I thought I would chime in here and give you some real life experiences as I am going through them right now. I am an older guy late 50’s and just retired so I have an income to depend on, however the exchange rate is a killer.
I started planning about 5-years ago to move back to Japan with my Japanese wife. We have been married over 35 years so under the new vise system that is soon to change here is what we did. First, we made several trips to locate a house to purchase, NO NOT rent. Renting is a killer and drains money every month. We looked for a few years and found the location we wanted then went looking for a house. The house we found was by word of mouth, we tried the real estate companies, but they were unreliable at best.
We purchased the house and had toki performed, that is when you find out if it has a clear title and what your taxes are really going to be. Make sure you find a house close to a train station within walking distance this is a must. Ours is 6K not good as we have found out.
We shipped our household effects with no problems, but my wife had to show an airline ticket for the customs people. The Japanese movers did all the paperwork for us and it went just like clock work. I would highly recommend a Japanese mover and let your Japanese wife handle it.
By having my wife return and set up residency again (paying taxes, health insurance, etc.) when I came seven months later we went to Sendai and with my passport, wife’s family records, bank account records, my pictures, and an essay how we met and married. I came over on a 90-day tourist visa. It took us about an hour to process the paperwork and returned 3-days later and pickup my passport with my new 3-year visa. I was surprised how quickly it worked, but having everyone leave because of the Great Western Earthquake played into it (no waiting). The people at immigration were very helpful just make sure you have all your documents ready. I also made a copy of my entire passport in color and gave it to them. They checked every visit I made to Japan. If you have old passports hold on to them they will want to see them as well. Having old passports will help you remember each visit to Japan on your essay.
I am not am English teacher, but most Japanese think I am. Where I live there is only a couple of foreigners, but we keep to our selves. My wife is my best friend so plan on that as well. I attend every Japanese function in our community and support the local causes one has to fit in even if we stand out. I just finished the flag raising and taking down this morning each group has one in the small towns like where I live. As head of the house I am expected to show up and help in community programs. Actually I like doing it and gives me time to meet the neighbors and gives them a chance to talk with me and drink a little beer okay a lot of beer.
Jobs are hard to come by, but there are plenty if you don’t mind doing some. Most will require driving. So coming form the UK it will be easy for you to get a Japanese license. I am American and just went through the driving process, failed the driving test twice and passed on the third try. It’s not a big deal it’s just a process everything is a process here. There are several types of driver license car, trucks, bus, equipment, and etc. I am getting additional license with these in hand it will help your job search. Where I live they are lots of positions for earth moving equipment and truck drivers, but you have to start somewhere. As I mentioned I am retired so I don’t need to work, but I have my own aviation business on the side in Tokyo and commute when I have to.
One thing you will I have learned just accept you will not have many friends, for me that was not a problem. If you miss your home country that could be a problem long term for me this was not a problem. However after you arrive for the first few weeks it will be all fun then reality will settle in, what the hell did I do. At least I went through that then I got upset at myself. I started having doubts about myself and if this was the right thing to do. This is when my best friend (wife) helped me explaining all the planning, saving, trips, and etc. Well it is working out now, but you have to be self confident in yourself.
I took Japanese in college and never kept it up and now when I really need it I am having problems because I don’t speak well enough. I have taken to learning Japanese all over again at home. I purchased a grease board to practice kanji and writing GREAT tool. The wife uses it as well to explain things to me or write a kanji word I don’t understand. Being older it is harder for me to learn, but I am determine to learn Japanese. After a couple of beers we all talk better, but you have to learn some kanji like your address and several other useful words on the ATM machines at the bank.
This is my input, but you will have to make it on your own when you do arrive.
I have my own web site as well at
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