Aug 15, 2024

Guide to Living in Japan: Essential Items to Have

Are you planning to live, study, or work in Japan? For daily life in Japan, we recommend essential items that will be helpful whether you are a student, working professional, tourist, or staying for a short period. While almost everything can be bought in Japan, it might be wise to purchase some items in your home country, especially if you need them soon after arriving or don’t want to spend time searching for them in Japan. Besides daily necessities, we also suggest some smartphone apps that many non-Japanese residents find useful.

Essential Items to have or to bring to Japan

Slip-on comfortable shoes or sneakers

In many countries, wearing shoes indoors like in restaurants and bars is common, but in Japan, whether you’re visiting briefly or living there, you’ll need to remove your shoes before entering most buildings. Traditional Japanese buildings, such as onsen resorts, ryokan, temples, castles, and homes, have a lower entryway called a genkan where shoes are taken off and slippers may be worn. This custom extends to modern settings with tatami matting, and even some restaurants and izakayas. All types of accommodations in Japan, from hotels to apartments and houses, feature a genkan, so it’s wise to have easily removable, lace-free footwear from the outset.

Easy-access card case

In Japan, IC Cards provide convenient access to virtually every transportation system, including trains, trams, and buses, as well as vending machines and coin lockers. Trains are the main mode of transport between regions and within cities, with fares calculated by distance intervals. IC Cards allow for quick fare calculation with a simple tap on and off, making them the most convenient payment method for daily travel. To keep your IC Card easily accessible and secure, consider using a card case designed for quick retrieval and tapping, minimizing the risk of loss or interference from other cards.

Appropriate clothing for the weather

In Japan, the diverse geography and year-round four seasons—from hot, humid summers to cold winters and rainy springs—make it essential to have versatile clothing. Key items include a raincoat, water-resistant backpack, waterproof shoes, medium-thick scarf, lightweight sweaters, and thermal undergarments. Layering is crucial for adjusting to the varied daily conditions.

Cash & Credit card

Despite Japan’s reputation as a high-tech society with high-speed trains, neon signs, customer service robots, and automated parking systems, it remains primarily cash-based. It’s essential to have cash on hand when you arrive and know where to withdraw more using your international credit or debit card, as cash is widely used. Fortunately, theft in Japan is rare, and lost wallets with cash are often returned intact to nearby koban (small police stations) by honest individuals.

Adaptor and portable battery

When traveling to Japan, it’s essential to have a power adapter to use electrical outlets, which are similar to those in the US and Canada but without the third ground prong. To minimize adapters needed, consider bringing a power bar or surge protector from your home country along with at least one adapter. Japan’s standard voltage is 100V, lower than in many other countries, so your electronics are less likely to be damaged, though they may operate or charge more slowly.

WiFi availability in cafes and establishments is less common compared to other countries, and outlets can be scarce. Given the reliance on smartphones for navigation, translation, and creating hotspots, it’s wise to invest in a portable battery or power bank either before traveling to Japan or upon arrival.

A suit or formal wear

Whether you’re coming to Japan for study or work, it’s important to note the country’s formal culture, where suits are commonly worn for significant occasions. Students may need suits for events like opening and graduation ceremonies, as well as formal school gatherings. Professionals often wear suits for initial interviews and formal interactions with colleagues, clients, or at networking events, even if daily work attire is less formal. Being prepared with appropriate attire for such occasions is highly recommended.

Useful apps to have

Google Translate

In Japan, especially in busy urban areas, encountering people and customer service staff who struggle with English is common, despite efforts to promote global awareness and English proficiency. Google Translate is a crucial tool for daily life in Japan, useful for translating large blocks of text into romaji (romanized Japanese). Unlike other apps, Google Translate translates entire sentences and supports romaji viewing, aiding in learning Japanese by linking kanji characters with meanings and pronunciations. Its camera feature is also handy for instant translation of kanji characters, which can be difficult to read without prior knowledge.

LINE

If you have Japanese friends, you’re likely familiar with LINE, the most popular instant messaging app in Japan. For those anticipating interactions with Japanese people, LINE is essential. It offers instant messaging, voice calls, group chats, photo and video sharing, shared albums, and notes that can be referenced separately from the conversation stream. It’s widely used both socially and for work, making it a versatile tool for staying connected in Japan.

– Luke