Moving to Japan from Australia w/ Japanese wife + 2 kids (5, 2) — leaving $180k single income for Telco work in Toyama. Realistic take needed
Hey all, hoping for honest perspectives from people who've actually done this, not just "it'll be fine" answers.
I'm Australian, married to my Japanese wife, two kids (5 and 2). Currently on a single income around AUD $180k. We're considering relocating to Toyama, where my wife has family, so I can pursue something in telco over there.
Trying to get a realistic picture on:
Income — what does telco (or adjacent engineering/technical/management) actually pay in Toyama vs Tokyo/Osaka? What kind of pay cut should I expect, and does telco hiring even exist much outside big cities?
Job hunting as a foreigner — recruiter, direct application, local connections? How hard was it landing something outside Tokyo? Especially since my Japanese is "ma-ma" at best , not n5 level accredited even yet.
Cost of living in Toyama — housing, schooling, daily life — how far does the salary stretch there vs a capital city?
Kids/schooling — experience enrolling young kids (esp. a 5-year-old) into the Japanese system as a mixed family? Public, international, or other?
Visa — assuming spouse visa is straightforward, but curious about surprises.
Regional life vs city life — day-to-day for a foreign spouse and half-local kids in Toyama specifically — isolation, support network, integration.
Biggest regret or thing you wish you'd known.
Genuinely want the frustrating and expensive parts, not just the highlight reel.
Appreciate any input, even short anecdotes.