Before you leave...

Australians visiting Japan for up to 90 days can remain in the country without a visa under the temporary visa arrangement. You cannot, however, work or engage in long term studies, with exceptions for certain short term courses at Japanese language schools. If you intend to work in Japan, make sure you plan in advance, as you must apply for a visa at a Japanese consulate outside of Japan. The visas issued are only valid for specific professional fields, and if you change jobs whilst in the country, you will probably have to apply for a new visa. Many of these profession specific visas require you to have some training in your chosen field, and often will require the sponsorship of the employer you intend to work for in Japan. If you plan on engaging in long term studies in Japan, you will need to apply for a student visa. Persons residing in Japan on student visas are generally not allowed to work, unless they attain permission from their college or school. If your partner or children are planning to live with you in Japan, they will have to apply for "dependent" visas, which also have conditions set for how much paid work they will be able to engage in. One good option for working in Japan is the working holiday visa arrangement. If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 you can reside in Japan working part or full time, although a significant portion of your time should be spent holidaying, i.e. getting to know Japan. Don't forget to apply for your "alien registration card", which allows you to do things like open bank accounts in the country. You can apply for this card at your local municipal office.

Finding a place to live...

The best place to start looking for an apartment is real estate agents. There are a few difficulties in renting apartments, the first being the length of the rental contract: which is, on average, two years. Landlords in Japan can be nervous about foreigners living in their apartments, due to concerns over length of stay and differences in expectations of tenants. Another difficulty is in the fees charged throughout the rental process. Some agents charge an initial application fee as a deposit to prevent other tenants from taking the property. This fee is known as tetsukekin. You should check your contract to see if this is refundable after moving in, as often it may not be. You are also required to pay a deposit, known as shikikin, to the landlord upon signing the lease, which is refundable, subtracting the costs of any damage or repairs when you move out. This can vary, but it is generally one to three months rent. Two other fees you may have to pay are the reikin, or key money, and the chukai tesuryo or the estate agent service fee. The first is a payment of one or two month's rent upfront as a gift to the landlord. The second is a charge incurred for the service of the estate agent, also around one month’s rent, which is non-refundable. If you plan on renting an apartment in Japan, it is a good idea to come prepared with savings to fund these additional costs. It is probably worthwhile to investigate real estate companies specifically aimed to foreigners, which specialise in shorter leases, shared apartments, and often will advertise lower upfront fees. One type of accommodation these centres deal with is "gaijin house" or “guest house,” which may be more appropriate for shorter stays in Japan. Shared apartments usually attract monthly rents of between ¥40,000 and ¥110,000. Many of these apartments include basic furniture, such as a futon, appliances including a fridge, and Internet access.

Finding work...

There are many opportunities to work as an English language teacher in Japan. These jobs are easily found on the Internet, through websites like www.gaijinpot.com as well as through recruitment centres. Many of these recruitment centres have offices overseas, so you may be able to access one in your home city. The best way to pursue English teaching in Japan is through the JET, or Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. This is a government initiative designed to attract foreign language instructors. Most teachers working in this program will work as assistant teachers in high schools. To participate, you will need a university degree, and proof of good language abilities. Other professional fields that attract foreigners are translation, information technology, and the food and media industries. A smattering of Japanese will be particularly useful when seeking work in Japan, so do consider taking a few lessons before you leave!

Living costs in japan

One of the most wide spread stereotypes of living in Japan is that living costs are exorbitant. Living in Japan does not have to be unreasonable. While living in an apartment in the centre of Tokyo is likely to be very pricey, the surrounding suburbs are much more affordable. Transport costs tend to be low, so living outside the city can mean big savings. Be sure to get commuter savvy and buy the correct train or bus passes, which are usually very good deals.
You can also save by using international phone services such as Skype, or by investigating calling cards or packages. Food costs can be kept down if you buy local Japanese products. Eating out at restaurants is also inexpensive. Your best source for a whole array of budget goods is the 100 yen shops, where many Japanese stock up on a variety of daily necessities. Approximate prices for other foods and drink are as follows: soft drinks are ¥120, beer ¥230, a half litre of mineral water ¥130, a bowl of Japanese noodles is ¥700, breakfast at a café ¥550 and a Big Mac is ¥320.