.
10/20 : Visa weddings are toxic
If your residency status in a country is tied to a marriage there's a power imbalance in the relationship. Don't get into situations like this. There are too many stories of inept foreign men with, "crazy Japanese wives."
Don't be one of them.
If your residency status in a country is tied to a marriage there's a power imbalance in the relationship. Don't get into situations like this. There are too many stories of inept foreign men with, "crazy Japanese wives."
Don't be one of them.
11/20 : Skill up
In addition to learning Japanese, you need to be skilling up. Higher education/professional certifications will help you move up in the world.
You need to be pursuing these if you want to improve your life.
In addition to learning Japanese, you need to be skilling up. Higher education/professional certifications will help you move up in the world.
You need to be pursuing these if you want to improve your life.
12/20 : Japan is not your home country
"In England we do this."
"This wouldn't happen in America."
No one cares. This is Japan.
"In England we do this."
"This wouldn't happen in America."
No one cares. This is Japan.
13/20 : Roll with the stereotypes
I'm British but I hate football. Guess what everyone wants to talk to me about when they meet me for the first time and realize I'm British?
People aren't going to stop asking the question if I get angry at one rando for asking it.
I'm British but I hate football. Guess what everyone wants to talk to me about when they meet me for the first time and realize I'm British?
People aren't going to stop asking the question if I get angry at one rando for asking it.
14/20 : "Can't find good cheese in this country"
You need to get your priorities right, sunshine. There's plenty of amazing food in Japan.
Also, you CAN get good cheese. It's just not available everywhere. If you want something rare/exotic, it's on you to seek it out.
You need to get your priorities right, sunshine. There's plenty of amazing food in Japan.
Also, you CAN get good cheese. It's just not available everywhere. If you want something rare/exotic, it's on you to seek it out.
15/20 : 日本語上手ですね (Nihongo jozu desu ne)
If someone tells you your Japanese is good you aren't going to melt. People just say this to be nice and are not trying to offend you. There are many phrases like this.
Just say thanks and move on.
If someone tells you your Japanese is good you aren't going to melt. People just say this to be nice and are not trying to offend you. There are many phrases like this.
Just say thanks and move on.
16/20 : Don't overindulge
There's a lot of good food/drink in Japan. Enjoy it but not too much. If you are noticeably "over-nourished" in Japan people are going to comment on it.
There's a lot of good food/drink in Japan. Enjoy it but not too much. If you are noticeably "over-nourished" in Japan people are going to comment on it.
17/20 : Consider the future
If you plan to live in Japan long term or even permanently, you need to have a plan. Buying health/life insurance isn't interesting or fun, but be an adult about it and do it.
If you plan to live in Japan long term or even permanently, you need to have a plan. Buying health/life insurance isn't interesting or fun, but be an adult about it and do it.
18/20 : Stay healthy
Related to an earlier point, but it's your social responsibility to stay healthy in Japan. Eat well, exercise, stay in shape.
This is good advice for everywhere but there is an obvious difference in Japan for how people are treated based on health.
Related to an earlier point, but it's your social responsibility to stay healthy in Japan. Eat well, exercise, stay in shape.
This is good advice for everywhere but there is an obvious difference in Japan for how people are treated based on health.
19/20 : You do not know better than the Japanese
If you are living in Japan as a foreigner you may have some ideas on how you would run things if you were in charge. Literally no Japanese person cares what you think.
You aren't obliged to stay in Japan if you think it's awful.
If you are living in Japan as a foreigner you may have some ideas on how you would run things if you were in charge. Literally no Japanese person cares what you think.
You aren't obliged to stay in Japan if you think it's awful.
20/20 : Don't take yourself too seriously
Many of the people that fail in Japan take themselves way too seriously. Just go with the flow. Learn to smile. You'll make mistakes in your Japanese. People will say weird things to you. Life will be different.
Just go with it.
Many of the people that fail in Japan take themselves way too seriously. Just go with the flow. Learn to smile. You'll make mistakes in your Japanese. People will say weird things to you. Life will be different.
Just go with it.
A lot of people want to come to live in Japan. It's a cool place. But the people that complain about Japan the most are people that moved here but failed to adapt.
Don't be one of those people.
Don't be one of those people.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
