Who'se lived in Japan?

Have you read "The 4 hr Workweek?" Basic how-to of automating your business and moving abroad. It's on the fluffy side but some good ideas.

 

I'm there about 4 times a year.

Bring cash. Lots of it. Tokyo isn't cheap.

One insight, you will never fit in. If you're okay with that (and I have been for years), you'll be fine.

 

there for about eight months

 

How much do things cost? For example, a bottle of Coke or a decent meal?

 

Bottle of coke is 147 yen.

Standing noodles (poor food) = 800 yen.

One plate of yakitori (grilled chicken, 4 piece) = 700 yen. (low end, we typically get 3-4 plates per person)

1/2 pound burger at Trader Vic's = 3150 yen. (medium, draft beer is ~700 yen there)

Dinner at La Tour d'Argent = ~ 19000 yen/person. (high end)

 

This is my home away from home when I am there.

http://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/

Even with the corporate rate, it's over $200 a night...

 

+1
Lived there, although on the outside of the culture, for two years in a semi-rural area. I found living there was a lot of fun with really great people, but definite differences in cuture. Where I was in very northern Japan we used to joke it was like it was before Admiral Perry, just with twenty first century technology.
Very proper, very formal, and you're a very well treated guest, but always a guest. I learned what it kinda feels like to be an ethnic minority. There will be some places you will not be allowed to go simply because you are not Japanese. While it is a very very safe place mostly, also do not underestimate some elements of organized crime.
Position and status very important in all walks of life. Money talks. If you speak the language, that goes a long way.
I really enjoyed my time in Japan and have many Japanese friends. They are all about honor and once loyalties are established, are most fast and true. We could learn some things from them.

Never could get used to eating Uni (sea urchin), though.

 

Depends, most are tolerated at best.

I'm a bit different when I am over there, speak enough Japanese to get by, tried to understand the culture, and I've climbed Mt. Fuji, which really gets you on the inside tract.

Still crack everyone up when I introduce myself and say "wo tashi bimbo guyjin" (I'm just a poor foreigner...).

 

You could be a gigilo.....seriously......there is a big market for them in Japan.....an entire industry of boyfriends for rent exists.

 

They have cool bathrooms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEnfCQD1QvY

 

Yes - learn the language - as much as possible. This is true for any country you may want to live in.

If you choose to drive there, get used to turning on your wipers everytime you want to signal a turn.
Don't laugh - ask anyone whose lived and driven there.

 

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I have to say, not impressed with your choice in race car. Is that a minivan?

 

When I was little we lived in Japan for 6 years. Several times in the beginning, especially at night with little traffic, he drove on the wrong side of the road. Scary. Other people on base had similar stories.

 

I live in Japan. Tokyo. It's not all that is is cracked up to be. pm me off line if you want to chat about this.

 

If you're going to lap Motegi with 6 passengers, you don't have much of a choice...

 

My neighbor's stepson has been living there for the last 1.5 years, and he is loving it very much so, you should go for it!!! Ive been to japan before and it is such a cultural difference. I would go again anytime.

 

I went on my honeymoon there and the wife too of course. I am totally in love with the place, especially Tokyo. Osaka is also a cool place. I would visit before moving to see if it is for you. NOt sure if I would like to live there but I absolutely love it.

 

I think most of the things are already covered in the thread. Tokyo can be expensive but you can always find cheaper local shops for everyday things. You just have to know where the locals shop. Americans are well received there. You shouldn't have any problem, but they can and do look down on certain races and colours unfortunately.

 

Great post Russ. It maches my experience as well. I lived in Tokyo and Yokohama for six years in the 1990s when I was a single guy in my 20s. There are few better places on earth for a single guy in his 20s! Anyway...these days my wife is Japanese, I'm still basically fluent in the language (though my reading/writing suffer these days from lack of use) and we speak Japanese as our language at home with each other and our kids and I go back to Japan quite often to visit friends and family. I taught english a little, did graphic design, played in a few bands that played all the hip spots in the Tokyo area and did some recording, surfed an average of about 100 days a year, started a music magazine, and basically just avoided 'real' life for as long as possible. The dot com boom brought me back to California. I may end up retiring there with my wife, or even moving there again on my own should we ever get divorced. I really like the place. I prefer being an outsider, and in Japan we gaijin get that privilege for free.