For some qualified foreigners that want to experience life in Japan, the recent availability of the Digital Nomad visa is creating new opportunities. The increasing availability of location-independent work, combined with an exchange rate that is making Japan more affordable than ever, is bringing record numbers of these remote workers to Japan.

Japan Creates Digital Nomad Visa

The new Digital Nomad visa in Japan makes it even easier for some travelers to live and work in Japan for up to six months.

“The announcement of the Digital Nomad visa has created a lot of excitement in conversations about living in Japan. While this new visa does not allow for on-going working opportunities from Japan, for a certain kind of worker, it provides the time to experience life in Japan and explore other long-term options.”
—Hokkaido Immigration and Nationality Consulting Center

The Digital Nomad visa is one of many initiatives across Japan that cater to information workers and technology professionals.  In the short term, these remote workers living in Japan spend money and contribute to the local economies.  These visas may also attract international talent that will create Japanese startup companies and stimulate innovation in Japan into the future.

Guide for Digital Nomads in Japan

If you are a solo-entrepreneur or digital nomad planning on staying in Japan for longer than two weeks, some additional planning and resources might make your trip more successful, and perhaps more comfortable as well.

In this post we will offer our tips for life in Japan as a remote worker.

Japan is One of the Best Destinations for Digital Nomads

While each of us have our own personal preferences, the best cities tend to have similar qualities that make them productive and safe destinations for remote work. Good criteria for how to choose a city as a digital nomad include; the cost of living, visa restrictions, public transportation, the availability of housing, access to Wi-Fi and digital services, safety, and of course - location-specific features like historical value, cultural attractions, natural beauty, and more.  Looking at that list, we can see why Japan is ideal for many international freelancers.
 
Cost of living is a big factor, of course.  Most Japanese cities (including Tokyo) are more affordable than major cities in the US, Canada, or Europe. The current favorable exchange rate for Japanese yen makes Japan an even better value.

Japan offers easy, visa-free entry to tourists from dozens of countries.  As a first world country, world-class transportation, as well as reliable Wi-Fi and internet service, can be guaranteed.  More so than many other choices, Japan is internationally known as one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime rate, clean streets, and an orderly justice system.  Beyond these practical reasons why expats choose Japan for remote work, Japan offers visitors exceptional historical interest and vibrant, intriguing opportunities for culture.

So, if you want to make Japan a “second home” (for a few weeks or a few months), where do you start?

Arriving in Japan

Unless you already have some experience with Japan, it can be hard to know what you want and where to start.  For a variety of reasons, picking a big city is often the best way to begin as a foreigner working in Japan.

A big city will almost certainly meet your expectations for culture, and can provide the resources you will need to continue working.  And because the largest cities in Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Sapporo) are top international destinations, these cities have existing expat communities, offer some level of service in foreign languages, and are more prepared than smaller cities to support foreign visitors.

Once you have the basics worked out in a major city, if you want to try living in less-populated locations, you will be more prepared to do that.

Begin With a Hotel in a Central Location

When you arrive, consider a stay in a hotel, an Airbnb (known in Japan as minpaku), or a hostel, and choose a central location.

Plan to stay in that first location for at least a few days to a week, as that will give you time to explore a little before you commit to a rental for the rest of your stay.  Using your initial booking as a homebase, you can move around the city, and physically look at neighborhoods (and specific rental units) before you book something more long-term.

For your few days in Japan, your goal should be to establish a place where you feel safe, where you can store luggage and other belongings, and where you can rest in comfort.  From there, you can take care of your basic needs and begin working.  As you are rested and have work under control, you can expand your exploration of Japan. 

Internet Access and Cell Service for Foreigners in Japan

Even if you are just a tourist, but especially if you are working, you will need internet access.  Most cities (and some businesses) offer limited Wi-Fi access.  If reliable internet service for work in Japan is important, you will want to establish your own internet connection.

For an easy solution, get a data SIM card for your phone that is designed to work in Japan.  You can pre-order a Japanese SIM card before you even leave your country, buy one in the airport as you arrive, or head over to Bic Camera and buy one once you land in Japan.  For some phones, an eSIM service for Japan may be another option.  GPS and Google Maps will be important tools to get around, and a data SIM with lots of data will allow you to navigate in Japan.

Once your phone has data, you can use a hotspot or tethering to get your computer online.  A data SIM will not give you access to phone service, but you can likely use the internet-based apps to make calls in Japan.

In addition, you can also get a pocket Wi-Fi router.  These devices also require access to the local Japanese cellular networks, and there again a local data SIM card will accomplish that purpose (without needing a contract with a local provider).  Buy a card with a lot of data, plug it into your pocket Wi-Fi router, and then recharge it or buy a new one as you need more data.  You can also rent a portable Japanese pocket Wi-Fi router that includes data (you can often arrange this in advance, and have the router delivered to your hotel).  In some cases, if you rent via Airbnb (or some other rental service), the apartment you rent will include a pocket Wi-Fi router (with a local contract, paid for by the apartment owner) you can use throughout your stay.

Once you have access to the internet via your phone or a pocket Wi-Fi solution, some of the most important apps to help you survive and thrive in Japan will be Google Maps, Google Translate, and the LINE app.

Short-term Housing

After you are settled in your first hotel or hostel in Japan, and you have internet service, you can begin to explore the city and decide if there is a neighborhood where you want to commit to a longer stay, or perhaps jump from neighborhood to neighborhood (or city to city).

Airbnb-type accommodations can be ideal.  For long-stay visitors to Japan, a local apartment rental will save you a lot of money, but for the first few weeks (or months), a booking on Airbnb will usually be less expensive than a hotel, and almost always offer more spaciousness.  If you are travelling as a pair, or in a group, you can find an apartment with multiple bedrooms and a shared kitchen.

If you start at a local hotel or hostel, you can then contact local Airbnb owners, and arrange to visit their rental units in person; seeing those units in person will allow you to make sure you like the unit and the neighborhood, before you commit to a longer contract.

Co-living and Share Houses in Japan

If a shared experience is better for your budget or for social reasons, a co-living space or share house in Japan might be the perfect option.

In some cases, co-living in Japan could be exactly like a traditional travelers’ hostel, but often businesses that describe themselves as “co-living” spaces are for longer stays.  In most co-living situations, you will be able to rent a private room.  Having your own room will offer privacy, while a shared kitchen and other common areas can help create opportunities for connections and a chance to develop some local relationships.

Accessing Your Online Services

In addition to basic access to the internet, access to your online subscription services will be important for many digital nomads in Japan.

The accounts and services you use at home often have country-specific licensing requirements, and can sometimes be difficult to access from Japan; you may try to log in and discover you cannot access your content.

A virtual private network (VPN) service can sometimes resolve these issues.  A VPN service can provide an IP address from your home country, which “spoofs your location,” and allows you to access local content from your home country like subscription TV and other services.

Making and Receiving Phone Calls in Japan

Unless you speak Japanese, communicating on the phone by voice is especially challenging, and for the most part, it will not be necessary to make a lot of local calls in Japan.

Depending on your lifestyle, you may still need to be able to make and receive calls to and from your home country.  The local phone service in your home country may offer a “roaming” plan (for your existing phone contract) that will allow you to receive calls and text message while you are in Japan.  That kind of plan is likely to be very expensive (and you will have to use the local SIM card from your home country to make those connections possible).

As an alternative, internet-based phone service can enable some voice calls from Japan.  Services like Skype work well in Japan, and can enable you to call out to any country at very low rates (which works well for banking and customer services calls back to your home country).  The WhatsApp service offers both calls and video (works well with personal contacts, but less so for connecting with businesses).  Google Voice has less success in Japan, but as both calls and texts to Google Voice numbers can be forwarded to your email, that might allow you to continue to receive those messages, even if voice-to-voice is more difficult.

Speaking Japanese

While tourism is important and welcomed in Japan, 99% of the communication is in Japanese.  There is some English translation in subways and some restaurant menus, but beyond those examples, expect Japanese only.

For daily life in Japan, it is absolutely possible to get by without speaking much Japanese at all.  Through basic repetition, most of the activities of life in Japan (like ordering coffee or buying items at the convenience store) can be negotiated without learning the local language.  For financial transactions, the locals have the habit of pulling out a calculator to show you what your total is (even if that same total is on the register).

If you are not ready to begin the (very long) process of becoming fluent in Japanese, you can get by with a few phrases, and use Google Translate when needed.

Working From Japan

Once you are all set with data flowing from your phone or your pocket Wi-Fi (or both, having two separate solutions is more reliable), you can probably work from anywhere with cell-service.

For travelers that are used to doing work from cafes, the Japanese are a little less prepared for long laptop sessions, or to provide power for your devices while you work.  A one- or two-hour work session is probably easy to do from many cafes, restaurants, or perhaps a library.  In major western-style cafes (like Starbucks) you can usually stay longer (and there is almost always a table with options for power).

If you are looking for more support for your business, or a community experience, coworking spaces in Japan are an excellent alternative.

Coworking Spaces

If private, distraction-free phone calls and video meetings are essential to your work, Japanese coworking spaces can provide a professional environment and more.

“Coworking spaces are an opportunity for digital nomads in Japan to interact with each other and to be inspired. We provide coworking space, private meeting rooms, 24-hour access for registered members, and a community bar. S-TOKYO offers an environment where international entrepreneurs and remote workers can both relax and get some work done.”
—S-TOKYO, an international coworking space in Tokyo

Coworking offices in Japan not only provide internet access, but they also provide remote workers with many of the amenities of modern corporate offices.  While there is typically a shared place where you can work and network with other coworkers, Japanese coworking businesses offer quiet areas where you can take an important call without noise and other distractions in the background.

In addition to day-work and meeting rooms for business in Japan, coworking companies in Japan like S-TOKYO provide access to printers, private phone booths, lockers for storing work materials, and events where you can meet other digital workers.

Tourist Visas Versus Digital Nomad Visas in Japan

Citizens from dozens of countries can enter Japan as a tourist without a visa process; that includes remote workers in Japan from the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Korea, Canada, and more.  This visa-free travel in Japan allows those visitors to stay for up to 90 days with no approval process required.

For visitors that want a longer stay, the new Digital Nomad visa for Japan does require an application process, but if approved, will allow you up to six months to work in Japan.  You can apply for a Digital Nomad visa from the Japanese consulate in your home country.

Beyond the additional length of stay, the Digital Nomad visa privileges do not offer much more than is available to a tourist.  And there are special requirements that go beyond what is required of tourists; if you want a visa as a digital nomad in Japan, showing proof of income and your own health insurance are just some of the requirements of the application process.

There is also a Startup visa in Japan, which allows entrepreneurs that want to create a startup in Japan to stay for up to six months. The Japanese Startup visa is intended to be a temporary step toward setting up a business in Japan as a foreigner, and then transitioning to a Japanese business manager visa.

Student Visa Strategy in Japan

If learning the Japanese language is also a goal, foreigners that can commit to four hours per day of formal language study can work with a Japanese language school to be approved for a student visa in Japan.  A student visa can allow a foreigner to stay in Japan for up to two years.

Recipients of Japanese student visas cannot be full-time workers in Japan or any other country.  But for some freelancers and self-employed workers, freelance work and solo-entrepreneur projects based in foreign countries could co-exist with your lifestyle as a full-time student in Japan.

The study requirements for language students in Japan are, however, strict and vigorous.  Attendance is required, and beyond a few absences, your visa can be revoked if you miss class.  Dedicating four hours of study each day will be too much time for most visitors.  But if staying in Japan for a long time is your goal, time spent learning the language may be a good investment - and provide a two-year period to become more established in Japan.

With a visa for foreign students in Japan, you can also get a simple bank account, and can book a long-term apartment.  Student visas in Japan also make you eligible for (very) low-cost health insurance in Japan.

Establishing Residency in Japan as a Foreigner

What begins as a vacation, and turns into ongoing visits year after year, can eventually lead to a desire to make Japan a more permanent home.  The immigration policies are not easy to satisfy, but for some foreigners, the difficult path of establishing permanent residency in Japan will be worth the effort.

Popular long-term visas include a working visa in Japan (which requires employment by a Japanese company).  Many foreigners that work as language teachers remain in Japan on a working visa.

For entrepreneurs that plan to work specifically with clients or customers in Japan, a business manager visa can be a good path.  However, if you want to live in Japan, but set up a business that caters to clients outside of Japan, the immigration process may be more difficult using that visa.

For foreigners that meet the requirements, Japan also offers a highly skilled professional visa, allowing you to live in Japan for up to five years.  The highly skilled visa in Japan is available for both foreigners working for Japan companies, and some self-employed entrepreneurs in Japan.

The length of stay for each of these visas varies, but can range from 90-days to five years, and can sometimes be extended.  Permanent residency can sometimes become available (if special criteria are met) after 10 years (and faster, in some special circumstances).

As you establish residency in Japan, you can gain certain privileges not available to tourists.  For most visitors, access to banking, the ability to make contracts for phone or internet service, and the option to rent a long-term apartment in Japan are important benefits.

Renting an Apartment in Japan

You can, of course, rent an apartment in Japan for a week or a month (or more) as a tourist, with no need for residency.  However, if you want access to the vast majority of Japanese apartments, and to lower monthly rent, the ability to sign a lease can be a real benefit.

“If you’re staying in Japan for more than a few weeks, a fully furnished apartment or even the option to sign a traditional lease can save you a lot of money.  A standard apartment in Japan should cost the renter less than half of what a comparable Airbnb unit would cost.”
—FindHokkaidoAgents.com, real estate consultants in Sapporo

Long-term apartments for rent in Japan do come with their own set-up challenges.  Japanese property owners charge a lot of fees at the time the lease is signed (as well as a commission, for the leasing agent).  And most Japanese apartments come completely empty, and require the renter to purchase a bed, a refrigerator, and other essential items.

For a short-term stay, furnished apartments make more sense.  But if you are planning to live in Japan on an ongoing basis, renting your own apartment in Japan and acquiring some personal belongings can make life more comfortable.

Japanese Startup Culture

While not all remote work is related to technology or software jobs in Japan, some of the classic startup culture found in tech-cities like San Francisco can also be found in Japan. 

Japan is making a concerted effort to develop a strong culture of startups and tech-entrepreneurship.  There is substantial support from the local and national governments of Japan for both startups and technology workers.  Examples include the JETRO STARTUP support programs from the Japanese External Trade Organization, the Startup ecosystem from Tokyo Consortium, STARTUP HOKKAIDO, Startup City Fukuoka, the Osaka Innovation Hub, and more.

Enjoy Your Time in Japan

Whether you are looking for a place to pass a season as a remote worker, or to establish yourself in a permanent way, Japan is an excellent choice for digital nomads.