8 Things to Know Before Moving to Japan

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Hello! Today, I attempted to answer one of the most asked questions on this channel, “Hey, I’m moving to Japan, any advice?”.
I hope you will find it helpful! Please let me know which one you didn’t know!

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[CrazedsHideout]

Additional notes from a foreigner who's lived here for 6 years now:
1. You don't need to know Japanese fluently. The more you know, the better, but don't stress too much about how you can't come because you haven't figured out when to use wa and ga.
2. Every apartment I've lived in so far (4 of them) hasn't had the gift thing. I think it's more for people in "mansion" apartments? I have not given nor gotten a gift from anyone. I wave sometimes at my neighbors, but that's about it for interactions. Most younger people seem to hate the gift-giving culture and I think many of them avoid it as well.
3. japanese people will judge you pretty hard the moment you say you like anime/ manga/ video games. But I have also found that the only friends I have kept all these years are the ones who saw my Digimon keychain or FF mug or RWBY backpack and that's how they started talking to me. I mean, maybe don't wear it around people from work or on a date, but haters ain't worth it~
4. If you are planning on going full-Japanese mode and make lots of Japanese friends, HAVE TEA STOCKED IN YOUR HOUSE, EVEN IF YOU DON'T DRINK IT. I drink coffee and only get fruit teas when I'm in the mood, but god help me if I don't feel awkward when someone shows up at my door and I'm like, "Umm.... let me get you.... water?"

[szczunokin]

"So if you clicked on this video, that means you're moving to Japan very soon" - Nope, I just like your videos, they are always fun to watch.

[reneeadams]

If you use a Japanese SIM card, your phone will automatically have the shutter sound. I couldn't figure out why it was happening or how to stop it, and when I realized it was about the SIM card everything made a lot of sense. So you can't avoid it by bringing an unlocked phone from abroad hahaha

[roor]

Oh, as an immigrant in Japan, I'd recommend stocking up on your preferred deodorant before coming. Japanese deodorants are very weak, and unfortunately people of European heritage tend to sweat more than most Japanese people. However, don't get an overwhelmingly strong one because strong perfumes are almost non-existent here and may irritate the people around you.

[Siile_]

Me: wondering how my name would be pronounced in Japan
SHUNchan 5 seconds later: deebiddo

11/10 customer service

[WakeUpToReality...]

"We don't use pronouns we call you by your name."

This would end all the debate about this in western countries.

[birifumi]

As someone who almost lived for 3 years in Japan, I feel weird that I was more popular when I only know a bit of the language... Apparently knowing the japanese language too much will turn off the "foreigner magic" and they don't feel excited like talking with foreigner anymore.

[Snakeheart]

ShunChan is basically saying "there are NO subtitles in Japan!"

[petrar]

I have lived in Japan for half a year now and by learning Japanese daily, life is way easier :) at the start it was stressful for me even to go shopping, cuz the system of payment is also very different and I didn't understand everything well from the beginning
I recommend: study Japanese daily conversation phrases and don't get stuck with a writing system

[Ricecooka]

Well at least now I know why Japanese YouTubers aren't getting sponsored by Manscaped...

[tickettochide]

i went to Japan for a school trip and made the mistake of wearing an anime t-shirt (IT WAS SO EMBARASSING)because some people were making fun of me thinking i didn't understand Japanese, but my Japanese comprehension was very good at the time and i felt so lame in that moment 😅

[altrsbr]

Idk why but i smiled real hard when you said your neighbors will take reaall good care of you. It's soo sweet

[jlguidry]

I love how your Mom was determined to get "peace" in the outro. That's awesome.

I hope you all are doing well.

[siegwulff]

The thing about universities is definitely true, I studied abroad for one year at Nagasaki university and not many Japanese people cared about that. But when I say I went to Oxford they suddenly are interested lol

[jthesley]

I found the statement, "get out of your comfort zone" humorous honestly, 99% of Japan do not leave their comfort zone especially in the Toyko metro area, such a human thing to say, "do as I say not as I do"

[TheMiseh]

I haven't said this before but thank you so so much for adding subtitles to your videos. One of my best friends is deaf and ever since they removed the fan made captions from youtube, they've been struggling so much with a lot of videos. I hope more creators add them. also great video <3 love your sense of humor

[SierraAngel]

Learning the language of a country you are moving in, is a good idea in general. Not only it makes it easier to communitcate, it also shows your affection towards the country and that you are willing to be a part of it.

[cheeseCheeseCHEESE]

I have dreamed of moving to Japan ever since I was a young girl. I am learning to speak Japanese though it's slow progress, but I'm getting better with every lesson! I'm also trying to learn to write and read Japanese as well. The reasons why I want to move to Japan is to learn even more about Japanese culture, go to school in Japan, try new foods (I LOVE Japanese food), expand my cooking knowledge (I can cook), and to make friends in Japan. I have always loved Japan and Japanese culture and food. I hope to move to Japan someday.

[TheMongooseOfDoom]

About bringing a phone to Japan:
1. It will not be automatically connected to the earthquake warning system J-Alert (positive/negative? idk)
2. You need to check if the frequencies your Japanese carrier uses are supported by the phone

[RandomUserX]

the tip about how foreigners can get into top universities easily is the BEST tip - and no other "Japan" channel run by gaijin talk about it because they have no idea. I know so many kids getting into shitty schools just because they thought they have no chance at top school like KEIO so they never tried - this info would have changed their life. Wow, it's so good to have a channel about Japan hosted by an actual Japanese.