Moving to Japan Guide + How Dogpay Helps

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Japan offers several visa categories for foreigners moving there: Work Visas (for professionals such as engineers, teachers, business managers etc.), Student Visas, Working Holiday Visas (for eligible countries/age), Spouse/Family Visas, and Long-Term Resident or Investor/Business visas.
For most work visas, you need a job offer or sponsorship by a Japanese employer, plus qualification proof (education, experience).
Foreigners staying more than 90 days are generally required to register at the local municipal office and get a Resident Card, report address changes, etc.

Tokyo is among the most expensive cities in Japan: high rents, high daily costs. Living outside Tokyo (Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya, smaller cities) can be significantly cheaper.
In Tokyo, a 3-bedroom apartment in city centre can cost very high (USD equivalent usually several thousands/month); smaller places or shared apartments reduce cost.
Utilities, internet, transport, groceries in big cities are relatively expensive; local taxes, insurance, etc. also add up.

Japan has a universal health insurance system; foreigners working or residing long-term generally must enroll in national or local health insurance schemes after a period (generally over 3 months).
Insurance covers a large fraction of medical costs (often ~70%), with the patient paying co-payments (~30%) in many cases. Private insurance is often used to supplement.

When you arrive, securing housing often requires a deposit, first month’s rent, sometimes “key money” or agent fees. Many landlords expect proof of visa or resident status.
Opening a local bank account requires documents like passport, residence card, proof of address, employment contract, etc. Foreigners often need a Japanese address, phone number.
Learning basic Japanese helps a lot; culture, administrative processes, workplace expectations often assume some knowledge of Japanese or at least willingness to adapt.

Dogpay addresses common financial pain points for newcomers to Japan:

Visa and government fees: Transparent FX rates, faster multi-currency payments.
Rent & deposits: Large transfers without excessive bank wire fees; quicker settlement for landlords.
Recurring bills: Automate utilities and phone/internet bills, export records easily, avoid late payments.
Healthcare and emergencies: Immediate access to cross-border funds; Dogpay provides complete payment logs for reimbursements or insurance claims.

Confirm visa type and prepare required documents (degrees, job contract, passport photos).
Budget at least three months’ living costs plus rent deposit before moving.
Register your address promptly and get a Resident Card.
Learn basic Japanese for daily interactions and bureaucracy.
Use Dogpay for smooth cross-border payments, transparent budgeting, and peace of mind.