Archive for the ‘Live in Japan’ Category
Tokyo is the home for the rich and famous. It is considered as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Tokyo is famous of its luxury Tokyo apartments. That is why, if you want to have a longer visit and stay in Japan, it is best to find a place outside of Central Tokyo. You will find low cost hotels, apartments and restaurants in the areas outside of Tokyo. In addition, there are also available parking spaces at a lower parking fee. You can use your personal car or rent a car for a tour around Japan, except Tokyo Central. In renting hotels or apartments outside of Tokyo area, the excitement and comfort is the same as when you rent luxury Tokyo apartments. Tokyo also provides many opportunities to job seekers. It is highly urbanized that finding jobs is quick and easy. Tokyo also offers foreign services like the international supermarkets, English bookstores and array of western restaurants.
Hokkaido and Chubu regions
In places like Hokkaido and Chubu regions, the slow-paced life in these regions do not offer the same western life comfort that urban Tokyo have. But, it offers different ecstatic level of enjoyment. In Hokkaido for example, it is paradise to visitors because of the nature’s bounty offerings. It is famous for hot spring resorts which is the bests in Japan and outdoor sports like skiing, cycling, rafting, and hiking. It is also known for delicious seafood and cheap renting spaces. Likewise, the Chubu region which consists of Gifu, Aichi, Toyama, Ishikawa, Nagano and Fukui prefectures are wonderful places to live if you like a simple, nature-rich environment. This is the best region to visit if you wish to know more of Japanese culture and tradition. The city of Kanazawa has many interesting shrines, temples, museums, and well-preserved old buildings.
Tohoku region
Likewise, the Tohoku region is made up of the prefectures of Aomori, Akita, Niigata, Yamagata, Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate, which is rural in setting. Sometimes, people regarded the place as backward and the economy is very slow. There are only few foreigners in the region. The main urban center however is Sendai, the capital of Iwate prefecture. If you wish to study about Japan’s culture, visit Tohoku. In this region, Japanese people showcase their unique festivities and their Japanese arts and culture. Moreover, the Akita region is famous for its “Akita bijin”, said to be the home of Japan’s most beautiful women because of their pale skin.
Buying your own home in Japan
If you are planning to relocate in Japan, you have to consider several factors to choose the place of abode wisely. Living in Tokyo is the most expensive decision you will make. Tokyo is known for its high cost of living. Therefore, living in Tokyo means a stable source of income to maintain the high standards of living. In Japan, as a rule, the farther you live in Tokyo, the cheaper would be the value of the property. The price of real estate or renting an apartment decreases progressively as the distance to the center of Tokyo or the distance to the nearest station increases. The location and age of the building as well as the size and position of the apartment are the main factors that determine the value of the property or the cost of the rent: The prefectures, regions and cities outside of Tokyo are perfect for cheap places to stay.
Can a foreigner own a house in Japan?
Anybody has a chance to buy his own house or rent an apartment in Tokyo or in any parts of Japan. For foreign nationals, on top of all other requirements, he is required to present a long-term visa or a permanent visa in applying for bank housing loans. The reason for this is that in Japan obtaining a housing loan is difficult. Having a permanent visa and a stable job are the main requirements to get a housing loan. In some instances, banks also require a Japanese guarantor financially capable to pay the obligation in case you defaulted in your payments. In some cases, choosing gaijin house is the best option because it is less expensive compared to other housing units.
Choosing the right place to stay
Avoid staying in Tokyo. If your job does not require you to go to Tokyo, the prefectures of Tochigi or Nagano, Ibaraki, Shizuoka, or Gunma would be the best places to stay. Living outside of Tokyo would be refreshing and comfortable than the overly crowded, polluted and busy Tokyo. Nagano for instance is a beautiful place with its natural green surroundings. Everything is cheap in Nagano and it is only an hour ride by train from the lure of Tokyo’s modern living. Other perfect choices are the prefectures of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa which are known as bedroom communities of Tokyo. Also, the places like Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture, the Izu peninsula in Shizuoka, and the area around the Chichibu-Tama in Chiba are good choices to stay outside of Tokyo.