Need help with moving to Japan

3 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

   —

   **Need help with moving to Japan**

   Hello everyone,

   I’m starting to get ready for my long term stay in Japan. My plan is to get a working holiday visa and move to Japan for at least 6 months and if everything goes well, I’ll get an artist visa to keep living there. I have income working for a company freelance abroad so I have proof of that but as I understand, not a lot of owners like to rent to people without a Japanese company or school in the background.

   As I have to report my place of stay, I have to find an apartment first. I’d be more than happy with 1 room and I already saw some good offers. I wanted to ask though, some of the offers I like are without any furniture, so I’d have to buy at least a bed, table, TV etc., but what would happen with it, if I had to leave? Also, if anyone can recommend me some good places to stay, like if it would be better for me to stay in Tokyo or maybe in a different city.

   Basically, if somebody can answer these questions, that would be great:

   1. Is it possible to live in Japan if my income is around 2200€ per month?
   2. Should I get working VISA now or get the working holiday one and after that get the other?
   3. Should I get working VISA or other type? I’m a graphic designer.
   4. Is it okay to travel around the country if I have the working holiday VISA? I wish to visit Nagano and other cities. Just get to know the country.
   5. I found some nice offers on Leopalace. Are those fine?

   Any good tips and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

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2. > if everything goes well, I’ll get an artist visa to keep living there.

   Are you an internationally renowned artist, with invitations to galleries in Japan and other parts of the world?

   If no, then you almost certainly won’t be getting an artist visa. It’s not for working artists.

   >but what would happen with it, if I had to leave?

   You sell it?

   >Also, if anyone can recommend me some good places to stay, like if it would be better for me to stay in Tokyo or maybe in a different city.

   Please read our [housing wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/wiki/housing).

   >Is it possible to live in Japan if my income is around 2200€ per month?

   Yes.

   >
   >
   >Should I get working VISA now or get the working holiday one and after that get the other?

   Considering that you need a Japanese employer to get a working visa, your only option currently is to get a WHV. If you find a Japanese employer during your time on a WHV, *then* you can start thinking about working visas.

   Also: VISA is a credit card. A visa is what allows you to enter the country.

   >Should I get working VISA or other type? I’m a graphic designer.

   See above. You need a Japanese employer, which is not something you’ve mentioned at all.

3. I would look at furnished places or sharehouses if you are just looking at a working holiday visa. It is one where you can’t really change to another visa most of the time, and a lot of places will rent without income proof (i didnt need to show anything as a student) but with just a 6 month visa you would have a hard time. Getting rid of furniture can also be a hassle if you don’t speak Japanese.

   As others have said, you are not going to get an artist or entertainer visa. You could get a work visa if you have a degree and a job at a Japanese company.

   Visas don’t restrict movement within the country. So if you have no other obligations, you can travel as much as you would like.

   Leopalace seems fine for short term.