Japan has every type of public transportation system imaginable. From trains to buses and ferries, those who prefer not to drive in Japan will still be able to get around the country easily. In Japan's big cities, you will find trains and buses are equally popular modes of transportation.
Consequently, many residents do not own a car or do not even possess a driver's license. Outside the big cities, however, public transportation tends to be inconvenient or infrequent, and most people rely on cars to get around. Also see our guide on renting a car in Japan.
With Tokyo's peerless public transportation system, it is unlikely you will need to rent a car if you are staying central throughout your stay. However, if you are travelling in a larger group, planning a trip outside of the city, traveling with children or older people, it is something worth considering.
Expats that want to make Japan their home for the long term can move there for different reasons. However, first, you need to apply for a type of long-stay visa. The Japanese long-term stay visas are divided into several categories. As such, you can get a long-stay visa for work, study, or family reunification.
Working, living, and traveling in Japan without speaking Japanese is feasible, and there are countless examples of foreigners doing so. Having said that, learning Japanese will put you at an exceptional advantage in both your professional life and daily life.
English. English is the official language of business in Germany, with 56% of the population speaking it. Due to its growing popularity, more German businesses have officially adopted English as their primary language.
The language barrier is a common myth that shouldn't get in your way. Most of our travelers don't speak a single word of Japanese, yet come back with testimonials of how much they love Japan. The truth is that most Japanese people speak at least a little bit of English.
Unlike some Asian countries, relocating to Japan is not difficult as long as you are prepared. This means having all of the right documents together before you even board your flight to the island nation. What do you need for a Japanese relocation?
Expatriates who have been living in Japan for a considerable amount become eligible for Japan Permanent Residency. This is advantageous for those who want to make Japan their home for the long-term or permanently because it offers a reprieve from many bureaucratic and tiresome processes.
Working and living in Japan can be a rewarding experience. Still, it's not always easy to find the best jobs in Japan for foreigners, mainly since their requirements and culture differ significantly from other countries.
Temporary visitors from most countries are allowed to stay for up to 90 days. If you are a citizen of Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you have the possibility to extend your stay to a total of up to six months.
Never bored
You could explore Tokyo for years and not uncover all there is to offer; the city is just too vast and varied. With dozens of museums, thousands of restaurants and cafes, oodles of parks, tons of events, and so much more—there is never a shortage of entertainment, even if you're on a budget.
The cost of living is affordable. Housing, food, and transportation costs are significantly lower in Tokyo, Japan, than in other major cities. This means you can live comfortably on a monthly budget of $1280 – $4425 (140,800 JPY – 489,250 JPY) Per Month.
In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.
One of the best, most underrated ways to get around Japan is by car, and if you have your international driver's licence, it's easy. Enjoy the total freedom that comes with travelling around Japan by car.
Legal speed limits in Japan are “60km/h on normal roads” and “100km/h on expressways.” It is prohibited to drive a car at the speed exceeding the legal limit even if there is no traffic sign for speed regulation.
Foreigners are allowed to obtain Japanese real estate
Nowadays, there are no legal limitations or tax-related differences when foreigners obtain Japanese real estate. You may purchase real estate regardless of what your nationality is, where you live, and whether you have residence status or not.
Do I need a visa? A1: People of some countries (or from some regions) do not need a visa if their period of stay in Japan is 90 days or less and they are not going to be engaged in income-earning activities. Refer to the List of Countries and Regions that have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan.
The average cost of living in Japan for one person is $1,200 a month, while in the USA it's $2,213 a month. For a family to live in Japan, it costs $3,051 a month on average, compared to $5,003 in the United States.
If you speak English and don't mind living in Japan's English-speaking, gaijin-friendly bubble, having little or no Japanese can be manageable most of the time. You'll still be able to meet new people, experience unique moments, and navigate much of Japan just fine.
Overall, you need at least 500,000 JPY in cash to sustain yourself for the first month in Japan. This includes cheap housing and all the other expenditures except travel expenses. Overall, I believe it would be wise to set aside at least 700,000 to 800,000 JPY if you can.
Tokyo High Court ruling supports Japan's ban on dual citizenship. Article 11 of the nationality law states: “If a Japanese citizen acquires the nationality of a foreign country of their own choice, that Japanese citizen loses Japanese nationality.”
The answer to this is quite simple… not often. It is not usual in Japan to use swear words or bad language in public. Of course, you certainly shouldn't say any of the following swear words in Japanese or phrases to anyone higher up than you, as Japanese is a very respectful language and culture.
One of the first things you'll notice during your Japan travel trip is how incredibly welcoming Japanese are towards foreigners (thank you Japan!). They are well known for their politeness and deep rooted traditions, so they definitely don't expect travellers to know all the social faux pas right off the bat.