At last, the day has arrived. After almost three years of waiting behind closed borders, your new life in Japan can finally begin! After reading up on visas, jumping administration hurdles and organizing your to-do list for the move, now it’s time for the fun part: settling into life here in Japan.
For new residents or those planning a move to this beautiful country, here are three top tips for settling in like a pro.
In Japan, it is considered polite for new residents to introduce themselves and their family to their neighbors and present a small gift - a practice known as hikkoshi no aisatsu or “moving greeting”. This should be done as soon as possible – preferably on the day of the move - avoiding the early morning or late evening. A small, but tasteful box of biscuits, chocolates or senbei crackers will help a great deal in establishing a good relationship with your neighbors and local community. If you hear someone say that “nobody does that anymore”, ask them if they know their neighbors – odds on they don’t!
Don’t stress it too much though, just saying “hello” goes a long way.
There’s no doubt about it –language skills will aid you tremendously during your time in Japan, and luckily there are plenty of enjoyable ways to go about learning the lingo. Cinemas in Roppongi Hills and Shibuya have frequent showings of Japanese films with English subtitles – a great way to expose yourself to Japanese language learning while keeping yourself entertained. Why not also try out a new hobby in Japanese and make new local friends? There are plenty hobby groups on Meetup.com, ranging from traditional Japanese crafts to formal language exchange.
Nobody likes to be homesick, and sometimes simple home comforts can go a long way in promoting well-being and a sense of calm. Register with Facebook groups like Tokyo Expat Network for helpful hints and tips from other foreigners living in Japan, as well as a safe space to ask for help or advice that only other expats can relate to. Shop for comfort food at international supermarkets such as National Azabu, Bio c’Bon and Seijo Ishii. And perhaps most importantly, make your house feel truly like home with Kurashinity, Japan’s premium English language housekeeping service.
Each fluent English-speaking housekeeper at Kurashinity has completed the company’s strict training protocol, focusing on Japanese attention to detail and luxury home touches. Keeping your home clean and fresh will become one less thing to worry about while settling in, as your assigned housekeeper will come equipped with expert local knowledge. They will know how to keep Japanese style tatami rooms and bathrooms clean and fresh, and how to prevent dreaded mold during Japanese rainy season. Above all else, they pay attention to how you like things done so that you always feel at home.
Now you know how to settle in like a pro and make the most of your move to Japan, there is only one thing left to do: enjoy!
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jessica is a writer and translator now living happily by the sea just south of Tokyo in Kamakura, Japan.
