I was very unhappy when I went to Japan. After I arrived I lost weight, I found a girlfriend, married her, and built a small company with her (in my country). I basically solved all the problems I had because I went to Japan, not thanks to Japan, but because I took action. So, if it's not about safety, don't take advice from those that tell you not to do something you want to do, do it, but commit to it. Or don't. What do I know? Life is just so unbelievably unpredictable, if you try and live it
I moved to Japan in Aug 2023 from Florida and my cost of living is now half of what it was in Florida. We are eating out and traveling 80% more than in Florida. Quality of life went up 1000%
@@Dangic23 Ok... you don't just "retire" at 40 you guys are very obviously extremely wealthy to be doing this and Air force definitely does not pay enough alone to retire at 40.
@@Viewtolove It’s not a honeymoon phase. I shared facts that came straight out of my bank account 😂. We have lived in 5 other countries, so we don’t get shocked with awe.
I’m extremely happy. Japan will just be the icing on the cake of my life. Living there has been my #1 goal for most of my life. Haven’t even been able to visit yet, but hopefully soon!
Very true! I spent a lot of time in Japan over the years gradually working towards living here, networking, learning the language and making friends with each extended visit. Eventually I got a good job in my industry (with an international company) and it's panned out very well. I often say the "hack" to enjoying Japan long term is your friendship network and your job, if either one of those things aren't right for you, it will be an unhappy time.
I was a big Japan geek before I moved to Japan. I also was a young very insecure fat dude with low self-esteem. Japan helped me build confidence and realize that there’s more to me than just the surface level stuff. Take in mind I did find some really good people to help mentor me and guide me along the way the first couple years here. Changing your environment, at least for me, help me grow as a person and become a better version of myself that I am today. Don’t worry dude, there’s still plenty of Japan to go around for all of us lol 😅
If you put in the time to learn a language, get out there and meet a lot of people, while living frugally and saving your money, Japan could be one of the best places on earth to live.
I certainly think so. But at the same time if you have mental health problems and are very unhappy, it could be unwise to move here without thinking it through.
@@RetireJapan_OG Oh yeah dude, like if you have some hereditary or chemical imbalance in your head and makes you depressed or have things like schizophrenia or bipolar stuff then Japan is probably a bad place for that. But sometimes just being in a new environment around new people can really help you restart that stuff you’re not happy with. Also on a separate note your hair kicks ass fuck yeah fellow blonde bleached dude 💪 😎
My own experience (regarding happiness) is that the most exciting and happiest is the period when I’m working towards something. When I reach it or get it, it’s like; “well, that’s done” (sigh of relief as the happy period starts fading). I’ve observed that in others as well. Tells me that we always something to work towards.
The Obstacle is the Way, eh? I completely agree. Life is about the journey, not the destination. If you can't enjoy everyday, reaching your goal is not going to make you happy.
I wonder if there is any research into the type of attitudes that determines staying or leaving. I came to Japan as a JET merely to get some abroad experience - the fact it was Japan was incidental. I planned to do my 3 years and leave. Well...19 years and counting...
I agree. I think a bit from experience it is often the choice of doing what you have been doing in Japan and the prospects of restarting your life back home.
I live on a very low-maintenance mode, and I am fairly indifferent. Granted that I experienced not culture shock, but rather initial loneliness and longing for home, but everytime I feel that I miss home, I just think that I am fortunate enough to live here as this has been my dream country since childhood. I keep reminding myself that to help me persevere
Its like a holiday, was just in the South of France and was so happy but I know its a holiday. In 2008 it was the opposite for me, a rare grey winter in Japan and wanted to get out. I moved to the Philippines and it was great for a week. Then it was ok, it was like summer every day. But at the end of a few months I actually started getting depressed. My life in the Uk is so mundane right now and I'm quite fed up, I could move back to Japan, but its like I'm only remembering the good parts.
I have just relocated here after living 9 years in Australia. I grew up in Slovakia and left for Aus when I was 22. I am 32 now. The most exciting aspects for me here is that I am pushed to learn another language. Learn and experience another culture. Enjoy the food and the kindness of people. Who knows, maybe after 10 years I’ll relocate again, but so far I am enjoying my time here.
People don’t realize that there’s a difference between living in Japan and coming to Japan as a tourist. Don’t get me wrong I love living in Japan. But Japan is not the Land of the Care Bears. I agree on everything you’ve said.
2:20 Speaking of unspoken rules and standards, the best analogy I can come up with is that if you're happy living in this prestine housing area with very high standards on maintaining your premise that is strictly enforced by your homeowners association, I think you'll do well living in Japan. On the other hand, you rather live in a place without a homeowner's association where nobody cares about little stuff outside your own home that doesn't look as tidy as some other people's home, you might be frustrated living in Japan. Of course, many of these issues are things you cannot be fined for, but peer pressure does have a way of coming around by impacting your day to day living comfort.
That is a good one. My cohost Daniel came up with another one yesterday: if you are walking up the station steps and you stay on the correct side with all the people, you will fit in well in Japan. If you walk up the incorrect empty side you might fit in less well 😂
Despite not speaking Japanese, I felt I had more connection with those I came across in one month of staying there, than I have had with Americans in 10 years of working since graduating college (and I've lived in various states across the US). I think it's a shared values/disposition thing. I also felt many of the Japanese I dealt with were more "present" during interactions, whereas most Americans seem to be more pre-occupied. So despite barely speaking when I was there (which is fine with me), I felt less lonely than I do in the US. I think it could be due to Americans being more "hardened" or less trusting of others, and therefore more closed off and not as vulnerable in general. Also, I will say that despite having lived in other countries (Singapore, Switzerland, China), being in Japan was the first/only time I felt able to be my "authentic self" (quiet, sensitive) and that be not only "okay", but highly compatible with the environment.
I recently left Japan because I hated the job I had there, but now I’ve grown to miss the country and feel deeply sad about the people and places I’ve left behind. I only left because I couldn’t get a good work situation.
When the yen was strong after the financial crash, I worked in Japan for 3 years. It was so hard to find a job where I was in the US and pay was bad. In Japan pay was not good either, but it was easier to find a Job. I did come back to the US, and now that the economy recovered, things are quite good for me here. I still visit Japan, as it is very cheap now, and still very beautiful. I also still have friends there. I do fear though that the strong dollar is hurting the US alot. And Japan may once again become a more appealing place for Americans to live and work not just visit.
Well, that was a nice surprise. I had your job in Miyagi way way back near the beginning of the JET Program, in the early 90s. And yeah, I agree. I would tell people to only have goals that you know you can achieve. And there were basically three: save money, learn the language, and learn about yourself. Any other goals, such as making Japanese friends ad being an effective teacher, depend on experiences and actions of other people which are not up to you. Besides, other goals will appear that you don't or can't predict.
Hi, I’ve always wanted to visit, for a very long time, however, I’m a very introverted person and get homesick too! So, yes an important reminder that your issues are wherever YOU are! I’m pretty old now, and alone, moving there won’t change that. 😊🙏
Awesome advice. I have worked on a Japanese university internationalization program for more than a decade, which basically means getting more foreign students to come study here. There are quite a lot of quite broken people who think that coming to Japan will exorcise their demons. It never does. But for me, here 16 years at this point, I fall into your description of the guy who comes for a job, and slowly slips into a life here. Japan is great, but as you say, it's (just) another country. Once we start building pedistals and putting things on them, we're destined for disappointment.
@@RetireJapan_OG Japan is just far away (culturally, physically, linguistically) from most places. If you feel like an outsider in your own culture, surely you'll be accepted here, right? Right?...
Nice advices! I had lived in Japan for 6 years and you video resumes what I exactly felt during my stay. As a responsible for more then 1800 foreigner workers, I saw a lot of guys with mental care problems departing from their countries and carrying the problems into Japan. No way to solve. IMHO, it was getting worse basically because main mental care are done by psychiatrist (using drugs) and not psychologist (using words). And of course, to hear the words you have to understand the local language. Congratulations for the video!
I came here because I promised my (Japanese) wife we would spend at least 5 years here. So I didn’t really have a choice. And if you don’t have a choice, you accept it and make the best of it. And now I love living here.
I have now lived in four different countries now, and everything here is so true! Moving to another country can be an amazing choice in life, but you have to remember your life comes with you. And even if you loved holidaying somewhere, doesn't mean it is a great/good place to live.
I'm skeptical about moving to Japan for all the reasons you mentioned, but I'm very interested in working there for a year or two, experiencing the paperwork hell I've heard about, and deciding if Japan is where I want to settle down with my American engineer money. Maybe I'll just visit every year or two if I don't like living there.
Just subscribed!! Not sure how to react to your video!! I went to Japan on holidays about 20 years ago and fell in love with the place. I wanted to live there...but not finding a job (I looked) and personal circumstances didnt allow that to happen. I went back this year...fully understanding that the place had changed and that I had changed...and expecting to not love it so much...but the opposite happened! I fell in love all over again, possibly harder!! Now at the age of 56 I want to go there to live...if for no other reason just to get it out of my system! I dont think it will be easy...nor do I think it will be some wonderland, but I feel connected to the place somehow. I cant quite describe it! Ultimately I think your advice is 100% correct and should be heeded. Everyone must make their own decisions about such things...but it is really important to go in eyes open.
Good thing about Japan is even a misfit in their country can get a job and would be treated with kid-glove. Advantages far surpass disadvantages. Thus this guy doesn't leave Japan.
100% true! I moved to Japan after applying for jobs in 4 different countries - never had any real inclination toward Japan specifically. Ended up loving it and living there for 6 years, watching Japanophiles come and go; some would leave within a few months of moving in. What you said about 'expectations' is right on.
Having lived in Japan for 15 years, I loved it, then hated it, then loved it, and then again hated it based on what happened to me. This cycle repeated many times until I finally decided that Japan is not for me, and hope to leave soon.
You're right like I got to be a happy here in order to be happy in another country. Working on my mental health everyday because California is more focus on punishing the mentally ill more than helping us through life sentences in facilities, taking away our independence through legal bindments, etc., Regional Center ain't SHIT and the whole system FAILED us and I had to learn that the hard way! And I am very aware that every country has a system that fails people who are mentally ill or mentally disabled. But I'm still moving there, not because it's going to solve my problems but just to start a new life and not deal with drama and live a comfortable life
Every counties have good points and bad points. People have to see the average of every aspects of daily life. But I think the most important thing is kindness of people.
I worked on either the 12th or 13th floor of the kencho in Sendai in 2008-2009 as a CIR. Living in Sendai was even hard for someone like myself who had previously lived in Osaka for 5 years.
I agree. I lived there 25 years ago. I ultimately left for another job opportunity but definitely felt the switch from positive to negative. I often wonder how my life would have played out if I stayed. Anyway I ended up marrying a Japanese and have a great family so I’m happy.
I lived in Japan in my late 20s and early thirties and had a mixed experience. But that had more to do with myself than Japan, in line with what your video suggests, I went back to Kyoto several years later on a post-doc fellowship and absolutely loved it - a totally different experience. Came for a second third time in my early 40s. I have not been in Japan for over 10 years now and have moved to France, a new country for me. I like it here a lot, but i would very happily move to Japan again, depending on what my situation was there. I met some of the most wonderful people I have ever met in Japan and they have stayed life long friends. I have heard that Japan has changed a lot. There are a lot of foreigners there now apparently, especially in Kyoto. I guess that is because of the cheap yen. I remember when not so long ago when few people could afford to take holidays there as it was prohibitively expensive.
I went to Japan last month after having lived there for 11 years, 11 years ago, and I couldn’t believe all the foreigners that were there, and in places where you would never see one before!
Japan is one of the best places in the world to live for 1-3 months, difficult to live for 3-6 months and is a grind for more than 6 months. Just getting anything done becomes a mess compared to anyone's home country and most other foreign countries. The work culture is also a total mess and something nobody can be prepared for until they experience it themselves. Good luck renting an apartment for 2 years with key deposit.
Excuses, excuses. Typical american. Your first mistake is being an employee, your second is focusing on renting and penny pinching rather than making more money Japan is the easiest country to live in in all of Asia
@@RetireJapan_OGyeah, exactly. It’s fun when all you need to do is see the sights. Then, it gets tougher when you start to realize how much you don’t understand about the culture and society and how big an impact the language barrier makes on your daily life. But after everything starts to make sense and you learn the language, it gets easier again. Been here almost two decades now and I’m still realizing aspects of life here that I can’t live without anymore - like the fact that my fight or flight response has pretty much disappeared, or that I can count on most things to proceed like clockwork. 😂
Count on to proceed like clockwork!😂 That's one of japanese value you can't experience anywhere els at this level. It's Typical cultural experience, first you expect fantasy on foreign country, secondly frustrated "reality" they have, finally you know those are just your immaturity. Images for foreign country is fixed by timing when you leaved.
That might have been your experience. Mine isn’t like that. Came to Japan as a student back in 1995 and it was very foreign but also amazing. Went back to Europe , lived there (Germany, Italy and Spain) for the next 20 years. Came back to Japan in 2015 and lived here for 3 years. And it’s absolutely my place. Needed to move back to Europe, but a few years and a divorce later I was back here as soon as possible. I worked in a Japanese lab as a student which was special, in a Japanese company from 2015 to 2021 ( I stayed with the comp company even when moving back to Europe) and now for an international company but with a large Japanese affiliate (about 1000 people). I have not encountered this terrible working environment in either companies “everyone is always” complaining about in Japan. I am not saying that such companies don’t exist, but the ones I know aren’t like that. For me working in an international company in Spain or in Japan didn’t change anything from a work life balance or any other aspect. And yes, I never had any irrealistic expectations of Japan. I think that helps a lot. But yes on eg Japan Guide I see a lot of (young) people asking “I must live in Japan, that’s the only country where I will be happy. I know it” and I roll my eyes.
Japan is just another country - that sentence does not only go to people who think japan is the ultimate magical kingdom, but also to people who think japan will automatically make most people sad and depressed.
Dont understand why people want to live in other countries than theirs. Just travel here or there, learn about ppl and go back to your homeland to improve it
I come from 3rd world country... So,, 90% of things (pay, infrastructure, quality of air/water etc.) are definitely better in Japan than my home Human relations, esp. the personal one, are the tricky one (thankfully, business networking isn't that difficult)
Japan is not the neon high-tech bustling anime-saturated cute hentai wonderland it may seem to be--unless you are visiting a few places in Tokyo. You won't live near those areas though, you'll live 90 minutes round trip away by train where rent is reasonable. If you want to own a house, you'll have to live in a remote area and then deal with all the legal issues involved--in Japanese. And there's a lot more old-fashioned red tape in Japan. You'll have to deal with the city hall, taxes, etc, in the Japanese language, or pay for an accounting service or someone to do them for you. You'll need a lot of paperwork done with very few foreigner-friendly services. Try to speak English at a bank and you'll get a "Who the hell are you?" response. If you are impatient or short-tempered, don't even think about it. Very few Japanese can converse in English, and those who can may not be people you want to spend a lot of time with. A lot of Japanese who can speak English are a bit socially awkward. And if you are where this guy is talking from, you've got to watch out for snakes. If you don't have a Japanese spouse, think real hard. It ain't easy.😂
You exaggerate a lot. You can easily buy a move in ready house in Tokyo for less than $100k, you don’t have to be in a remote area. You’re probably just broke
1. There are plenty of areas that have reasonable rent prices that aren't 90 minute round trips from wherever you want to go or have to work. On top of that, this isn't a Tokyo specific "problem". Where I live in Germany, I have to take >2 hour round trips to get somewhere "fun" and let's be real: you don't go out and about with friends or to the city during normal week days, you do so on the weekends. And spending 90 minutes on a Saturday to get into the center of the biggest city on the planet is not that bad. 2. What is it with this weird expectation that wherever you move to has to have everyone speak to you in YOUR language? If I move to fucking France, I'll probably have to conduct my business related to moving there in French too. Expecting people in Japan (or anywhere) to speak English is just wild to me. You are moving to their country, you learn the language. It's as easy as that. This whole comment reads like something I'd find on reddit, where disillusioned foreigners moved to Japan, made a bunch of mistakes and now hate living there and now spout nonsense about the country. That last take is so shite, I can't even believe this comment got likes. "Very few Japanese can converse in English, and those who can may not be people you want to spend a lot of time with". Yeah, so can all the Japanese people who only speak Japanese be. I'd doubt you ever even set foot in the country to be honest and you're just listing shit you read on the internet.
Also, be careful if you have lived in Japan for a while and think that by moving back to your native country (or equivalent), that you'll necessarily improve your conditions. You'll also start getting used to it. This might lead to wondering why you're there and realizing there were reasons you wanted to live in Japan. Memories start coming back. You see the bad things of your native country and you start yearning for Japanese living.
I do feel pretty sickened by the gaijin I see in Japan nowadays. Ive lived in many countries and nowhere attracts weak people so much as Japan. Nerds that have failed to grow up. Very few westerners I can be friends with here. But plenty of cool Koreans, East Asians, and occasional extroverted nihonjin.
You can’t retired in japan because there is no retired visa , you can only have tourist visa maximum to 90 days depending on what country you are . One thing is for sure , you are in a different country , cultures, languages so don’t expect that your need will be provided by Japanese government, they don’t have any responsibility to you , so don’t expect and think you are entitled . I m happy with retired in japan as I visit twice a year each time 3 months , not stay at one place but many places and enjoy the country .
It's much better to have introverted, hurt people immigrating than confident foreigners. Most of them will regain their confidence. But they will suffer from loneliness and isolation. It's important to make friends. Japan has a huge elderly population, so policies are maintained to prevent them from becoming homeless. Currently, the minimum monthly income for a two-person household is about 140,000 yen. If you can't secure that income, it's difficult to immigrate to Japan.
I would agree with this premise however, the USA has priced out the average person. It is just too expensive to live and the quality of life is poor. Japan among other countries can improve this for the average person.
Most of it is true for any country; the language especially reading & writing is something you can’t easily „adopt” to in Japan. If you are coming from a western country where the alphabet is used, you are going to feel like a 6-year old here, you are going to be treated like a 6-year old sometimes too until you learn the language. ALT „careers” here are at the lowest professional level by far.
Japan has a long history of being a mono ethnic population country, so compared to other Asian countries with the colonial history, the English speaking population is very small. Therefore, the language barrier is large. If you live in Japan, I think it is better to live in a community where there are people who understand you. Good luck 🇯🇵☺️ !! When I lived with my partner in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, life was not so fun.
I lived in a small town in my first year so yes was terrible as I couldn't speak the language. A few years later could speak pretty and lived in Tokyo so could have the best of both worlds.
If you think that in japan you are going to find the nice, charismatic heroes of Anime movies, and that is why you are coming to japan, to meet your hero and maybe marry him/her, then that is a mistake. Anime characters are just an idealized form of persons, universally sought and accepted, but it is hard to be like one; open your eyes, and you may find someone like your favorite anime hero in your home country. Regardless, happy or unhappy, do not miss coming to japan; as a tourist, probably you will not make a single japanese friend; it takes not only time, but need develop trust; otherwise, you can enjoy the places, even meet a tourist foreigner with whom you could sympathise; do not hesitate to take to other foreigners in japan, you have more chances to develop friendship because the language barriere is not in between.
Japan is an anomoly. It is not for you if you're not completely fluent. Friendship is an odd thing in Japan. It is even more stressful as the yen is getting hammered. I have been here for 30 years. You better be mentally very resilient.
@@RetireJapan_OG Suicide has been considered. That is how locked into this mercantilist state I am. There is no easy way to just walk away. The older you get the harder it becomes and that is not an exaggeration.
I don't think you can sum up owning a house as "you might think it'll make you happy but it won't because of hidonic adaptation.". There's more to owning a house than it making you happy...
I don't mean there is no point in buying a house. Clearly there are plenty of reasons to do so if the circumstances are right. But if you think buying a house is going to fix your life or bring you happiness, you are likely to be disappointed.
I have long term Japanese friends. They have problems living in Japan. You don't know Japan if you think, as a European or American, and you will just be accepted and everything will be peaches. No, it won't.
Indeed. One of the redeeming features of Japan is that as an outsider you kind of get to choose how much you enter and deal with society and groups in society.
I'll likely never move to Japan. I content myself by sleeping on a futon in Summer months, watching anime with subtitles and listening to Seiko Matsuda on my walkman.
Here is a wisdom: Nothing in this phenomenal world gives you lasting peace and happiness. Accept it. Then where is lasting peace and happiness? You go figure it out.
An American working for American company and making American wages Japan is okay . I have lived here on and off for 10 years. I have no strong opinions about Japan. There are many nice quality of life aspects that are fantastic, but overall, I have no strong bond with Japan. It is vastly overrated.
I don't know why videos bullshitting about Japan get millions of views while this down-to-earth guy gets only a few thousand. The truth is hard to grasp.
Not talking about a certain Mr Broad are you? Nice guy but he wrote a book that's a bestseller here in the UK. He doesn't speak Japanese nearly as well as I could and I doubt he experienced half of what I saw when I was there.
I regularly enjoy vacationing in Japan, but I would never want to live there. I found the culture there stifling and alienating, and I would probably end up as a hikikomori in no time.
I heard that the work culture in Japan is extremely toxic. But I can’t tell for sure cuz I only heard about it on the Internet, in some short documentaries and RUclips videos. Unpaid overtime, very few paid leaves, there’s no such thing as work life balance. I wonder if things are really that bad. I’m 25 years old, want to live in Japan but the work culture kinda puts me off. Do you think it’d get better in the future?
It very much depends on the employer. Recently seems to be getting better as there is a labor shortage so employers are having to compete for workers by making working conditions better. On the other hand the happiest people I know here tend to be self-employed 😉
I was very unhappy when I went to Japan. After I arrived I lost weight, I found a girlfriend, married her, and built a small company with her (in my country). I basically solved all the problems I had because I went to Japan, not thanks to Japan, but because I took action. So, if it's not about safety, don't take advice from those that tell you not to do something you want to do, do it, but commit to it. Or don't. What do I know? Life is just so unbelievably unpredictable, if you try and live it
Exception doesn't make the rule...
Japan is the best country if you have some money and don't have to work. But I guess that's the same for most countries.
I moved to Japan in Aug 2023 from Florida and my cost of living is now half of what it was in Florida.
We are eating out and traveling 80% more than in Florida.
Quality of life went up 1000%
Are you working a job that pays in dollars? You're living the dream but I wonder how long that would last if you were paid in yen.
@@ShizenStyle
Wife and I both retired and in our 40s.
We were in the Air Force.
We are in Japan on an extended Leisure Visa.
@@Dangic23 Ok... you don't just "retire" at 40 you guys are very obviously extremely wealthy to be doing this and Air force definitely does not pay enough alone to retire at 40.
It’s the honeymoon fase he’s describing 😂🎉 Nevertheless I hope you’ll be able to keep a reasonable amount of satisfaction.
@@Viewtolove
It’s not a honeymoon phase.
I shared facts that came straight out of my bank account 😂.
We have lived in 5 other countries, so we don’t get shocked with awe.
I’m extremely happy. Japan will just be the icing on the cake of my life. Living there has been my #1 goal for most of my life. Haven’t even been able to visit yet, but hopefully soon!
Very true! I spent a lot of time in Japan over the years gradually working towards living here, networking, learning the language and making friends with each extended visit. Eventually I got a good job in my industry (with an international company) and it's panned out very well. I often say the "hack" to enjoying Japan long term is your friendship network and your job, if either one of those things aren't right for you, it will be an unhappy time.
Very true. " Wherever you go there you are."
I was a big Japan geek before I moved to Japan. I also was a young very insecure fat dude with low self-esteem. Japan helped me build confidence and realize that there’s more to me than just the surface level stuff.
Take in mind I did find some really good people to help mentor me and guide me along the way the first couple years here.
Changing your environment, at least for me, help me grow as a person and become a better version of myself that I am today.
Don’t worry dude, there’s still plenty of Japan to go around for all of us lol 😅
If you put in the time to learn a language, get out there and meet a lot of people, while living frugally and saving your money, Japan could be one of the best places on earth to live.
I certainly think so. But at the same time if you have mental health problems and are very unhappy, it could be unwise to move here without thinking it through.
@@RetireJapan_OG Oh yeah dude, like if you have some hereditary or chemical imbalance in your head and makes you depressed or have things like schizophrenia or bipolar stuff then Japan is probably a bad place for that.
But sometimes just being in a new environment around new people can really help you restart that stuff you’re not happy with.
Also on a separate note your hair kicks ass fuck yeah fellow blonde bleached dude 💪 😎
@@TkyoSam Thanks! Everyone has been very rude about my hair so far 🤣
@@RetireJapan_OG
But why bleaching your eyebrows ? That is mental .
I guess ok these woke days , many weird people around us .
My own experience (regarding happiness) is that the most exciting and happiest is the period when I’m working towards something. When I reach it or get it, it’s like; “well, that’s done” (sigh of relief as the happy period starts fading). I’ve observed that in others as well. Tells me that we always something to work towards.
The Obstacle is the Way, eh? I completely agree. Life is about the journey, not the destination. If you can't enjoy everyday, reaching your goal is not going to make you happy.
I wonder if there is any research into the type of attitudes that determines staying or leaving. I came to Japan as a JET merely to get some abroad experience - the fact it was Japan was incidental. I planned to do my 3 years and leave. Well...19 years and counting...
Same here! Planned to come for 1-2 years, then go back and get a real job... that was 24 years ago 😉
I agree. I think a bit from experience it is often the choice of doing what you have been doing in Japan and the prospects of restarting your life back home.
I live on a very low-maintenance mode, and I am fairly indifferent. Granted that I experienced not culture shock, but rather initial loneliness and longing for home, but everytime I feel that I miss home, I just think that I am fortunate enough to live here as this has been my dream country since childhood. I keep reminding myself that to help me persevere
Its like a holiday, was just in the South of France and was so happy but I know its a holiday. In 2008 it was the opposite for me, a rare grey winter in Japan and wanted to get out. I moved to the Philippines and it was great for a week. Then it was ok, it was like summer every day. But at the end of a few months I actually started getting depressed. My life in the Uk is so mundane right now and I'm quite fed up, I could move back to Japan, but its like I'm only remembering the good parts.
I have just relocated here after living 9 years in Australia. I grew up in Slovakia and left for Aus when I was 22. I am 32 now. The most exciting aspects for me here is that I am pushed to learn another language. Learn and experience another culture.
Enjoy the food and the kindness of people. Who knows, maybe after 10 years I’ll relocate again, but so far I am enjoying my time here.
People don’t realize that there’s a difference between living in Japan and coming to Japan as a tourist. Don’t get me wrong I love living in Japan. But Japan is not the Land of the Care Bears. I agree on everything you’ve said.
Thank you!
There are so many people that have never even been to Japan and want to live in Japan forever.
2:20 Speaking of unspoken rules and standards, the best analogy I can come up with is that if you're happy living in this prestine housing area with very high standards on maintaining your premise that is strictly enforced by your homeowners association, I think you'll do well living in Japan. On the other hand, you rather live in a place without a homeowner's association where nobody cares about little stuff outside your own home that doesn't look as tidy as some other people's home, you might be frustrated living in Japan.
Of course, many of these issues are things you cannot be fined for, but peer pressure does have a way of coming around by impacting your day to day living comfort.
That is a good one. My cohost Daniel came up with another one yesterday: if you are walking up the station steps and you stay on the correct side with all the people, you will fit in well in Japan. If you walk up the incorrect empty side you might fit in less well 😂
@@RetireJapan_OG 「山田くん、ダニエルさんに座布団一枚あげて」
Despite not speaking Japanese, I felt I had more connection with those I came across in one month of staying there, than I have had with Americans in 10 years of working since graduating college (and I've lived in various states across the US). I think it's a shared values/disposition thing. I also felt many of the Japanese I dealt with were more "present" during interactions, whereas most Americans seem to be more pre-occupied. So despite barely speaking when I was there (which is fine with me), I felt less lonely than I do in the US. I think it could be due to Americans being more "hardened" or less trusting of others, and therefore more closed off and not as vulnerable in general.
Also, I will say that despite having lived in other countries (Singapore, Switzerland, China), being in Japan was the first/only time I felt able to be my "authentic self" (quiet, sensitive) and that be not only "okay", but highly compatible with the environment.
The most underrated advice, Japan is wonderful but it needs reality check
He is advertised for his job : “personal finance in japan “ that why so much bias and exaggerated.
What you said is really true. I came here to Japan because of Jobs only and it turns out that I love this place ❤
I recently left Japan because I hated the job I had there, but now I’ve grown to miss the country and feel deeply sad about the people and places I’ve left behind. I only left because I couldn’t get a good work situation.
Thank you for highlighting this! From Singapore here and actually having some form of plan to move there some day.
Good luck! Hope everything works out for you.
When the yen was strong after the financial crash, I worked in Japan for 3 years. It was so hard to find a job where I was in the US and pay was bad. In Japan pay was not good either, but it was easier to find a Job.
I did come back to the US, and now that the economy recovered, things are quite good for me here. I still visit Japan, as it is very cheap now, and still very beautiful. I also still have friends there.
I do fear though that the strong dollar is hurting the US alot. And Japan may once again become a more appealing place for Americans to live and work not just visit.
Excellent, realistic advice! Huge thank you
My pleasure!
Well, that was a nice surprise. I had your job in Miyagi way way back near the beginning of the JET Program, in the early 90s. And yeah, I agree. I would tell people to only have goals that you know you can achieve. And there were basically three: save money, learn the language, and learn about yourself. Any other goals, such as making Japanese friends ad being an effective teacher, depend on experiences and actions of other people which are not up to you. Besides, other goals will appear that you don't or can't predict.
Wise words!
Hi, I’ve always wanted to visit, for a very long time, however, I’m a very introverted person and get homesick too! So, yes an important reminder that your issues are wherever YOU are! I’m pretty old now, and alone, moving there won’t change that. 😊🙏
Awesome advice. I have worked on a Japanese university internationalization program for more than a decade, which basically means getting more foreign students to come study here. There are quite a lot of quite broken people who think that coming to Japan will exorcise their demons. It never does. But for me, here 16 years at this point, I fall into your description of the guy who comes for a job, and slowly slips into a life here. Japan is great, but as you say, it's (just) another country. Once we start building pedistals and putting things on them, we're destined for disappointment.
It's kind of cruel, the more you want to come here it seems the less likely you will like it...
@@RetireJapan_OG
Japan is just far away (culturally, physically, linguistically) from most places. If you feel like an outsider in your own culture, surely you'll be accepted here, right? Right?...
Nice advices! I had lived in Japan for 6 years and you video resumes what I exactly felt during my stay. As a responsible for more then 1800 foreigner workers, I saw a lot of guys with mental care problems departing from their countries and carrying the problems into Japan. No way to solve. IMHO, it was getting worse basically because main mental care are done by psychiatrist (using drugs) and not psychologist (using words). And of course, to hear the words you have to understand the local language. Congratulations for the video!
Thank you!
I came here because I promised my (Japanese) wife we would spend at least 5 years here. So I didn’t really have a choice. And if you don’t have a choice, you accept it and make the best of it. And now I love living here.
Glad to hear it worked out for you!
Cringe. Saying you don’t have a choice
@@DestinationJapan95 who asked your opinion?
@@heritagehomesJapan stop being cringe, you posted on a public video. Not sure why you’re offended
@@DestinationJapan95 because you’re rude. Go away.
I have now lived in four different countries now, and everything here is so true! Moving to another country can be an amazing choice in life, but you have to remember your life comes with you. And even if you loved holidaying somewhere, doesn't mean it is a great/good place to live.
I'm skeptical about moving to Japan for all the reasons you mentioned, but I'm very interested in working there for a year or two, experiencing the paperwork hell I've heard about, and deciding if Japan is where I want to settle down with my American engineer money. Maybe I'll just visit every year or two if I don't like living there.
If you can get a decent job in your field, no reason not to try it out!
Just subscribed!!
Not sure how to react to your video!!
I went to Japan on holidays about 20 years ago and fell in love with the place. I wanted to live there...but not finding a job (I looked) and personal circumstances didnt allow that to happen.
I went back this year...fully understanding that the place had changed and that I had changed...and expecting to not love it so much...but the opposite happened! I fell in love all over again, possibly harder!!
Now at the age of 56 I want to go there to live...if for no other reason just to get it out of my system! I dont think it will be easy...nor do I think it will be some wonderland, but I feel connected to the place somehow. I cant quite describe it!
Ultimately I think your advice is 100% correct and should be heeded. Everyone must make their own decisions about such things...but it is really important to go in eyes open.
Vacationing in Japan is different than living full time. There are lots of obstacles to overcome living in Japan.
@@Mwoods2272 thank you
A few examples?
Very interesting video, I agree with you. Japan is a beautiful country, but all countries have good and bad, pros and cons :)
Good thing about Japan is even a misfit in their country can get a job and would be treated with kid-glove. Advantages far surpass disadvantages. Thus this guy doesn't leave Japan.
100% true! I moved to Japan after applying for jobs in 4 different countries - never had any real inclination toward Japan specifically. Ended up loving it and living there for 6 years, watching Japanophiles come and go; some would leave within a few months of moving in. What you said about 'expectations' is right on.
Thanks!
Having lived in Japan for 15 years, I loved it, then hated it, then loved it, and then again hated it based on what happened to me. This cycle repeated many times until I finally decided that Japan is not for me, and hope to leave soon.
Out of interest, what happened to you to make you hate it again?
@@dee_personal My daughter suffered from ijime (being bullied) all through her school years on and off, recently very badly.
In that case, I think it would be better to send your child to an international school.
You're right like I got to be a happy here in order to be happy in another country.
Working on my mental health everyday because California is more focus on punishing the mentally ill more than helping us through life sentences in facilities, taking away our independence through legal bindments, etc., Regional Center ain't SHIT and the whole system FAILED us and I had to learn that the hard way!
And I am very aware that every country has a system that fails people who are mentally ill or mentally disabled.
But I'm still moving there, not because it's going to solve my problems but just to start a new life and not deal with drama and live a comfortable life
Very wise. Thank you for sharing
My pleasure!
Every counties have good points and bad points. People have to see the average of every aspects of daily life. But I think the most important thing is kindness of people.
I worked on either the 12th or 13th floor of the kencho in Sendai in 2008-2009 as a CIR. Living in Sendai was even hard for someone like myself who had previously lived in Osaka for 5 years.
That's interesting. I find Sendai a really easy place to live.
Quite different to Osaka though 😂
I agree. I lived there 25 years ago. I ultimately left for another job opportunity but definitely felt the switch from positive to negative. I often wonder how my life would have played out if I stayed. Anyway I ended up marrying a Japanese and have a great family so I’m happy.
Glad things worked out well for you 😀
When people move to another country, the happiness level after 2 years usually reaches the same level
I lived in Japan in my late 20s and early thirties and had a mixed experience. But that had more to do with myself than Japan, in line with what your video suggests, I went back to Kyoto several years later on a post-doc fellowship and absolutely loved it - a totally different experience. Came for a second third time in my early 40s. I have not been in Japan for over 10 years now and have moved to France, a new country for me. I like it here a lot, but i would very happily move to Japan again, depending on what my situation was there. I met some of the most wonderful people I have ever met in Japan and they have stayed life long friends. I have heard that Japan has changed a lot. There are a lot of foreigners there now apparently, especially in Kyoto. I guess that is because of the cheap yen. I remember when not so long ago when few people could afford to take holidays there as it was prohibitively expensive.
I went to Japan last month after having lived there for 11 years, 11 years ago, and I couldn’t believe all the foreigners that were there, and in places where you would never see one before!
@@lisaward8024 Interesting. I would imagine it is both a good and bad thing.
Many foreigners leave Japan after 2 or 3 years.
Japan is one of the best places in the world to live for 1-3 months, difficult to live for 3-6 months and is a grind for more than 6 months. Just getting anything done becomes a mess compared to anyone's home country and most other foreign countries. The work culture is also a total mess and something nobody can be prepared for until they experience it themselves. Good luck renting an apartment for 2 years with key deposit.
I think it gets easier again after a couple of decades, once you are comfortable dealing with stuff here.
Excuses, excuses. Typical american.
Your first mistake is being an employee, your second is focusing on renting and penny pinching rather than making more money
Japan is the easiest country to live in in all of Asia
@@RetireJapan_OGyeah, exactly. It’s fun when all you need to do is see the sights. Then, it gets tougher when you start to realize how much you don’t understand about the culture and society and how big an impact the language barrier makes on your daily life. But after everything starts to make sense and you learn the language, it gets easier again. Been here almost two decades now and I’m still realizing aspects of life here that I can’t live without anymore - like the fact that my fight or flight response has pretty much disappeared, or that I can count on most things to proceed like clockwork. 😂
Count on to proceed like clockwork!😂
That's one of japanese value you can't experience anywhere els at this level.
It's Typical cultural experience, first you expect fantasy on foreign country, secondly frustrated "reality" they have, finally you know those are just your immaturity.
Images for foreign country is fixed by timing when you leaved.
That might have been your experience.
Mine isn’t like that. Came to Japan as a student back in 1995 and it was very foreign but also amazing. Went back to Europe , lived there (Germany, Italy and Spain) for the next 20 years. Came back to Japan in 2015 and lived here for 3 years. And it’s absolutely my place. Needed to move back to Europe, but a few years and a divorce later I was back here as soon as possible. I worked in a Japanese lab as a student which was special, in a Japanese company from 2015 to 2021 ( I stayed with the comp company even when moving back to Europe) and now for an international company but with a large Japanese affiliate (about 1000 people). I have not encountered this terrible working environment in either companies “everyone is always” complaining about in Japan. I am not saying that such companies don’t exist, but the ones I know aren’t like that. For me working in an international company in Spain or in Japan didn’t change anything from a work life balance or any other aspect.
And yes, I never had any irrealistic expectations of Japan. I think that helps a lot.
But yes on eg Japan Guide I see a lot of (young) people asking “I must live in Japan, that’s the only country where I will be happy. I know it” and I roll my eyes.
Very wise words. Check your baggage at the door.
The paperwork also locks all but a tiny percentage out of entrepreneurship. Career advancement is difficult.
Japan is just another country - that sentence does not only go to people who think japan is the ultimate magical kingdom, but also to people who think japan will automatically make most people sad and depressed.
Good points all, thanks for your insights and advice.
My pleasure! This was a question from a viewer from last weekend.
Dont understand why people want to live in other countries than theirs. Just travel here or there, learn about ppl and go back to your homeland to improve it
Reminds me of a video made 9 years ago by Victor King of the Morons (ASMR Japan) "Japan Cannot Fix You".
That's exactly what I meant!
I come from 3rd world country...
So,, 90% of things (pay, infrastructure, quality of air/water etc.) are definitely better in Japan than my home
Human relations, esp. the personal one, are the tricky one
(thankfully, business networking isn't that difficult)
Those are pretty decent reasons to move.
They think the grass is greener on the other side.
Japan is not the neon high-tech bustling anime-saturated cute hentai wonderland it may seem to be--unless you are visiting a few places in Tokyo. You won't live near those areas though, you'll live 90 minutes round trip away by train where rent is reasonable. If you want to own a house, you'll have to live in a remote area and then deal with all the legal issues involved--in Japanese. And there's a lot more old-fashioned red tape in Japan. You'll have to deal with the city hall, taxes, etc, in the Japanese language, or pay for an accounting service or someone to do them for you. You'll need a lot of paperwork done with very few foreigner-friendly services. Try to speak English at a bank and you'll get a "Who the hell are you?" response. If you are impatient or short-tempered, don't even think about it. Very few Japanese can converse in English, and those who can may not be people you want to spend a lot of time with. A lot of Japanese who can speak English are a bit socially awkward. And if you are where this guy is talking from, you've got to watch out for snakes.
If you don't have a Japanese spouse, think real hard. It ain't easy.😂
Legit, but I have only seen one snake in 24 years...
It ain't easy with a spouse either. because their expectations are quite high..
You exaggerate a lot. You can easily buy a move in ready house in Tokyo for less than $100k, you don’t have to be in a remote area. You’re probably just broke
1. There are plenty of areas that have reasonable rent prices that aren't 90 minute round trips from wherever you want to go or have to work. On top of that, this isn't a Tokyo specific "problem". Where I live in Germany, I have to take >2 hour round trips to get somewhere "fun" and let's be real: you don't go out and about with friends or to the city during normal week days, you do so on the weekends. And spending 90 minutes on a Saturday to get into the center of the biggest city on the planet is not that bad.
2. What is it with this weird expectation that wherever you move to has to have everyone speak to you in YOUR language? If I move to fucking France, I'll probably have to conduct my business related to moving there in French too. Expecting people in Japan (or anywhere) to speak English is just wild to me. You are moving to their country, you learn the language. It's as easy as that.
This whole comment reads like something I'd find on reddit, where disillusioned foreigners moved to Japan, made a bunch of mistakes and now hate living there and now spout nonsense about the country. That last take is so shite, I can't even believe this comment got likes. "Very few Japanese can converse in English, and those who can may not be people you want to spend a lot of time with". Yeah, so can all the Japanese people who only speak Japanese be. I'd doubt you ever even set foot in the country to be honest and you're just listing shit you read on the internet.
@@VanillaCoke1956 💯
Also, be careful if you have lived in Japan for a while and think that by moving back to your native country (or equivalent), that you'll necessarily improve your conditions. You'll also start getting used to it. This might lead to wondering why you're there and realizing there were reasons you wanted to live in Japan. Memories start coming back. You see the bad things of your native country and you start yearning for Japanese living.
I do feel pretty sickened by the gaijin I see in Japan nowadays. Ive lived in many countries and nowhere attracts weak people so much as Japan. Nerds that have failed to grow up. Very few westerners I can be friends with here. But plenty of cool Koreans, East Asians, and occasional extroverted nihonjin.
You can’t retired in japan because there is no retired visa , you can only have tourist visa maximum to 90 days depending on what country you are . One thing is for sure , you are in a different country , cultures, languages so don’t expect that your need will be provided by Japanese government, they don’t have any responsibility to you , so don’t expect and think you are entitled . I m happy with retired in japan as I visit twice a year each time 3 months , not stay at one place but many places and enjoy the country .
It's much better to have introverted, hurt people immigrating than confident foreigners.
Most of them will regain their confidence.
But they will suffer from loneliness and isolation.
It's important to make friends.
Japan has a huge elderly population, so policies are maintained to prevent them from becoming homeless.
Currently, the minimum monthly income for a two-person household is about 140,000 yen.
If you can't secure that income, it's difficult to immigrate to Japan.
I would agree with this premise however, the USA has priced out the average person. It is just too expensive to live and the quality of life is poor. Japan among other countries can improve this for the average person.
Most of it is true for any country; the language especially reading & writing is something you can’t easily „adopt” to in Japan. If you are coming from a western country where the alphabet is used, you are going to feel like a 6-year old here, you are going to be treated like a 6-year old sometimes too until you learn the language. ALT „careers” here are at the lowest professional level by far.
Japan has a long history of being a mono ethnic population country, so compared to other Asian countries with the colonial history, the English speaking population is very small. Therefore, the language barrier is large. If you live in Japan, I think it is better to live in a community where there are people who understand you.
Good luck 🇯🇵☺️ !!
When I lived with my partner in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, life was not so fun.
I lived in a small town in my first year so yes was terrible as I couldn't speak the language. A few years later could speak pretty and lived in Tokyo so could have the best of both worlds.
If you think that in japan you are going to find the nice, charismatic heroes of Anime movies, and that is why you are coming to japan, to meet your hero and maybe marry him/her, then that is a mistake. Anime characters are just an idealized form of persons, universally sought and accepted, but it is hard to be like one; open your eyes, and you may find someone like your favorite anime hero in your home country. Regardless, happy or unhappy, do not miss coming to japan; as a tourist, probably you will not make a single japanese friend; it takes not only time, but need develop trust; otherwise, you can enjoy the places, even meet a tourist foreigner with whom you could sympathise; do not hesitate to take to other foreigners in japan, you have more chances to develop friendship because the language barriere is not in between.
Japan is an anomoly. It is not for you if you're not completely fluent.
Friendship is an odd thing in Japan. It is even more stressful as the yen is getting hammered.
I have been here for 30 years. You better be mentally very resilient.
Longer than me! I am impressed 😀
@@RetireJapan_OG Suicide has been considered. That is how locked into this mercantilist state I am. There is no easy way to just walk away. The older you get the harder it becomes and that is not an exaggeration.
Thanks for this. You're saying what needs to be said.
I don't think you can sum up owning a house as "you might think it'll make you happy but it won't because of hidonic adaptation.". There's more to owning a house than it making you happy...
I don't mean there is no point in buying a house. Clearly there are plenty of reasons to do so if the circumstances are right.
But if you think buying a house is going to fix your life or bring you happiness, you are likely to be disappointed.
I have long term Japanese friends. They have problems living in Japan. You don't know Japan if you think, as a European or American, and you will just be accepted and everything will be peaches. No, it won't.
Indeed. One of the redeeming features of Japan is that as an outsider you kind of get to choose how much you enter and deal with society and groups in society.
I'll likely never move to Japan. I content myself by sleeping on a futon in Summer months, watching anime with subtitles and listening to Seiko Matsuda on my walkman.
You could do a music career in Japan
@@soku330 why? Lol...
Honestly, I just wanted to stop running into old classmates at Walmart.
That applies to most countries. There is no such thing as perfect country. If planning to retired could be different story
If you could only support and feed your family... (Not possible under Kishida)
Here is a wisdom: Nothing in this phenomenal world gives you lasting peace and happiness. Accept it. Then where is lasting peace and happiness? You go figure it out.
And that is the hard question waiting for you after you figure out money 😉
I am unhappy here, but I want to be unhappy in Japan too
But but but… muh anime!!
It's about retirement fund on the surface, but underneath this channel is really about deep philosophical analysis.
Once you have enough money, the mind turns inwards... ☺
@@RetireJapan_OG haha, I can see how that would happen.
The people are better.
Gaijin TV
I only want to move to Japan to meet someone to marry and then move back to the US with
*Don't think you're going to get your noodle wet if you're not handsome/rich
My problems are proximity to Americans and "Americans".
An American working for American company and making American wages Japan is okay . I have lived here on and off for 10 years. I have no strong opinions about Japan. There are many nice quality of life aspects that are fantastic, but overall, I have no strong bond with Japan. It is vastly overrated.
I don't know why videos bullshitting about Japan get millions of views while this down-to-earth guy gets only a few thousand. The truth is hard to grasp.
Ha, ha, the down to earth guy needs to keep grinding 😄
Not talking about a certain Mr Broad are you? Nice guy but he wrote a book that's a bestseller here in the UK. He doesn't speak Japanese nearly as well as I could and I doubt he experienced half of what I saw when I was there.
@@andybliss5965 Funnily enough he lived in Sendai for a long time. Never met him, but have some acquaintances in common.
Dont come near me either! Bwa ha ha!
Are you sitting next to a river?
Yes 😀
I was planning to shoot and edit this video properly, but I didn't have time so I did it on the way to work this morning 😅
@@RetireJapan_OG No worries, looks like a typical river area in Japan.
I regularly enjoy vacationing in Japan, but I would never want to live there. I found the culture there stifling and alienating, and I would probably end up as a hikikomori in no time.
I would go to China not Japan.You make a choice.
do you speak japanese? no? alright then
I heard that the work culture in Japan is extremely toxic. But I can’t tell for sure cuz I only heard about it on the Internet, in some short documentaries and RUclips videos. Unpaid overtime, very few paid leaves, there’s no such thing as work life balance. I wonder if things are really that bad. I’m 25 years old, want to live in Japan but the work culture kinda puts me off. Do you think it’d get better in the future?
It very much depends on the employer. Recently seems to be getting better as there is a labor shortage so employers are having to compete for workers by making working conditions better.
On the other hand the happiest people I know here tend to be self-employed 😉