Moving to Japan was something I wanted to do since I was very young. Finally moving and living here, I was faced with some very scary realities that most of us living here will all come into contact with, whether it's happening to us or someone we know.

Looking back, if it wasn't for these five things in particular I'd either be near homeless, or already back in the US or some other country.

So, if you're planning to move to Japan or if you're already here, there are the 5 things that have saved my life in Japan!

1. FRESC (Foreign Resident's Support Center)

When I first got my visa in Japan, I was so scared to make contact with any government or government-related agency in order to stay off their radar. Big Mistake!

Stay legal and ask FRESC all of your visa and work-in-Japan related questions. They have offices all around Japan, and you can make video conference appointments with FRESC here.

Whenever I'm taking on a new freelancing job, changing jobs, or doing something technically outside my visa scope, I always make appointments with FRESC to discuss all of my options and what procedures I must take in order to keep good standing with the Japanese immigration office. 

FRESC made it easier for me to just ask and get clear answers without the pressure. If you’re unsure about anything visa-related, go get the information you need. It’s not something you want to leave up to chance.

*FYI, their webpage is horrendous.

2. Friends

“My boyfriend and I were living together but now we broke up and I don’t know what to do or where to go.”
“I got arrested and no one knew where I was for a month.”
“I have to leave my company housing in one week and I don’t know where to go.”

THESE. ARE. REAL SITUATIONS. I’ve heard managing companies and seen in Japan forums I’m in.

And in the comments of these posts, there are always the people that say, "You need Japanese friends!"

And here I am telling you too, you need friends in Japan but it is imperative to have at least one Japanese friend.

I really can’t stress this enough. 

In just my experience, my friends (Japanese included) have helped me in signing for apartments, understanding paperwork, meeting love interests, getting needed discounts, finding job opportunities, or even just having someone to call when things go wrong.

One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people stick to English-speaking events in Tokyo. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But the reality is, a lot of people there are just as lost as you are, if not more.

If you can, try going to more local events via Tsunagate, Facebook events, smaller community gatherings (check neighborhood bulletin boards), etc. -- places where you’re more likely to meet people who are rooted here. 

And of course, you can try inviting your Japanese colleagues out too. For me, many of my colleagues became my friends later on. 

You never know when life will throw something at you and suddenly everything feels unstable. When that happens, having people you can rely on makes all the difference.

3. Kampo (Chinese Medicine)

Dealing with digestive issues is not fun. Dealing with them in a foreign country is even worse.

I went to multiple doctors who didn’t really listen to me. They focused on quick conclusions instead of actually checking what was going on. At one point, I had four doctor visits in a year and still felt stuck.

Kampo and milk kefir have really changed things for me. 

First, I went to a Kampo shop where they asked me questions and checked different parts of my body. Let me tell you, I finally felt listened to. I was actually examined more carefully than the other doctors.

The treatments are gentler than western medicine, after all they're mainly just natural herbs and spices. Yes, it took time for them to start working, but after taking them regularly I haven't had any stomach issues since.

To be fair, I was also making dietary changes at the same time. So I can’t say it was 100% Kampo. But it definitely played a big role.

If you’re in Japan and struggling with something similar, I’d recommend at least trying it.

Some places I know of or have gone to:

• 👉 Kakikofu
• 👉 Nihondo (a little expensive, but I personally love this one)
• 👉 Ebisu Kampo Pharmacy

4. WaniKani

Not sponsored.

I’ve been studying kanji for over 15 years, and nothing made it stick like WaniKani.

Something about their spaced repetition system and their slightly bizarre examples just worked for me. 

I wouldn’t say I’m perfect at kanji, but I’m now at a point where I feel pretty comfortable reading it, which is something I struggled with for years.

If you don’t want to spend money, Anki is a really popular alternative. It uses a similar system, but you’ll need to build your own decks.

5. Investing & Dollar-Cost Averaging

I honestly think investing can save your life in any country.

Understanding how to invest, and knowing my options both in Japan and in the US, helped me get out of some very difficult situations. Situations that weren’t just stressful mentally, but also physically.

Learning how to save and invest my money gave me options in Japan. When I was having difficulties with an employer, psht, I didn't NEED to work there because I had money to carry me over. 

Investing, specifically Dollar-Cost Averaging, is automatically investing money into the stock market, crypto market, or any market you choose at a regular basis. It doesn't even have to be a lot of money. 

If you’re in Japan, you should seriously look into NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account). It’s a tax-advantaged way to invest, meaning you can grow your money without being taxed on certain gains. Over time, it adds up. :)

I know that "investing" can sound intimidating, but living in another country, I've now realized that it's a must. It's a way to protect your money if a currency starts to devalue (cough cough) and give you more stability when you get older. 

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PLEASE save this page and come back to it when you come to Japan. It's reduced so many of my worries and I know it'll do the same for you.

If you're living in Japan, what has it made you need?