Moving to Japan from the US: Complete guide for expats

Japan blends safety, world-class cities, and craft-driven culture – a pull that keeps Americans coming for study, work, and long-term life. In the past year, Japan’s immigration agency counted 66,111 American residents at year-end 2024 – about 2,700 more than in 2023, a useful proxy for new movers. This guide shows how to move to Japan the right way – visas and residency steps, finances and 2025 tax rules, plus daily life, etiquette, and work-culture basics.

This article is brought to you by Taxes for Expats – a top-rated team helping Americans abroad meet US filing requirements. If you’re relocating to Japan as a US citizen, we can guide you in staying compliant with the IRS from your first year onward – learn more about our services or contact us.

Plan your move – budget with confidence

Define your costs, then map cash flow – the table below compares Japan and the US as of August 2025. After it, concise bullets cover shipping, visa, and first rent, plus a savings target, so you arrive ready.

These figures and data, gotten from Numbeo, set your baseline – they help US expats gauge everyday spending and housing pressure. Next, translate the gap into one-time moving costs and the cash cushion you’ll need when living in Japan.

1. Shipping: Sea freight 20-ft container $3,000–$7,000; LCL $500–$2,000. Small luggage by courier ≈$162 for 44 lb.

2. Visa/immigration: Many consulates waive consular visa fees for US citizens; where charged, a single-entry visa is ≈$20 and revised each April 1. From Apr 1, 2025, key immigration processing fees rose (e.g., extension/change of status ¥6,000 in person; multiple re-entry ¥7,000 in person). Note that many US applicants are exempt from short-stay visa fees; confirm with your jurisdiction.

3. First rent & deposits: Plan 4–5 months’ rent upfront in Kanto (typical mix of deposit 1–2 months, key money 0–2 months, agency ≈1 month, guarantor 0.5–1 month, plus first month). Some properties are lower; check terms.

How much savings should you have before moving: Rule-of-thumb buffer: Initial housing fees (4–5 months’ rent) + 3 months of living costs + shipping/flight + 10–20% contingency. For a major city, a single person’s monthly non-rent spend is ≈$1,015 (Tokyo, excl. rent) or ≈¥170,559 nationwide (gov-based estimate) – use the higher figure for safety.

Choose the right visa for your move

The right status shapes your work rights, family options, and future residency in Japan – and it drives the visa application process from the US that follows below. This section covers work, student, spouse, highly skilled, and heritage-based routes with crisp facts you can act on.

Work visa

This is the standard route for white-collar roles, granted when your job matches your education or professional background. Typical eligibility is a university degree or relevant years of experience, with a Japan-based sponsor and a Certificate of Eligibility. Periods of stay are commonly 1, 3, or 5 years, and full-time paid work is permitted.

Student visa

Used for degree, vocational, or language programs – schools often help obtain the Certificate of Eligibility. You must show the ability to cover living and tuition costs with bank or income evidence. After arrival, you’ll follow the same residence card and address registration steps as other long-term residents.

Spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident

This status allows open employment across industries and easy job changes. Periods of stay typically mirror other long-term categories, and the Japanese spouse can support the application. It’s the most flexible path for family units settling in Japan.

Highly skilled professional

Japan’s points-based track rewards advanced degrees, salary, and achievements – 70 points unlock preferential treatment. Benefits include a 5-year stay and a faster route to permanent residence, with many applicants eligible in 3 years at 70 points or 1 year at 80 points. Recent J-Skip rules also recognize top earners with defined income thresholds.

Heritage-based (Long-Term Resident)

Designed for people with Japanese ancestry and certain family circumstances. Work across industries is generally permitted, similar to the spouse and permanent resident categories. Expect to document lineage and family status when applying.

NOTE! The Certificate of Eligibility is issued in Japan by the Ministry of Justice after a local sponsor applies – it streamlines visa issuance at a consulate. Since March 17, 2023, electronic COEs are accepted, making filing and entry smoother.

Apply from the US – your streamlined path

When you’re ready to move to Japan, align your status choice and residency goals for a smoother landing. You’ll need to apply through the Japanese embassy or the consulate that covers your state – jurisdiction matters. If you’re an American citizen visiting for a short term without paid work, visa-free entry up to 90 days may apply.

Step 1: Pick the status that fits your plan (work, student, spouse, highly skilled, or heritage) and confirm jurisdiction for your residence in the US.

Step 2: Have your Japan-side sponsor request the Certificate of Eligibility from Immigration Services; you’ll use it at the consulate.

Step 3: Prepare documents for the post requests – passport, photo, COE, and any category-specific items – then submit and pay the fee.

Step 4: After approval, receive your visa, enter Japan, and receive your residence card at a major airport. Register your address within 14 days.

Step 5: Renewal and long-term stay options – extend your status in Japan and, if on the Highly Skilled Professional track, consider permanent residence eligibility at 3 years with 70 points or 1 year with 80 points.

Visa ready? Know your first-year US filing rules abroad.

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Secure your job or study pathway early

Japan is hiring across IT, construction, healthcare, and hospitality – real shortages you can target now. If you plan to move to Japan, use the steps below to land an offer before arrival and see study routes that open the same door.

1. Aim at shortage sectors. Prioritize roles in information and communications, construction, medical care, accommodation, and restaurants – all reporting strong gaps.

2. Prove Japanese ability. Many non-teaching roles list JLPT N2 as the common minimum; N1 widens options.

3. Use Japan-focused job boards. Search and apply on GaijinPot Jobs and Daijob, then mirror applications on LinkedIn.

4. Consider JET for paid teaching. Year-1 salary is ¥4,020,000 before tax, with increases in later years – a reliable on-ramp while building skills.

5. Benchmark tech pay. Recent postings show software roles in Tokyo around ¥6.5m–¥12m and game dev ¥5m–¥9m.

6. Line up documents early. Prep bilingual CV, degree proofs, reference letters, and portfolio; your sponsor’s COE speeds visa issuance.

7. Explore the Specified Skilled Worker track. If your skills fit any of the 16 fields (nursing care, manufacturing, construction, accommodation, food service, and more), pass the tests and apply from overseas.

8. Pursue study as a launchpad. National University first-year costs average ≈¥820,000; the MEXT scholarship can cover airfare, tuition, and a monthly stipend.

9. Time your outreach. US citizens typically secure interviews remotely, then finalize sponsorship and start dates aligned with COE processing.

Wage growth is picking up in a tight market, yet day-to-day norms still prize consensus, punctuality, and context-first communication – adjust your style accordingly. For an American expat, expect more hierarchy and indirect feedback, and factor that into interviews and onboarding.

Pick the right Japanese city for your plans

Start with location – then handle visas, resident registration, and expat tax steps covered elsewhere in this guide. The snapshots below make comparing cities to reside in easy before you check the housing and rent notes that follow.

Tokyo

Tokyo packs near-instant access to everything – the 23 special wards alone have almost 10 million residents, with the wider metropolis far larger. US expats often cluster around Minato/Hiroo for embassies, international schools, and the National Azabu supermarket. Known for dining, Tokyo leads the world in Michelin stars in 2025. Daily life in these neighborhoods feels familiar thanks to English-friendly services and Western groceries.

Sapporo

Sapporo is Hokkaido’s capital with over 1.9 million residents and clean, wide streets. Its North American–style grid and subway make navigation simple for a US citizen. Winter defines the city – the Sapporo Snow Festival draws around 2 million visitors each February. Fun fact – Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a mid-sized city (≈1.46 million) wrapped in temples, gardens, and 17 UNESCO-listed sites. It’s ≈28–30 minutes to Osaka via JR Special Rapid and about 75 minutes to Kansai Airport on the Haruka – a commuter-friendly setup. Expat circles skew academic and creative, anchored by major universities and international students. If you plan to live permanently, the vibe is less Americanized than Tokyo, yet cafes and transit keep daily life easy.

Okinawa

Okinawa offers beach-town living with one of Japan’s largest American communities linked to longstanding US bases. Roughly 70% of US military facilities in Japan are here, and bases occupy about 15% of the main island – shaping shops, dining, and services. The prefecture counts ≈1.47 million residents and enjoys a subtropical climate. Fun fact – Mihama American Village in Chatan was built as a US-style seaside entertainment district.

NOTE! Most long-term leases use private apartments or mansions (condos) with upfront costs like a deposit and, sometimes, key money; many buildings now require a guarantor company instead of a personal guarantor. Furnished monthly/serviced units exist in big cities, but classic leases remain the norm. In case you want to bypass the personal guarantorship, here are a few ideas that will interest you:

• Use a guarantor company (hoshonin-gaisha) – common nationwide; typical fees run 50–100% of one month’s rent at signing plus an annual fee.

• Ask your employer to sponsor or co-sign, or rent through corporate/serviced housing to bypass personal guarantor hurdles.

• Work with agencies that advertise “no guarantor” listings and handle English paperwork end-to-end.

Set your finances – Japan arrival basics

As you move to Japan, open a local account fast, then set up reliable cross-border transfers – those two steps power everything else in this guide. We focus below on opening a Japanese bank account and moving money between the US and Japan, with the brief facts you need now.

Most banks ask for a Residence Card showing your address, photo ID, and – in practice – your My Number, plus a Japanese mobile for verification. If you plan to live in Japan permanently, banks with English support, such as SBI Shinsei, outline clear criteria, including six months’ residence or qualifying employment (note that this varies per branch/product). Expect small domestic ATM charges in convenience-store networks, often ¥110–¥220 per withdrawal.

For cross-border transfers, banks confirm the purpose of remittance, and many require a one-time My Number notification before you can send or receive funds. As a US citizen, compare routes: SMBC Trust Bank’s GoRemit uses a fixed handling fee plus an FX spread, while Wise prices a transparent percentage and has cut frictions after gaining direct access to the Zengin clearing network. Costs vary by corridor – World Bank data put Japan’s average fee for sending $200 at 6.94%, so test a small transfer first and then standardize your monthly flow.

Navigate Japan–US tax rules with clarity

Tax rules shift once you live and earn in Japan, and they interact with US obligations. Below you’ll find the essentials – Japan income tax, US filing, strategies to avoid double taxation, FATCA/FBAR, plus 2025 updates that may lower your US bill.

1. Japan's income tax status and rates – Japan taxes you by status: non-resident (Japan-source only), non-permanent resident (Japan-source plus foreign income paid in Japan or remitted to Japan), and permanent resident (worldwide). National rates are progressive 5%–45% + 2.1% reconstruction surtax; local inhabitant tax is ≈10%. These rules apply when you move to Japan as an American and start earning locally.
2. The US filing never stops – A United States citizen must file a US return on worldwide income; living abroad gives an automatic 2-month extension to June 15 (interest still applies after April 15). For 2025, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is $130,000 per qualified person.
3. Avoiding double taxation – what actually works – Use FEIE (and possible housing exclusion) or the Foreign Tax Credit; higher Japanese taxes often make the FTC more efficient. The Japan–US totalization agreement lets employers or the self-employed request a certificate of coverage, so you don’t pay Social Security taxes to both systems; plan early if you’re settling permanently. Treaty relief may apply to specific income via Japan’s tax treaty forms.
4. FATCA and FBAR – asset reporting – File FBAR (FinCEN 114) when the aggregate value of non-US accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time in the year. FATCA Form 8938 applies at higher thresholds for those abroad – typically $200,000/$300,000 (single) or $400,000/$600,000 (married filing jointly).
5. 2025 update – OBBBA deductions that matter – The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21), signed July 4, 2025, created temporary federal deductions: up to $25,000 for qualified tips, $12,500 for qualified overtime (limits and phase-outs apply), and a $6,000 senior deduction – useful when you claim the Foreign Tax Credit rather than excluding all wages.

New in Japan? Start with the US–Japan expat tax basics.

Learn more

Secure healthcare and insurance coverage

Healthcare sits alongside your visa steps, resident registration within 14 days, and first-year taxes. This section covers the system overview, National Health Insurance enrollment, and private insurance options.

Japan runs universal social health insurance via Employees’ Health Insurance for salaried workers and National Health Insurance for others. Insurers generally cover about 70% while patients pay 30% (10–30% by age), and the high-cost medical care benefit can cap a standard earner’s monthly burden at ¥80,100 + 1% above ¥267,000. That predictable split makes a move to Japan from the US easier to budget.

If your employer doesn’t enroll you, apply for NHI at your city or ward office within 14 days of moving in – late filings can trigger up to two years of back premiums. Public coverage is compulsory for residents staying three months or more, and a US citizen with long-stay status enrolls on the same terms. Private health insurance can top up co-pays, add direct billing and evacuation, and help while you settle permanently.

Smart move plan – ship, pets, essentials

Lock down the practicalities before you fly – shipping, pet entry, and what to buy on arrival. This concise plan keeps moving to Japan from the US smoothly by pointing you to customs steps, quarantine rules, and smart packing.

• Send household goods – submit the Declaration of Accompanied and Unaccompanied Articles (C-5360) in duplicate on arrival; unaccompanied effects must land within 6 months. Used personal items are generally duty-free within your allowance (alcohol 3 bottles, cigarettes 200); above limits, simplified duties apply, and 10% consumption tax can be charged.

• Pet entry requirements – dogs/cats need an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, two rabies vaccinations, antibody titer ≥0.5 IU/ml, and a 180-day wait; file advance notification ≥40 days before arrival. When fully compliant, quarantine at the airport is within 12 hours; otherwise, detention can run up to 180 days.

• Pack vs buy locally – Japan uses 100V power with 50/60 Hz split by region, so buy heavy appliances locally and bring dual-voltage electronics. Carry essential prescriptions and obtain a Yunyu Kakunin-sho when required; keep vital records and tax documents with you if relocating permanently.

Settle in Japan: a confident start guide

Language, etiquette, and community make day-to-day life smooth. Below, learn the basics, master respectful behavior, and find your crowd.

Learn basic Japanese before arrival

Start with JLPT goals – the test runs from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). Language makes daily life easier, especially if you’re staying permanently. Use the Japan Foundation’s free Minato platform and NHK News Web Easy for gentle reading practice.

Cultural etiquette that earns respect

A few habits signal care for others – and they’re noticed.

• Public behavior: Keep phones on silent and avoid calls on trains; queue neatly and let riders off first.
• Greetings: A light bow is standard; use family name + san; treat business cards (meishi) with both hands and study them briefly.
• Workplace: Be punctual, speak calmly, and avoid interrupting in meetings; consensus and courtesy carry weight.

Make friends and find your crowd

Join active communities on Meetup (Tokyo Expats, Tokyo Expat Social Club) and Facebook groups like Tokyo Expat Network. Visit real-world hubs such as the Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) in Yotsuya and Osaka International House (iHouse) for events and info.

For timeless networking skills, read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. These are great first steps for anyone moving to Japan from the USA.

Complete local setup – cover this in your first 30 days

This section covers the three essentials you must finish right after landing: resident registration, the My Number card, and getting utilities and phone service connected. For anyone moving from the US to Japan, these steps keep you compliant and connected fast.

Step 1: residential registration
Register your address at your city or ward office within 14 days of moving in – it’s a legal deadline. Bring your residence card and passport; ask for the moving-in notification. This unlocks local services and sets up delivery of your My Number notice.

Step 2: My Number card
After registration, apply for the Individual Number Card (My Number Card) using the QR on your application form or at the ward office. First-time issuance is free, and the card is typically valid for 10 years for adults (the e-certificate is 5 years) – handy for banking, phones, and e-Gov.

Step 3: utilities and phone service
Electricity and water can be started online – e.g., TEPCO for power and Tokyo Waterworks for water – while gas requires a technician visit and your presence for safety. Mobile service needs a photo ID with your address and a one-time carrier fee of around ¥3,850; home fiber (NTT FLET’S) often has a standard install charge near ¥22,000.

Ready to make your Japanese move count?

The key to a smooth relocation is simple – register your new address on time, collect your My Number card, and get your utilities running so life in Japan feels settled from the start. With these essentials in place, the next step is focusing on living well abroad while staying organized.

Even as you adjust to daily life, the IRS still requires a return, and that’s where Taxes for Expats comes in – to provide trusted tax support for expats, helping you stay compliant and worry-free in Japan.

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