Moving to Japan

Any expat interested in Japanese culture, ready for new adventures with an open mind, will greatly enjoy moving to Japan. It can also be very lucrative for expats to live and work in Japan, depending on lifestyle and expectations. On the whole, Japan’s reputation as an extremely expensive destination is now unjustified – the competitive market has made sure that good deals can be found easily, particularly in the bigger cities.

Japan is an island nation which prides itself on its innovation, strong economy and rich cultural heritage. Many of the stereotypes of Japanese life are true, but they also contradict each other: Japanese minimalism and the zen lifestyle juxtaposed with frenetic technological advances and high-tech capitalism in the extreme.

Moving to Japan will expose you to random sights like a temple next to a pachinko (slot machine) gambling parlour, next to an anime figurine shop. Modern life along Western lines co-exists with traditions like matsuri - festivals held throughout the year and each with its own specific traditions and activities.
 

Like most major global cities, life in the capital Tokyo is fast-paced, full of interesting and unusual experiences. In the countryside and in smaller cities you will be more likely to taste the traditional Japan of tea ceremonies, tatami mats and rice paddies. Kyoto has a more tranquil feel to it and Osaka boasts a bustling night life.
 

Great pride is taken in Japanese regional variations and specialities, making for a strangely unglobalised market experience at times. The country has an extremely well-developed infrastructure, with very efficient public transportation systems, postal services, communications technology and road systems. It is an extremely safe country with very little crime, making for a unique sense of peace of mind, and a perfect expat destination.

Wikipedia guide to Japan: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan
Japan tourist board: www.jnto.go.jp
Detailed Japan travel guide