I was looking at numbers of what jets make, but seeing as I don’t have a good idea of what most things cost in Japan, I have no scope for that that salary means.
The cost of living in Japan is roughly the same as in North America. Rent and homes are generally way cheaper though, so those would be the exceptions.
In Japan? Far. In America? Like 2 inches.
That will depend on your lifestyle and placement. But as long as you’re not stupid with it you should be able to get by fine and even save a little something for a rainy day.
It going to be dependent on your lifestyle and where you live.
For example, my rent is completely paid for by the BOE and they even cover some travel expenses. That’s like 800$ I don’t have to pay every month towards rent/transportation. This money can be allocated elsewhere. I didn’t choose this I was placed here.
Also, I have the option to work privately on my off time as well under the table which nets me extra cash as well.
Since we have no idea what your costs are back home, we have no idea how to tell you whether the salary will or will not be enough for you.
How much do you make now? How much are you able to put away when you’re in a country where you know everything and the cheapest way to get stuff?
Depends on a couple of factors. Namely
1. Where you live 2. Do you have a family 3. Do you have student loan debt (or other forms of debt/financial obligations in your home country) 4. Do you have any expensive medical issues 5. Lifestyle
As someone who’s pretty frugal and lives in a rural area with no family, debt, or medical issues, I’m able to live very comfortably and have even saved a lot of money. My friends in rural areas who were more pressed financially while on JET were either people who answered “yes” to 2-4 or people who were constantly traveling/ going out drinking.
I haven’t been able to save much in recent months because of how much gas is now in Japan and its been killing me honestly. I have to get around by car because I am very inaka. Plus my supervisor put me in a brand new apartment when I got here so my monthly rent is a little more costly for someone in the inaka versus others. However, before the war started I was able to save a decent amount, so I’m hoping things will get better.
Everyone has different spending habits.
I lived in the countryside, enjoyed my life well and had around 600 left each month (USD)
Esid but it’s enough if you’re not spending money excessively. I set aside Â¥100000 for my bills and savings (about half for each) then at least Â¥62000 for food and I play around with the rest.
I lived a pretty fun life while on JET. I lived in Tokyo, and I went on holidays as often as I could, I didn’t skimp is what I’m saying, and I still managed to bring home $10000AUD (~$7000USD) after only 1 year on the program. In saying that, I didn’t use any of my salary to set me up when I arrived. I brought quite I bit to do that.
OP: I feel deja vu! This topic comes up every week on these forums…
I’ve been here for almost seven months now and so far, I have saved enough to pay my student loan worth $6000 CAD and had one 6-day trip to Kansai area. I feel like I could have saved more if it weren’t for my Amazon orders. Also, I have been sending money to family, about 25000 to 30000 yen each month. Side note, I am in the inaka, barely go to the main town for trips, and such; but I spend a lot on food. As a start-up cost, I did spent around $1000 CAD just because I threw out many things in the house that were dingy or broken and replaced them myself.
I live in Tokyo, I’m a woman and I enjoy looking nice (not cheap), going to the gym, buying healthy foods, go out to eat daily + coffees, along with rent (86k) this Leaves me with ~ 300USD for savings/investments. I have a very active social life, so I know I would save more if I didn’t go out as much but I also make money on the side to offset this because I want to make the most of the city. My apartment came furnished and I have not made any major expenses (like electronics or furniture) so that’s important to note. I did have a pretty high medical bill ~800USD which offset my savings for about 3 months.
First year. I’m able to save 50,000 JPY if o budget well. Keep in mind I eat out all the time, so I spend more on food than most.
First year inaka placement and I already put ¥700000 back home to date. Leaving in July and I will be taking back at least another ¥500000.
Would be more if not for incidentals and domestic travel/vacation.
If you just stay home and browse the internet and do the ocassional fishing you can easily live off Â¥80000 per month depending on your placement where and the salary is Â¥280000 per month *before* deductions…
I was on JET for five years.
I traveled domestically and internationally almost every year (Covid slowed things down towards the end), ate at nice restaurants from time to time and never scrimped on groceries, and wasn’t stingy about spending money on my hobbies.
After JET, I bought a house and land here in cash with my husband and still have a very healthy chunk of savings. I’m thrifty but I have to thank paying off my debt before coming here and living in low cost of living placements.
Low rent JET here on first year salary
I make enough money to pay my student loans and travel every month
A week’s worth of food costs me Â¥7500, if I don’t eat out
Subsidized rent makes the salary quite nice. I can eat sushi for $10 a pop, and RedBull costs under $2 per can.
However, I could never live off the same salary in the USA. Not even close.
I lived in a super rural placement, so my rent was free (BoE owned the house I lived in) and utilities partially subsidized (7000-10000/month).
I had a car, but I was on the town’s insurance plan (20,000/year) and it was a kei-car so filling up the tank was reasonable.
Groceries worked out to about 5500/week, and I would frequently go into Tokyo on the weekends (rural placement, but right on the Gunma/Saitama border so it was weird like that).
I think my take-home at the time was like 255,000/month and I was usually banking at least 220,000 of that once I settled into a groove.
(Again though, the catch being in the middle of nowhere so that enforced de facto impulse spending discipline)
*Laughs in Tokyo rent*
Before I got a bit too into my hobbies, I was routinely saving half a paycheck each month even with student loan payments to the US (so approx. Â¥100,000/mo). With Russia’s joker moment throwing a wrench into some of what I was doing, new taxes and fees being levied due to being a 4th year, and lots of very expensive “surprises” (like my car needing a bit of an engine overhaul) my savings have decreased quite a bit but I’d say I’m still doing half decent. Inflation isn’t helping much, but beans are still cheap. Not looking forward to what summer will bring, especially with the yen’s volatility and the increasingly likely global recession.
Usually my bills will be somewhere in the ï¿¥35,000 mark.
I lived in an area where my bills outside of food were around $700. I was able to send money home to pay student loans, not worry about groceries or eating out, and I traveled internationally twice a year.
On JET, if you live in a lower cost area, you can either save or travel. I had friends who saved up a down payment for a house when they returned. Or you can be like me who took at least 3+ vacations a year around the country and abroad.
That leaves me with 206,500 yen to spare (some of that goes to taxes, insurance, etc.)
The salary is more than sufficient to cover the cost of living in rural areas. In city areas like Tokyo, you might get slapped with a higher rent, so that’s something to be weary of.
It’ll get you a couple of Strong Zeros and some Famichiki. What more can you ask for?
I use nearly all of mine every month after salary reductions and here’s why;
Rent is cheap – 25,000 yen
Utilities – Wifi, pocket wifi, electricity, water, gas, phone, car, car insurance, fuel for the car – 80,000 yen
Food – 30,000
The rest I spend going out at the weekends, doing things with friends and travelling every opportunity I get.
I’m not here in Japan to save a ton of money or be invested in work. I’m here to live life to the fullest while I can in Japan. I’ve done a ton of travelling in the 6 months I’ve been here and money has never really been an issue at all.
I save maybe – 10,000 – 20,000 a month.
The ol saying I think is
Choose 2 out of 3:
Fun – Save – Pay Debt
On JET salary, 2/3 is definitely possible and even 3/3 if you budget wisely and your debts aren’t too large. On my two years I was 3/3 and saved 2,000,000yen, now I’m struggling with a spending spree and have saved very little this year…
It depends on your situation for sure.
I’m married, so my expenses are pretty much non existent. My husband pays for everything since our rent is cheap and we live pretty cheaply. I can pocket about 90% of my net paycheck each month. All I pay for is internet and my own transportation costs. Also any junk food I want.
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The cost of living in Japan is roughly the same as in North America. Rent and homes are generally way cheaper though, so those would be the exceptions.
In Japan? Far. In America? Like 2 inches.
That will depend on your lifestyle and placement. But as long as you’re not stupid with it you should be able to get by fine and even save a little something for a rainy day.
It going to be dependent on your lifestyle and where you live.
For example, my rent is completely paid for by the BOE and they even cover some travel expenses. That’s like 800$ I don’t have to pay every month towards rent/transportation. This money can be allocated elsewhere. I didn’t choose this I was placed here.
Also, I have the option to work privately on my off time as well under the table which nets me extra cash as well.
Since we have no idea what your costs are back home, we have no idea how to tell you whether the salary will or will not be enough for you.
How much do you make now? How much are you able to put away when you’re in a country where you know everything and the cheapest way to get stuff?
Depends on a couple of factors. Namely
1. Where you live
2. Do you have a family
3. Do you have student loan debt (or other forms of debt/financial obligations in your home country)
4. Do you have any expensive medical issues
5. Lifestyle
As someone who’s pretty frugal and lives in a rural area with no family, debt, or medical issues, I’m able to live very comfortably and have even saved a lot of money. My friends in rural areas who were more pressed financially while on JET were either people who answered “yes” to 2-4 or people who were constantly traveling/ going out drinking.
I haven’t been able to save much in recent months because of how much gas is now in Japan and its been killing me honestly. I have to get around by car because I am very inaka. Plus my supervisor put me in a brand new apartment when I got here so my monthly rent is a little more costly for someone in the inaka versus others. However, before the war started I was able to save a decent amount, so I’m hoping things will get better.
Everyone has different spending habits.
I lived in the countryside, enjoyed my life well and had around 600 left each month (USD)
Esid but it’s enough if you’re not spending money excessively. I set aside Â¥100000 for my bills and savings (about half for each) then at least Â¥62000 for food and I play around with the rest.
I lived a pretty fun life while on JET. I lived in Tokyo, and I went on holidays as often as I could, I didn’t skimp is what I’m saying, and I still managed to bring home $10000AUD (~$7000USD) after only 1 year on the program. In saying that, I didn’t use any of my salary to set me up when I arrived. I brought quite I bit to do that.
OP: I feel deja vu! This topic comes up every week on these forums…
I’ve been here for almost seven months now and so far, I have saved enough to pay my student loan worth $6000 CAD and had one 6-day trip to Kansai area. I feel like I could have saved more if it weren’t for my Amazon orders. Also, I have been sending money to family, about 25000 to 30000 yen each month. Side note, I am in the inaka, barely go to the main town for trips, and such; but I spend a lot on food. As a start-up cost, I did spent around $1000 CAD just because I threw out many things in the house that were dingy or broken and replaced them myself.
I live in Tokyo, I’m a woman and I enjoy looking nice (not cheap), going to the gym, buying healthy foods, go out to eat daily + coffees, along with rent (86k) this Leaves me with ~ 300USD for savings/investments. I have a very active social life, so I know I would save more if I didn’t go out as much but I also make money on the side to offset this because I want to make the most of the city. My apartment came furnished and I have not made any major expenses (like electronics or furniture) so that’s important to note. I did have a pretty high medical bill ~800USD which offset my savings for about 3 months.
First year. I’m able to save 50,000 JPY if o budget well. Keep in mind I eat out all the time, so I spend more on food than most.
First year inaka placement and I already put ¥700000 back home to date. Leaving in July and I will be taking back at least another ¥500000.
Would be more if not for incidentals and domestic travel/vacation.
If you just stay home and browse the internet and do the ocassional fishing you can easily live off Â¥80000 per month depending on your placement where and the salary is Â¥280000 per month *before* deductions…
I was on JET for five years.
I traveled domestically and internationally almost every year (Covid slowed things down towards the end), ate at nice restaurants from time to time and never scrimped on groceries, and wasn’t stingy about spending money on my hobbies.
After JET, I bought a house and land here in cash with my husband and still have a very healthy chunk of savings. I’m thrifty but I have to thank paying off my debt before coming here and living in low cost of living placements.
Low rent JET here on first year salary
I make enough money to pay my student loans and travel every month
A week’s worth of food costs me Â¥7500, if I don’t eat out
Subsidized rent makes the salary quite nice. I can eat sushi for $10 a pop, and RedBull costs under $2 per can.
However, I could never live off the same salary in the USA. Not even close.
I lived in a super rural placement, so my rent was free (BoE owned the house I lived in) and utilities partially subsidized (7000-10000/month).
I had a car, but I was on the town’s insurance plan (20,000/year) and it was a kei-car so filling up the tank was reasonable.
Groceries worked out to about 5500/week, and I would frequently go into Tokyo on the weekends (rural placement, but right on the Gunma/Saitama border so it was weird like that).
I think my take-home at the time was like 255,000/month and I was usually banking at least 220,000 of that once I settled into a groove.
(Again though, the catch being in the middle of nowhere so that enforced de facto impulse spending discipline)
*Laughs in Tokyo rent*
Before I got a bit too into my hobbies, I was routinely saving half a paycheck each month even with student loan payments to the US (so approx. Â¥100,000/mo). With Russia’s joker moment throwing a wrench into some of what I was doing, new taxes and fees being levied due to being a 4th year, and lots of very expensive “surprises” (like my car needing a bit of an engine overhaul) my savings have decreased quite a bit but I’d say I’m still doing half decent. Inflation isn’t helping much, but beans are still cheap. Not looking forward to what summer will bring, especially with the yen’s volatility and the increasingly likely global recession.
Usually my bills will be somewhere in the ï¿¥35,000 mark.
I lived in an area where my bills outside of food were around $700. I was able to send money home to pay student loans, not worry about groceries or eating out, and I traveled internationally twice a year.
On JET, if you live in a lower cost area, you can either save or travel. I had friends who saved up a down payment for a house when they returned. Or you can be like me who took at least 3+ vacations a year around the country and abroad.
I earn 280,000 yen per month (1st-year JET).
– Groceries 20,000 yen
– Utilities 10,000 yen
– Rent 23,500 yen
– Discretionary spending 20,000 (gym, going out, etc.)
That leaves me with 206,500 yen to spare (some of that goes to taxes, insurance, etc.)
The salary is more than sufficient to cover the cost of living in rural areas. In city areas like Tokyo, you might get slapped with a higher rent, so that’s something to be weary of.
It’ll get you a couple of Strong Zeros and some Famichiki. What more can you ask for?
I use nearly all of mine every month after salary reductions and here’s why;
Rent is cheap – 25,000 yen
Utilities – Wifi, pocket wifi, electricity, water, gas, phone, car, car insurance, fuel for the car – 80,000 yen
Food – 30,000
The rest I spend going out at the weekends, doing things with friends and travelling every opportunity I get.
I’m not here in Japan to save a ton of money or be invested in work. I’m here to live life to the fullest while I can in Japan. I’ve done a ton of travelling in the 6 months I’ve been here and money has never really been an issue at all.
I save maybe – 10,000 – 20,000 a month.
The ol saying I think is
Choose 2 out of 3:
Fun – Save – Pay Debt
On JET salary, 2/3 is definitely possible and even 3/3 if you budget wisely and your debts aren’t too large. On my two years I was 3/3 and saved 2,000,000yen, now I’m struggling with a spending spree and have saved very little this year…
It depends on your situation for sure.
I’m married, so my expenses are pretty much non existent. My husband pays for everything since our rent is cheap and we live pretty cheaply. I can pocket about 90% of my net paycheck each month. All I pay for is internet and my own transportation costs. Also any junk food I want.