Living
in Japan

A Guide to Living, Working, and Studying in Japan

Living as a foreigner in Japan is an alluring prospect, especially if you've traveled here before and fallen in love with the mix of traditional and contemporary cultures that shapes the present of this country. Whether you come to Japan to work, to study, or for personal reasons, making the move should not seem an insurmountable task. From visa procedures to finding a home and making friends, everything can be easy with the proper information.

This page contains information on basic necessities for living in Japan, as well as tips to make your long-term stay as enjoyable as possible. You can read about how to settle in, how to find reliabe internet and mobile phone services, how to open a bank account, how to improve your Japanese language skills, as well as information on child rearing and education in Japan, and more. These articles will provide you with the necessary knowledge and confidence to feel at home in Japan.

Essential Information

After arriving in Japan, it is essential to stay connected to the internet in order to find the information you might need. Check the articles below for information on budget SIM cards, mobile phone services, as well as how to find an apartment in Japan.

01

Working and Studying
in Japan

Japan is well-known for the particularities of its corporate and working culture. Learn how and where to seek work, the basics of applying for a job, how to prepare for a job interview, as well as how to change jobs in Japan and the procedures required.

03

Mobile Phones, Internet,
and Bank Accounts

It is essential to stay connected in Japan. Please check the articles below for information on mobile phone services, internet providers, and recommended services with foreign language support.

Opening a Japanese bank account is another essential procedure that you will likely have to do as soon as you arrive. Read these articles to learn how to create a bank account, as well as recommended Japanese credit services that will surely come in handy in daily life. Their convenient point system allows you to save money while shopping!

04

Daily Life Skills: Utilities,
Taxes, Delivery, Driving

Living in Japan means using electricity, gas, water, and other utilities, as well as payng taxes. Read the articles below for tips on how to save on utility costs, how the Japanese tax system works, how to deal with garbage, as well as how to use postal and delivery services. Last but not least, some tips on driving in Japan, a skill that will be handy if you stay long-term.

05

Hospitals and
Health Insurance in Japan

Living in Japan means using electricity, gas, water, and other utilities, as well as payng taxes. Read the articles below for tips on how to save on utility costs, how the Japanese tax system works, how to deal with garbage, as well as how to use postal and delivery services. Last but not least, some tips on driving in Japan, a skill that will be handy if you stay long-term.

06

Childbirth and Family

Giving birth and raising a child in Japan can be challenging without prior knowledge and preparation. Read the articles below for information on childbirth and childcare, daycares, preschools, and the costs they entail. You'll also find a list of foreign-friendly daycare facilities! Finally, we introduce tips on online shopping for baby items and how to find nursing rooms in Japan.

07

Japanese Language
Learning Tools and Tips

Being able to speak Japanese makes a huge difference during a long-term stay. In this section, we introduce Japanese language schools that you can attend for lessons in person or online, as well as Japanese language study materials for every level of proficiency.

Check our lists of phrases that are useful to know before coming to Japan, as well as the basics of polite speech, a very important feature of Japanese language. If you can already read some Japanese, practice reading and listening with MATCHA's Easy Japanese website!

08

Things to Know about
Living in Japan

This section is dedicated to aspects of living in Japan that are seldom mentioned in guides. Things like the hometown tax, a system that allows every residents to contribute to the development of rural areas and receive goods in exchange, a list of public facilities that foreign residents can turn to for advice and assitsance in need, and information on public safety in Japan.