u/Forsaken_Box_8451

I was speaking with an immigration lawyer (scrivener) and he told me that Osaka immigration hardly ever gives 5 year spouse visas. Is that true? Area wise I can also apply at Kobe so I'm weighing the options here.

What are your experiences with Osaka/Kobe offices?

My Background : Currently I'm on a 3 yr Spouse visa (asked for 3 at the time, got 3). I had 3 yr student visa (Doctor's student) before that. JLPT N1 (formerly Japanese national too, if. that helps). Wife and I have a daughter in preschool. I am the primary breadwinner making > 15M /yr. Married 5 years.

Already applied for PR. Still have to renew in the mean time.

So, I spent about 10+ years in Tokyo (School + Work). And then moved to Kansai due to marriage.

I have to say Kansai is so far ahead of Tokyo (23ku) in nearly all aspects that I can't believe I didn't move sooner.

There are many reasons why I think this :

• The people are normal(!). I can't appreciate this enough. They're so much easier to talk to and easy to build a genuine relationship with. Tokyo is unbelievably cold.
• The population density is just right. Shinsaibashi might be the only area where I think it might be crowded, but almost everywhere else is perfect.
• Much more to explore nearby. Osaka + Kobe + Kyoto is a killer combo imo. All 3 of those have such distinct atmosphere and it's super close. There are even more sub-cultures that we can explore - Nara, Hanshikan (Hyogo), Minoh, Shiga, Fukui (Biwako), etc for added bonus.
• Tokyo is just endless sea of concrete no matter where you go. Almost no distinction at all. I can't believe people think there is any difference between Aoyama and Meguro. It's just all soulless big buildings with varying number of companies inside.
• Cost : Insanely affordable compared to Tokyo. <10万円 rent within one station of Umeda is nuts.
• Dating : People are more normal and therefore much easier to find a long term partner. All my friends in Tokyo are changing partners every few months, and/or cheating or getting cheated on. The endless choices confuse people imo.
• Childcare : I have a toddler son and there is so much outdoor space that I can appreciate! I can't imagine raising a toddler in Tokyo at all. For example, in Tokyo, I can't just go down from my apartment and start letting a 2 year old wobble around without being scared of hitting people or hitting cars.
• Tokyo felt like an endless rat-race of emotional competition. Whether it'd be career or relationships, people are constantly signalling. IMO that's a natural thing to do when it's that crowded - it breeds an environment where you desperately want to be noticed. But kansai feels like you're actually just living life on your own pace.

The only 2 advantages Tokyo have might be : career opportunities and restaurant choices. But that's about it.

Sorry for raving about Kansai. I just love it. Great to be here.

The core fear is the due date here - for PR application.

For whatever reason, my city mailed out really late (18th) and today is the 5 day (end of day 23rd) and I still haven't received my NHI payment slips. I literally live 10 minute away from the city hall.

Is there a way to pay them at the city hall without the slip? I have no idea why they mail out these so late. I don't even have 7 days to pay the first one on time.

So I just came back from Tokyo and can't seem to find a place quite like TY Harbor. If you know what TY Harbor is like - it's very similar to a North American Porterhouse style restaurant. Craft Beer + Semi-Nice Eats (BBQ, seafood, etc).

Is there a similar place in Kansai? I can travel anywhere (Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe).

Thank you!

So I just moved from Tokyo and can't seem to find a place quite like TY Harbor. If you know what TY Harbor is like - it's very similar to a North American Porterhouse style restaurant. Craft Beer + Semi-Nice Eats (BBQ, seafood, etc).

Is there a similar place in Kansai? I can travel anywhere (Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe).

GARB Weeks on Nakanoshima is a little similar in vibe but food is more pizza/spaghetti oriented and not so much porterhouse.

Thank you!