Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Japan
Moving to Japan is a dream for many people. It could be for the culture, the beautiful landscapes, a lower cost of living, or a new adventure. Looking back, here are some things I wish I knew before making the leap, with a few personal stories sprinkled in.
1. Learning Japanese is harder than you think
There are more resources available today to learn Japanese than any other time in history. So it should be easy right? In my experience, it hasn’t been easy but it’s entirely my fault. I simply haven’t dedicated enough time to studying the language. I find myself going through bursts of motivation, followed by days or weeks of inaction.
Living in Japan certainly has helped though. Every where I go, I see and hear Japanese so it definitely helps cement the language in your brain. Another thing that helps a lot is watching Japanese shows on YouTube and Netflix with Japanese subtitles. 90% of the time I don’t understand what’s being said but occasionally I’ll be able to piece it together with the context. Plus it’s more entertaining than reading a book or flashcards in my opinion.
The best way to learn is to figure out what works for you. Books, language exchange, apps, or Japanese media are all good options. Figure out what you enjoy most because if you aren’t having fun, you won’t dedicate enough time to learn. And it will take a long time. Just keep going.
2. Things take longer than you think
Get used to waiting in line to eat dinner, mail a letter at the post office, or handle business at the city ward office. Basically you’ll need to wait in line everywhere you go. Get used to it and go with the flow.
When I opened my bank account, it took roughly 2 hours. Partly because I can’t speak Japanese fluently but also in part because most places in Japan require a wild amount of paperwork. Pro tip – you’ll likely need an inkan (personal stamp) in order to open a bank account so get one beforehand.
3. Credit cards aren’t as accepted as you think
More and more businesses in Japan are accepting credit cards but cash is still king. Even if they do accept credit cards, you’ll likely need the physical card to pay because they don’t accept touch payments. I’ve ran into this problem more times than I count so always make sure to have cash with you.
One annoying thing about paying with cash is the amount of coins you’ll get back as change. The good news is most bank ATMs accept coin deposits. I simply collect coins and deposit them when my piggy bank fills up.
4. Separating trash is easier than you think
Before I moved to Japan, I was well aware that you needed to separate your trash. I kept reading how hard and complicated it was to get right. To be fair, some municipalities have very strict rules but in my experience, it’s fairly straightforward. In my case, all forms of trash get picked up every day. All you need to do is separate the combustibles, plastics, cardboard, and bottles/cans in separate bags and place them in their respective areas.
It may be different in other cities or buildings throughout Japan so check with your local ward office or management company. Still – it shouldn’t be that complicated. Separating trash isn’t rocket science.
5. Public Transport is better than you think
It’s common knowledge that the public transportation in Japan is A tier but how good is it really? Turns out, it lives up to it’s reputation. The trains run on time, are clean and quiet, and are affordable. It costs roughly 250 yen, about $2, one way to get around town in Osaka. The bus costs about the same and sometimes can run a minute or two late – depending on traffic.
The only downside with public transportation is the train/subway is only available from 6am – midnight. And it’s probably even less frequent in rural areas.
6. English isn’t as common as you think
This may come as a surprise to some people but Japanese people don’t speak English. They learn English in school but most people still don’t speak English fluently. However I’ve found that when you ask a Japanese person if they speak English, they immediately say no. But after talking for a little while, they usually get more comfortable and start sprinkling bits of English here and there. So it might not be the case that they can’t speak English but rather that they don’t feel comfortable to.
And I get it. I feel uncomfortable speaking Japanese because I’m absolutely terrible at it but I’m in Japan so I will try my best. Ganbarimasu!
7. You’ll hear your neighbors more than you think
When you think of Japanese products, you probably think of high quality right? Well at least I do. And it’s true for the most part. Think Sony, Toyota, Honda, and Nintendo – all these companies are known for their quality. So that’s what I was expecting when I moved into my apartment. I was aware that older buildings are more prone to noise but my building was brand new. So I thought it would be quiet due to newer building standards. Spoiler: I was wrong.
I can hear my neighbor talking on the phone, watching videos, and playing video games. It doesn’t matter if he’s inside his room and my balcony door is shut. Oddly enough, I never hear him cooking or taking a shower.
It’s not the end of the world but I wish I was aware of this fact before moving into an apartment. I would have chosen a building with one unit on every floor or a detached home instead.
8. Being tall isn’t as good as you think
I knew that older Japanese homes have very low ceilings and door entryways so I was prepared to handle these things but I was unprepared for others. For example, if you’re tall, you’ll find yourself hitting your head on the range hood. This happens to me at least once a week. Another thing is the counter height is lower than what I’m used to so I find myself bending down to wash my hands, do dishes, and brush my teeth.
This is no fault of Japan at all. In fact it’s makes sense since most of the population is shorter compared to Americans. It’s just something to be aware of if you are taller than the average Japanese person.
9. You won’t stick out as much as you think
I can only speak from my experience so keep that in mind. Your experience will vary wildly. But I’ve noticed most Japanese people don’t care that you’re a foreigner. In fact, they probably don’t realize you live in Japan and think you’re another tourist. Japan has been experience a tourist boom in recent years so the novelty of being a foreigner has less effect.
However in my experience, it has helped me find a wonderful girlfriend. I got way more attention online in Japan than I ever did back in America. I’m not sure why but it seems like some women in Japan are seeking foreign men. The reasons vary from simply preferring someone from another culture but I’ve also heard it’s because they think foreign men are more emotionally involved and willing to help with household duties and child raising. It’s still pretty common in Japan for men and women to follow traditional gender roles, even though women are working too nowadays.
10. Onsens are more amazing than you think
Onsens and public baths are amazing. That’s all.
I get not wanting to be naked in front of strangers but I highly recommend visiting an onsen at least once. It’s such a relaxing experience and would be a shame not to try it because you’re a little scared. Besides we all look the same. Who cares?
Final Thoughts
I remember selling my truck, emptying my house, and hanging out with my friends and family for the last time – in a while. It was a weird feeling knowing that my entire life was in two suitcases and I wouldn’t see the people I love the most for a while. But moving to Japan was one of the best decisions I made to date. I’m experiencing new things, learning a new language, building a new relationship with a wonderful girl, and living a new life.
If you’re thinking about moving or just arrived, know you’re not alone! Feel free to reach out anytime — I’d love to hear from you.
And most importantly, enjoy the ride.