Living in Japan - Ep.6: Money Matters

[Anagnostakou]

I really like japanese. I'm greek but I don't know the reason why, but I mostly like the sound of it. Thank you about these videos.

[matbiondi]

japanese society is so effed up beyond belief. japanese people love making money so much that they go about doing it in a sick manor by over charging for things, tacking on endless aray of stupid useless fees which they just pocket. japan is a great country, but it's fucked up

[u235u235u235]

@matbiondi Japan is not a great country. .

[SunBreaker6]

What if I have 20,000 Euro starting money when I move to Japan?

Is that enough? What do you think?

[Fr0Benjamin]

@SunBreaker6

yea , i think 500000 yen is 3500euro so u would have like , a couple of millions

[exercisebookA4]

Ill be going over to live with my uncle and my aunty, until we find an apartment for me to live in... ill be going over with about $3000 - 3500 (aus). im 18 at the moment, studying at university. my family lives in tokyo... will i be able to survive on that much when i initially get there?

[misper34]

Nice videos man, good advice. My girlfriend is from Osaka and we have been talking seriously about me moving there, getting the visa, etc. Your vids help alot.

[envyandgreed15]

what if your a student ?

[MysticdoubleX]

thanks about the talk about the money situation in Japan I've been trying to research about for a while I mostly looked at the apartments they share with other people that are new to Japan. What I thought was that the only jobs. You can get are teacher or work in a big company. But I can't hear those things. my best skill is photography and all I can do is sell my pictures over the Internet. Do you have any advice for me to make my own money in japan?

[Bpro64]

How did you convert the money you had from your original country into yen when you came to Japan?

[IHaveNoNameRawr]

Seeing as I still live with my parents, I could save like half my income each year until I'm old enough to move there and be set for a while.

[shewokemeupagain]

food is so cheap in japan compared to my country ^^

You just have to do lots of research, some apartment dont have any key deposit whatsoever!

[GimmieURcookie]

...thats A LOT of money...What would you recommend for a student? I mean, I've still got two years to go until i finish high school, so im trying to save all the money I can. But for the university i want to go to, i have to move out after my first semester, so i know i'll have to get a job. Im just not sure how much i can save up. I basically just want something that will do for a while. (and still be safe! )

[ethanmiles20]

that river shot reminds me of the river in Fooly Cooly.

[bluebearbank247]

@ethanmiles20 what is fooly cooly?

[ethanmiles20]

@bluebearbank247 its this Anime that used to come on all the time a few years ago. If you like anime from japan whatsoever, I suggest it you, seeing as how you can watch the whole series in three hours

[shitaro7]

Question how does the school system work over there?

[quintasmic]

Millyenaire!!! CLASSIC!

[Raener]

Do you have a small digital camera of some sort? I liked the photography at the end. You could make a montage video of your experiences when you had enough shots. Definitely a "cool spot" to make a video :) Nice seeing the outside.

[LifeInShiga]

Thanks! I use a Canon PS 800IS to shoot stills and video. I am going to buy a proper DSLR very soon! I love photography and have, literally, thousands of photos of Japan. I guess I need to take some time and make a montage. Good suggestion!

[teamixr]

thank you for the insight my friend,i live in southern california and am considering moving to japan for a few months so i may be able to find some vehicles to purchase and have shipped to the us....what is japans vehicle purchasing laws if you may know at all...any how great post keep them coming...

[JeremyScottThompson]

i was told that about ¥500,000 is roughly what you should bring if you are being a teacher. Most accomodation is ¥80,000 (depending on style and location) and can be 2months rent up front plus deposit and key money...also most jobs you dont get paid towards the end of the 2nd month. things like health insurance comes out of your pay check...lots to consider

[LifeInShiga]

Yes sir, you are exactly right! Thanks for the comment!

[Toushirou24]

Thanks for the info and keep up the great work!

[LifeInShiga]

Thank you and thanks for watching! :)

[Toushirou24]

Another great episode, love the location on the pipe. Has anyone stayed at a gaijin house before or have any comments on those over apartments?

[LifeInShiga]

I know a few people who live in a small apartment complex that is just foreigners (I'm thinking that's what you are referring to), and it makes things like getting internet and phone hooked up a little easier. It could also be nice to have a small network of people who speak your language to vent on here and there.

[jennypwner]

I'll be sure to take around 3000-4000 dollars to Japan when I go there. I'll also do my research. Thank you for the info! :D

[LifeInShiga]

You will only need that amount if your are moving here. If you are just visiting, that is a whole different story (maybe I should make a video about that too!)

BUT, if you are moving here, that amount would make your first couple months very comfortable and stress free.

[sonyofsamsung]

A "Pension" is a common name for B&B in Italy too so I doubt it has anything to do with pensioners. Great info!

[LifeInShiga]

Ahh... learn something new everyday! Thanks for sharing. :)

[ChemistInJapan]

So, becoming your permanent roommate isn't the answer then?

[LifeInShiga]

Hmmmm... while that is idealistically fantastic aspiration, I'm not sure my salary could support anyone more than myself...

[lilangel8932]

lol i loved your joke! ha ha. millyenaire my new word.

[LifeInShiga]

thanks ;)

[worldgenius]

awesome, very informative, i like the scenery, its very nice! also, what did you do about if someone wants to get a car, can you get a license if your not a citizen?

[LifeInShiga]

thanks!

in many countries (including the U.S.) you can get an international driver's license that will allow you to drive in Japan for one year. after that year is up, you have to apply for a Japanese license and you will need your Alien Registration Card to get it.

[Omegalux]

Thanks alot for this informative video, just goes to show what needs to be prepared for.

The scene's were fantastic.

[LifeInShiga]

Thank you! Glad I could help. :)

[tommiskey]

Some people also like to buy new bedding when they arrive, because they find the bedding in the apartment to be too "well used" for their taste.

[LifeInShiga]

Definitely! Also, myself included, many people buy rice cookers, furniture, etc. right away.

[yozka]

miiliyen haha thanks for the advice! and great spot to shoot the video. are cost different depending if you get to japan wih jet or on your own?

[LifeInShiga]

moving to Japan, regardless of which company you come with, you will be faced with most of these upfront costs. for the case of many JET situations, the landlord or management company has been renting to foreigners for many years and have worked out deals to help with spreading out costs or charging when they leave instead of at arrival.

i don't know for sure, but i would say moving on your own will be more costly.

[BusanKevin]

very useful and relevant video! Good advice....bring as much money as you can!

[LifeInShiga]

thank you sir!

[JapanielGuerrera]

I've always seen people suggesting $2-3000 and kind of thought to myself "....really, that's it?...." Only reason I would think more was because that I remember having more than that just going off to college my freshman year.

[LifeInShiga]

Yeah, I guess they recommend that because it's a decent average across the country, but more is always better in this case!

[hoosierhana]

i heard that JET suggests you bring $2000 (USD)... would you say that isn't enough?  and i do like the scenery in this vid!

[LifeInShiga]

Thanks!

The JET Program does recommend 200,000 yen and in many cases this is adequate. however, in many cases, you will have to scrape to get by. if i did it again, i would bring 350,000 yen instead of the 240,000 that i brought.

[TeachinginJapanGuide]

Some people have to wait 2 months for their first pay check. Also you get paid monthly in Japan. Gas and electric deposit.

[LifeInShiga]

Yes, didn't mention the monthly thing because I wasn't sure about non-teaching jobs.

Forgot utilities, but I didn't have to pay any deposits. Thanks for mentioning them!