How to Move to Japan When You Know Zero Japanese - The Bare Necessities

So you've decided to move to Japan! Great! You are going to love your new life in the land of the rising sun. Whether you like living among centuries old cultural traditions or on the fringe of the latest cutting edge, there's something that will speak to you deeply there.

So let's begin talking about actually getting there. Here's a hint: it's not easy. I highly recommend getting the help of a Japanese national, if at all possible. I don't think I could do it without mine.

Still, in case any of you are considering such a move, here's a little of what you can expect.

1. Housing (you gotta live somewhere, right?)

Housing is a hassle, there's no two ways around it. But have fun. Housing in Japan is so different, and enjoy the nuances in archetecture, design, and functionality. You will notice immediately that your new home or apartment will be small. In Japan, space is a premium. Don't worry too much about it! All your appliances and furniture will be designed to be compact and make the absolute most of your space. The Japanese are pros at this.

Have a chunk of change up front. A big one. Many (most) places that you rent will require extensive fees to even get your name on the lease. Sometimes, the start-up fees can be as much as 4 or 5 months' rent, and not all of that will be refundable and/or actually go toward paying rent. This is frustrating, but normal. There are places that just require the first month's rent up front and some minor fees, but if you count on this, your living options are going to be extremely limited and/or not in the best areas. Be prepared, and don't count on getting lucky. We are paying a little more than extra to be in our ideal area of Tokyo, and we're expecting to fork over anywhere from 400,000 to 500,000 yen (approx. $4-5,000.00).

If you are renting, your options are broken down into two main categories: apartments and mansions. The name "mansion" is a bit of a misnomer, as it really just indicates just a newer, higher-tech apartment. (Still, telling all your American friends that you bought a mansion in Tokyo? Priceless.) If cash is tight, go with an apartment ("apaato"). Wanna live it up for a little more? Take a peek at some mansions. There are, of course, other options such as homeowning, but I wouldn't know anything about that. If you want to go that way, please consult your nearest Japanese national and hang on to them - you will need them dearly.

Be prepared for a lot of paperwork. Visas, verification of employment, etc. are a must. Some areas will even require government issued proof of your prior address (and no, a DL doesn't count for some reason). Most places will usually require you to have a guarantor. If you don't have one handy, you can go to a third party company to act as one for you - for a fee. Some places are unique in what they ask for. Either way, be prepared to get it all.

2. Transportation (because your fridge won't fill itself and you can't stay home forever)

Depending on where you live, it might not be practical or even feasible to own a car in Japan. In big cities, you will pay hundreds of thousands of yen each month for the elite privilege of parking your clunker. The bigger the city, the less likely it is that you will need a car at all.

If you do intend to get a car, make sure your U.S. driver's license is current and has plenty of time left on it BEFORE you leave the country. If you have a valid license, you can apply for an international driver's license by taking only a written test, no road test required. If you have to get a Japanese license (probably if you're staying in the country for more than a year), have a fistful of cash and the nerves and patience of a brick wall. I will quote my friend here: "First time you take that road test is a guaranteed fail. Second time is about a 90% chance of failure, third hovers around 70%, and the fourth and beyond you've got a fighting chance at 50/50. And you pay money each time."

Also don't ship your car to Japan. Unless you have a really sweet ride (I'm talking the level of sweetness like a Ferrari), it's more to ship it than your car is worth.

Living in the city? Don't bother with a car! Instead, focus on housing around or reasonably near a train station hub and you'll never be without a ride to most anywhere in the country. Also check out the amenities near your apartment. It's common to walk or bike to the grocery store - stay at a place where you can too. Invest in a nice bike with a basket for goods and make it your best friend. Bling it up with any of thousands of accessories and increase its functionality with gizmos like an attachable umbrella, headlights, speedometer, compass, clock, rear view mirror, fenders, iPhone holder, and/or child seat. Maybe you can't have a Lamborghini but you can have THAT bike, I promise.

Feel free to follow the link below and see just how many accessories are really available.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/category/201695/

3. Basic Household Furniture

-Bed
As stated in the housing section, space is a premium. Your bed will consume your whole bedroom, so don't plan on it. Instead, consider a futon. Great for your back, stylish, and compact. Fold it up into thirds for storage during the day and get back that space for living! If you absolutely can't stand the thought of sleeping on the floor (and it's way nicer than you'd think!) then you can invest in a futon frame and get come inches between you and the floor. The whole set, with a frame, will cost significantly less than a mid-quality American mattress alone.

-Table/Seating
Enter the kotatsu, the most glorious of all Japanese inventions (and there are a LOT of glorious Japanese inventions):

This table-deluxe is not only covered in a thick quilt to warm your legs and feet, but there is a heater underneath that makes you super-duper toasty. It is extremely common to sleep under it. It's like the best fort you never had, doubling as a table that can be used for everything from dining to gaming to and family TV time. The only table you'll need, guaranteed.

Just like with the beds, if you can't adjust to living on the floor, you can buy a Western dining table with chairs, but it will cost you and monopolize a huge portion of your scarce living space.

Don't like back-less seating? Get leg-less chairs or turn your kotatsu into a couch!

You just can't tell me this doesn't look like the dreamiest thing ever.

So your Japanese home won't look quite like the one you left behind. Keep an open mind to try new things and you will be amazed - and quite possibly never want to go back!!

A Few of My Favorite Things - Bathroom Edition

So last time I talked about all the things I'll really miss. I'm learning that moving across the world is a whirlwind of emotions, and today I'm feeling dreamy.

When I left Japan last time, I told my husband that it felt a lot like I was leaving home. I fell in love with Japan and I dare say I left a little bit of me there. Ever since, the things I saw, experienced, and ate (yes, especially ate) have been the stuff of my dreams.

Now I know it's normal to romanticize a place when you're not living there, but indulge me this time. Maybe this post will come in handy to remind me of all the things I love about Japan when I'm having a bad day there.

1. The Bathroom

Yes, you read that right. Japanese bathrooms are doing it 10,000 ways of awesome. The tub is actually deep enough for you to take a real bath in, and coupled with any one of thousands of bath salts/bombs/dissolving rose petals, the experience is a daily treat.

The experience starts with the push of a button.

This is your personal, automated bathroom butler who makes sure that when you push the button at dinner, your dream bath is waiting for you by the time you're done eating. Mine will be named Jeeves. And Jeeves is amazing. He can do anything you want. Want your bath now? That's what the priority button is for! Set the temperature to exactly what you want (in Celsius, because a 45 degree F bath would not be swell) and if your bath takes a little longer than expected - a VERY common occurrence - there is a re-heat button so you can stay submersed for as long as you want.

This is a typical Japanese bathroom:

So the culture is that you do your washing before you get in the bath. Honestly, it's brilliant, and I don't know why we don't do it in America. Who wants to soak in their own filth? 

So the whole room is waterproofed. Using the shower head on the hose, you wash your hair and body, usually sitting on a stool. Or you know, whatever you do. No one cares. When you're squeaky-clean, hop into the bath for the most relaxing sound of all time.

The sound of the tub, filled to the brim with water, overflowing in great cascades to the floor and down the drain.

I can't even get enough of it. I love it. I love that waterfall. I love soaking in custom-temperature bliss forever. I can't wait until it becomes a daily ritual.

Also automated: the toilets.

Why all those buttons? It's an experience you need to have to believe just how awesome it is.

Customize your bidet with the exact water temperature and jet strength of your liking. You can also adjust the position. Then start the dryer. Some toilets play nature sounds, because toilet sounds are considered gross in Japan (I mean, they're gross here, but not gross enough to need to cover with running rivers and singing birds). And oh yeah, the seat is heated. Oooohhhhh yeah that seat is heated.....

If it sounds like overkill then you obviously haven't tried it. It's awesome, you just don't know it yet.

(...to be continued with more goodies later...)