THE JAPAN FAQ: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
(OR: WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE....)
(OR: WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE....)
The Complete Guide to Working, Visiting, and Living in Japan
(OR: WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE....)
Japan is the one of the most expensive countries on earth. In response to
many questions that are repeated over and over (and over...) from people online and
Usenet Newbies, here is a list of answers to some of the most common
questions regarding visiting and living in Japan. Up to now there have
been mountains of books from ivory-tower academics praising Japan to the
skies, and websites about places to see, etc. but no real source of
information on getting by here. The information here is current as of January
2012 but be aware that prices, regulations, exchange rates, etc. are always
subject to change. Also be warned that while most procedures presented here
are immutable, in some situations things may be decided on a case-by-case
basis. The information has been divided into the following sections:
The flight to Japan is VERY long and
tiring -- bring some aspirin and eye drops with you -- you'll need them. Some ear-plugs, an
eye-mask, and skin lotion can also
help. Before your flight, sign up with a frequent flier
program -- many airlines have them, and eventually you can get free flights
through them. If your final destination will be in a large or medium size
city other than Tokyo or Osaka, you might consider flying via Seoul. If you have to do an overnight near Haneda or Narita Airport, there are inexpensive hotels close by. There's even a capsule hotel called 9 Hours in Narita Terminal 2 with overnight and day rates, and for just taking a shower.
Domestic travel can be EXTREMELY expensive in Japan; check with your travel
agent as well as Japan Air Lines and
ANA's website for some special deals. For those just
visiting Japan there are special air passes for those taking JAL or other One World
carriers called a Yokoso/Visit Japan Fare, or ANA's
Visit Japan Fare.
JAL offers another air pass where you can take any international carrier, called a Welcome to Japan ticket. All of them
have blackout dates but follow the international baggage rules and cost less than half the normal air fare. You must also have a round trip
or onward ticket and the passes can only be bought outside of Japan before the start of the international trip.
ANA also has an Experience Japan fare
with no blackout dates but 20kg total bag limit and no refund or date change possibility. In more recent years there are also now discount
carriers like Peach, Jetstar Japan, Vanilla Air,
Skymark, Solaseed, Starflyer and Air-Do.
Some have very cheap international routes to Korea, Taiwan, China, and beyond. Note however that these very low fares have low to no free bag allowance,
and may have no refundability or date changes.
It may in fact be more convenient to use airlines as much as possible if you are carrying a ton of stuff since Japan's train system is not designed for people with heavy luggage. If you find you have just too much stuff for you to carry, look into luggage transport services in the Japanese airport, which can deliver your things anywhere in the country at a time you designate for a reasonable fee.
In many cases you are limited to 2 suitcases (usual max wt. 23kg or 50 lbs each, but your airline my vary) and one hand carry with a max limit of 115 cm (45 inches) (55x35x25cm) and 10 kg (I've never seen any hand carry actually getting weighed though). Excess baggage is charged at a piece-rate system, for example $25-60 extra if between 50-70lbs), or $110-150 per extra suitcase if not overweight or oversize. A small backpack is also allowable. Bringing very heavy or bulky bags may require your airline's approval first - be sure to see your airline's website. If taking multiple airlines, each may assess its own excess bag charges.
If you get a ticket allowing a prior seat assignment, or arrive at the airport check-in counter early enough, you may be able to choose a better seat. One of the best is the exit row behind the emergency door. This allows you to both stretch your legs and try and get some sleep. Then just pray you're not seated next to a screaming baby or obviously sick person sneezing their virus all over you the whole way there.
During the flight if you feel nature's call, it'd be smart to go before the meal is served since half the passengers rush for the lavoratories the second they finish their last bite.
Also make sure
you'll be dressed for the occasion. Japan's rainy season is usually from
June to mid-July, and the summers are extremely sticky and humid.
Bring lots of deodorant! Likewise typhoon season is around August-Sept. and
may disrupt or cancel transportation service for the day. The summer high
temps can go up to 38C (100F) or so, and the winter temps can be as low as
-2 or 3 degrees in the southern half of the country. It rarely snows any
heavy amount except for the mountains, but the northern part usually
has plenty of snow in the winter. Autumn is
by far the best time to visit Japan, as far as the weather goes. For help
on getting from Tokyo Narita airport to the city, click
here.
From Kansai Int'l Airport, click
here.
Many newcomers to Tokyo Narita just assume they'll take a taxi to downtown Tokyo. DON'T. It's 66 km and
will cost you half your plane fare to get there. Take the bus, or avoid the traffic jams altogether
and take the train. From Narita the Keisei and
Narita Express are 2 popular trains used into Tokyo. For using the latter, there is
also a special discount round trip N'EX ticket (valid up to 14 days).
Japan is 9 hours ahead of London, 17 hours ahead of California PST (16 ahead on PDT), and 1 hour behind Sydney, Australia. Generally jet lag hits hardest flying east, but largely depends on how many time zones you cross, the departure/arrival time, the flight length, and how much you can sleep during the flight. Usually the effects are sleeplessness at night or sleepiness during the day (even if you have a full night's sleep), but may also include malaise, loss of appetite, dehydration, headaches, mild dizziness, or even nausea. Some may also have nosebleeds for a few days because of the bone-dry air on the aircraft. (A saline nasal spray can help prevent and alleviate this). Taking melatonin at bedtime after arriving may help you put your body clock back in sync. It would be best to keep a light schedule for your first few days.
This is what
you're going to feel like after 10 hours on a plane.....
If you're definitely coming to Japan for a long period, consider giving a limited power of attorney to someone you trust. This allows them to conduct financial transactions in your name for you.
Before you
come to Japan, you might change a little money into yen (photo) to be safe, or more if you'll be arriving on a weekend or a national holiday.
But if you are using US dollars or Euros, you'd be smart to buy yen once in Japan (in contrast, in Australia or the UK it is probably better to buy yen before arrving in Japan). Inside Japan they have a better exchange rate unless perhaps you are coming from an area with a lot of Japanese
tourists or countries with a smaller economy than Japan. Buying yen in some countries can end up costing you from 6 yen from the newspaper rate to a
whopping 30% commission! The Japanese airport bank may be a bit higher than the rest of Japan but could be better than where you
are from (see their current rates here or from
Mizuho Bank or TCS and decide for yourself).
Your best bet is to get yen from your ATM card
at Citibank or any of their
ATMs which are open 24 hrs. and are in major airports in Japan. You can also go to any
Japanese
post office
or 7-11 in the country and get Japanese yen through ATM
cards in the Plus or Cirrus networks,
credit cards issued by Visa International, MasterCard International, American Express, Discover, and
Diners Club, plus debit cards in the Visa Electron or Maestro networks and a few others.
Aside from these however, other cards will be virtually useless in Japan.
Traveller's Checks give a slightly better exchange rate than cash but often you are made to wait a long time to get them
cashed.
Be aware also that if you are taking more than $10,000 from the US (and about the same from many other countries) you are required by law to declare it (for the US, do a search for FinCEN Form 105) and if you take more than 1 million yen into Japan you are required to declare it on the Japanese Customs form you'll get on the plane.
There have been many requests
for info on what needs to be done for taking
a dog or cat to Japan. There's a new system and basically four steps to take, starting several months before
your planned move. The first step is to have your pet fitted with a microchip for identification.
Then if it's more than 90 days old, have it vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine, then
given a booster shot more than 30 but less than 365 days later. Then there is a blood test at a Japanese
approved lab that shows a serum antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. At least 180 days but less than 2
years should have elapsed since the blood test upon your arrival in Japan; plus your pet should be given periodic
booster shots, and not appear ill when it arrives. You are supposed to notify the Japanese Animal Quarantine
Service at least 40 days prior to your arrival. More detailed info is provided by the Japanese Quarantine Office so read through it carefully.
Also the number of cages per flight may be limited so it would be good to reserve a spot for your pet as soon as possible. People coming from a designated
rabies-free area have a bit looser regulations, as well as
animals of US military personnel.
If you satisfy all the requirements, the quarantine time for your pet will be less than 12 hours -- usually far less. But because there is no guarantee, if you try to make a same day connection to another Japanese city, there is a
chance that you might miss your flight.
If your pet must be quarantined, the costs are typically 2500-3000 yen per day
for a private company to hold and feed your pet, which will be done at your port of entry, not your final
destination. Unless you live a stone's throw away and can feed your friend
yourself, the costs can grow quite high. NOTE: Failure to follow proper procedures could be financially disastrous
since your pet will have to be quarantined up to 180 days.
Your airline may also have other regulations or surcharges such as cage type and weight, especially with regards to taking the pet with you in the cabin (PETC) or stowing it in the aircraft belly (AVIH), so be sure to contact them as early as possible before your flight. It may cost several hundred dollars to take your pet, plus some airlines have restrictions on taking pets in the summer and if you have multiple same day connections it may not be possible at all. For additional data or other animals, please go to the Japanese Consulate in New York, or the Japanese government's quarantine page. Be aware though that in Japan most apartment owners do NOT allow cats and dogs.
This depends on your nationality
but those from English speaking or most European countries only need a passport valid for the next
90 days and a return ticket out of the country within that time. Full info is
here. Also since November, 2007 every time a
non-citizen enters Japan, getting fingerprinted and photographed is required.
To work full-time in
Japan, you first need to have at least a Bachelor's degree in any field
(or prove you have at least 10 years of experience in some industry), then find
a company or school that agrees
to hire you. You can apply for a visa in or out of Japan. Many people come to
Japan on a 90 day
landing permit (in many countries now, the "tourist visa"
is outmoded--also the Japanese Immigration may ask to see your air ticket
to show that you don't plan to illegally overstay your landing permit),
find a company/school that will sponsor them for a visa, wait around 3 weeks
to get a "Certificate of Eligibility", then get the work visa,
which is typically valid for 1-3 years. If your landing permit expires before the visa is ready, you must leave the country to get the work visa.
Most people fly to Korea for this. You can also get a
Working
Holiday Visa, if you're Canadian, British, Australian, New Zealander, or
German (no, Americans are not elgible). Some can work legally in some field (entertainer, chef, etc.) without a college degree but the rule of thumb is for a "specialist in humanities/international affairs" type of qualification, the government requires some type of Bachelor's degree.
One can also enroll in a language, martial arts, or other accredited school
and get a student visa which allows you to work up to 28 hrs/week legally
(there is a separate
form from Immigration you'll need to fill out). To get a student visa
however, many times the Immigration Dept. will demand that you have at
least one million yen in a Japanese bank account, and to see your college
diploma (the real one or certified copy, no photocopies). In either case, you will need a
guarantor for your visa -- usually your company/school can act as one for
you; if they won't, you'll need someone (often they'll demand he be a
Japanese man) with a stable job and salary who'll be one for you. Your new cute girlfriend or that cool dude you hang out with will not be acceptable.
The only other viable legal options to work in Japan are through a spouse visa by marrying a Japanese, or a dependent visa by being married to a foreigner in Japan who is legally working full time.
If you think you'll be
travelling a lot around the country to look for work or go sightseeing, an
excellent idea would be to get a Japan Rail Pass
which allows you to go on any JR route in the country for one price paid up front.
You must get the pass before going to Japan (but from Mar 2017 you can get it in Japan at bigger airports and major train stations, but at a higher price) and it's also good for the bullet
trains (except the fastest like the Nozomi or Mizuho). The price may look high but transportation in
general is high in Japan and you can see the costs you'll otherwise have to pay on the
Hyperpedia rail fare calculator. If you are only
staying in one area then a regional pass is also available, and some may be purchased after arriving in Japan, plus (given some restrictions) multiple passes can be bought. Check the options in the JR Group
companies at the bottom of the rail pass page.
Watch out for peak travel periods as well -- the end of the year, August, and "Golden Week" (the start/end of April and the first week of May) are usually jammed
with passengers and prices for air fare and hotels may be double or worse.
For those of you considering teaching English in Japan (EFL, or sometimes called ESL), please refer to Secrets on Teaching English in Japan. The links list at the bottom also have a lot of useful information.
If you stay more than 90 days
in Japan you are required to register with
the Japanese government and carry a Residence Card (Zairyu
Card). Japan changed its system somewhat in July 2012, but the card system is essentially
the same. The registration card however now has more data, including biometric data on it, and you
need to register at a government office with 14 days of moving into your residence. When you first
enter Japan on a medium/long term visa, you will be given a residence card at your port of entry that
you need to take to your local government office. If you change your residence you must get a certificate
of moving out (Tenshutsu shomeisho) that you need to submit to your new local government office. Noteworthy changes are that now you
are listed like Japanese are, as a basic resident (juminhyo). Also changed is the re-entry system
for leaving Japan and coming back. Long a thorn in the side of long-term residents, a 3000 yen charge
for leaving and returning to Japan (or 6000 yen for multiple entries) was changed to a free "special
re-entry permit" if returning within a year from departure (or before your current
registration expires, whichever is earlier). The maximum status of residence was also raised to five
years from three, but for
a "College Student" the maximum period of stay is 4 years and 3 months.
You must carry your residence card with you at all times (unless you are 15 year old or under)
and present it to any
policeman or immigration officer who requests to see it. Failure
to do so may result in a trip to jail or a stiff fine.
Legal permanent residents must apply for the new residence card within 3 years from July 2012.
For more detailed information see the Immigration Bureau Page as well as Basic Resident Registration Act info and the MIC Leaflet.
Also from October 2015, Japanese citizens as well as foreigners living in Japan more than 3 months will receive a 12 digit Social Security and Tax Number, nicknamed "My Number", to be used for social security administration, taxation, and disaster response.
When leaving the country for good you need to surrender the card to the immigration officer at the airport/seaport.
"Should I bring my TV/stereo/computer, etc.?"
A laptop/tablet is good, if you need it. The others, you had better
leave behind. Why? 1-They might break along the way, and 2-The broadcast
frequencies in Japan are different. AM Radio is the same, but FM is only
76-90 MHz. TV frequencies are different as well -- and the US and other country digital broadcasts are
not the same. Besides, your suitcase space is precious and you can
get a used TV here for 6000 yen and up. Commercial DVDs sent to you in Japan may not
work perfectly either if your player is made for a different
DVD Zone.
One way around this is a Codefree DVD
Player. It's also possible to make excellent code-free copies of your DVDs through
programs like DVDFab HD Decrypter, or a combo of
AnyDVD with either CloneDVD2,
1Click dvd copy, or
DVD Shrink
and Img Burn. Download.com has some others, or you can
rip it to your PC hard drive through programs like
AnyDVD or DVDIdle Pro. All DVD recorders and media in Japan appear to use -R/RW only, however. Having a computer with
a high speed net connection can be quite a delight though for sending pictures, nearly free phone calls on Skype or Dingtone etc, chatting, hearing radio from back home or seeing the news whenever you want. It's also possible to watch a large variety of
television through sites like Boxee,
or Hulu. Many new shows are on the network sites themselves, but geoblocked for
users outside America, the UK, etc. This block is easily circumvented by free tools like Hotspot Shield or
proXPN, or some pay services like Strong VPN,
Faceless, HMA,
IP Vanish, Air VPN, Personal VPN, etc.
A few other important items on bringing a computer with a non-Japanese OS. If you get Japanese software or hardware (with Japanese software to install the drivers) it may or may not function properly, and all the dialog windows may look like garbage. (Conversely, depending on the program and the OS, some complex English programs on a Japanese OS may not work either). You can change to a Japanese OS, or you can install both on the same machine through programs like Partition Wizard or System Commander. Coming from North America, electricity probably won't be a problem; but for sensitive devices it may be wise to buy an electrical transformer, widely available in electronics districts like Akihabara in Tokyo, Nihonbashi in Osaka, or larger retail chain stores like Bic Camera. If your country uses 220-40 volts and the device can't handle the difference in current, a transformer is a must.
In terms of prices, these days many Japanese products are not really cheaper than in North America, but still may be a bargain compared to Europe. If you buy something in Japan, the manual may only be in Japanese, and the warranty only good in Japan. Buying international models solves those problems but then there are far less savings. You may also need to spend even more for accessories, like software and cables to hook up a digital camera or camcorder to a computer, whereas elsewhere they may be included.
If you are in some isolated area, you can still shop at stores in the cheaper electronics districts online at Kakaku.com. You will need a Japanese friend to help if you can't understand Japanese well enough though.
If you're going to be here a while, bringing a phone, answering machine and (yes, still common in Japan) maybe a fax machine (all very pricey in Japan) would be a good idea, but cordless phones in Japan use different frequencies, so bringing one to Japan might cause interference and land you in trouble. Japanese still send lots of faxes, and if you think you might be needing to send or receive them, you might look into doing it through e-mail. The Japanese cell phone system is unique and incompatible with other systems (but at the airport you can rent a sim card for your 3G phone and then use it. Three examples are Softbank, B-Mobile and NTT. A basic sim card costs a few hundred yen per day and are for calling only (domestic 100 yen/min, incoming free). Ones with unlimited data cost about 1500 yen per day. Another option is a disposable sim card, such as by econnect or umobile, but you can only use it for data and not voice calls.
If your phone is not unlocked however, you may need an unlock code when you insert the new sim card. Your provider can help or you can try this site. As a tourist in Japan you can't legally buy a new sim card or cell phone plan. Japan also has no GSM network, so if your phone only has that you are out of luck. Using your phone for calls and text is one thing, but for data it can get expensive quickly (still better than roaming charges to your company back home though). Watch out for data roaming charges or you could get stuck with a bill of several hundred dollars or worse. There are now several companies you can rent phones, sim cards, and w-fi units from, including not just the big ones Softbank and NTT's DoCoMo, but also B-mobile, Pupuru, eConnect, Mobal, Global Advanced Comm, Rentafone, Ninja WiFi, Sakura Mobile, Japan Wireless, Blank Wi-Fi, Japan Wi-Fi Buddy, U-Mobile and Japan Wi-Fi. All the wi-fi rentals essentially use the same networks to connect, so availability is more or less comparable. Be sure however to check daily data limits and factor in any delivery charges. Choose the price and plan that suits you best. Note that just getting one at the airport may be far more expensive than reserving a unit online ahead of time.
For those in Japan looking for a free WiFi hotspot, you may be in for a shock - there are comparatively few. Starbucks now offers free wi-fi (although you have to register and set it up ahead of time), but other places like McDonalds that have the wi-fi service often require a paid contract with a paid service like Wi2 or a Japanese cell phone provider. You may be able to find one though at some hotels or on a site like Freespot. Another free option is 7-Spot at participating 7-11s and Denny's. Also, if you are a member of FON, you can access Japan's livedoor access points for free. One person collected a list of places in Japan in 2008, and is probably mostly still reliable. NTT East also offers a free 14 day wi-fi service for the northern half of the country, and JR West provides a free 8 day wi-fi connection at major stations (prior registration required). https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/wifi/guide/guide.pdf If you do find a hot spot, be aware that it may not be truly secure and your passwords could be compromised.
"Will my electric appliances work in
Japan?" -- Voltage and TV Broadcasts
In Japan, the
whole country runs on 100V, with the northern half of the
nation (i.e. north of the Oi River, which includes Tokyo) on 50Hz, and the southern half on 60Hz (same as in North
America). If you're from the US/Canada most electric gadgets will work fine, but things like
quartz clocks on 50Hz will
go nuts. Some ex-pats also say that items with electric motors on 50Hz will run
slower, and not run normally when you take it home. This may or may not
affect you. Also, if your hair dryer or other device runs at over 1500 watts, then you might trip the circuit breaker in Japan.
For sensitive items, buying a Japanese surge protector and
Uninterruptable Power Supply might
be well worth the money.
Another possible glitch is the plug -- while generally the same as those
used in North America, some Japanese outlets may not
allow you to put in polarized or 3 prong plugs. (Cheap adapters do exist however). For TV, Japan uses
the NTSC (not PAL) broadcast, like North America, Korea, and the Philippines. If you have
family/friends
from Europe or Australia send you a disc, you won't be able to
watch it unless it has a PAL to NTSC conversion. DVDs made on home DVD
recorders should play fine, but retail movies may not play if they're from a different DVD zone - in which
case you need to rip it to your computer hard drive or copy it without the junk, as noted above.
Many TVs and recorders can play bilingual broadcasts and some have Japanese satellite tuners. These days many, but not all, western movies and shows are shown in both Japanese and another language (almost always English). And the English tracks are not censored to death to protect your dainty ears. Unfortunately, while you may be used to 500 satellite channels back home, there is a terrible dearth of channels in Japan. Cable and satellite broadcasts are changing this, if you are lucky enough to be in an area that gets it, but if you think Japan is totally "high-tech", you may be in for a rude awakening. There are 3 large subscription services if you are interested, Wowow, Sky Perfect TV, and Hikari TV.
Dealing with Mr. NHK
Like in the UK, you are required to pay the government if you have a television. However, there are no real fines if you refuse to pay. Sooner or later you will find an old guy from the Japanese government channel NHK knocking at your door and asking if you have a TV. Say no and he'll go away for a while. Say yes and he will order you to pay. Over and over again. Even if you say you never watch NHK because it's made for insomniacs who don't respond to strong drugs, or never even turn on the tube at all, he'll demand your money. And having a satellite dish hanging out on your balcony is a dead giveaway. One way around this is to live in a building where the building has the dish, and you just plug in your "broadcast satellite (BS) tuner" from inside your room.
"How much can I take through customs?"
For Japanese Customs, their primary focus will be on anyone bringing in drugs or porn.
Unless you
enjoy seeing a jail cell and
instant deportation, bringing in illegal
drugs is not a good idea. To them, carrying "just a joint" is the same as bringing a ton of cocaine. There are also strict prohibitions on bring in several prescription medications (especially narcotics and psychtropics). You may need Japanese government approval before you leave, called a Yakkan Shomei.
Your treatment at customs will largely depend
on several factors -- 1. The personality and mood of the customs
officer that day, 2. How busy it is 3. Your nationality and flight origin, 4. Your sex and appearance, and 5. Your attitude. If you come up looking like a Woodstock Refugee or gangbanger you may have a full body and luggage search, likewise if you come off with an attitude.
Most of the time you can get through Customs without a big hassle if you look and act normal. There are those that get more scrutiny though - a male, not female (they'll never admit it, but in practice it is true), a single traveler gets a lot more scrutiny than someone with a spouse and kid, someone young or even who just looks young, and when something doesn't add up like maxing out the airline weight limit when you tell them you're coming for just a week (if you're bringing in stuff for family or friends in Japan, that means you).
If you are put under the microscope (again), remember to keep calm and remain polite. Blowing your top and throwing a tantrum will not help you.
There is still a group of people who even though they are clean and not wrongdoers, still ends up getting picked on by Customs (in spite of being told you're chosen "at random"). If you're in this group, there are a few things that might speed you through. Some are not what you'd expect.
If you have a lot of stuff and know
where you are going, it is also possible to have your things shipped from the airport to your
destination by a transport service called takkyubin. Look for such companies like Yamato, Nippon
Express, and Nittsu. Cost is around 1700-2500 yen per suitcase
depending on where in Japan it's going and the size/weight. Delivery time is overnight to two days.
Baggage storage is also available (
Narita services).
This sign
is "Fudousan", or Real-Estate Agent
Japan is a country about
the size of California (and about 70% of that is
mountainous), yet has a population of about 127 million
(about 40% of the US population). 25% of the population live in
the Tokyo area (Kanto) and over 50% of the population live between the
Osaka area (Kansai) and Kanto. As soon as you arrive, you'll be faced with
the next big challenge if you plan to stay here: finding a place to live.
When you come to Japan you should bring at least US$5,000, and a few
thousand more for emergencies if you need to get your own place in
a big city like
Tokyo or Osaka (where most of the jobs are).
"What?!! If I had that much money I wouldn't even go to Japan!!"
Stay home then.
Moving to Japan isn't cheap,
and living here certainly isn't. If the
school/company you'll work for already has an apartment/dorm set up, you're
in luck -- this'll save you from a big hassle, but you won't be able to
choose where you live. If not, you're on your own. Apartments in Japan are
found through real-estate agents (fudosan). Many have ads of available
apartments pasted on their windows, and magazines for apartment-seekers
exist as well.
For your first few nights, you
may need to stay in a hotel, youth hostel or "guest house".
For hotels, you have 4 cheaper options -- a "Love Hotel", a capsule hotel, a
Ryokan, and a Business Hotel. A business hotel is the most straightforward -- it
is just a spartan hotel with your own room. Toyoko Inn, Super Hotel, and Comfort Inn are 3 nationwide chains that are generally quiet, clean, reasonably cheap, and even provide breakfast. A ryokan, or Japanese inn, may be
cheaper though and you may or may not have your own room. Hygiene also varies.
Youth hostels and guest houses are a cheap alternative but privacy is often lacking. That said,
staying in one can be fun and you can pick up a lot of good info from others
there. Availability can be a big problem though.
A capsule hotel is perhaps the cheapest with a coffin sized room for you to
sleep in. There may be a sauna in the hotel also. However, most if not all
these hotels are for men only. The last option, the love hotel, is a hotel you can
use for a few hours or a full night, for obvious reasons. See Rob's
Japan Photo Gallery for more info.
Afterward, you'll probably end
up in your own apartment, a "weekly
manshon", or a "guest house". Weekly manshon are like apartments
or small condos you rent on a weekly basis -- they are cheaper than a hotel but
more expensive than a regular apartment. They may provide a temporary home but
will drain your financial reserves if you stay too long. The guest house is
like a college dormitory and can be fun and informative also. You can also escape
the huge fees of moving into an apartment until you earn enough money; on the
flip side, they're only available in the largest cities, and security of your items
may be an issue. Costs range from 40,000 yen a month and up.
For looking for housing, see the links at the bottom, or try The Japan Times, or regional ex-pat magazines.
When choosing an apartment a
few things to consider are: How close it is to a
bus or train station? How close it is to a supermarket, post office, restaurant or laundromat? Is it
on a busy street? (Many motorcycle gangs called "bosozoku" love blowing
your eardrums out at all hours of the night by revving their engines). Is
it near a hostess-bar ("sunakku")? Then I hope you like the drunken wails of
old men who actually think they can sing. Is the place old? Then you might have
lots of roaches in the summer who want to party with you. Is it on a slope?
Japanese bicycle brakes will make your ears bleed. Is there any building
construction going on in the area? Can you adapt
to the Japanese toilet?
Does the place face south where more sun shines in? Does the building already have an internet cable connection,
or DSL, and a building satellite dish? Is the place smaller than your closet back home? Can you afford it? These are some things to think over carefully.
Rooms are measured according to how many tatami mats fit into it. A tatami
mat (-jo) is 1.8m x 90cm, and a typical room has 6-jo, or about 10 square
meters (108 sq. ft.). A 1K apt. has one 6-jo room, 1DK has that plus a kitchen room, 1LDK
has that plus a living room. Other apartments have 2DK which means 2 6-jo
rooms and kitchen room, etc. A small one-person apt. in Tokyo can easily cost over
$800/month in rent excluding utilities. Your next hurdle is finding a
fudosan which will actually serve you. Some fudosan refuse foreigners, or
drag their feet and make excuses until you go away. At this point screaming about
discrimination and "My Rights" until your face turns purple won't help you.
In many cases it's actually the landlord who doesn't want you, not the fudosan. Assuming
you find a fudosan that'll help you, most will show you whatever places
they have open for no fee -- you only pay if you decide to move in.
Now comes the sticker
shock: in most places, before you can move in, you have to pay your first months
rent, an amount of one month's rent as commission to the fudosan, 2 months' worth as
a deposit (shikikin), and 2 months' worth to show your deep thanks (read: BRIBE) called
"reikin". When you leave, if your place is in pristine condition you might get some of your
deposit back, in many cases you'll get little or none at all. To get the
apartment you'll also need a guarantor (see section on visa guarantor). It
can be the same person who guarantees your visa or someone else. To sign
the contract you may be asked to use a personal name stamp (called "inkan"
or "hanko") You can have one carved up for you at a shop that deals in them
for around 2000 yen or so. Both you and the fudosan should receive a copy of
the contract. Read through or have every provision carefully explained to
you before you sign. And before you sign, make sure you note down whatever
wear & tear/damage is in the apartment first and have that acknowledged in
the contract or else YOU might be paying for it when you move out.
If you change apartments, some owners require at least a one-month advance notice or you may have to pay a penalty.
So now you're in
your new place, nearly broke, and tired after moving lots
of stuff. What's next? Getting your utilities installed -- the phone,
electricity, water, gas. Your fudosan can help you in getting some of these
items taken care of quickly. First the electricity -- on the circuit breaker
there should be a post card with the last meter reading, the last person living
there, etc. Use this tag as your application for your electricity. Fill
it out and mail it or take it to your electric company. For water, notify
your local waterworks bureau in your district (ku). Do the same for your
local gas company but first make sure there are no abnormalities in your gas
equipment.
The telephone is
a little more complicated. First you need to get a
"subscription right". You can buy one straight from NTT, or a broker or
another individual can sell you theirs for less. Another option is
renting phone service from a separate company, but in that case you might not
be able to make international calls. A subscription right from NTT costs about
37,800 yen -- you'll need an ID to apply. On top of that are installation
charges, which if the phone wiring already exists will cost 2,000 yen (+8% consumption tax). To sell your subscription right to another, you need your
ID, the other party's ID, and have to pay 840 yen. Phone options include:
caller ID, call forwarding, crank call blocking,
call-waiting: 315 yen, etc. For more info see the websites of NTT East
or NTT West, or dial 0120-019116, then push 1 for a
voice message or 2 for receiving a fax. As mentioned earlier, bringing your
own phone/answering machine to Japan would be a good money-saving idea.
The basic fee for your phone bill will be about 1520-1785 yen before you make any phone calls.
The costs (rounded off with tax included) for phone calls from a residence are:
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*For weekends and holidays, apply the evening rates within your prefecture.
NOTE: The prices are different for pay phones, which are below. To see how the various types work, go to the Photo Gallery.
| Call duration for ¥10 (tax included) from a public telephone (In-Prefecture) |
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*For weekends and holidays, apply the evening rates.
Cheaper companies for domestic long distance calls in Japan also exist, such as Daini Denden (Tel. 0120-11-0077), Japan Telecom (Tel. 0120-0088-82) and Nippon Kosoku Tsushin (Tel. 0120-03-0070). Another option in making calls through the internet (VoIP) and costs can be far less and can include ISP and TV services. One company that offers it if you have a fibre optic lined installed is KDDI and another is NTT's Flet's Hikari. Smartphones can even do VoIP for free through apps like Viber or KakaoTalk. If you have high speed internet, for calling the US or Canada a Magic Jack might save you some money.
"How can I get on the Internet in Japan?"
If you want a separate provider, there are
many net providers in Japan, with many different rate plans. Japan has some of the highest internet speeds
available for consumers in the world, with up to 100 Mbps level fiber optic cable and 25 Mbps DSL connections in major
and medium sized cities, suburbs, and some smaller cities and towns. Since 2008 cable has overtaken DSL and can be
used for as little as 2000 to 4000 yen per month. Many also have bundled plans that include VoIP and other services.
Most Japanese homes have net access yet Japanese often use the net more through their cell phones. Some of the biggest
ISPs are NTT, Asahi, OCN,
Au, Biglobe,
OCN, So-net, IIJ,
and GOL. One of the newer methods is a portable router like Wimax2+, which allows a maximum download speed of 220 mbs. Speeds may vary depending on if you are in an isolated location. Many net provider services run on one or two year contracts.
For those only looking for a quick temporary connection there are
free ISPs, Live Door, with access points in
most major Japanese cities. For those in the sticks that are stuck with dialup, there is also an NTT service called
Telehodai, which allows you to
call up to 2 local numbers (like an ISP) from 11 PM to 8 AM and not be charged per minute. This
is extremely nice if you like listening to radio broadcasts or news from home through iTunes or RealAudio, or
chatting with others for hours on end. Cost of this service is 1800 yen a month plus tax.
Unfortunately, they only offer this service when you should be asleep.
In Japan there are 2 kinds of cellular phones, the Japanese cellular (keitai
denwa) and the PHS type which is all but extinct. For the cellular phone, prices and functions vary -- and can
include net surfing, cameras, e-mail, texting, TVs, music players, debit card functions, train or subway passes,
games, and even GPS navigation like in cars. There are several companies to choose from, but the largest
are NTT, Softbank,
KDDI's AU, and Willcom.
Prices for the basic
phone can vary widely though, and the phone charges may be comparable to
calling long distance on a land line. In Japan, the caller assumes all the
charges -- if you never make any calls you'd only have to pay the monthly contract
fee. If you buy a phone you also have to buy a contract with it, usually good for 2 years although a monthly
contract type also exists. Tourists are unable to sign for such a contract however, only Japanese citizens or
foreigners with a alien registration card and a Japanese bank account are accepted.
It is also possible to rent a cell phone for a short period. There are some companies that allow you to just pick up a cell phone at the airport, or receive it through the mail. Another option is buying a handset and using pre-paid cards from such brands as NTT Docomo, Softbank, and AU. Costs typically run from 6000 yen for the phone and up, making calls are about 80 yen per minute (the contract type phone plans are about 40 yen per minute), and you can buy more time at a convenience store. You'll need to give some sort of ID which will be copied, and phone cards for 3000 or 5000 yen are valid for 60 days from activation. You can receive unlimited calls at no charge for another 365 days as long as the account is valid. The phones have a color screen, and can also use the Short Message Service (SMS) and send e-mail. If you want more freedom though, no seller will give you an unrestricted phone without a credit card and/or a deposit.
"I Want My Mommy!!"
As soon as you get off the plane
in Japan, you'll be bombarded by cute ads from the international phone companies
about how cheap they are. While not as bad as they used to be, and now offering better
rates if you sign up with their international call programs, as a newcomer to Japan you can take
advantage of the latest developments that old-timers needed when they first came
-- the prepaid cards, VOIP, Skype, and callback companies. You can buy the prepaid cards
at major convenience stores. With the callback company, you dial a number and let it ring, hang up without being
charged by the Japanese companies, then they dial you back and give you a ring tone you then dial your friends
or families with -- as if you were back home. You pay in dollars,
can use a credit card, and not be subject to peak usage rates.
You can even make calls to far-away Japanese cities while in
Japan on weekday afternoons for less than the Japanese phone
monopoly, NTT. There are always several ads for international calling in the
Japan Times, ask some long-term ex-pat, or look in the ex-pat magazines.
Not all the companies work the same, however, so make sure you find a company with no monthly
minimum or start-up fee. Another option is buying a calling card from various
companies like AT&T, MCI, Brastel,
Pingo, or
Dial Abroad,
allowing calls from a residence, cellular, or pay phone.
Also if you have a credit card making
calls through the Internet for less
or even for free through programs like Yahoo Messenger or other programs.
If you'll be on the phone a
lot talking to people back home, VoIP
is an excellent solution to avoid high costs.
"Is that price RIGHT?? They gotta be kidding!!"
Now that you have your new
apartment, you'll need to put stuff in it. If you're not too genteel, there's one other
alternative. One night of every month
(varying from area to area) people dump their large, non-burnable trash
(sodai gomi). Many people throw out perfectly usable electric appliances,
chairs, bikes, shelf units, etc. More recently to encourage recycling, some cities may have ordinances against this free shopping - check with your area. You will likely see many old men run around in small trucks
like vultures hoping to get something good. You might too. But the early
bird gets the worm.
BANKING AND FINANCE
This sign is
"Ginko", or Bank
In Japan, bank interest is
exceptionally poor -- less than 0.5% on any
account. If you do set up such an account though make sure you have enough
money on hand to cover any possible emergencies. Bank hours are about the
same as in the US -- they close at 3PM on weekdays. Most have ATMs, but
outside of central Tokyo they close around 6 PM or
so. Also, you can save money just like banks through the post office. The
P.O. is open til 4:00 (their ATMs until 9:00 weekdays, 5:00 Saturdays), has
slightly better interest rates, and vastly more offices than any of the banks.
Being a foreigner, you probably can get by without an inkan in establishing an account, but
if you get one and use it
once you'll be forever required to use it. It is the same as your legal
signature -- take VERY good care of it.
Checks in Japan are nearly
unheard of for consumer transactions. People use cash and credit cards. Credit cards are
generally accepted only at larger department stores and hotels, as well as shops
that handle a lot of tourists. Generally smaller shops and supermarkets do not accept them.
But it's now possible to withdraw money using
a Visa,
AmEx,
Mastercard, Cirrus, Maestro,
Plus, or Electron affiliated card at some ATMs, convenience stores, and post offices, as well as Citibank.
Japanese banks do offer one big convenience, though. You can automatically have your bills for utilities paid through bank transfer. This will save you the hassle of paying the bills yourself. Just fill out the necessary forms from your utility company. You can revoke this power at any time, and you'll get a receipt through the mail of what was deducted. If you choose not to do this, you can still pay your bills through the post office, or almost any convenience store if it's not overdue.
- "How do I send money to someone??"
Since Japanese don't
use checks, Japanese send money by way of bank
transfer (furi-komi). Usually the money will arrive on the next business
day. The costs for sending money can range from 105 yen to 735 yen,
depending on the bank you go to and whether the receiver's acct. is at a
different bank. Japanese banks do not send monthly statements of your
current balance. To check, you need to take your acct. book (tsucho) and
stick it in the ATM. Any deposits or withdrawals will immediately be
printed on it, including your current balance. You will need your PIN
number (ansho bango) to withdraw money -- do NOT forget your secret number!!
Also, if you or someone attempts to put in the incorrect PIN number to gain
access to your account, the bank's computer will freeze the whole account
until you clear up the mess with their administration. Some banks charge a
small fee (100-300 yen) if you withdraw money and your balance is below a
certain amount.
- "How do I send money home?"
So you've visited
the banks and found that your bedroom mattress gives a
better interest rate. Now what? You have a few options -- invest it with a
securities co. (shoken gaisha), send it home and invest it (there are still
some good Savings Bonds worth looking at,
as well as some mutual funds), or wait until
the exchange rates move in your favor, buy travelers checks, and keep them
until you go back. A securities company also has CD type accounts, or can buy
stocks for you. The Japanese stock market (Nikkei) has been rather flat,
along with the anemic economy of late, but there are other markets that
are doing well, and the NYSE hasn't disappeared either. If you're
interested, contact a stock broker. If you want to play it safe though,
send it home to a CD, Treasury Note, or make a moderately conservative investment in a
Ginnie Mae (GNMA) or some other fund. For sending money home, the Japanese post office
may be your cheapest and best bet. The Post Office allows you to send money
home to any person through a money order at much cheaper rates.
The person you send
it to (hopefully someone you can trust) can then
deposit the money order into your account. (NB: If you'll be out of the
country for a long time, it would be a good idea to legally make a good
friend or family member have a limited power of attorney for your affairs.
This allows them to act in your name.) For sending up to 200,000 yen, the
P.O. charges a mere 1000 yen. From 200,000 to 500,000 yen the charge is
1500 yen, and beyond that it is 500 yen per 500,000 yen sent.
In some cases though you may have to send it through a bank, which takes about 4-7 days.
If you have a Citibank account with over a million yen you can send the money for free to any
bank account through the Internet
Banking System. Simply download and mail in their recipient registration form to a Citibank
administration center first. Another alternative is
through Shinsei Bank's Go Remit, which has a
2000 yen fee (kokusai soukin tesuryo) per remittance. Through a Japanese bank, the fast way is direct electronic
transfer, which costs 2500-7500 yen, and maybe more when it reaches
its destination from the receiving
bank(s). The smaller the bank you send it to, the more times the money
bounces around from one bank to another and incurs service charges. Japanese banks receiving money, even if done in yen, often have rip-off charges like this. A
cheaper way is the bank mail transfer, which takes up to a couple of weeks.
The costs are around 2500 yen, but vary from bank to bank. One other option is sending your money through an online service like OFX which has lower charges and better exchange rates.
A US bank (and others) must inform their government anytime over $10,000 is moved, so frequently depositing more than US$10,000 in an account might attract government scrutiny and increase the chance of a tax audit by the IRS. Since 1986 to willfully attempt to circumvent the bank's $10,000 reporting law (e.g. sending several blocs of $9900, etc.) is also illegal and a bank can inform the government voluntarily anytime they wish.
- "Do I still need to file income tax forms if I am living abroad?"
For U.S. citizens,
it's YES! US citizens must file a
1040 Long Form by June 15th of each year (you have a 2 month grace period
compared with your friends back home). If you receive income or interest
in your home state you may also need to file forms for your
state income tax; as well as a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
(Form TD F 90-22.1, not sent with
the 1040, due the next June 30 after you meet the $10,000 threshold) listing each bank account outside of the US if the aggregate value of
the account(s) exceeds $10,000. The first thing you'll need is the official
dollar-yen conversion chart from your local embassy/consulate. You'll need it to
complete the Foreign Earned Income Form (#2555).
US citizens qualify for the Bona Fide Residence Test if you have an actual bona fide residence in a foreign country/ies for at least one full calendar year. Or if you spend more than 330 days outside of the US, then you qualify for the Physical Presence Test and are also allowed a $97,600 (for 2013) income tax exemption. Even if you end up owing zero to Uncle Sam you still must file your tax forms. If not, you might not be able to get your passport renewed when it expires and you open yourself up to an audit. If you've never had one, you'll find that root canal together with a broken leg is a far more pleasant experience. If you don't stay for a full year, you may still owe nothing since you can take a deduction for part of the year, in which case you can get x/365 * $92,900 (as of 2011), where x is the number of qualifying days in the calendar year. Taxpayers with an AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) of $57,000 or less can electronically file their tax return for free using Freefile.
If you
have stocks/bonds/mutual funds, etc, you'll also have additional forms to
fill out (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, etc). Note also that to be able to count a day
as outside the US you must be in or flying over a foreign country, whether
it's your destination country or not doesn't matter. Flying over the ocean
per se doesn't count. The bureaucrats have made a very lengthy explanation
of all this in their tax pamphlets. (See IRS Publication 54 -- Tax Guide for US
Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad). Contact the US embassy (033-224-5000)
or Osaka Consulate (06-315-5900) for tax advice during the tax season. The
embassy has an IRS agent there all year long, and can assist you in getting
thru the red-tape, as well as other matters such as absentee ballots (you
DO vote, don't you?) and legal questions.
If you're Canadian, consider declaring yourself a non-resident before moving to Japan. This means you will not need to file a Canadian tax return, but you will no longer be elgible for Canadian government health care and need some alternative insurance. Canada taxes people on their residency and worldwide income. If you remain a legal resident of Canada while you are living in Japan you need to pay both taxes to Japan and to Canada, but can receive a tax credit for your Japanese taxes on your Canadian return. Ask the CCRA for publications that explain this more in depth. British nationals can find info here.
For paying Japanese income taxes, usually the employer does nearly all the work for you. You also might receive some money back at the end of the year (nenmatsu chosei) if there is any tax refund. More info (old, but basically still accurate is here).
Also, if you have lived in Japan for over 5 years within the last decade and own assets worth over 50 million yen outside Japan, you are required to report them (kokugai kaisan ch?sho) to the Japanese tax man. You will be subject to taxes on any interest, income, dividends, capital gains etc.
- "What if I get sick in Japan?"
Getting ill in a foreign
country is nothing to take lightly -- and medical expenses in Japan can be
quite costly as well. If you live in Japan you can choose to enroll in Japan's National Health
Insurance. Under this plan you pay a monthly premium, as well as a 30%
deductible of your medical/dental bills immediately on treatment (with a cost cap in case of severe
illness or injury); the government pays the other 70%. You can sign up for it at your
local city ward or town office, and aside from that there is never any
paperwork or red tape to go through. The ward or town office determines
a monthly premium to pay based on your previous year's income.
If you're new to the plan the amount can be quite low -- around
1350-4500 yen per month. However, every April at the next premium
adjustment you may find the amount escalating sharply, even if your
income changes very little. A first year of 4500 yen a month, a second
year of 13,500 yen a month, and a third year of 35,000 yen a month is
not unusual (Japan has an exploding number of old-timers).
This is all inaddition to other taxes you need to pay (city tax, prefectural tax, income tax, etc. and if you are over 40 there is another care tax on top of that).
Cosmetic/elective
surgery, child birth, and abortions are not covered, however. Previously,
some ex-pats who planned to leave Japan and tried to cancel their government
insurance were given the standard response to Japanese, "You can't cancel
it." However, the truth is you can, and if someone lays that response on
you to may have to reiterate that you're leaving and push a little more
for them to terminate the insurance. They may ask to see your air ticket to
prove you're actually leaving. So if you plan to change from the government
plan to a different plan while in Japan you may have to do it before you
take a vacation abroad somewhere. If you're definitely staying in Japan
long-term, and your employer won't pay the insurance rate for you through a
private plan (Shakai hoken,where the cost is split equally with you and the employer), then
you might consider private insurance either with Japanese or foreign
companies, like Viva Vida.
There are others to choose from as well and dental costs may
not be included; the Nova Teacher's Union has compared some as
an example.
By law, if you are residing in Japan, you are required to have some kind of health insurance plan.
If you are just visiting Japan or don't have anything set up yet, try contacting your embassy or consulate. Tokyo also has a walk-in clinic for non-emergencies called The International Clinic in Azabudai, Minato-ku (tel 03-3582-2646).
This sign
is "Yuubin Kyoku", or Post Office
Japan offers
all the major services that are in other countries. But the
stamp for domestic mail is the highest on the planet -- 80 yen each up to 25g (90 yen
up to 50g).
Delivery within or to a nearby prefecture usually takes one business day.
Any further takes 2 business days. Special delivery can make that into one
day, but that costs 270 yen more. An info hotline in English is now
available and the PO will answer any questions you may have about mail,
transfers, life insurance, etc. (NB: the hotlines are NOT toll-free.)
Hours are Mon-Fri. 8:00AM to 10:00PM; Sat.,Sun., & holidays 9:00AM to 10:00PM
If you speak Japanese or have a friend and don't want to pay, there is the Japanese language toll free number at 0120-232-886 for the same hours.
More info is available on their website.
The international rates and calculator are on the Japan Post Office Rate Website There can be discounts or extra charges regarding how much you are sending and the size of the item. If sending boxes of books you can get a discount rate sending an M bag by surface mail. If not in a hurry, you can look into surface mail rates or SAL (Sea Air Lift) mail as well.
- "Is my (insert your country) driver's license valid in Japan?"
NO --not
for one minute, not even for a second. If you're going to
drive, you'll need to get an
international permit, or
else get a Japanese license when you're in Japan. The international permit
will only be as good as your visa, a max of one year from the IDP issue, or one year from entering Japan, whichever is shortest. Be sure to carry your home
license and passport with you when driving on an international permit.
Some Japanese police have been cracking down on simply returning home to
renew a permit. Officially you are supposed to get a Japanese license after a year
of using an international permit, or changing your status and becoming a resident in Japan. For obtaining the Japanese
license, if you've had your own country's license for at least 90 days before coming to Japan, for some countries
you can use it in lieu of having to go to a Japanese driver's school
(saving you up to 300,000 yen), which is called "Gaimen Kirikae", but you'll need an authorized translation of your
license which will take a couple of days (contact your embassy/consulate in Japan or the
Japan Auto Federation [JAF]; cost: 3000 yen
+ 270 yen for postage) as well as taking a written test (10 multiple choice questions, you
need to score at least 70%; English and 7 other languages now available),
driving test (citizens from the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Taiwan, South Korea, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg or other nation
with a reciprocal license agreement are exempt from the driving test; Americans are not exempt),
color recognition and eye test. To change your license over, you must hold your active license for a minimum of 3 months in your home country). Depending on the examiner and location, the driving test
can be extremely picky and even experienced drivers can fail over
and over again. For those staying in Japan long term, it would behoove you to get the Japanese
license and take a couple hours for some driving lessons to prepare you for the test, especially
if you are unfamiliar with driving and traffic signs in Japan. There are specialty classes just
for taking the driving test, and cost about 5-6000 yen per hour.
The whole test process takes several hours and you'll need to sign up for it
first thing in the morning (call for times), paying up to 5000 yen.
(In large cities you may have to wait a few weeks for the driving test). Take your
passport, photo (3cm x 2.4cm), and foreigner id card, and translated docs with you. To
pass the tests you'll need to know what Japanese street signs mean and
the examiner's directions in Japanese (right, left, stop, etc).
No high speed driving or fancy shifting is necessary, but to be licensed for both auto
and manual transmissions, you need to pass the test with a manual transmission. Be sure the examiner
knows you are checking all your mirrors when turning and he can feel the car totally stop when you
come to a stop sign, etc. Many fail because of this.
Assuming you pass everything, (if you don't you can come back again) you'll then be
photographed for the license. Look good -- if you
sneeze when they snap the shutter you'll be stuck with it for 2 years
from your next birthday. Waiting until right after your birthday would be the most
economical. Long term ex-pats with good driving records can eventaully get a license
good for 5 years.
A regular license allows you to drive a normal
car or 50cc scooter. For any motorbike helmets are required at all times, and
bike ignition locks are about as effective as jello -- be sure to use a chain or
horseshoe lock (in Japanese, U-ji rokku) as well.
NB: Different
prefectures have some differences in procedures, requirements, etc. Before
your test, check and see about anything else you may need, schedules, etc.
You might want to see some supplemental info on getting a license and the
test here.
- "How do I get a car?"
Like everything
in Japan, getting a car is never as simple as picking one
out, putting your money down, and driving your new honey home. Many people
go past some used car dealers, see some good looking cars, (some for just
a few hundred bucks) and wonder if they're really that cheap! Well, they are. But there's
more to what you see. The real costs come afterward. Before you can call
that car yours, you'll have to get a parking space for it, pay the taxes on
it, get insurance, and then there's the mandatory periodic maintenance
check. Still gung-ho? Or is that adrenaline rush of roaring down the street
waning a bit? First ask yourself WHY you want a car, and if you really need
it. Where you live in Japan is a big factor -- if you live in the mountains or
some small town, or if you'll be constantly needing to transport a lot of stuff, it might
not be a bad idea. Plus, you won't be a slave to train and schedules, which stop before
midnight. And the fact that Japan has some of the most beautiful mountains in
the world! On the other hand, if you live in a big city, the costs can be very
discouraging -- in fact, they're meant to be. Traffic jams 30 miles long aren't unusual,
gasoline prices are far higher than that of the US, cities are clogged with cars, and
the freeways are anything but free. Let's look at what's involved in that
car purchase...
The parking space
You must have a
registered parking space and submit certification of such
(shako shomeishou) to the police. The rental of the space varies -- from a
couple thousand yen/month in the sticks to up to $1000/month in the glitzy
areas of Tokyo. To get a parking space, some are found thru real estate
agents, others are rented directly from the owners. If it's from the
fudosan, except for the guarantor most of the other terms for apartment-hunting apply.
If you change your parking space contract you must also notify the police.
Paying taxes
When you buy a car, you'll
have 3 main taxes to pay. One is an Acquisition Tax, another
is a weight tax, and the 3rd is an annual tax every May. The first 2 you pay when you buy
the car. Basically, the bigger the engine, the more you pay. The Acquisition Tax is around
5% of the price of the car. The weight tax for cars with engine sizes up to 2 liters are about
56,700 yen. Over that is 75,600. Passenger cars with a 300 something or 33 in the
upper right corner of the license plate (including nearly all US cars) are the highest.
A 50-something on the license plate indicates a medium-size car, and the "Kei" cars with
an engine of 660cc have a yellow plate and are lowest. The May annual tax for Kei cars is the
lowest as well at about 5000 yen, but for larger cars the tax quickly escalates to
34,500-39,500 yen for medium cars to 45,000 yen for 2.5 liter cars and 56,000 yen for 3
liter cars. You also need to pay consumption tax when you buy gasoline, and many gasoline
stations don't post their prices. Prices can vary and may be up to 15 yen/ltr. cheaper at some
stations -- a big difference.
Vehicular Insurance
There are 2 insurance programs -- one is the mandatory insurance (kyosei
hoken) which just covers the car, and the optional insurance (jibaiseki
hoken) covers collateral injuries/damages you may get/cause. You can decide
the extras -- theft, vandalism, disaster damage, lost wages, etc. Getting it
would be a good idea -- if the guy driving that Mercedes you just broadsided
decides to have a heart-attack, you'd be in trouble. The costs vary
according to your age, if your family also drives it, how many citations
you may have had, if the car has an airbag, etc. Since the customer is King
in Japan, by all means find a company that has a 24 hour toll-free hotline
in English you can call in case of trouble. If you can't find one, try the
British Insurance Group at 033-214-6921 in Tokyo, and 066-252-7251 in
Osaka. Ask about a good driver's discount, in which you might get a 10%
discount. Make very sure though that you know all the details of the
insurance forms you are signing, wherever you go.
Shaken -- The Mandatory Vehicle Inspection
Many people come to
Japan and are very surprised that all the cars are
clean, well-maintained, and always running well. The sensitive Japan
"experts" will tell you that it's because Japanese take such pride in their
work, have such dignity to drive cars that only look like new, etc. All of
which are true. But the real reason is different -- and you'll pay dearly for it.
Cars more than 3 years old have to have a mandatory maintenance check
(shaken) every other year, broken or not. The costs again vary according to
the size of the car and area, but you may be paying 120,000-160,000 yen or so
for a smaller car, and more for a larger one or if there is anything the grease-monkeys
can possibly fix. Also, when the car is very old, it has an
official value of ZERO and you may actually have to PAY someone to take it
off your hands! After that it'll be either scrapped or sold to dealers in
Asia.
To buy a car, you can
always check the local dealers, or buy it from another
individual (a little more complicated -- either you or the other person will
have to go to the Kensa Toroku Jimusho, or Inspection Registration Office
to submit the Re-registration (meigi henkou) and Massho toroku (owners
cancellation registration) papers). A change in registration fee also exists
and may be around 25,000 yen. You can also find several magazines on
people selling cars in your area. More info can be found
here.
"What's that red light in my mirror? UH-OH".
There are some
differences in Japan on driving that you should know. The
pedestrian always has the right of way, and you can NOT turn on a red
light. Also, they drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel
is on the right (like in the UK) here. Also, in areas where the cops are
few, people routinely speed 30km over the speed limit (50kph), and taxi
drivers are notorious for their aggressive, some would say suicidal
driving. If you get a car be SURE to go to a bookstore and get the most
detailed street map of your area. City layout in Japan is a DISASTER -- they
couldn't screw things up more here if they tried. Large streets will have
names in English, but smaller streets will not. Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory.
It's now also illegal to drive while talking on a cell phone, and a kid
under 6, with a few exceptions, must be in a child seat.
So let's say the cops decide to pull you over. Maybe if you start babbling in English they'll let you off with a warning, but not always. A driver here is given 15 points per year. One citation is worth one point, including a parking ticket. Bigger infractions mean more points, and a DUI is 15 points, or instant license revocation. The infraction depends also on the size of the car/bike. Every year, if you're not over 15 points you'll be cleared, but your insurance may go up/down accordingly.
On driving a car/motorbike, some other important facts to remember are that you must stop at a railroad crossing before crossing it.
So if you decide a car isn't for you, there's always the trains, buses,
subways, and the old bicycle. Public transportation here isn't cheap
either, though, and if you ride a lot, the kaisuken or teikiken is a good
idea. With the kaisuken, e.g. if you buy say 10 tickets at once, you'll get one
free. The teikiken allows you to go back and forth all day for a
period of time, e.g. one month. In many cases a full-time employer will pay
transportation costs for you, in others it's negotiable. Another option
when you first come to Japan is a JR Rail pass, which
allows you to go anywhere in the country on JR trains, but you need to be a tourist and get it BEFORE you come to Japan.
For info on motorcycles and touring, please read The Japan Biker F.A.Q.
- "Can I ship over my own car?"
Yes, with some restrictions. You can import your car, boat or other vehicle into Japan duty free as long as you are staying in Japan over one year, and you have documentation to show that you have been using the vehicle for more than one year before it arrives in Japan. You are also prohibited from selling the vehicle in Japan and you must ship it back to your home country when you leave. Given the high shipping costs and likely poorer mileage, this option may be cost prohibitive, at least for civilians. The vehicle must meet all Japanese laws to be driven in Japan as well.
CUSTOMS, TIPS and GOING HOME
- "How's Shopping?"
Not really different.
But if you wear fairly large sized clothes/shoes, you'd better bring all you'll need with you.
Large-sized goods in Japan are
scarce, or very expensive, or make you look like a dork. Mail-order
shopping is also growing in popularity, but the customs hassles can make it
more expensive than you might imagine. Make sure you know ALL the costs
your purchase will entail. Having family/friends send it to you might be better.
There is also no custom of tipping in
Japan -- people do not tip waitresses, taxi-drivers, etc. Before you come to
Japan, getting a credit card would also be a good idea (note however there may be a foreign
currency surcharge when you use it). Getting one in
Japan can be very frustrating, with more trouble of finding a guarantor,
$100 annuals, etc. Many people are stunned when they see the prices in
Japan.
Bringing in
your own vitamins, herbs, cosmetics, aspirin, suntan lotion, cold medicines, etc.
would be a smart choice. But BEWARE -- in the US lately many illegal
methamphetamine labs have bought up mass-amounts of psuedoephidrine type
cold pills (Sudafed, et.al.) to convert to illegal speed. Japanese Customs
is aware of this and on the look out for anyone coming in with
Sudafed, Vicks inhalers, and so on. Before you buy all those pills for those
future colds, consider what you purchase.
There are a
few other noteworthy aspects -- you can buy virtually ANYTHING from
vending machines, which are everywhere. (They turn themselves off at 11PM for
alcohol; however these days there are many convenience stores that also sell
liquor 24 hours a day). There are no "last calls for alcohol" by law in Japan
either, and it's perfectly legal to be totally drunk on the street, in parks,
and on the beach. And nobody ever cards you. Now that's freedom!
Fireworks are also thankfully very legal, but on sale only in the summer months.
If you want to light some up for New Year's, you'll need to buy them before
August ends. It's still very rare for families to do so, but that may slowly be
changing too.
If you plan to buy any
electronics at major shops like Yodobashi, Bic Camera, etc., be sure to sign
up for a free point card before making any purchases (they'll require a phone number
or address...just give your hotel or something). A point card will allow you to
get points for free stuff or a price cut for future purchases; the points you
receive often being 10% or more of your initial purchase.
When leaving
Japan, you are permitted to take up to 1 million yen with you
without declaration. But if you enter the US you are required to file a
form with Customs if you are carrying more than $10,000 (regardless of
currency, travelers checks, bonds, etc.). Failure to do so may result in
seizure of your assets, DEA scrutiny, and maybe even an IRS audit. You are
allowed to take with you up to $800 of goods duty free into the US. For entering Canada
the same limit applies for bringing CAD$10,000 or equivalent. For the U.K. it is
10,000 euros, and to Australia it is AUD$10,000.
Just 20
years ago there were few westerners outside the
big cities. Now there are mobs of them everywhere. Even so, if you're new
here, there may be times that you feel out of it, or have a problem that you
just can't solve by yourself. But you don't have to feel helpless if you have
a medical problem or your employer screws you over. There are several
city government international
sections that can assist you, plus living guides,
and other associations
that can help you. Here are a few valuable phone numbers to remember.
More info for other cities and languages may be at your local city or town government. Other groups such as AA, AIDS support groups, PC and Mac User groups, language help, motorcycle clubs, culture groups, religious groups, etc. are also around. Consult the classifieds of any big English magazine like The Hiragana Times, Tokyo Journal, Metropolis Classifieds, etc.
If you stay in
Japan, there might be a time when you decide to go home for
a visit. You might also notice that on some magazines
there are some discount travel agencies with seemingly reasonable prices. One
big caveat however -- the price in the magazine might
not be the one you pay. Many, if not most agencies have a bit of a scam running. They set you up for the price they post and then as you close the deal they say, "By the way, there is an airport usage tax of (2500-6500) yen you'll need to pay..." It is not at all infrequent.
I have also flown through Los Angeles many times and I KNOW there
is no such "usage tax". Of course there are several taxes
and fees that exist, but they're usually included in the up-front price of the
ticket. Even more off-the-wall is that for every agency
you call, you get a different amount for the so-called "usage tax". Some airlines are also
pulling some slick tactics, giving you a base fare of just a few hundred dollars, and then
at the end, tack on several hundred dollars more in taxes, issue fees, and fuel surcharges. Some airlines are now charging for a second piece of check-in luggage. Japanese,
of course, simply say OK and pay more. Can you avoid
the scam? Maybe not. But when you start calling for quotes, make sure you ask
how much their ticket is with ALL taxes and surcharges
included, as well as the charges for date changes and cancellations -- don't just simply set up a reservation at a place with the "cheapest price in town".
Moving back
is also very expensive. Whatever is not critical should either be sold or trashed
since the moving costs might well cost more
than the item itself. Besides, unless there is a specific international warranty,
warranties are invalid outside of Japan, and
even if you have something made by a big name
multi-national, they'll often be unable or unwilling to fix it. If you do take
it home though, there are several moving companies, all of
which are expensive. A cheaper option is shipping
by consolidated cargo.
For sea freight, volume is a much bigger issue than weight, and units are
usually done by cubic meter. Three boxes the size of 100cm (39") by 50cm (20") by 66cm
(26") make up about one cargo cubic meter. You may need to pick up your things at your home
country's harbor unless aditional transort is contracted to get it to your home.
Another option is the Japanese
post office. Yet there might be
one more choice if you're up to it -- stuff your suitcases, handcarry
and backpack to the max, go to Guam or Korea, and mail your stuff there. From
Guam you can use the US postal service, which costs
about one-third that of sea-mail from Japan -- and your stuff will arrive in 2-5
days if you're sending it to the States. To calculate
exact costs, go to the USPS site and
find the cost from Agana, Guam to your destination.
As stated previously, it is important to notify your landlord or his representative at least 1-2 months before you move out (check your contract). Also, contact your gas, water, and phone company on when you plan to leave, and arrange a time for them to come to your place to assess your usage for the last fraction of a month and have you pay on the spot. It may take a few weeks for the landlord to return any of your deposit by furi-komi, so you may wish to designate a friend's account number and be paid back later. Also you may have to arrange a time and pay a small fee to have larger items like washing machines, cabinets etc. taken away to be trashed. Your ward office should have all the details. Generally speaking, the selling price of used items is about half of what it cost when new (assuming there's nothing wrong with it). Selling items to another individual at a "sayonara sale" is preferable to a used-goods shop, since the shop will probably give you merely a quarter what you paid for it (and then they'll sell it at half price). Used good shops may not want the item if it's more than 10 years old, even if it's in mint condition. Do not take moving out lightly -- unless you live like a spartan monk it will take several days to divide up what you want and what you don't, getting your affairs taken care of, etc. Leaving Japan during tourist season will also make getting a ticket that much harder -- call a travel agent at least 2 months in advance. You are allowed 1 or 2 suitcases up to 23 kg each and one hand-carry item (and a backpack if you've got the back for it) if flying to the Americas. When flying to Europe or other areas some airlines like Air France only allow up to 20kg per suitcase. Carrying a 3rd suitcase may also be an option. You'll need to pay the excess baggage charge but compared to air mailing it from Japan it'd still be well worth it. Many airlines charge excess baggage at 1-1.5% of the full economy airfare per kilogram. Check with your airline for complete info.
"Do you have any tips?"
*Learn as much Japanese as you can before you come. Anything you learn will make your stay here easier. Very few Japanese can speak English with ease. If you get lost, try writing your question on paper and giving it to an older student someone young. Use simple words. Probably they can point you in the right direction.
*Bringing a number of inexpensive gifts with you is also a good idea, to give them to those who show you a big kindness. Nothing extravagant is necessary -- even a DVD of TV would do wonders, or some item that represents where you're from. Recordings of Top-40 radio (Japanese radio is horrible), small picture books or calendars, posters, ashtrays, chocolates, pure maple or berry syrups, t-shirts or pens/pencils with famous animation characters (except Disney or Snoopy, which they have in abundance), BBQ sauces, salad dressings like Ranch, flavored coffees, keychains, postcards, liquor, caps, coasters, nice soap or shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, etc. would be great. Even varieties of green tea that Japanese have never tried, such as with mandarin orange by Celestial Seasonings, or green tea with jasmine, earl grey, apple, raspberry, lemon, ginseng or mint from Salada would do well - they're cheap, light, and familiar to Japanese yet still unique. Be aware though that in Japan 4 and 9 are "unlucky" numbers, and especially older Japanese tend to be superstitious, so avoid giving sets of 4 or 9.
*If you still don't know how many litres there are in a gallon, how hot 37 degrees Centigrade is, how heavy 23kg is, or how far 1 km is, then join the rest of the world and get on the metric system. Everything here is metric, and if you're not, you'll be lost very quickly.
*If you know where you'll be, getting some business cards before you come may be a good idea. However, while getting them in Japan is far more expensive, in Japan they can be printed in Japanese, and with English on one side. You will also receive many of them. They are exchanged to show who is superior to whom in this vertically-structured society. Do not play Frisbee with them, or stick them in your back pocket and sit on them when you meet someone.
* In Japan there is an 8% consumption tax. It is placed on every product you buy and every service (except public transportation), and more increases are expected in the years ahead.
* This is obvious, but NEVER SURRENDER YOUR PASSPORT TO ANYONE except the legal government authorities. Many people have been blackmailed to stay in their jobs by shady types who took them "for safekeeping". If they ask why, tell them the truth -- that you trust them about as far as you can throw--, well, maybe not that. But say that it's not even your property to give them -- it's your government's, which is also true. Stay away from such places -- you wouldn't be working there long anyway.
* If you have any tattoos, you had better hide them if you go to someplace like a hot spring or public bath. In Japan the people with tattoos are primarily the yakuza, or Japanese mafia. Even if you're a foreigner, having any will often give others the creeps, and many places won't let you in their establishments.
* If you're definitely coming, bring a good digital camera or camcorder with you. They are excellent for sending photos to friends thru the net, as well as easy to make many photo albums of your experiences here. Be sure to back up your files regularly by burning them on to a CD or DVD, or upload them onto an online storage site, in case you lose your camera or your memory card gets corrupted. The photos will be a treasure you will look back on with great fondness as you get older, and if you don't do it you'll sorely regret it later.
* Some other useful things to bring (which are very high in Japan) are aspirin, vitamins, Vicks vapor rub, OTC medicines, deodorant, and suntan lotion. Technically you limited to bringing a 2 month supply, but in practice this is often ignored unless you are really pushing it by bringing a ton of stuff. Birthday/Xmas cards (getting cards in English to send back to friends/family may be tough or expensive), plus books, and some spices for cooking are also a good idea. If you are a women wearing a US size 8 shoe or larger (25cm, Euro size 39), your size may be very scarce; the same goes if you wear larger size lingerie or clothes/suits. It is not hard to get stuff shipped to you, but to avoid customs hassles have your family send it to you; not direct mail-order. Men's shoes may be harder to find above size 9, especially in rural areas. For women, you can wear the shortest miniskirts, but Japanese are very conservative about showing any cleavage. You'll be stared at a lot more than you would otherwise be if you show any.
* If you plan to use a smartphone in Japan, get the Hyperdia app. It can make train travel a breeze. Hyperdia is a great tool to show rail fares, times, transfer info and routes.
* On the main island of Honshu especially there are many earthquake faults, and tremors in Tokyo are a daily happening. Most of them you won't even feel, but on occasion you might get a jolt. DON'T PANIC. But Tokyo is expecting a "Big One" someday, so be prepared for any big earthquake or tsunami.
* In case you lose your passport, license, etc., keep a photocopy of them in your place just in case. They can't be used in place of them but might speed up getting a replacement.
For lots of other important cultural and etiquette info, please refer to Japanese Manners and Etiquette Page.
There are a lot of excellent websites to help you out. Not coincidentally most of them
have put of a link to
This Japan FAQ can by no means answer everything. But I have attempted
to answer the most frequent and basic questions. Japan is neither paradise nor hell,
Tokyo neither Babylon nor Camelot. You can greatly enjoy and experience Japan by
coming here with an open mind and not "why they don't act more like me".
Some people will stare at you, and hearing how great you can use chopsticks
and how great you can speak Japanese (regardless of your true ability) will
be a daily, if not hourly occurrence. If this FAQ has saved one person from
a difficult situation, then it has been worth the effort of making it.
One final question that is often asked is, "Is Japan for me?"
There are good things and bad things about everything and whatever you choose
there is a series of trade offs; taking advantage of one
thing means giving up something else. There are many foreigners in Japan, some
have been here for over 20 years and don't plan on leaving anytime soon;
and others for just a year and clearly it was a year too long for
them (and just about everyone else around them). It clearly takes some stamina,
patience and an open mind to survive living in a very dissimilar foreign country.
Most will find Japan to be a very interesting and enjoyable place.
Unfortunately of late there have also been more than a few whiners who could win
the lottery in Japan and still complain and moan about everything Japanese from morning
til night. This FAQ may tend to be read as a bit cynical and sobering, but overall
Japan is what you make it, and most people should find being in Japan
a positive experience.
If you choose to come, enjoy your stay, and discover life in a very
dissimilar foreign country. You will learn as much about your own country
as about Japan. BE ENLIGHTENED.
For lots of videos on some of the best places in Japan, see the JAPAN FAQ YOUTUBE page.
Thanks for visiting the site! Your comments are appreciated!
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