Search

Blog Archive

Showing posts with label move. Show all posts
Showing posts with label move. Show all posts

Thursday, September 12, 2019

How to Move to Japan With Less Than $2,000

Before we jump into this I want to first state the obvious. THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY! You will be borderline homeless. You will have to do a lot of walking, live in a small cramped and uncomfortable space, you'll go without food, and if any emergency were to come up you'd be at the mercy of others generosity.
 Please use your own brain. This is NOT by any means a good way to go about things. I am simply telling you what is possible and how exactly is it so. If you are smart and mature then you should wait until you have saved up enough money before you make such a big move. There are a ton of risks legal problems, physical and emotional stress as well as serious financial dangers that await you if you choose to go down this route. It is extremely important that you understand that just because you could or can do something does not mean that you should.
You really need to have about $10,000 to comfortably move to Japan and survive for a few months. Anything less than this is going to make your life a bit difficult as you won't really have enough money for your basics such as toiletries, rent, utilities, transportation, and food,
This is simply a short guide explaining how you can make it here for a month with about $1,000 USD. This is assuming that you plan to secure a job or enroll in college and recite financial assistance within the nest 30-60 days.

Who Is This For?

Everyones wants and needs are totally different. What one person can't live without you might not need at all. If you already have basic things such as luggage, a passport and required things such as a visa/COE then this post is for you. If you haven't secured these things then you'll have to add on about $300-$500 USD in addition to the estimates below to cover the application fees and shipment fees associated with securing your visa. If you are coming to Japan on a work visa to start off with then this post isn't for you because your company will more than likely core your flight and even housing expenses in some cases.

While a visa doesn't cost much of anything besides the application fee you'll have to prepare proof of your finances whether it be loans credit, assets or bank statements. These things can cost thousands of dollars or be temporarily free if your proof of finances is form a loan or a close relative like a parent that plans to finance your education abroad etc..

What Do You Need?

Passport
Suitcase
Carry on
3-6 Outfits
2 pairs of Shoes
Toiletries (optional since these can be purchased in Japan)
Personal Bag
Debit Card (preferably that's loadable and capable of both withdrawals and making online purchases)
Emergency Contacts (in the event that you go broke need money or a quick ticket back home)
One Way Flight Ticket to Japan
COE/Visa if you plan to stay for more than 90 days (you must also meet the visa requirements as well which can potentially cost you more money)
Accommodation for 1 Month (preferably that allows you to make a reservation and that accepts foreigners particularly ones that are new to Japan and lack a phone number bank account, guarantor, large deposits and "key money")


Miscellaneous Expenses

Luggage $80
Passport $145
Pocket Wifi $60
*Total Estimated Cost= $285

One Month's Expenses in Tokyo

Rent $480
Flight $495
Food $300
Transportation $150
Trainfare $11
*Total Estimated Cost= $1,436 You will still have over $500 left to disperse in other areas as needed. For example you can use this for extra food, an emergency savings/flight ticket home, entertainment etc..

Get Hired in 30 Days or Less

  • Gaijin Pot
  • Craigslist
  • NOVA
  • Gaba
  • Interac
  • Aeon
  • Kids Duo

How to Prepare Your Finances

First you'll need to put aside some money. If you're struggling financial and/or working a retail job you might need anywhere from 3-6 months to get (roughly $1,000-$2,000 USD) enough money together to move to Japan (assuming that you're an adult that has rent, bills, and other living expenses). If you want to speed up the process consider moving in with a close friend or relative that understands your goals, dreams, and financial situation that would be willing to host you or pay most of your bills until your out of the country. Obviously you should do your best to help them out around the house by cooking, cleaning, organizing, running errands, and maybe even driving them around. Ask them if there is anything that you can do to earn your keep around their place. Be sure to also pay them back as soon as you get enough money once you arrive in Japan. Never take advantage of those that are kind and generous enough to help you in your time of want or need.

 If you're planning to live in Japan for anything more than 30-90 days then you will need to secure a job enroll in a school and hopefully get approved for a loan or two. Consider getting a couple of credit cards. Even a few secured credit cards would be helpful especially if you can be responsible enough to pay them off on time.
Apply for jobs on Craigslist and GaijinPot. Do a Google search in both English and Japanese and search for English conversation and international schools within your city (in Japan of course). Don't forget to apply to the big companies like NOVA,  Gaba, Interac Aeon, Kids Duo etc.. These companies are known for mass hiring just about everyone that applies (mostly native speakers preferably under 35) but they're also known for driving their employees crazy and making them quit, pack their bag,s and either leave Japan or search for a new job within the country. 
Remember the goal is to get to Japan legally and to survive here. You don't have to land a job at your dream company the moment you arrive. If you're serious about coming here you can manage working a not so good job for a few months to a year or two if it means waking up in Japan and having a more than just peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and ramen for every meal.

Plus Loan (FAFSA): https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/plus

How to Pack Your Bags

 You'll want to pack your bags as light as you possibly can. This means you won't be bringing all of your favorite plashes, video games, anime box sets, magazines, gifts, and all of your favorite shoes and outfits. You should only pack neutral clothing that can be layered. A few pairs of jeans, a business suit, dress shoes, gym shoes, and  a couple of business casual outfits, a pajama set, and directions to your accommodation is all that you'll need. A laptop, cellphone, chargers, your wallet and other personal items can be placed in your carry on and purse/man-bag.
Remember Japan is a first world country. You can buy clothing, food and toiletries here. Anything that you can't find can be shipped your home form your friends and family or you can buy it yourself. There is a Costco here as well as Amazon and various import stores too. Your home will be small so you don't want to bring too much stuff because then you'll have nowhere to put all of it and if you're living in a dorm you have to respect your roommates personal space and probably end up just keeping your belonging s in a suitcase 99% of the time.
 Heavier bags cost extra to fly and you'll have to lug this around once you arrive in Japan which means that you're probably going to spend extra money to have your suitcase shipped to your door. It doesn't cost much but again we are trying to save as much money as possible here.


How to Fly

You'll probably want to purchase your tickets at least a month or two in advance. I recommend comparing Priceline and TripAdvisor to search for the cheapest possible flights and dates. You'll likely have at least 1-2 stops if your flight is less than $700 like mines was. You can fly for as little as $450 with companies that aren't quite exactly known for having entertainment, edible food, legroom, or good customer service but again if you desperately want to come to Japan ASAP on a budget then this is the way to fly. I personally recommend that you arrive at Narita Airport because they have a bigger nicer facility and their staff is a lot friendlier. They're used to seeing and dealing with foreigners and most of their staff can speak some English is not they're perfectly fluent. If you have anxiety and worried about getting lost then I would NOT recommend using Haneda despite the fact that is is closer. However since this is all about saving money I must add that if your budget is super strict then you should definitely go with Haneda because its only about 35-45 minutes away from the central Tokyo area so you'll save money especially if you're determined to take a taxi or to travel with large bags.
Once you arrive in Japan you can take a shuttle bus or take the train straight from the airport for about $10-$30 USD. You will also have the option to have your luggage shipped directly to your door just about anywhere in Japan for about $15-$50 USD depending on the size and weight of your bags.

Priceline: https://www.priceline.com

How to Get to Your Accommodation

While I don't recommend staying at a share house long term it is the best option for anyone that's new to Japan even if you're coming here with tons of money the support and ease of living in a share house is unmatched. A share house is not only the best option for making friends and getting help with ease from your roommates but it is almost always the cheapest housing options as well. It is rather difficult to get a normal Japanese apartment when you first arrive to Japan because you'd have to have a Japanese phone number, Japanese bank account, a work/spouse visa (most of the time), a high enough salary, guarantor, key money, personal stamp, contract of employment, and a previous address in some cases as well. To make things easy and to save you some money you should consider not only staying at a gaijin house but also choosing the cheapest room possible. This might mean sleeping in a mixed dorm and having only a cheap bunkbed to sleep in at night. Keep in mind that this isn't going to be your place forever. Your goal is just to get your foot in the door. You need a roof over your head and something besides the floor to sleep on at night. You can find a dorm room for less than $500 USD a month. While there are private housing options that are less than $500 USD they aren't usually in or near Tokyo and you'd have to have most of if not all of the things that I mentioned above. You can always move out later. You're not stuck at this crappy share house so just see it as temporary housing until you get your direct deposit from your student loans and start school or until you receive your first salary from your new job.

Sakura House: https://www.sakura-house.com/en

How to Budget for Your 1st Month

You'll want to spend as little as possible on your food and transportation. You should spend about $300 on food and $150 on your transportation for your 1st month until you get your situation worked out in Japan.That means no partying, going out to eat, or taking the train past a few stops from your home. You'll be relying heavily on your bicycle and your own two feet. Don't be afraid to ask your friends if you can borrow their train pass cash, their bike, or if you can get a ride to your destination if you have a friend with a car. As always be sure to keep your word and pay back anyone that has helped you ASAP. You never knew when you might need them or run into them again. You definitely don't want to start burning bridges within the first few months of your stay in Japan. You never know what connections people have here. You might have difficulty finding a job or a new home in the future thanks to being badmouthed by someone you screwed over.
Only eat food that has been gifted to you. Take advantage of free samples, leftovers,  and free food that is being given away at your dorm upon your friends and roommates moving out. Only buy discounted and cheap food such as bread peanut butter, jelly, curry, rice, ramen, pasta noodles, water, and tea. Limit yourself to 3 meals a day and go for a walk, take pictures, watch TV, read, study Japanese, go job hunting, sketch, paint, or take a nap if you find yourself feeling hungry or craving food. your not going to die from skipping a few meals nor will you die from eating a bit less than you're used to. Water is free and you can always drink some before and after you eat. Don't be afraid to tell your roommates that you're struggling and could use some food and financial help too but be sure to use your money and resources wisely. If you're kind and helpful to those around you people will be willing to donate to you or at least lend you some money or food until you're working again.



Can You Really Do It?

Coming to Japan with less than $10,000 is very difficult especially if you don't know whether or not you'll find a job or get accepted by a school and approved for a loan/credit. There are so many unexpected expenses. Keep in mind that the average person spends about $2,000-$3,000 a month between all of their living expenses.
The more money you have the easier your first month will be. Ideally I'd suggest having about $3,000$5,000- minimum when you arrive so that this way you'll have enough to stretch over the course of 2 months. Remember, you should be securing more finances through work and education ASAP once you arrive in Japan. Don't wait until you go broke and your 30 days are up!



Have any advice to share or tips to give? Have a question? Please share your experience with moving to Japan on a budget and ask your questions in the comments or send me an email and I will try my best to help you.





Stay Tuned!

Please Subscribe to my Blog and Follow Me on my other social media pages.


Follow My Miscellaneous Adventures in Japan! 







YouTube: 

Gaming & Entertainment 

PSN/Wii: CoMic95TheSavior
Xbox: CoMic95

Help Support My Channel & Blog by Making a Donation 

PayPal

$Cash App
CoMic95

Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/CoMic95
CoMic95TheSavior


at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Everything You Need to Pack for Your Big Move to Japan | Packing List For Moving to Japan

So you got the job and you've booked your flight for Japan! Now all that's left is for you to pack your bags and say your goodbyes. Once you've finally come back down to earth you will begin to freak out about what you should pack and what you should leave at home. 
Having spent hall of your life in your home country it can be very difficult to decide what you need to bring versus what you want to bring. As humans were naturally get attached to our personal items. It becomes increasingly more and more difficult for us to let go things that we are used to waking up to, looking at, and using every single.
While everyone's needs and opinions are very much indeed different, I wanted to create a guide to help you decide what you should really bring with you to Japan. 
Because you will be moving to a new country you will have to consider the cultural differences such as the expectations for the way that you dress. You want to have everything that you need for immigration, work, or school so it is important that you pack any necessary documents as well as appropriate clothing for any events, outings, or dates that you may have within the first few months.
As a foreigner people understand that you're new to the country or that you're a tourist. They aren't expecting you to have 100 different outfits to mix and match everyday. It's okay to wear the same few things and live a minimalist lifestyle until you start working and can buy your own clothing and nicer furniture.  I know this is hard to do if you're an over thinker and a shopaholic like me but you will regret overpacking once you arrive at the airport and get slammed with $500 worth of overweight baggage fees and then attempt to painfully and awkwardly maneuver  them throughout the airports and onto trains all alone. 

 Please keep in mind that this guide is for those of you who plan to start a new life in Japan and NOT those of you who are just studying abroad for a semester or going on vacation for a month.


Things to Keep in Mind Before You Pack Your Bags
  • You're going to Japan. A country that is full of fun, food, entertainment, and nature. You will either be a student or working a full-time job so not much is really needed.

  • If you are planning to live here permanently then you will make a lot of new purchases and will inevitably forget about the items you brought from your home country.

  • Japan is a first world country. You will be able to buy most of the items that you love from and need from home here in Japan upon arrival.

  • There are familiar brands available in Japan with just a slightly different smell, taste, or texture from food to toiletries.

  • There are import stores in every major city.

  • If you befriend with Japanese or Americans who are in the military they can give or sell you items that they purchased on the base for cheap.

  • If you are living alone you will find that your day to living expenses aren't much at all in comparison to America (in regards to your rent and electric bill.

  • Japanese men and women both dress very fashionably. You will almost never see someone who isn't homeless wearing clothing that looks cheap, in pajamas, loungewear or workout clothing in "inappropriate" settings.

  • Japanese people don't use deodorant, but there are options for you here such as deodorizing wipes, roll-on and aerosol spray cans. Remover you can get someone to buy it for you on the military base as well.

  • You can buy basic snacks, groceries, and toiletries from the dollar store or convenience store after you arrive.

  • You won't spend much time at home as you will want to travel, go sightseeing, take pictures, work, attend classes at school, date, party, and so much more. You will be busy outside most of the time so there is no need to bring a lot of entertainment from home.

  • Because you won't be at home much there is no need to bring  big or expensive furnishings,  games, movies, or books from home. 

  • You will inevitably change upon moving here. Your sense of style, your taste in food, and even your interests will change as you will be exposed to new things, different places and people.


What NOT to Bring to Japan

While these items might be useful they are all either a waste of luggage space, hazardous, "unfashionable", will expire/go bad by the time you arrive, are too heavy (will cause you to exceed the wight limit on your luggage), or illegal and thus can get you deported or in jail should you use it in public or someone decides to tell the police.
  • Glass
  • Fragile Items
  • Large bulky pieces of clothing and shoes
  • Alcohol 
  • Drinks 
  • Flammables & Combustible Items
  • Cookware
  • Pillow (unless its small and compact)
  • Desktop computer
  • TV
  • VHS or DVD Player
  • Pocket knife
  • Gun
  • Sword
  • Pepper spray
  • Large bottles and containers of Toiletries (body wash, soap, handsanitizer etc.)
  • Pornography of any kind (magazines, books, DVD's)
  • Questionable Items (Anything that might make it seem as though you are trying to sell drugs or partake in illegal work or activities outside of your designated visa should be left at home since you never know who's bag will get searched).
  • Meat, Fish, Dairy Products, and Plants 
  • Strong colognes and perfumes

GIFTS


 There is no need to bring any gifts from home even if you are planning to meet your pen-pal, boyfriend, or homestay family. It is very unlikely that they have a gift for you and they aren't expecting you to bring them anything.
Your homestay family is already being compensated for hosting you, and they will more than likely spend as little money as possible to provide you with bedding and food so that they can maximize their profits (most people here are very frugal). Don't waste hundreds of dollars or use up your valuable luggage space on big bulky gifts for ungrateful and unsuspecting recipients. If you absolutely must bring something then keep in mind that most Japanese people only give small gifts of souvenir chocolates or crackers from the city or country that they came from.
  • Chocolates or Crackers from a tourist destination (preferably that has your city's name on the packaging)
  • Small compact items that are reusable (kitchen towel with your cities name on it and a nice design)
  • Small custom goodie bag of assorted candies

NOTE: 

While it is nice to decorate the packaging for them since you are the guest here it is unnecessary for you to have items professionally wrapped, in boxes or any expensive decorations. Your Japanese friends and "family" will literally just throw you what looks like a bag of Teddy Grahams without any special boxing or papers. Don't put so much effort into these gifts. They will be happy that you got them anything at all. You are not expected to or obligated to give anyone a gift even if they gave you one first. YOU are their guest this is THEIR country and you are new to it. They know that this extreme gifting culture is a "Japanese thing".
No one will be offended or insulted by your inability to bring a big fancy gift. They will appreciate that you thought of them and attempted to share your culture with them.




Luggage

Most airlines allow you to bring a total of 4 bags. That is 2 checked bags, 1 carry-on, and 1 personal bag such as a purse. If you are a man for the sake of bringing additional items without having to pay the price or trashing them at the airport you should buy and wear a man bag to the airport. Most Japanese men carry one everyday as most people here walk and ride their bikes everywhere every single day. It is inconvenient to rely on the small amount of pocket space that you have. You will want t
Consider investing in a name brand lightweight extra large suitcase that rolls on swivel wheels. What you don't want is luggage that is too small, cheap and flimsy that will break easily.

  • 2 Suitcases 
  • 1 Carry On Bag
  • 1  Large Shoulder Bag (Purse)
  • 2 Foldable Weekend Bags (these are great to have since you will make additional purchases as well as go on short trips during your stay in Japan).
  • 3 Reusable Shopping Bags (these exist in Japan but they aren't as big and colourful as American bags).


CLOTHING

Your goal is to pack only what you need. You want to save space for your personal items and bulky electronics. Japan sells clothing for people of all sizes but similarly to America the bigger you are the smaller the selection will be. You can have items custom made or shipped to you from overseas. There are plus-size stores available online as well as plus-size clothing sections in some stores. Remember that you will lose weight upon moving here as you will be more active, eating less and potentially consuming healthier foods overall.
You sense of fashion will change as you will want to assimilate and "look Japanese" by wearing whatever the latest trends are here in Japan.
As a whole Japanese people are very "fashion-conscious" so to speak, Both men and women spend a ton of time and money getting ready every morning and preparing their skin and clothing for the next day. 
If you can afford it you you should definitely bring any expensive designer clothing that you may own along with you to Japan. People will notice and compliment you on it.

This is a general guide for clothing. If you are very tall, obese, or coming to Japan for work then you should bring more clothing and shoes particularly professional suits and dresses as well as comfortable shoes with a wide width.Once again there are stores that cater to larger sizes, but you don't want to be running around trying to find a 3x dress shirt or size 10 wide women's shoes within the first month of being here.Don't go crazy with packing! Just a few of each item and you will have more than enough.

If this list seems to have more items than you were planning on packing then by all means don't take everything I listed here this is just a rough guide and reference for those who tend to freakout and overpack out of fear of missing or forgetting something that was needed. If you think you can manage with just one pair of gym shoes then just pack one instead of two. No hard feelings!


Advice for Women

Japanese women generally wear very modest loose fitting and long clothing. You will occasional see women dressed in less modest more skimpy outfits but these women are usually high school and college students, escorts, hosts or just "Japanese passing" (not even Japanese to begin with).
As a foreign woman you will unfortunately be held to a higher standard as you are already being fetishized and objectified.  It is best to try your best to assimilate not just for the sake of respecting the country that you are living in but to avoid most (keyword being most) unwanted situations with perverts and creeps.

Advice for Men

Japanese men dress in a more relaxed way than women, but they typically style themselves in a much more fashionable way than American men. Business casual clothing is often worn by men during the weekends. Younger men tend to wear a polished hip-hop street look (reminds me of the Bratz Boyz dolls). A common outfit worn by men is the standard plain white t-shirt paired with a blazer and a pair of denim jeans sneakers.
If you aren't used to putting a lot of effort into your skin, hair, nails, and clothing then you will be in for a surprise upon moving to Japan. Not looking well groomed, being unshaven and underdressed is not only a turn off to the ladies, but it makes you look sloppy, dirty and unprofessional.

Outerwear


  • 1 Lightweight Down Jacket
  • 1 Windbreaker/ Light weight Spring & Summer Jacket
  • 1 Cozy Hoodie
  • 1 Set of Cold Weather Accessories (Hat, Scarf, Gloves)
  • 1 Travel Sized Umbrella

Shoes


  • 2 Pairs of Comfortable Athletic Slip Resistant Running Shoes
  • 1 Pair of Foldable Flats (women)
  • 1 Pair of Chunky Heels (women)
  • 1 Pair of Comfortable Dress shoes (men)
  • 1 Pair of Slip Resistant and Water Proof Boots 

Accessories


  • 1 Wallet
  • 1 Purse/Bag (men get over it and start wearing a man bag you'll need it trust me)
  • 1 Watch
  • 3 Pairs of Modest earrings (women
  • 1 Modest necklace (women)
  • 2 Ties (men)

Casual Clothing


  • 2-3 Plain Colored t-shirts
  • 2 Plain Long Sleeve T-shirts
  • 3 Pairs of Jeans
  • 2 Casual Dresses
  • 2 Business Casual Tops (men)
  • 2 Blazers

Underwear


  • 7 Pairs (1 pack) of Panties/Underwear
  • 5 Bras
  • 4 Camisoles/tanktops

Loungewear


  • 2 Pairs of Pajamas (thin top with short sleeves and thin pants/thick top with long sleeves and thick pants)
  • 2 Pairs of Cozy Socks
  • 1 Pair of House Shoes

Business Clothing


  • 2 Blouses (women)
  • 2 Dress shorts (men)
  • 2 Cardigans
  • 2 Skirts (women)
  • 2 Pairs of Dress Pants
  • 1 Dress (women)
  • 1 Suit (men)

Other 


  • Compact comforter 
  • Small Fleece Blanket
  • Travel Sized Pillow
  • 1 towel Set 
  • 2 Garbage bags
  • Scissors and Tape
  • Ziplock bags 
  • 1 small compact first-aid kit 




SEASONINGS & SNACKS 


1 small bag of your favorite snacks from your home country is all that you should bring. You can purchase your items online and have them sent here to Japan or you can ask your friends and family to send you care packages in the future.
The reality is that you're going to have to get used to eating different foods and your tastebuds will change overtime inevitably anyway. Don't waste too much of your valuable space by filling up your suitcase with junk food that will be eaten gone and forgotten within days.
Obviously everyone has different tastes in food so below is just an example of my favorite items to bring back from home that are either impossible or very difficult or expensive to buy, and find here in Japan. 


  • Seasoned Salt
  • Lemon Pepper
  • Salt (Japanese sizes are much smaller and more expensive)
  • Pepper (Japanese sizes are much smaller and more expensive)
  • Louisiana Fish Fry Seasoning
  • Spicy Flavored Snacks (Such as Cheetos Flamin Hots or Jay's Hot Chips)
  • Peanut butter Snacks (Such as Reese's or cookies)
  • Breakfast Cereal (Japanese cereal is very expensive and there aren't as many good flavors)
  • Popcorn (It's very expensive here and butter flavor is apparently an American thing)
  • Pizza Seasoning
  • Steak Seasoning
  • Curry Powder
  • Funyuns
  • Sun Chips
  • Louisiana Hot Sauce


ELECTRONICS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Bring a few of your favourite books and magazines to read when you're bored during your flight, at the airport, train station, terminal, at a hotel, or relaxing at home before school or work starts.
Be sure to only pack items that are light! A few thick magazines or hard cover books can easily make your luggage exceed the weight limit at the airport. I would highly recommend that you upgrade to the latest phone available at the time, with the largest amount of built in memory, and an international phone plan that provides coverage in Japan. If you have an international plan you won't have to rely on getting pocket wifi or worry about the battery dying while you're out (it's a hassle having to keep to batteries charged). While the plan may be a little pricey it is worth every penny and it is cheaper than paying a regular monthly phone bill plus the additional bill for wifi. I personally didn't get a pocket wifi device until I had already lived in Japan for over a year and I survived off of just using my T-mobile One international plan. 

  • 2 10,000 mAH Spare  Rechargeable Battery Packs 
  • A compact laptop that is thin and light weight
  • Spare chargers for Your Devices
  • Earbuds or Head Phones 
  • 1 Book
  • 1 Magazine
  • Digital Camera 
  • Tablet
  • Cellphone
  • Handheld Gaming Device with Games (Optional)
  • Digital Music Subscription


NOTE: 

Most international plans are only unlimited text and data this does NOT include calls. If you need to call your family at home you should consider downloading TextFree (uses wifi or data and is 100% free you just have to watch ads for minutes or you can buy them if you're in a rush), SKYPE, LINE, Facebook Messenger, or if the two of you have iPhones then you can use FaceTime to chat or even video call instead. Be sure to ask your mobile service  provider about these costs and to ensure that you will have coverage.
I personally made the mistake of using an older phone and buying a sim card and a plan for it not knowing that it wouldn't work once I actually arrived in Japan (it did work in America). I went 3 weeks without a cellphone or wifi and had a panic attack at the airport after getting lost, not being able to find my luggage, unable to translate what I wanted to say because I didn't have a phone to do that with, my dictionaries were in my suitcase. My arranged taxi had been waiting for over an hour possibly 2 hours by the time I had finally made it and it was extremely embarrassing as I was a hot and sweaty mess.





PERSONAL ITEMS

Being in a new country can be scary especially when you won't return home for a while if not ever. It is very important that you have comfort items with you beyond just snacks that will get eaten and used up. Whether it be a knick knack or a stuffed animal you need things that will make you feel more at home and not as though you are in prison. Your mental health is extremely important and you simply can't put a price tag on it. You may not have space to bring everything that you love so just a handful of items that can fit into your luggage or carry-on will have to due for now. You can always box up your favorite items and have someone send them to you at a later date.


  • Favorite Figurines & Plushies
  • Journal & Notebook
  • Bible and Religious Reading Materials (if you're religious)
  • Pens & Paper
  • Favorite Cards & Letters 
  • Coloringbook with Crayons & Coloring Pencils
  • Planner (Most Japanese people carry an old fashioned planner instead of using their phone)
  • Stressball 






IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

You never know what you might need, when you'll need it, or why so it best to be prepared. If you are planning on moving him permanently or longterm it would be in your best interest to bring all of your confidential personal items with you.


  • State Identification or Drivers License
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Passport Copy 
  • Passport
  • Degree's, Diplomas, and Certificates
  • All of your credit and debit cards 
  • Bank account information
  • Emergency Contacts (Full Names, Numbers and Addresses)
  • Prescriptions for medications and eyewear



Shipping Options

It is an expensive and bad idea to have seasonal items shipped back and forth between your home country and Japan. You will have limited storage space here for clothing and unless you're rich it isn't worth the money to ship large boxes of clothing back and forth throughout the year. You will find new brands and items that you like here just as much as you love your wardrobe from back at home.
There are a few third party websites that offer shipping services for people around the world. I won't name any here since I am not being sponsored and I haven't had the best experience with the company that I almost used once, but a quick Google search will bring up companies that offer to store your items at their warehouse and send them directly to you in Japan allegedly at a slightly discounted rate.
Like most people you will only play a handful of games and wear a handful of your favorite clothing so don't waste time or money packing and shipping boxes back and forth. Anything you need can be found here in Japan or purchased online from either a Japanese or American retailer.

Stores to Shop & Eat at Upon Arrival 

If you forget something or need something then these are the places that you'll want to look for. The good news is that these stores and restaurants are all located in every major city and there are often several locations with different products sizes, styles, and flavors so be sure to try out more than one location. Some of them are open as late as 10:00pm or until midnight.
The restaurants listed below are all chain restaurants that are affordable (with the exception of the cafes) with price ranges from $1.00-$20 per an item or meal.


Clothing, Furniture, Toiletries, Homegoods & Groceries

  • DAISO (High Quality Japanese Dollar Store Enough Said)
  • UNIQLO (Plus -Size Clothing, Affordable Prices for All Sizes)
  • 7-Eleven (ATM that accepts foreign cards, Cheapest Curry, Discounted Bentos & Onigiri)
  • AEON (Affordable Groceries)
  • Rakuten (Affordable Japanese Online Store Similar to Walmart & Amazon)
  • Amazon Japan (Import Items & Furniture) 
  • Nitori (Japanese furniture and Decor)
  • Don Quijote (Japanese Version of Walmart Meets Burlington without the coats)
  • Forever 21 (Familiar Brands With Affordable & Fashionable Clothing)
  • H&M (Familiar Brands With Affordable & Fashionable Clothing)
  • BIC Camera (Electronics store similar to Best Buy)
  • EDION (Electronics store similar to Best Buy)



Restaurants & Cafes

  • Matsuya (Japanese fast-food beef and pork bowls)
  • Yoshinoya (Japanese fast-food beef and pork bowls)
  • Kitchen Origin (Japanese bento shop)
  • Ippudo (Fast food ramen and karaage) 
  • Mc Donald's (American fast-food) 
  • Burger King (American fast-food) 
  • Taco Bell (American fast-food)
  • Wendy's/First Kitchen (American fast-food)
  • Denny's (American familyrestaurant that serves mostly Japanese food) 
  • CoCo ICHIBANYA (Japanese fast-food curry) 
  • Saizeria (Japanese family restaurant)
  • Starbucks (American Cafe)
  • Ueshima Coffee (Japanese Cafe)
  • Ootoya (Japanese family restaurant)



Additional Services to Use in Japan

Here is a list of companies that I have personally used and would highly recommend to other foreigners that plan to move to Japan.

The Best Taxi Service in Japan


The Best Shipping Service in Japan



The Best Airport to Arrive in Japan at


The Best Pocket Wifi

The Best Website to Book Your Flight With

The Best Company to Fly With

IMPORTANT
Don't forget your wallet, cash, credit card, passport, passport copy, drivers license or state ID! 
You always want to be prepare in the unfortunate event of an emergency situation. Your passport is needed to board your flight and will be needed on a regular basis throughout your stay in Japan.
You won't always be able to use your card or your cash so it is good to have both as you will never know what forms of payment or currency is acceptable during your journey to Japan.

There are usually police boxes (mini police station offices that are upon to the public) that are located near schools, parks, and train stations that are located at busy intersections. They can help you find you destination or protect you from danger should you come across a creep or a threatening individual. 

Most convenience stores are open 24/7 even on holidays so if you are ever lost or need help you can ask for it from one of the employees or connect to the free wifi there to search for help or make a phone call. 
Most of these conveniences store have a small seating area with outlets for charging devices as well as clean public restrooms. There is no need to make a purchase but it is best to do so if you are a frequent patron or plan to stay for a long time it is nice to make a small purchase to avoid abusing their kinds (human decency/basic manners).





Thank you for reading! If you have any tips that you'd like to share with other readers, or if you have a question that wasn't answered then please leave a comment here.


Please have a safe flight, and I hope you enjoy your new life in Japan!





Follow My Miscellaneous Adventures in Japan! 







YouTube: 

Gaming & Entertainment 

PSN/Wii: CoMic95TheSavior
Xbox: CoMic95

Help Support My Channel & Blog by Making a Donation 

PayPal

$Cash App
CoMic95

Patreon
CoMic95TheSavior

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Over 50 Questions to Ask Your Japanese Housing Agent & Self Before You Sign a Lease

Now that you've decided to make the big move to Japan you've probably spent a lot of time reaching out to random real estate agents and foreign housing companies. 

The process to renting an apartment can seem super easy for you as foreigner because a simple Google search in English will show you countless share houses and "foreigner friendly apartments" that all seem to cost about the same amount and be about the same distance from your job, school or train station of choice. However your perception of what's close and far, as well as what's cheap versus expensive will all change upon actually moving here. Unfortunately once you've signed your lease it'll be a bit too late and the only way out would be to fork over some more money.


Renting an apartment in Japan is a lot easier than it is in America. The process is very fast and there isn't a lot of stuff required to move in, that is if you already have your basics such as a phone number and a bank account here. However as a foreigner their are a lot of things that you should consider before you sign a 2 year contract for what could be a total scam or disaster.
You will probably spend a lot of time in a very small space with walls that are usually thin and not sound proof. Your home will not be insulated so the weather outside will not differ much within your home and having the heat on overnight means waking up to a sore throat due to dry air instead of simply feeling warm.
You will also have to do a lot of walking to and from your job, the train station, grocery store, post office, and shopping malls so it is very important that these things are within close range of your home.
You should always try your best to ask as many questions as possible and exam the apartment thoroughly before you sign your name and give them your stamp of approval.
Some of these questions are for you to ask yourself as your housing agent or landlord might not be this familiar with your apartment of choice but that is why it is very important that you do your own research on the house and neighborhood before you make such a lengthy and big commitment.
If you aren't currently living in Japan then you can simply use Google Maps to see how far it is to get to and from these places below.


Before you can rent an apartment you will need to have the 10 following things (that is unless you are using a share house or a foreigner friendly apartment).


  • Valid Passport
  • Valid residence card (with permission to work)
  • Contract (proof of salary/income)
  • Personal stamp
  • Japanese phone number
  • Japanese bank account
  • 1-2 emergency contacts  (At least one that is located in Japan)
  • A Japanese guarantor (you an pay for one through the housing agency or buy your own)
  • 1-2 headshots (profile pictures)
  • 1-2 months rent, a security deposit, key money, fire insurance fee, cleaning fee (other) $1,500-$4,000 USD)


50 Questions to Ask Before You Move In


1.) How much is the rent?


2.) Is the apartment located in a residential area?


3.) Is the apartment in a busy area?


4.) Is there keyed or password entry at the front door of the building?

5.) Is there a doorbell with a security camera?


6.) Can you use a credit card to pay the rent?


7.) How long is the leasing contract/rental agreement good for?


8.) Is there a 24 hour maintenance phone number?


9.) Who owns the complex?


10.) Are children allowed?


11.) Is there a maximum occupancy?


12.) How much notice must you give before moving out?


13.) How much will you owe if you break the contract and decide to move out early?


14.) Are there any late fees or penalties if the rent is past due?


15.) How old is the apartment complex?


16.) How many tenants does the apartment have?


17.) Does this building commonly rent to other foreigners (are there other foreign tenants)?


18.) Are pets allowed?

19.) Is smoking allowed?


20.) Is there a fee for bicycle or car parking?


21.) How is the garbage disposed of (is there a storage room or dumpster for the garbage)?


22.) Is there a garage?


23.)How far away is the closest police station, fire department and hospital?


24.) What’s the name of the closest train station?


25.) Where is the closest Laundry mat?


26.) How often do trains run here?


27.) When is the first and last train?


28.) How far away is the closet convenience & grocery store?


29.) How far away is the closet post office?


30.) How far away is the mall?


31.) How far away is the electronics store?


32.) How long will your commute to and from work be?


33.) How far and how long will you have to walk or ride your bike?

34.) How far away is the airport?


35.) How far away is the closest terminal?


36.) Is there a private balcony?


37.) Is there a hookup for a washer and dryer in the unit?


38.) Is the apartment furnished


39.) Does the apartment have a stove?


40.) Does the apartment have a refrigerator?


41.) Does the refrigerator have a freezer section?


42.) Are their cabinets?


43.) Is there a closet and storage space?


44.) Is there parking available for the complex?


45.) Is there hot water in the bathroom and kitchen?


46.) Is there a bathtub?


47.)  What style sink & toilet is there (western or Japanese)?


48.) Is there a cleaning fee or move out fee?


50.) How many units are being occupied?


51.) What kind of mailbox is there?


52.) Are there any reoccurring annual fees for the apartment (besides the rent)?
53.) Do the windows have screen (most homes don't have vents so you'll want to have netted screens to keep out insects and animals).
There's an infinite list of questions that you ask and think of for yourself. If you have any more advice and would like to add something to this list please leave a comment with your advice down below or send me an email.
I hope that you found this list and video to be helpful and I wish you the best of luck in your search for the perfect apartment to start off your new life here in Japan!
Please feel free to ask me any questions if you need some help or advice during your search or clarity about these questions.




Stay Tuned!

Please Subscribe to my Blog and Follow Me on my other social media pages.



Follow My Miscellaneous Adventures in Japan! 







YouTube: 

Gaming & Entertainment 

PSN/Wii: CoMic95TheSavior
Xbox: CoMic95

Help Support My Channel & Blog by Making a Donation 

PayPal

$Cash App
CoMic95

Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/CoMic95
CoMic95TheSavior 
at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

A Secret Layer of Discrimination Against Foreign Students In Japan

I love Japan but this article will not be me kissing Tokyo's ass at least not today. Instead I want to talk to you about an issue that nobody really talks about much. You may think that you can just browse Gaijin Pot Apartments or go to Sakura House and yeah you're right but it's wrong and there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Sakura House is by far the easiest company to deal with here in Japan. They are easily the number one housing company for foreigners regardless of what country you came from (as long as it wasn't Japan) they have multi-lingual staff from all over the world who can help you find "the perfect place".  They don't ask any questions about how or where you are getting random amounts of money to pay for your housing and living expenses they don't monitor where you are working or studying no matter how long you plan to be a tenant. You could be an axe murder and drug lord for all they care or know.

This is fine if you only plan to live in Japan short-term but if you will be here for years or plan to move to Japan permanently you may have decided that you want something more affordable, spacious, and well just your own space period a.k.a an apartment and boy are you in for a mother-fucking ride! 
Despite the fact that Gaijin Pot has thousands of apartment listings they nor the real estate agents and companies listed on their site lists arguably the most important disclaimer ( at least not to my knowledge anyway).

1.) You are basically wasting your time filling out the contact form because you are going to have to answer 100 more generic questions than they have listed there before they will even begin to work with you. 

Okay no big deal. That's understandable they have to know who they're working with and want to make sure that you are not a psycho and that you are legitimately interested in moving blah blah blah.

 I can't help but wonder that as the agent, don't you get tired of having to ask the same questions to every "dumb" foreigner who was looking at one of your listings? Then again I believe the replies are often copy and pasted.

2.) After telling them all of this you will soon find out that in Japan, American laws have no place in this country. Again that's understandable, but what's ironic is that they would be devastated if they were treated this way in the United States which makes me angry (I'm sure there's housing discrimination in the U.S against Japanese people too Captain Obvious but not on this level).
Anyway most housing companies are ALMOST like housing in the 40's or 60's in America for African-Americans and by that I mean landlords can discriminate against you solely based upon the fact that you are a foreigner and then even if you aren't being rejected because of your foreignness then you will be rejected for being a student. The difference between Japan 2017 and 1960's America is that it's totally legal and not some separate but equal under the table hushed bullshit this is a well known completely open fact in the housing market here (buying is another story but as far as renting goes this is your reality).
It's the landlords home they have a right to decide who lives there its as simple as that.

Now once again I'm going to play devils advocate here. I understand from personal experience that most foreigners here stereotypically and seemingly factually don't have a clue as to how to assimilate and "act Japanese" and are even criticized by their non-japanese peers for trying to (go figure), but it's unfair to judge an applicant without having even met them. 
Also why am I being punished for being a student?  Again from their perspective maybe it's because I am seen as young and irresponsible, they are afraid that I will have wild orgies, smash plates and guitars on the tatami floors while screaming My Chemical romance and Nirvana songs at the top of my longs while chugging Strong Zero through my Statue of Liberty drinking hat in my panties on the 9th floor balcony while loudly arguing with my Japanese boyfriend. 

3.) You need to have a list of things already put together BEFORE anyone besides Sakura House or some other Gaijin Circus companies will even consider taking you in. That is you will need to ALREADY have...

Five Things You May Not Have Thought of Like stupid me....
1.) Current Japanese Address
2.) Name seal/stamp (hanko)
3.) Japanese bank savings account
4.) Japanese Cell phone number
5.) Japanese (native preferably) Emergency contact

While some of this is kind of common sense as a foreigner (and specifically myself) this was not clear until after doing more research and contacting agents myself. I have these things, well most of them in America and I took them over to Japan. I still use my T-Mobile phone in Tokyo. I have my American credit and debit cards with me and yes of course I did plan to get these in Japan but I never thought about the fact that I had to have these things in order to rent an apartment but I admit that was somewhat stupid thinking on my end so I will give you a pass to judge me here, but hey I'm young! I will gladly use my Gaijin Card this time.
There are exceptions though. The 5 things listed above are not ALWAYS required but usually are.

The Big Picture

My issue isn't that I don't understand why Japanese people feel the way that they do. I can agree with probably just about every stereotype that they have for foreigners because sadly MOST people do those things (it's no different than America's views on minorities in my opinion, go ahead fight me) BUT the problem and thing that makes this so unfair to me is that most of the rude un-Japanese dishonorable, shameful, bad foreigners that have clouded the minds of these Japanese tenants and landlords who wouldn't want to live within a 100 mile radius of a foreigner yet alone invite one to nest in their sacred apartment building are just mother-fucking TOURISTS! I have now learned to hate that word because in Japanese eyes there is no difference between foreign resident and tourist and that is something that people never talk about anywhere on the internets. Yes long-term Japanese residents on multi-year working and student visa etc. can be rude, typical foreigners (there's an exception to every rule) but I believe that most people that have been in Japan and that are working with Japanese people and studying with them have learned enough of the culture to see that things work differently here and thus have taken off their American flag cape and traded it in for a Japanese uniform. Yes I am aware that most tourists are not American and from other countries thus still making them foreigners but you know what I mean!

The bigger problem that this posses for me and other foreigners alike is how do we and can we even "get out" (I promise I never saw that movie)? Your options are very limited if you want to get your own apartment here, especially if you are in my shoes. A foreign university student, who is not married to a Japanese man and that doesn't have a "real" salaried Japanese job.
Not to throw any shade or hate on those of my readers who have Japanese spouses, specifically if you are a woman, I imagine that having a Japanese husband is way more beneficial than a Japanese wife since.... well I'm not about to get into that but you know what I mean.... Basically being a Japanese man in Japan is like being a king. Men are expected to handle all of the gritty work here. I imagine that you would look a bit dumb and bitchy if you are a foreign man with a Japanese wife even if your Japanese is good when it comes to business it'll never be good enough.
On a side note when I was looking at an apartment (all the staff was bi-lingual with very good near perfect English) yet they were more interested in my "boyfriend" (not really) who was Japanese and they were still speaking to him in English but forgot that I AM THE ONE who's name will be on the lease not his (LOL)!

Anyway now that I've triggered and isolated the remainder of my readers, even with a Japanese native as your spouse, I am aware that landlords can and sometimes will still discriminate against you since they assume that you are probably crazy, rude and loud just like your gaijin spouse or the shallow but reasonable excuse that there will be a language barrier fear with the landlord.
Anyway back to throwing shade! I hate that it seems like everything in Japan is made for couples. Maybe that is why there are so many sham and shallow marriages here. I feel as though I am getting a  triple-shit punishment (yes that was inspired by Dashie) for being the big bad three...

#1 FOREIGN
#2 SUDENT
#3 NO JAPANESE HUSBAND

It's like Japan doesn't want you to live here at least not a decent life here unless you are married to a native Japanese. If you have spent any length of time wanting to go to Japan you probably heard about the main two options that people take to get here. They either use their already acquired bachelors degree or find a Japanese person to marry and thus be granted a visa that puts you a solid 100 platinum steps ahead of us peasantry foreigners who have not found our soul or sham-mates yet. 

Now back to Sakura House I don't hate that company but they are ridiculously overpriced. I am paying almost $500 to live in a small Chi-town-hood dorm room with loud and noisy inconsiderate roommates (mostly from China and South Asian countries). Yes it is convenient and I don't have any other bills than my rent but for about less than $100 more I can have a whole 1 bedroom apartment in Mitaka. If you want an apartment from Sakura House you are looking at spending about $850- $3,500 and up for a small shit room that they call an "apartment" (its even smaller than a real Tokyo apartment) that is probably plastered in their embarrassing gaijin signs and have thousands of rules as though you are in a boarding school for pre-teen boys.

However, you feel trapped because if you are truly desperate to have your own space you should be willing to settle for anything so why be picky about the company? Well I will put it this way. As someone who was a slave for all 3 of these companies below, it's like being told that you can only have your prescriptions filled at CVS even although both Walgreen's and Walmart is closer to your home and besides everyone goes to Walmart and Walgreen's. WTF is CVS?! How inconvenient none of the cool sick people you know get their medicine from that Walgreen's rip-off. Well that's what housing is like here. Japanese people don't rent from Sakura House (so why do I have to, because I'm not Japanese right?!). For starts they only rent to foreigners as they constantly remind you and any Japanese person with a brain and any living family member that loves or even hates them wouldn't allow a member of their family dare be seen living in the slums of Sakura House (I kid... well kind of... I actually went to a Japanese share house (not owned by Sakura House) and well it was the nastiest home I've seen both here and in America). Friends don't let friends live in Sakura House. Temporary living is fine but you couldn't possibly live here comfortably for the rest of your life or even 2-5 years without wanting to walk (or possibly run and  jump) onto the JR tracks (sorry for being graphic and insensitive.... you fucking pussy).

Nobody wants to feel as though they are caged-in, trapped and forced to live in a particular place or as though they HAVE to rent through one specific agency and not just any agency but one that specializes in the outcasts of society, commonly known on the streets as "gaijin" or "foreigner". I hate feeling as though I do not have control over where I live.
I just wish that companies would be more upfront about what you need to get a place here and that real estate agents would stop playing bait and switch. They list apartments on websites MADE for foreigners to get advice find work and home etc. but then after you contact them they tell you this place doesn't rent to your sub-human gaijin species. It's very misleading, demeaning, and offensive and it really makes me angry.
I was aware of the racist landlord problem here in Japan and all of the cover up excuses because Japan is so homogenous and all that shittery BUT I never heard of discrimination against certain types of foreigners like me for being a student!
As I was told housing in Japan either accepts dogs or foreigners NEVER both. Yes smart ass I know you can have a pet in Japan as a foreigner, but you get the point. It is not common, and if you are foreign with a pet good luck to you!
To be honest I haven't experienced any difficulties because I am black. I'm always thrown in the same boat with white people here in Japan unlike America which is one good thing. At least here I am an equal alien but still it sucks!
 I am sure that I am not alone in this but I wish it were talked about more because hey who knows, maybe something might change... Now if only we talked about them letting us take pictures and record video in stores and restaurants were we pay for the services.... Well that's another story for another ranty post.

I will also add that I am not one of those foreigners who complain about Japan needing to adopt the ways of the west. I don't think they should. I like Japan's uniqueness. I am glad that they are not like Europe or America.
I admire their culture. However I don't think that discrimination is a part of Japanese culture. For the most part 95% of discrimination here is out of fear of future difficulties and not a matter of feeling superior to you, but it still makes obtaining and doing certain things here seemingly impossible or very challenging.

Keep in mind that if you can't speak Japanese well, don't have a real visa (non-tourist) of any kind or if you are under 21 (yes that means you 18 & 19 year olds and sometimes even 20) good luck on finding a place to stay buddy!

Don't get me wrong!
Yes there's housing here for foreigners and even for foreign students. You can find an apartment, a dorm a share house etc. but if you happen to have more money to spend and say you want something somewhere between decent and livable or even luxurious you will become frustrated when you contact a nice apartment on the 9th floor of a fancy Shibuya apartment complex and discover that you've been rejected only because you are a foreign student and they don't care how much money you have so instead they show you slum buildings that are "cheap" but not even close to as nice as the place you had your heart and eyes set on. Not because they are being mean and believe that this is all that you deserve, but only these crap places are willing to rent to you with ease because no Japanese person wants to live there and that landlord needs some money-aye!.. Oh then they have the audacity to ask you to sign the same 2 year contract for the little slum-building as though it were the Polly Pocket Pent House you had your eyes on (I'm telling you it's bait and switch people)!

 In fact in my honest opinion I don't even think they would bother helping us gaijin if it wasn't for the fact that we are more desperate, yen is yen and the agents get commissions (sometimes outrageously high) etc. for closing the deal with you. Plus they get to use and practice their broken English with you which might help them seem more valuable to their agency. Kind of like the dog trainer or tamer for foreigners.  

I am glad that I made it to Japan and for that reason alone, I am willing to sacrifice not having a pimped-out pent house in Tokyo. So for now I will take what I can get and remain humble and satisfied that at least I am not being hosed down when I step out into the lobby. I have a tatami roof over my head, 7/11 Taco-Rice-Tuesday in my stomach, a fridge that beeps if it's not closed all the way and a toilet that can blast my ass and snatch with warm water simultaneously (free adult wipes?).

I don't have to live here until I die. I can always move. Maybe one day I will have a career and when I am ready a spouse so I can get my king-supreme-grandmaster-platinum-gaijin-card like the rest of you lucky bastards!


So please share with me your housing experiences and feel free to argue with me in the comments if I hurt your feelings (pussy)....

Stay Tuned!
Please Subscribe to my Blog and Follow Me on my other social media pages.

YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/user/CoMicninetyfive/videos


at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Most Popular Posts