Things you should prepare before coming to Japan

Preparations before coming to Japan should be based on the “first week”

When moving to Japan from overseas, many people pay attention to visas and airline tickets, but it is the daily life that can cause problems once you actually arrive. How will you get from the airport to your accommodation? Will you be able to use the internet from the moment you arrive? How much cash or card will you need? Where will you stay for the first few days? When these small problems add up, the burden of living in a new environment becomes large.

First, gather all important documents in one place, such as your passport, documents related to residence, documents received from your workplace or school, and information regarding overseas travel insurance and medical insurance. In addition to paper copies, it's a good idea to keep a digital copy in a safe place in case you lose it. However, be careful about where you save and how you share documents containing personal information.

``Temporary housing before a long-term contract'' is also an option for housing.

Even if you plan to live in Tokyo for a long time, it is not necessarily necessary to completely decide on long-term rental housing before coming to Japan. If you sign a contract without knowing the area, commuting time, surrounding environment, ease of shopping, etc. may differ from what you expected. Another option is to look around the area and look for long-term housing, such as hotels, serviced apartments, and monthly housing.

Especially if you are moving with your family, you need to consider not only your place of work, but also your living area, including the distance to schools, hospitals, daily shopping, and stations. It's important to base your criteria on how you move every day, not because it's a famous area.

Ensure communication and payment methods are available from day one on arrival

Smartphones will be central to your life after arriving in Japan, including maps, translations, transportation information, communications, and reservations. For a short term, you can consider an eSIM or prepaid SIM, and for a long term, you can consider a communication contract within Japan. It is best to have data available at least from the time you arrive at the airport.

Regarding payments, cashless payment is progressing in Japan, but there are still situations where cash is required. Foreign-issued cards aren't always available, so it's a good idea to have multiple payment methods on hand. If you are planning to start living in Japan for a long time, you will need to set up a bank account and domestic payment services.

Make a “list of things you don’t understand” before coming to Japan

You don't need to understand everything before coming to Japan. Rather, it's important to make a list of what you haven't decided yet. By dividing housing, communications, banking, medical care, transportation, school, work, administrative procedures, etc. into categories such as ``Determined'', ``Confirm in Japan'', and ``Consult with a specialist'', you will be able to clearly understand what to do after you arrive.

At JCBO, we aim to act as a first point of contact for people starting life in Japan, sorting out their situations and connecting them with appropriate companies and qualified experts as necessary, rather than acting on individual specialized tasks without qualifications.