Things to prepare in the first 30 days of living in Japan

The first 30 days are the period to create a living system.

For the first few days after coming to Japan, it's easy to be overwhelmed with just processing what's in front of you. However, after a month or so, you will start to see behaviors that you repeat every week. Things like commuting to work or school, buying groceries, doing laundry, paying bills, going to the hospital, spending your holidays, etc. At this stage, the goal is to change the state from simply being able to live a life to being able to continue living without difficulty.

Arrange payment environment with bank

For long-term residence, you may need a Japanese bank account to receive wages, rent, utilities, etc. Account opening conditions vary depending on the financial institution, and you may be asked to confirm your period of stay, address, identity verification documents, etc. Check the latest terms and conditions of the bank you want to use in advance.

For everyday payments, it is convenient to use cash, credit cards, transportation ICs, QR payments, etc. depending on the purpose. However, the terms of use vary depending on the service, so there is no need to force yourself to install all of them.

Evaluate housing based on “lifestyle” rather than “location”

When moving from temporary housing to long-term housing, it is important not to compare based only on rent. Check commuting time, distance to station, noise, shopping, hospitals, schools, evacuation environment in case of a disaster, etc. An extra 30 minutes of travel each day can add up to a lot of time in a year.

Find a medical facility before you get sick

It can be difficult to find a medical facility with foreign language support after you become unwell. It is a good idea to check in advance if there is a medical institution near your home or place of work where you can consult about your daily symptoms. If you have a chronic illness, it may be helpful to have materials that can explain the names of your medications and your treatment history. Please be sure to consult a medical institution for specific diagnosis and treatment.

Reevaluate your life after a month

After 30 days, write down things that are bothering you, things that are taking time, and things that are costing more than expected. Even if it's not enough to change your residence, small improvements to your communication plan, travel routes, shopping methods, etc. can make your life a lot easier.

Things to review after actually starting your life in Japan

Things that you didn't understand during the preparation stage will become clear to you once you actually live in Japan for a few days to a few weeks. Write down the time it takes to commute to work or school, ease of shopping, language problems, monthly expenses, etc., and check for any differences from your expectations. It is not necessary to continue with the method you initially decided on, but it is important to adjust communication contracts, travel routes, shopping locations, housing conditions, etc. to suit your lifestyle.

Organize important information in one place

In life in Japan, the number of contacts increases, such as address, contact information for work or school, housing management company, hospital, insurance, bank, telecommunications company, etc. Instead of saving it only on your smartphone, it's a good idea to make a list of the information you need and share it with your family if you have them. Make sure to save contracts, receipts, and important emails in a way that you can check them later.

Check the latest information on systems and professional judgments.

It is necessary to separate general information about daily life from professional judgments such as immigration status, law, taxation, and medical care. As systems and conditions are subject to change, please check the latest information from public institutions and contracting parties before proceeding with the procedure. For work that requires qualifications, it is important to consult with an administrative scrivener, lawyer, tax accountant, or other appropriately qualified professional.