r/MOVE_TO_JAPAN

Been meaning to write this up for a while. Moved to Japan a bit ago and got a couple of these wrong myself, so figured I'd save someone else the trouble.

The 14 day address registration thing catches almost everyone. You've got 14 days from actually moving into your place to register the address at your local city or ward office. Doesn't feel urgent when you're still unpacking boxes and jetlagged, but it's tied to your residence card and My Number, and if you drag your feet on it you'll hit weird snags later trying to open a bank account or sign up for a phone plan since they all want proof of a registered address. And it's not a one time thing either, if you move apartments again later the clock resets and you have to do it again.

Health insurance is the other big one. If your job isn't putting you on their insurance, you need to sign up for National Health Insurance (kokumin kenko hoken), ideally same trip to city hall or right after. A lot of people put this off thinking they'll deal with it once they're settled in, but the premium gets backdated to your enrollment date anyway, so waiting doesn't save you anything, it just means you're stuck without a card if you actually need to see a doctor in the meantime.

Also, pension enrollment. It's easy to just not realize you're supposed to be paying into National Pension since nobody really explains it clearly at the counter. Doesn't bite you immediately, but it matters a lot later if you're thinking about permanent residency down the line since they look at continuous payment history.

And then there's just keeping your residence card up to date whenever anything changes, address, name, visa status. People assume this updates automatically somehow. It doesn't, you have to go do it.

None of this is complicated once you know it exists, the annoying part is nobody tells you upfront and the city hall visit moves fast.

I apologize this is long! (note my mother will be paying for part of it. We both have to agree 💫)

I want to move to Japan. So so bad. Ever since i was about 13… Or anywhere but the USA. I love my fam, but gods… USA. I’m 17f, homeschooled. I want to do art I want to work in art. Ideally I’d like to do character design or write for film/animation, although I’m willing to consider animation or other related work if that gives me a more realistic path. Basically, I want to make things. I want to create characters and stories and actually work in that world…

Please, if possible, channel your inner Mr. Rogers here and don't be cruel. I'm genuinely overwhelmed. I'm not asking anyone to tell me that everything will magically work out. Pros and cons are better than saying: look kid you have a loss cause. I know that… I tell myself that every day I Google how to get to Japan (new immigration laws pushed me over the edge…)

The problem is that I have absolutely no idea what the most sensible route is. I know I need n2… and… a visa.. or something? 

(Ages 13-15) My original plan was to learn n2 here. Did Duolingo (mistake! Dont do it!) and realized that will never get me to n2. Then I moved to renshuu last year and wanikani, but I knew by the time it was too close to collage age, I wouldn’t be at n2. 

(15-16) So next idea was: MEXT! Nope, the risk to reward seems to be too high right I started thinking about MEXT? I still may try for it, but the more I read, the more complicated it seems, and I don't understand the application process or how realistic it would be for someone pursuing art!

(17 now) 2 years here at a school that partners in Japan, then language school (tls) in Japan. (Stressed as no one talks about this at all!) Then into the work field (I want to be in Japan and working by (26 hopefully married by 28-30 dead my 80. A basic boring life). 

But even this plan feels incredibly uncertain…

Should I be looking at an exchange program? Art school? A trade/vocational school? University? Language school? Some combination of those? What would actually give me the best chance of eventually being able to live and work in Japan?! It’s eating my confidence!

And then I started researching all of this and got completely overwhelmed, and panicking… and crying. Lots of crying.

I keep hearing things like:

• Housing in Japan is difficult for foreigners.
• Some employers don't want foreign workers.
• The art industry is extremely competitive and doesn't pay well.
• You need an amazing portfolio. (Like… god himself)
• Japanese companies may expect very high Japanese proficiency.
• Even if you speak Japanese well, you may still encounter discrimination.
• I keep hearing scary things about dating, marriage rates, and whether I'd actually be able to build a life there.
• I've seen people being told to "stay out of our country," including some pretty horrible language.
• Getting a visa isn't as simple as "learn Japanese and move there." (Well duh, but still)
• I keep hearing "Are you passing?" and other things that make me wonder wether I’d actually be accepted there…
• The Japanese animation/art industry can have terrible working conditions.
• There are already plenty of talented Japanese artists competing for these jobs.
• They hate dogs (big ones. How do you survive!?)

its now difficult to work towards my goal (which is…. Somewhere?) if it keeps moving and kicking you at the same time!!

Why try if every saving grace turns out to be slashed claws tossing mufasa off a cliff?!

And then there's the portfolio issue And new laws?! Since when?!

I want to be living in Japan by around 26, working in or around art/animation/writing, and hopefully have a normal, quiet life there, preferably married, maybe a dog, dead by 80 or after, or when life strikes me dow.

I have until roughly June 2028 before I need to make some major education decisions.

So, please: what would you do if you were in my position? 

Hi everyone,

I’m writing this under an anonymous account because I really need some advice, perspective, or just a reality check from people who might have been through something similar.

Here is my situation:

21 years old, living in , Italy.

I live with my family of 6 in a very small 44m² apartment.

It’s tight, overwhelming, and stressful. My family relies heavily on government subsidies, but since I am about to start working full-time, some of those benefits will decrease or disappear, putting a lot of pressure on me.

I don't have a university degree (just a high school diploma). I’m about to start an apprenticeship as an office worker earning around €1,400/month. I also own a scooter to get around.

My ultimate dream is to move to Japan long-term.

I know that without a degree and with very basic Japanese (just Hiragana and Katakana right now), getting a work visa directly is almost impossible.

My plan is to save up for a Working Holiday Visa (which allows Italians aged 18–30 to work and live in Japan for up to a year) and use that time to get my foot in the door, work entry-level jobs (like hospitality or kitchen staff), and improve my language skills.

My questions for you:

Given my €1,400 income and my family’s tight financial situation, how should I manage my money? How much should I realistically try to set aside each month for my "Japan Fund" without leaving my family stranded?

Has anyone here moved to Japan via the Working Holiday Visa without a degree? How did you transition from a 1-year stay to something more permanent (e.g., SSW visa, distance learning degree, or vocational school)?

How do you deal with the guilt or emotional weight of wanting to build your own future while feeling tied to your family's struggles?

I’d really appreciate any tips, constructive feedback, or personal stories. Thanks a lot!😉

I wanted to ask regarding the visa to japan from India

I graduated from college 2 years back and was employed for around 8 months and then I left my job for building an app, and right now I am still on R&D and marketing of it but I have enough money from my parents, an FD of 50 lakhs and some more in mutual funds on my name.

Can anyone please guide me what documents I need and how can I tell them about my funding status?

Will it be very tough for me?

I have been filling 3-4 since many years too