Living in Japan 101: How to Settle In, Belong, and Enjoy

Japan living
Written By Akemi Klotka

Moving to Japan for work or retirement is a big step. But once you’ve settled in, the next challenge begins: building a real, fulfilling life here. In this post, I’ll share some of our own experiences and what I recommend to others trying to make Japan truly feel like home.

This blog covers:

1. Building Connections with Neighbors

2. Breaking the Language Barrier: Beyond Survival Japanese

3. Making Friends and Building a Community

4. Staying Healthy: Navigating Healthcare and Mental Wellness

5. Spiritual Life and Faith Communities

6. Keeping a Sense of Adventure – Try Japanese cooking

Wrap up

 ——————————————————————————-

1.  Building Connections with Neighbors

Once you find your home, Japan often brings an important element: community ties.

Many neighborhoods have local resident groups (自治会, jichikai) that organize everything from cleaning days to summer festivals. Participation isn’t legally required, but we’ve found that joining in—at least a little—helps build trust with neighbors and makes you feel more rooted.

Being acquainted with your neighbors also has practical benefits. In Japan, where natural disasters like earthquakes are a reality, knowing your neighbors can be a lifeline during emergencies. Even in everyday life, these connections foster a sense of peace and belonging. Here are some simple steps that worked:

Things That Help:

✅ Greet neighbors cheerfully: “おはようございます” (Good morning), “こんにちは” (Good afternoon), “こんばんは” (Good evening). A simple greeting goes a long way. Even if your Japanese isn’t perfect, the effort shows goodwill. We noticed that our neighbors appreciated this small gesture, and it made us feel more welcome.

✅ Introduce yourself after moving in: You might not feel motivated to do this, but it can really pay off. It’s commonly said among real estate agents who specialize in foreign tenants:

“A simple moving-in greeting can prevent so many neighborhood issues.”

Not everyone does this—especially in big cities—but it’s still a great way to start off on the right foot. Consider greeting your immediate neighbors with a small gift, like a box of tissues or a hand towel. If you're not comfortable visiting in person, dropping a short note in their mailbox works.

If you're a woman living alone and concerned about safety, don’t worry—you’re not obligated to do this. In that case, consider asking your real estate agent to handle the introduction or advise on best practices.

This small gesture helps everyone feel more at ease—especially since you’ll likely run into your neighbors often.

🔎 Note: In Japan, police officers may visit residential homes to collect information for what’s called a Junkai Renraku Card (巡回連絡カード). This card records your address, name, household members, and emergency contact details.

Some people are understandably surprised by the unexpected visit and may hesitate to open the door. Others worry about how their personal information might be used. I actually experienced this myself when I was living alone in Tokyo—I had no idea about this system and was confused when a police officer showed up at my door.

According to the police, this information is used in case of emergencies—such as natural disasters or sudden illness alone inside—when it's difficult to reach you. If you’re unsure whether the visitor is a real police officer or feel uncomfortable opening the door, you can ask them to leave the card in your mailbox. You can then bring it to your local police station later.

✅ Attend small community events when possible. 

We’ve taken part in annual fire drills, cleaning days, and pet association gatherings (for Jager’s sake/ Wirehaired Dachshund).

At first, cleaning day sounded like a bother— but we joined anyway. It only lasted about an hour. Only about 10 % of the community showed up, so no pressure! Working together to clean our shared spaces created a sense of connection, and it’s a great example of Japan’s cultural emphasis on collective responsibility.

At the end, we were handed a bottle of green tea with a big smile and a warm thank-you. A couple of days later, the clean-up day leader even contacted my American husband to invite him on a local photo outing.

✅ Follow Waste Management rules carefully.

Japan’s trash sorting system is strict—and it was a big adjustment for us coming from the U.S., where we could toss out almost anything at any time.

Here in Japan, whether you live in a house or an apartment, the municipal office will provide a detailed brochure on how to separate your trash: kitchen waste, paper, boxes, clothes, bottles, cans, and more. Each category has its own designated pickup day. For oversized items like furniture or electronics, you must contact the garbage control center, schedule a pickup, and pay a fee.

Early on, we made the mistake of putting out the correct type of trash—but on the wrong day. It was left behind with a note saying it couldn’t be picked up. We had to sheepishly take it back and double-check the pickup schedule.

Over time, though, we adapted. Japan’s waste system may feel overwhelming at first, but it reflects the country’s strong commitment to recycling and sustainability due to limited landfill space.

 Useful Resources
Make sure you check the rules specific to your local area—they may vary slightly.

✅ Sound/Noise Issues: A friend of mine once rented a house to three foreign workers who played loud music with their windows open. He made a request, and they understood right away—they were respectful afterward.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of noise disturbance, it’s best to start by contacting your property manager or community leader. Noise issues are common in Japan, even among locals. In some cases, neighbors have contacted the police by dialing #110 (the emergency number for crime or disturbances), and the police made a formal visit to ask the noise maker to quiet down.

 

2.  Breaking the Language Barrier: Beyond Survival Japanese

Language is often one of the biggest challenges when settling in Japan. To be honest—you really do need it! Even basic Japanese skills can make daily life easier, whether it’s at the grocery store, hospital, or city office. For example, simply being able to write your address in Japanese is extremely helpful when filling out forms at the bank or municipal office.

Here are some ways to build your language skills over time:

✅ Build Daily Habits with Language Apps

Choose based on your style and goals:

  • Duolingo – Casual and gamified. Great for beginners who enjoy short, interactive lessons.

  • Lingodeer – More structured, with strong grammar explanations.

  • Tandem / HelloTalk – Best for real-time chats with native speakers and language partners.

  • WaniKani – Ideal for learning kanji through spaced repetition.

  • BunPro – Good for grammar and vocabulary in context.

  • JapanesePod101 – Focused on listening skills and useful phrases.

🔗 More on this in my language learning blog

In the blog above, I’ve included more tips on how to learn Japanese—as well as the mindset that can help you stay motivated.

 

✅ Check Local Community Centers
Most cities offer free or low-cost Japanese classes. When registering your address at the municipal office, ask if they have flyers or information on local classes.

✅ Join a Hobby Group
Whether it's sports, cooking, crafts, or music—talking about what you love makes language learning easier and more natural. Even simple chats about travel, cars, or photography can help you connect and practice without pressure.

Language learning isn’t just about communication—it’s about building bridges with the people around you. The more you learn, the more you’ll feel at home in Japan.

 

3.  Making Friends and Building a Community

Here are some practical ways—based on our experience—to find your place in Japan:

✅ Start with your workplace (if you're still working):
The office can be a great place to meet people you trust and share common interests with, like business or personal goals. Even after leaving a company, you can stay in touch with former colleagues who become friends.

✅ Foreigners meet foreigners:
Whether at Akihabara, sightseeing spots, bus stops, or on social media—foreigners tend to find each other. Interestingly, my American husband has made friends this way. He always carries his own name card to introduce himself, usually after cracking a few jokes!

✅ Volunteer:
Many local governments welcome foreigners to participate in community events or language exchanges. It’s a great way to connect and give back.

✅ Join hobby groups with shared interests:
Whether it’s photography, woodworking, flower arranging, bonsai, or martial arts, enthusiasm for a hobby is a universal language.
One of my Chinese friends joined a community vegetable garden to meet people and now grows her own produce! She shared these helpful links:

✅ Choose the right community for you:
Ask yourself what you truly want from a community. Do you want to connect with others in your language? Or immerse yourself in a Japanese-speaking group and challenge your language skills? There's no one right answer—choose what fits your comfort and goals.

Real Story: The Challenges of Joining a Social Community

We once joined a social community where almost no one spoke much English. The members welcomed us warmly and took us under their wing, which we deeply appreciated. Before officially joining, we attended a few dinner events to get a sense of what it would be like, and the group’s kindness made us eager to participate. However, the language barrier eventually took its toll. Despite everyone’s best efforts to keep conversations going, we found ourselves exhausted by the constant struggle to communicate. Over time, we became too tired to fully enjoy the experience and decided to step back.

Another Real Story: Facing Rejection at a Local Sports Club

Another challenge came when we tried to join a local sports club. My husband was rejected because he couldn’t understand Japanese well enough to follow instructions in an emergency. I offered to stay with him during activities to help translate, but the club still declined. It was a painful experience, but we didn’t give up. We eventually found a British-based, 24/7 gym in Kanagawa that was foreigner-friendly and hassle-free to join.

4.  Staying Healthy: Navigating Healthcare and Mental Wellness

Japan’s healthcare system is excellent and generally affordable once you're enrolled, but it can feel tricky to navigate at first—especially for newcomers. When it comes to health, prevention is key.

✅ Find a local clinic early:
Most doctors understand basic English, especially in urban areas. It’s critical to register with a nearby clinic for checkups before an emergency happens.

✅ Use a translation app during visits, or ask if language support is available.

✅ Large hospitals can be overwhelming:
Don’t hesitate to ask for help—look for multilingual signage or ask reception staff.

✅ Learn some basic medical Japanese:
Simple phrases like “頭が痛いです” (I have a headache) or “薬をください” (Please prescribe me medicine) can make appointments smoother.

🆓 Freebie Shelf

Mental Health Support

Mental wellness is just as essential as physical health—especially when adjusting to life abroad. Even if you love Japan, it’s normal to feel isolated or overwhelmed at times.

✅ Some clinics offer English-speaking counseling (see the list above in Freebie Shelf).
✅ If you're employed, ask your company if they offer an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) or mental health benefits.

💡 Tip: Don’t wait until you're struggling—mental health is a long-term investment.


Note: Japanese psychiatric care may differ from Western styles. Initial consultations can last an hour, but follow-ups may be as short as 7–8 minutes unless the case is severe. This often surprises foreigners used to longer sessions in the U.S. or Europe.

5.  Spiritual Life and Faith Communities

Faith communities offer more than religion—they offer belonging.

✅ International churches offer English-speaking services.

✅ Many Buddhist temples offer seated meditation sessions (zazen) that are open to the public, providing a calming experience even if you’re not religious.

✅ Cultural events (even if not religious) offer moments of peace and connection.

My husband made good friends through local church. While he didn’t understand the sermons in Japanese, they provided English summaries. Church events helped him connect with high school students who now text him to practice English.

 

6. Keeping a Sense of Adventure – Try Japanese cooking

Even after you’ve settled into daily routines, don’t forget why you moved to Japan in the first place: curiosity, challenge, and discovery. Keep that sense of adventure alive.

✅ Take short day trips:
Exploring nearby towns—even for just a few hours—can reignite your sense of curiosity. We’ve loved discovering hidden shrines, small local cafés, and peaceful nature spots.

✅ Cook Japanese food at home:
Dining out in Japan is fantastic—but cooking at home can be just as rewarding. Japanese cuisine is more than sushi and teriyaki—there are countless healthy, comforting dishes to try. While some require more prep than a Western one-pot meal, the process is fun and fulfilling. Plus, homemade Japanese meals are a great way to share your new life with friends and family.

My recommendation:

Kurashiru: a video-based recipe site that makes it easy to follow along, even if you don’t read Japanese. You can use a translation app to understand the ingredients list.

Link: https://www.kurashiru.com

Sample Recipe:

🍲 Rice-Vinegar Braised Pork (お酢でさっぱりトロトロ煮豚)

A melt-in-your-mouth pork dish with a refreshing tang


Cooking Time: Approx. 1.5 hours (mostly simmering)

🛒 Ingredients

  • Pork shoulder block (buta kata rosu) – 350g

  • Ginger (with skin) – 10g, sliced thin

  • Garlic – 1 clove, sliced

  • Water – 600ml

  • Salad oil – 1 tablespoon

Seasoning (Mix these together):

  • Rice vinegar – 3 tablespoons

  • Soy sauce – 3 tablespoons

  • Sugar – 2 tablespoons

🔪 Instructions

  1. Prepare the aromatics
    Slice the ginger (leave the skin on) and garlic.

  2. Prep the pork
    Use a fork to poke several holes in the surface of the pork block. This helps the flavors soak in.

  3. Sear the pork
    Heat salad oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the pork and sear all sides until nicely browned.

  4. Add liquids and aromatics
    Once the pork is browned, add:

    • Water (600ml)

    • The mixed seasonings (vinegar, soy sauce, sugar)

    • The sliced ginger and garlic

Turn the heat to high and bring it to a boil.

  1. Simmer gently
    Skim off any foam that forms (this is called アク / "aku").
    Place a drop-lid (落し蓋 otoshibuta) or cover loosely.
    Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 90 minutes, until the pork becomes tender.

  2. Serve
    Once cooked, remove the pork and slice into easy-to-eat pieces. Plate and drizzle some of the sauce over it. Done!

🌟 Tips

  • This dish pairs well with white rice or steamed vegetables.

  • Great as a bento (lunch box) filler or even with a cold beer.

  • The vinegar keeps it light and refreshing—even in summer.


Wrap up: Making Japan Home

Living abroad challenges you in ways that travel alone never could—and with those challenges come meaningful growth.  Everyone's version of a fulfilling life is different. But I believe that life across cultures can lead you to feel, “Yes, I’ve fully lived.”

 

And if challenges come your way—I hope you’ll embrace them, and enjoy the journey of making Japan your home.

 

💬 Have your own story about settling into life in Japan? Share it—we’d love to hear!

Akemi Klotka https://navigatorjapan.com
Previous

Moving to Japan with a Dog: Jager’s Journey from Chicago
Next

Voluntary and Involuntary Termination in Japan: What to Expect