Move to Japan: A How-to guide to everything you need to know to make the big move to Japan in 2025, health insurance, rentals, and more.

By Max Hartshorne

Japan welcomes citizens from 67 countries who can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Over the last several years, moving to Japan has become more accessible, and the JET Program’s growth reflects this—from 848 participants in 1987 to over 4,786 participants from 43 countries today. Preply’s research highlights the importance of mastering Japanese for those seeking to tap into these global opportunities.

Japan’s position as a leading global economy creates great professional growth opportunities. However, the practical side of moving requires proper planning. Living costs vary greatly between cities, with Tokyo’s average apartment rent at 91,000 JPY, while Osaka residents pay around 61,000 JPY.

Japanese authorities offer several visa options for long-term stays. Working holiday visas last up to 18 months, and specialized visas exist for highly skilled professionals. The government’s recent “Specified Skilled Worker” visa helps fill labor shortages across industries and allows individuals to stay up to 5 years.

Navigating life in Japan—whether for work, study, or travel—requires strong language skills. Preply’s Japanese courses are designed to help learners at all levels, from complete beginners to advanced speakers.

With personalized lessons led by experienced native-speaking tutors, Preply provides a flexible and structured approach to language learning. Lessons focus on real-world communication, covering business Japanese, everyday conversation, and cultural etiquette to ensure learners feel confident in any setting.

This detailed guide will cover how to move to Japan in 2025, including visa applications, housing searches, legal requirements, and cultural preparations. Let’s explore each step to ensure your move is as smooth as possible.

Plan Your Move 12 Months Ahead

Moving to Japan requires careful planning, especially when handling financial preparations and visa requirements. A well-laid-out 12-month timeline will ensure a smooth transition to Japanese life.

Create a monthly timeline

You should start planning a year to get all your documents ready and meet your financial needs. The visa processing usually takes 4-6 months, so early preparation is vital. Your timeline should include selling property, working with moving companies, and finding temporary housing when you arrive.

Set clear financial goals

Money management is the lifeblood of a successful move to Japan. Most experts suggest having ¥500,000 to ¥1,000,000 (around USD 3,500-7,000) saved up before you move. This money helps cover your first housing costs, which include:

• Key money and deposits that need 4-6 months’ rent upfront
• Fees to set up utilities
• Emergency savings for unexpected costs

On top of that, non-resident taxpayers pay a flat rate of 20.42% on income, so you need to budget carefully for taxes. Once you become a resident, income tax ranges from 5% to 45%, plus local taxes around 10%.

Research visa options

Japan has a variety of visa categories that serve different purposes. The main visa paths include:

Working visas need employer sponsorship and fit into specific categories like:

• Engineer/Specialist in humanities
• Business Manager
• Skilled labor
• Highly skilled professional

The application happens in two main steps. You first need to get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through a Japanese sponsor or employer. Then you take this certificate with other required papers to a Japanese embassy or consulate. Single-entry visas cost about ¥3,000 (USD 30.00), while multiple-entry visas cost ¥6,000 (USD 60.00).

People who want permanent residency must meet these requirements:

• 10 years living in Japan without breaks
• 5 years if you’re married to a Japanese national
• You must stay in Japan for at least six months each year

The highly skilled professional visa lets you get permanent residency faster through a point system that looks at your education, work experience, and yearly income. On top of that, some cities offer startup visas for entrepreneurs that let you stay one to five years.

Build Essential Skills

Anyone planning to move to Japan needs to master some simple skills. These skills make the transition smoother and create better career growth chances in the Japanese market.

Learn simple Japanese

You can survive in Japan with limited Japanese skills, but knowing the basics creates richer experiences and better opportunities. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) measures language skills, where N5 shows basic proficiency and N1 shows advanced mastery.

Beginners should focus on these language basics:

• Reading Hiragana and Katakana
• Basic conversational phrases
• Essential kanji characters
• Daily life vocabulary

A thorough Japanese course needs 15 hours per week of structured learning. Students can learn basic communication within three months through dedicated study. This helps them:

• Order food at restaurants
• Use public transportation
• Handle simple customer service talks
• Express basic needs

Japanese language learners can choose from several methods:

• Language school classes (3 hours daily, 5 days per week)
• Online learning platforms
• Private tutoring
• Language exchange programs
• Self-study materials

Get relevant work experience

The Japanese job market values technical skills and cultural understanding equally. Business level Japanese (JLPT N1) gives you an edge, though some sectors welcome professionals with basic language skills.

Job seekers should learn these workplace dynamics:

• Age-based hierarchy systems
• Group harmony principles
• Professional communication rules
• Business etiquette standards

English teaching jobs often serve as a gateway to the Japanese job market. These roles help you learn about:

• Japanese working culture
• Cross-cultural relationships
• Professional networking
• Career transitions

Success in Japanese business culture means mastering these concepts:

• Kuuki ga yomenai (reading the room)
• Nemawashi (informal consensus building)
• Senpai-kohai relationships (mentorship dynamics)
• Group-oriented decision making

Company social practices shape professional life through:

• Seasonal company gatherings
• Team bonding events
• After-work social duties
• Professional relationship building

Technical professionals need 3 years of experience minimum for visa sponsorship, though 5 years works better. Companies rarely sponsor entry-level positions due to costs ranging from USD 10,000 to 20,000 per candidate.

Relocation packages usually cover:

• Visa sponsorship help
• Housing support
• Transportation allowances
• Initial setup help

Job seekers should build expertise in sectors with labor shortages or areas under the “Specified Skilled Worker” visa category. This strategy boosts chances of landing a job and getting visa sponsorship.

Secure Your Visa Path

You just need the right visa to establish residency in Japan. The Japanese government has strict immigration policies that require detailed documentation and perfect timing for successful applications.

Check eligibility requirements

Your nationality and purpose of stay determine the visa requirements. Anyone planning to stay beyond 90 days must get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The process takes 1-3 months, so it’s best to start early.

Key eligibility categories include:

• Employment visas for professionals
• Student visas for academic pursuits
• Cultural activity visas for artistic endeavors
• Dependent visas for family members
• Specified skilled worker visas

Gather required documents

The application process needs careful attention to detail. Here are the documents you’ll need:

• Valid passport with minimum 1.5 blank pages
• Recent passport-sized photographs (2×2 inches)
• Completed visa application form
• Proof of financial stability
• Travel itinerary
• Bank statements from recent months
• Proof of current residence

For work visas, you’ll also need:

• Original employment contract
• Company registration documents
• Sponsor’s financial statements
• Detailed job description

Apply for Certificate of Eligibility

The Certificate of Eligibility helps speed up visa processing when you arrive in Japan. A sponsor in Japan must submit the COE application since you can’t apply directly from abroad.

These organizations can sponsor you:

• Employers for work visas
• Educational institutions for student visas
• Japanese relatives for dependent visas
• Religious organizations for religious activities

The COE stays valid for three months from its issue date. Plan your application timing carefully, factoring in both travel plans and processing times. Standard processing takes about five business days, but complex cases might need more time.

Immigration officers might ask for extra documents. Keep clear communication with your sponsors and have backup plans ready. Once you get the COE, submit your visa application through Japanese diplomatic missions abroad.

The eVisa system makes applications easier for some categories. The system has been introduced recently. But 80% of applications get rejected because of incomplete or unclear supporting documents. Make sure your documentation is precise to improve your chances of success.

Find Housing and Work

A smooth transition to Japanese life starts with finding the right place to live and work. Your success depends on knowing the housing market and job landscape before deciding where to settle.

Research affordable areas

Japanese cities have vastly different living costs. You’ll find Osaka quite budget-friendly, with studio apartments costing between ¥24,200 and ¥61,700 per month. Kyoto matches this affordability – studio rentals there run from ¥33,000 to ¥68,000. Sapporo might be your best bet for saving money, as studio apartments go for just ¥23,000 to ¥37,000 monthly.

Many people overlook Chiba, but it’s home to Disney theme parks and Japan’s longest sandy coastline. The island of Kyushu holds another hidden gem – Kumamoto offers both affordable living and rich cultural experiences.

Compare rental options

You’ll discover several housing choices in the Japanese rental market. Here are the main property types:

• Apartments (アパート): Individual units within larger complexes
• Mansions (マンション): Roomy apartments that come with reception staff and shared spaces
• Sharehouses (シェアハウス): Community living with private bedrooms and common areas
• Service apartments: Ready-to-move-in units available monthly

Sharehouses work well for newcomers because they welcome foreign residents and help you avoid heavy moving expenses. Right now, 60% of Japanese people own their homes, while 40% rent.

Search job opportunities

Japan’s job market welcomes international talent across several sectors:

• Education, Teaching, Training (114 positions)
• Information Technology (42 positions)
• Hospitality, Hotel, Restaurant (10 positions)
• Engineering, Construction (8 positions)
• Marketing, Advertising (8 positions)

English speakers can access about 10-20% of available jobs, mostly in IT, finance, education, and global companies. Here’s how you can break into the Japanese workforce:

Your professional network matters since many jobs never appear in public listings. Learning Japanese opens up more opportunities – about 80% of positions need Japanese language skills.

Teaching English gives you a great way to get started, learn about Japanese work culture, and build connections. The new digital nomad visa launched in 2024 lets you work remotely for six months.

Try these practical steps while looking for housing and work:

1. Work with English-speaking real estate agents in urban areas
2. Browse expat-focused property websites
3. Join housing and job-focused social media groups
4. Partner with recruitment agencies that specialize in international placements

Be ready for high upfront rental costs – you’ll need four to six months’ rent for security deposits and “thank you” money. Having enough savings becomes vital during your first few months.

Handle Legal Requirements

Legal procedures are the life-blood of building a stable life in Japan. The right paperwork and completed requirements will give a smooth transition into Japanese society.

Register your residence

Foreign nationals must register their residential address at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival. This process, called Jumin Toroku, makes shared access to essential services possible and creates a resident record with vital information.

You need these items to register:

• Residence card (zairyu card) or passport
• Documents that show family relationships with Japanese translations
• Marriage/birth certificates to register family members

The municipal office issues a My Number card after registration, which serves as your individual identification number for administrative purposes. You must notify both your previous and new municipal offices within 14 days when you relocate within Japan.

Set up health insurance

Anyone living in Japan longer than three months must have insurance coverage under the Japanese healthcare system. There are two main types of insurance:

• National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) if you have self-employment or no employment
• Employee Health Insurance (Kenko Hoken) for company employees

People enrolled in these programs usually pay 30% of medical costs and monthly premiums based on their previous year’s income. You must declare your income even if it’s minimal to calculate accurate premiums.

The system comes with several benefits:

• Access to any medical provider
• Coverage for hospital care, outpatient services, mental health treatment
• Dental care inclusion
• Protection from catastrophic costs through payment thresholds

Japan Welcomes You

Japan welcomes people who are ready to take on an exciting new chapter in their lives. A successful move requires good planning – from getting the right visa to setting up your legal paperwork.

You’ll need a solid financial foundation to start your journey. Most experts suggest saving between ¥500,000 to ¥1,000,000 to cover your first expenses. Speaking Japanese isn’t always required, but it will boost your career options and make daily life much easier.

The Japanese government has created several visa options and support systems to help skilled foreign professionals settle in. Cities of all sizes offer housing choices that can match your budget and lifestyle priorities.

Your long-term stay needs a strong foundation that follows all legal requirements. This means registering properly, getting health insurance, and opening a Japanese bank account.

Building a great life in this amazing country comes down to doing your homework, being prepared, and adapting to local customs. With the right planning and mindset, you can create an unmatched life experience in Japan.