5 Answers to Common Problems When Moving to Japan
Moving to Japan for work can be an exciting and life changing experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From opening a bank account to apartment hunting, from the language barrier to cultural differences, there are... More
How to Find a Job in Japan as a Foreigner (with Guests)
Learn how to find a job in Japan whether you're applying domestically or from overseas.
Questions your real estate agent will ask when you’re renting an apartment in Japan
When you rent an apartment in Japan, you’ll have to have a lot of information on hand even before you step inside for your first room viewing. Here are the questions you should prepare for! Questions about yourself These are... More
How to fill out a Japanese apartment lease application: Cheat Sheet with Translation
Use this cheat sheet to help you fill out a standard Japanese residential apartment lease application. We’ve broken the translation into five parts below, but the whole application is usually just one-page long: Part 1: Rental Conditions 賃貸入居申込書: chintai... More
If I move to another city in Japan, do I owe residence tax to my previous city?
Since 2022 is just around the corner, we want to answer this frequently asked question. Many people move in January or between January and March, which is the busy season in the Japanese rental market. When you move from one... More
Work in Shinjuku, Live Near Shinjuku: Here’s what you can rent on a ¥290,000/month salary
Welcome to this installment in the “work here, live there” series! In this series, we pick currently open jobs listed on GaijinPot Jobs and give examples of affordable apartments for that approximate salary. Our selection from GaijinPot Jobs this time is... More
Useful apps for foreigners living in Japan
We’ve asked around to get the scoop on apps in Japan that are frequently used by foreigners! These apps can all help to make your life in Japan a little bit easier. Communication LINE Aside from the US which still... More
What are the best video streaming services to use in Japan? The good, the bad, the issues
A few months ago, I wrote an article about why you need a VPN in Japan. One of the biggest reasons is so you can use it to watch Netflix and videos from other countries. Admittedly though, using a VPN... More
5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Car in Japan
Just recently I completed the process of buying a car in Japan for the first time. To be honest, it was quite an ordeal. From start (deciding to buy a car) to finish (getting the keys), the whole process took... More
Can you live in Tokyo on ¥260,000 a Month? Yes! — Work Here, Live There
Welcome to this installment in the “work here, live there” series. In this series, we pick currently open jobs listed on GaijinPot Jobs and give examples of various apartments that would be a great match in terms of rent, location,... More
Best commuter neighborhoods for working in Ebisu!
Paths to Japan come in all different forms. Many people have the idea that the only way to move to Japan is through teaching English, but that’s not always the case. Would this job be a good fit? You can... More
3 Reasons to Consider Investing in a Residential Apartment Building in Japan
Investing in a whole apartment building is not for everyone, but if you are looking to diversify your portfolio and/or are looking for a relatively stable income stream in Japan, residential apartment investing may be something to consider. Leveraging your... More
What is the average starting salary in Japan?
April 1st marked the start of the new fiscal year for almost all companies in Japan, as throngs of young people started new jobs amidst the turmoil of the coronavirus outbreak. It’s now two weeks into April. Coronavirus or not... More
Japanese companies to be required to disclose the number of foreigners they hire and post-hiring training practices
The Japanese government plans to roll out a number of policies aimed at making it easier for international students to find employment at Japanese companies post-graduation. This is according to a recent report by the Nikkei newspaper. The key measures... More
How much do software engineers in Japan make? — Living in Japan Guides
In this article, we zoom in on average salaries for software engineers in Japan, which is part of our series on tips for living in Japan, working in Japan, and data on average salary in Japan. Finding an engineering job in... More
Most affordable places to buy an apartment in Japan: 2019 Ranking by Prefecture
Home affordability decreased for the average income earner in Japan this year. This is according to a data released by Tokyo Kantei, which shows that the nationwide income multiple (compared to the average price of a home) increased in 2019. As... More
What will 2020 bring for you? Here’s what Japanese people think about their prospects and how they plan to spend their money
The new year is just around the corner, and it seems that a large proportion of Japanese consumers are not sanguine about the prospects for the world economy or their own households in 2020. This is according to a survey... More
Why do foreigners leave their jobs at Japanese companies?
In this installment of the how to work in Japan series, we take a look at the flip side of researching average salaries in Japan, finding a job, and getting a work visa. No matter what country you work in or... More
What is the average annual salary bonus in Japan?
Bonuses are an important component of total compensation for most workers in Japan. When you move to Japan for a job, it’s important to understand how bonuses can affect your total annual salary so you can plan out your life... More