A Warm Welcome to Your New Life in Japan

Deciding to move to Japan later in life — in your 40s, 50s, or 60s — is both bold and inspiring. Perhaps you’re seeking a second career, joining family, or fulfilling a long-held dream of peaceful retirement. Japan offers something rare: modern convenience, safety, and deep tradition in perfect balance.

In my decades of helping foreigners settle here through my English school in Niigata, I’ve met countless people who arrived midlife, unsure what to expect. Some were digital professionals starting over; others came for family, or simply because they fell in love with Japan’s sense of community.

If you’re drawn to Japan’s quiet streets, its culture of respect, or the feeling of security that comes with clean air and order — you’ll fit in beautifully. This guide blends practical steps and authentic wisdom from both Japanese locals and real expats to help you begin your new chapter with confidence.

Before You Even Board: Pre-Arrival Essentials

1. Visa & Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

Ensure your visa is stamped and your original CoE is packed in your hand luggage.
Common visa types for midlife movers include Highly Skilled Professional (HSP), Business Manager, and Spouse of a Japanese National.

🗒 Tip: Scan your CoE and visa pages — keep digital copies in the cloud for backup.

2. Temporary Accommodation

Book at least 2–3 weeks in a hotel, serviced apartment, or Airbnb.
You’ll need a Japanese bank account, phone number, and guarantor before you can sign a long-term lease.

3. Finances & Cash

Bring ¥50,000–¥100,000 in cash for your first few weeks — enough for transport, food, and basic setup costs.
Notify your home bank before travel to avoid frozen cards.

💸 For larger transfers, Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers reliable, low-fee conversions and real exchange rates.

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💰 Understanding Japan’s Banking Culture

Japan is still a partly cash-based society. You’ll often pay utilities, rent deposits, and even medical bills in cash.
That said, digital payments (like PayPay, Suica, and credit cards) are growing fast — especially in urban areas.
You’ll soon notice a charming mix: vending machines that take IC cards right next to restaurants that accept only cash.

4. Medical & Personal Documents

Pack securely in your carry-on:

• Passport & visa
• CoE
• Proof of accommodation
• Passport photos
• International Driving Permit
• Prescription medicines (+ doctor’s note / Yakkan Shoumei)
• Digital & paper copies of everything
• 📱 Unlocked smartphone (for Japanese SIM compatibility)

One of my Canadian employees once forgot her international driving permit — and had to wait three months to legally drive again. Preparation saves time and stress.

Touchdown Japan: Navigating the Airport

Major airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu) are efficient but procedural.

Immigration Control

Show your passport, visa, CoE, and Disembarkation Card. You’ll be fingerprinted and photographed.

Residence Card (在留カード)

At major airports, you’ll receive your Residence Card (Zairyū Card) on arrival.
Double-check all printed details before leaving the counter.
Your address section will remain blank until you register it locally.

Customs & Arrival

Submit your declaration form — and congratulations, you’re officially in Japan!

Getting from the Airport to Your New Home

When my Vietnamese teacher Linh arrived just before midnight, she had pre-booked the limousine bus — a wise decision that made her first night easy and stress-free.

But timing matters. The other day, my son arrived at Haneda around 10 p.m. and found that all direct buses to Niigata had already stopped. He took the train to Ikebukuro, then boarded the 12:40 a.m. express bus bound for Niigata Station. It was a long night but a good reminder to check late-night routes carefully.

Note: Many airport buses from Haneda finish by midnight. If traveling long-distance, plan to reach a hub like Tokyo or Ikebukuro to catch an overnight bus.
Tip: Use Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan) to check last-train and bus times before booking your flight.
Bonus Tip: Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card from a ticket machine at the airport for easy local travel.

Taxi: Reliable and clean, though expensive for long distances. Expect a nighttime surcharge after 10 p.m.

✈️ The same advice applies if you’re flying into Narita Airport. Since Narita is located much farther from central Tokyo, planning your route in advance is even more important. Most last trains and buses into the city depart around 11:00 p.m., so if you arrive late, your top priority should be simply getting to a main hub like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, or Ueno before local connections stop for the night.

Your First Two Weeks in Japan: The Critical Checklist

Within 14 days of moving into your accommodation, complete these registrations.

1. Register Your Address (住民登録 – Jūmin Tōroku)

Visit your City or Ward Office (市役所 / 区役所) with your Residence Card and passport.
Staff will help you fill out a Moving-In Notification (転入届), and your new address will be printed on your Residence Card.

Related Read: Renting vs Buying in Japan

2. Apply for Your My Number Card (マイナンバーカード)

After registering your address, you’ll receive a 12-digit My Number. A few weeks later, an application form will arrive by mail for the physical My Number Card.

Why it matters:

• Required for online banking and tax filings
• Needed for many government services
• Used for hospital check-ins and certain insurance claims
• Eligible for the MyNaPoint cashback program
• Serves as an official photo ID

How: Apply online using the QR code on the mailed form or by post. The card usually arrives within 2–4 weeks.

3. Enroll in Health & Social Insurance (健康保険 ・ 社会保険)

Japan has two main systems depending on your work situation:

• National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 / Kokumin Kenko Hoken): for self-employed, freelancers, or retirees.
• Social Insurance (社会保険 / Shakai Hoken): for company employees, which also includes Employees’ Pension Insurance (厚生年金 / Kōsei Nenkin).

If you work for a company, your employer will automatically register you and split the cost 50/50.
Freelancers and self-employed residents must enroll at the City Office.

💡 Carry your insurance card when visiting clinics or pharmacies.

A Note on Premiums: When my British employee John moved to Niigata at 52, his first-year premium was under ¥4,000 per month because premiums are based on the previous year’s income in Japan. Expect this amount to increase significantly in year two once you have a full year of Japanese income on record — a vital budgeting tip!

Coverage Comparison:

• National Health Insurance: covers 70 % of medical expenses.
• Social Insurance: same coverage + includes dependents and higher pension benefits.

4. Enroll in the Pension System (年金制度)

Two systems operate side by side:

• National Pension (国民年金 / Kokumin Nenkin): for self-employed residents.
• Employees’ Pension Insurance (厚生年金 / Kōsei Nenkin): for company employees under Social Insurance.

If you’re 60 +, confirm whether your home country has a Social Security Totalization Agreement with Japan to avoid double contributions.

If You Leave Japan Permanently: You may be eligible for a Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment of part of your pension contributions within two years of departure — a valuable benefit many foreigners miss.

🔗 Japan Pension Service – English Overview

5. Open a Japanese Bank Account (銀行口座)

Online banks like SBI Sumishin Bank, Net Rakuten Bank or , Sony Bank, offer English interfaces and simple applications.

You’ll need:

• Residence Card (with address)
• Passport
• Japanese phone number
• Small initial deposit (~¥1,000)

🪙 Note: Some traditional banks still require a personal seal (hanko / inkan). You can have one made in minutes at a shop, but many modern banks now use digital ID verification instead — part of Japan’s slow shift from paper to online processes.

6. Get a Japanese Phone Number

I personally use LINEMO, a SoftBank subsidiary. The base fee is ¥990/month, and since I don’t make many calls or use much mobile data outside, my bill rarely exceeds ¥2,000/month.

Other affordable carriers include Rakuten Mobile, IIJmio, and OCN Mobile One. Most require your Residence Card and a bank account or credit card for payment.

Settling In Beyond Paperwork

Find Long-Term Housing

Foreign-friendly agents can explain Japan’s rental norms (key money, guarantor company, etc.).

Related Read: Cost of Living in Japan for Foreign Residents

Utilities & Garbage

Grab your city’s multilingual garbage-sorting guide — rules vary even between neighborhoods.

Healthcare & Language

Locate your nearest clinic and note which hospitals have English-speaking doctors.
Apps like Google Translate and LINE Translate make medical visits easier.

Driving in Japan

If you plan to drive long-term, you’ll need to convert your international license.

Read More: Driving in Japan Over 40 – Full Guide

Building Your Community

Starting over in a new country doesn’t mean starting alone.
Japan has countless ways to connect once you’re settled:

• Volunteer Groups: join clean-up events, language cafés, or community gardens.
• Language Exchange Meetups: wonderful for practicing Japanese and making local friends.
• Neighborhood Associations (町内会): great for integrating, learning local customs, and joining seasonal festivals.

When you join a community in Japan, you’ll sometimes come across heartwarming local scenes — like neighbors gathering for rice planting, children pounding mochi on New Year’s Day, or families watching fireworks together in summer. Moments like these remind you that connection here often begins with small gestures and shared traditions.

Voices from Experience

Chris (54, Canada)

“I came for a two-year teaching job and stayed fifteen. The first month was pure paperwork, but once settled, life here felt peaceful and safe.”

Linh (41, Vietnam)

“At first the forms were overwhelming, but the city-office staff were kind. They truly appreciate when you try simple Japanese — even a small arigatou gozaimasu goes a long way.”

Recommended Resource: Wise – Send Money to Japan Easily

If you’ll be transferring funds regularly, Wise is my go-to. It lets you hold multiple currencies and send yen with minimal fees — used by many of my foreign teachers and readers alike.

Special Considerations for Midlife Movers

Healthcare & Insurance

Japan’s public system is reliable, but private expat insurers (like SafetyWing or Cigna Global) can offer extras such as private rooms or English-speaking doctors.

Pension & Retirement

Review your country’s pension agreement with Japan to ensure you get credit for your contribution years and avoid double payments.

Family & Dependents

If relocating with family, confirm visa types early. International schools exist in big cities, while public schools provide immersion and community ties in smaller regions.

Further Reading

• Healthcare in Japan for Foreign Residents
• Permanent Residency in Japan: Step-by-Step Guide
• Cost of Living in Japan: Real Stories from Expats

Final Thoughts – A Warm Invitation to Begin Your Next Chapter

Settling in Japan isn’t just about completing forms — it’s about finding peace in a country where small moments matter. You’ll soon discover the quiet joy of morning walks past tidy gardens, the comfort of konbini coffee, and the deep courtesy that defines daily life here.

I’ve watched many of my teachers and friends build second lives in Japan — one step, one form, and one warm hello at a time. Whether you’re moving to Tokyo, Niigata, or a quiet island town, know that your courage to start anew will be rewarded a hundredfold.

Welcome home to Japan — ようこそ日本へ (Yōkoso Nihon e)!