8 Things to Know Before Moving to Japan
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- čas přidán 30. 08. 2021
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Hello! Today, I attempted to answer one of the most asked questions on this channel, “Hey, I’m moving to Japan, any advice?”.
I hope you will find it helpful! Please let me know which one you didn’t know!
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Finally! Its been too long!
Yes SHUNchan! What do you think about Gundam/Gunpla. Im a builder myself and watched pretty much every anime made on Gundam. Have you ever built any or watched any of the animes? Love from the USA brother! Spent 3 years in Japan as a child myself when my dad who was also Air Force was stationed at Yakota Air Force Base. Thats where my love for everything Japanese began!
Yo, the sponsor link in the description is broken. " to" became part of it accidentally
Can you explain to me exactly what you said about body hair because I don't understand it at all.
Tracfone is 700 yen per month after you pay a one time fee of 1000 yen for a global card.
"So if you clicked on this video, that means you're moving to Japan very soon" - Nope, I just like your videos, they are always fun to watch.
no, you’re moving to japan very soon. you don’t have a choice now. it’s too late to turn back.
A nice place to visit but living there is a NO-GO for me.
And I don't want to live in Japan. :). It would probably be fine as a foreigner but it would be hard not to think about how much I would hate being a Japanese person in Japan. Too much rules and too much social control.
@@kyrohowe3156 damn
@@Jordan-Ramses damn
Additional notes from a foreigner who's lived here for 6 years now:
1. You don't need to know Japanese fluently. The more you know, the better, but don't stress too much about how you can't come because you haven't figured out when to use wa and ga.
2. Every apartment I've lived in so far (4 of them) hasn't had the gift thing. I think it's more for people in "mansion" apartments? I have not given nor gotten a gift from anyone. I wave sometimes at my neighbors, but that's about it for interactions. Most younger people seem to hate the gift-giving culture and I think many of them avoid it as well.
3. japanese people will judge you pretty hard the moment you say you like anime/ manga/ video games. But I have also found that the only friends I have kept all these years are the ones who saw my Digimon keychain or FF mug or RWBY backpack and that's how they started talking to me. I mean, maybe don't wear it around people from work or on a date, but haters ain't worth it~
4. If you are planning on going full-Japanese mode and make lots of Japanese friends, HAVE TEA STOCKED IN YOUR HOUSE, EVEN IF YOU DON'T DRINK IT. I drink coffee and only get fruit teas when I'm in the mood, but god help me if I don't feel awkward when someone shows up at my door and I'm like, "Umm.... let me get you.... water?"
1. I was also thinking about this, but also related to Shun's point is if you want to learn Japanese then you should start learning as soon as possible. Moving to Japan will not suddenly make learning Japanese a lot easier. Some people put off learning Japanese because they think it will be easier in Japan, but when you're working full time no matter where you live it's hard.
2. I agree with this too. I'm in Tokyo so I don't if it's just a Tokyo thing.
3. If you straight out profess your love for anime then yes they will judge you (silently). However if you drop it casually and don't get too deep into it then usually it's fine. If not then they weren't worth knowing anyways. On a side note, I was looking at Digimon keychains last weekend in Nakano Broadway and now you're making me have regrets, haha.
3. If you very casually mention that you watch anime and not go into MASSIVE fangirl/fanboy mode, a lot of people will actually think you're interested in the culture. Like even just one pin badge on a bag or keychain you enjoy it is fine, but don't be that guy or girl with a bag FULL of pin badges (unless you're at an anime event then it's more acceptable, but don't go to work with it...).
3. Isn't gaming like pretty big there?
People taking breaks just to play monster hunter, buying the newest pokemon and the whole mobile gacha games?
Seems like you met some pretty big boomers lol.
@@xAvitaLT playing the games VS oversharing in public about said game/displaying your love for it are two very different things. Yes, of course people walk around publicly playing Pokemon Go. Maybe they wear a tshirt of Mario. All these things are all considered to be pretty casual. But you're all decked out in a Mario costume and goods from Universal Studios Japan anywhere away from USJ, you're absolutely going to turn some heads. They might not say anything to you, but you're being judged. If Japanese people are running at you to try to get pictures of you, it's probably because you're gaijin - not because you love Mario.
I drink tea .... black tea...
"We don't use pronouns we call you by your name."
This would end all the debate about this in western countries.
You would think so but actually the people who are an issue just wouldn't care lol
If you use a Japanese SIM card, your phone will automatically have the shutter sound. I couldn't figure out why it was happening or how to stop it, and when I realized it was about the SIM card everything made a lot of sense. So you can't avoid it by bringing an unlocked phone from abroad hahaha
I found out my new phone was a Japanese phone when I just got because I didn't have a SIM card in it yet so when I tried to take a photo it made a shutter sound, I'm in Australia so I have no idea how I got my hands on a Japanese phone
I'm moving to Japan because Japanese girls don't shave their pussy and that makes me really sad. Instead of complaining I' m going to educate the girls.
Lol! Is this true? A friend just directed me to a Japanese cell phone company… if I get their SIM and put it in my phone it will start making a shutter sound?!
@@EhCloserLook probably! I kept going into my settings to silence any sounds because making any noise in public embarrasses me, but it overrode all my settings to make syre the shutter sound went with every picture.
@@reneeadams6684 something to consider then… I would imagine the shutter noise would get annoying real quick given how prone I am to taking pictures.
Oh, as an immigrant in Japan, I'd recommend stocking up on your preferred deodorant before coming. Japanese deodorants are very weak, and unfortunately people of European heritage tend to sweat more than most Japanese people. However, don't get an overwhelmingly strong one because strong perfumes are almost non-existent here and may irritate the people around you.
i learned that japanese people have a gene that makes them sweat less so that explains why their deodorants are weaker
JAPAN loves to be natural
Also, Japanese toothpastes lack fluoride. It feels weird in the mouth when I use Japanese toothpastes. That's why I bring my own when I visit Japan.
we literally say 外国の匂い(the smell of overseas) to describe those scents of strong perfumes, so your advice is on point!😄
I like them tho😅
Humidity, genes and body hair is the enemy of the Europeans living in Japan XD
Well at least now I know why Japanese CZcamsrs aren't getting sponsored by Manscaped...
😂
Dude, I was waiting for it. He set it up really well
😂😂😂😂
😂 I can't
I GOT THIS KMAOOO ASDKJBFASDJSDAFFSADB
I have lived in Japan for half a year now and by learning Japanese daily, life is way easier :) at the start it was stressful for me even to go shopping, cuz the system of payment is also very different and I didn't understand everything well from the beginning
I recommend: study Japanese daily conversation phrases and don't get stuck with a writing system
i have a question i could look it up but internet gives false answers what did u or did u have to do to get a job in japan if u don’t mind me asking is there a lot of qualifications and how long is the process
Idk why but i smiled real hard when you said your neighbors will take reaall good care of you. It's soo sweet
As someone who almost lived for 3 years in Japan, I feel weird that I was more popular when I only know a bit of the language... Apparently knowing the japanese language too much will turn off the "foreigner magic" and they don't feel excited like talking with foreigner anymore.
I think its more that you get into a routine, and you visit touristy areas less. And the Japanese who love foreigner magic hang out in tourist traps.
Gaijin is Exciting! I am a Gaijin.
So true
lol
Same in China, it was easier to get dates when I didn't speak any Chinese. Women literally falling all over me, learn to speak well enough to hold a decent conversation without a translator and boom, the attention dropped off precipitously.
You will find that not learning the language actually makes your time in the country more fun if less convenient. That or just hide your language skills when it suits you. I now wait until the 3rd date to reveal that I speak Chinese 😂
Me: wondering how my name would be pronounced in Japan
SHUNchan 5 seconds later: deebiddo
11/10 customer service
I was literally just about to look up the website when he said it.
It's like how the Koreans say it, except with longer eh and an o on the end
I remember when I first got to Japan in 2008 as part of the JET Program (I'm still here now), and there was a David in one of the multitude of introduction/preparation programs we did. He insisted to our instructor that his name in katakana was not デービッド (deebiddo) but デヴィド (technically "devido" but 99% of people in Japan can't say "v" so they'll pronounce that "debuido"). The instructor was just like "trust me, you're deebiddo."
@@DTwoHS But in Japanese there is old syllable wi. Why not use it, instead of vi? And デイヰド is more close to English pronouncing of David than デービッド .
@@DTwoHS 😂😂😂
For some reason this video is trending again and I got recommended it. I found it very helpful
The gift-giving was taught to me after my second visit in Japan, and ever since I've brought a few boxes of candy from my country (Finland) with me. I usually live in ryokan, and always after check-in I've given them a box and thanked them for taking good care of us. And that simple gesture has made every stay in every place since amazing. The people are so happy for such a small thing and service has been phenomenal. My favourite is to bring Fazer Geisha candy, which was a chocolate brand that our country's most famous candy factory started for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and it's been very popular ever since. The company thought of what was most iconic of Japan and it was the beauty of the geisha and the box is decorated with sakura blossoms, which was very much unheard of in the 1960s Europe. Just that tiny box of chocolates and that little story has hopefully warmed so many hearts of people who might have to deal with rude gaikokujin on a daily basis.
I found the statement, "get out of your comfort zone" humorous honestly, 99% of Japan do not leave their comfort zone especially in the Toyko metro area, such a human thing to say, "do as I say not as I do"
ShunChan is basically saying "there are NO subtitles in Japan!"
😂😂😂😂
there is, it's just all in Japanese lol
There's decorative English, ask Abroad In Japan
All the important things have "subtitles". Train lines, street signs etc.
And I’m here saying “I’ll never forgive the Japanese.” because of it 😂
i went to Japan for a school trip and made the mistake of wearing an anime t-shirt (IT WAS SO EMBARASSING)because some people were making fun of me thinking i didn't understand Japanese, but my Japanese comprehension was very good at the time and i felt so lame in that moment 😅
😬 I would’ve offed myself at that right mom
Omg my condolences for your experience 😔
For my last Japan trip, I wore anime shirts every day, and the most memorable time I wore one was late at night walking down Shinjuku back to the train station. I walked past a middle aged guy taking a smoke break with his friends, and he saw my Elizabeth t-shirt (Gintama). He started jumping up and down from joy, screaming ELIZABETH!!! He pointed to my shirt and was so happy. His friends of course were scared and confused 😂 Mind you, I'm a very small girl.
Ok but serious question, what anime shirt were you wearing? 👀
@@miekonekocosplay probably.....
You feel for it full!!! Thunder close spot attack
You have to know some Japanese words?????
That is why American 🇺🇸 is GREAT 👍 GOD Bless USA 🇺🇸
Poor baby, but what is the problem with the anime? I really don't get it. You like it or not, you wear a T-shirt/ backpack with some characters or not, what' their problem?
I've learned so much from this and the comments section, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I'm planning a trip to Japan this year and don't want to be an ignorant foreigner. It's one thing to learn how to use Suica and how to get to your hotel from the airport, but how to be respectful, share your name in a meaningful way and these other tips are really helpful.
I have dreamed of moving to Japan ever since I was a young girl. I am learning to speak Japanese though it's slow progress, but I'm getting better with every lesson! I'm also trying to learn to write and read Japanese as well. The reasons why I want to move to Japan is to learn even more about Japanese culture, go to school in Japan, try new foods (I LOVE Japanese food), expand my cooking knowledge (I can cook), and to make friends in Japan. I have always loved Japan and Japanese culture and food. I hope to move to Japan someday.
Hi , i love the idea to moving to japan. I am from Texas and am now trying to learn Japanese myself. Any tips? Wanna study together?
Just dont shave your face.
@@YuriLix Why?
If it's at all possible, visit japan for a while (at least a month). Tourism isn't really an accurate view of a place, but it's better than nothing.
@@michaelg6641 Taking to women.
The thing about universities is definitely true, I studied abroad for one year at Nagasaki university and not many Japanese people cared about that. But when I say I went to Oxford they suddenly are interested lol
@@shiro_nill yeah because todai is considered one of the best universities in japan lol
they're hypocrites.
@@shiro_nill probably because nagasaki university isn't anything special, i don't think at least, but oxford far outclasses it in prestige. whereas todai is equal to or greater than oxford in prestige
@@EpicToxicshrimp Oxford is far higher than todai
@@EpicToxicshrimp Oxford is way more highly acclaimed than todai it's not even comparable
I love how your Mom was determined to get "peace" in the outro. That's awesome.
I hope you all are doing well.
Right, his mom knows the outro better then Shun himself. :D
@@janiselmeris5705 stop d cap
This is both really helpful advice, and (almost) nothing I've seen mentioned in other such videos. Thanks for making this!
I lived in Japan - in a more rural and agricultural area - and I have to say, Shun-chan, this video hits the nail on the head! (Not hammering it down!). I started off in Tokyo. My Japanese was pretty abysmal - I'd taken a course at college in the States. In Tokyo, whenever I tried to use Japanese, most Tokyoites would immediately switch to English!
However, moving west into the countryside, though I stumbled over pronunciation and didn't have much vocabulary, the "natives" heard Japanese and began to speak "perapera"! I had to dive in and learn! To my benefit. Learning to speak (read & write, too) opened doors to really deep and fulfilling relationships - friendships that remain strong today, even while I've lived after Japan in Africa, the Middle East and back here in the States.
I would like to add one thing, though ... I am a decent cook; however, I would at least once a week "indulge" myself in dining in a regular Japanese restaurant --- at LUNCHTIME! Lunch menus are cheaper, and well-prepared meals of traditional Japanese dishes. I can tackle some Japanese dishes ("atsuyaki tamago" is a specialty!), but they would never fool a native!! hehehe
Everything else you said is spot on true. Thanks for this very honest, informative and useful video.
Learning the language of a country you are moving in, is a good idea in general. Not only it makes it easier to communitcate, it also shows your affection towards the country and that you are willing to be a part of it.
That's why I started studying Japanese in my spare time
I'm not sure I would call it affection, I'd call it more respect. But even if I was to go on holiday to another country, I'd make an attempt to some basics of that country. I find it very frustrating when foreigners cannot understand common stuff in my country, so I won't be an hypocrite. Try and learn some of the general customs and culture too. Even if you fail or don't understand something, people in general appreciate effort.
Me after my homework before I did Japanese study at home: SLEEP :me after I started:now to study 👁👄👁 which is basically my homework now 🙃
The English-speaking people monitoring this channel would never learn difficult Japanese. Rather, the basic attitude of native English speakers is to demand that "the local Japanese speak English for us. In fact, thanks to living in Japan for over 20 years and using their Japanese wives as interpreters, many Westerners do not speak English at all.
"native English speakers is to demand that "the local Japanese speak English for us' Are you saying English native speakers demand non English native speakers to speak English or did I read this wrong?
the tip about how foreigners can get into top universities easily is the BEST tip - and no other "Japan" channel run by gaijin talk about it because they have no idea. I know so many kids getting into shitty schools just because they thought they have no chance at top school like KEIO so they never tried - this info would have changed their life. Wow, it's so good to have a channel about Japan hosted by an actual Japanese.
This right here, it may even be easier to get into a good school in japan than it would be in the states (being forced to drop out of hs for a surgery really kills any and all chances of a good uni, even with a ged after)
I've been thinking about this as well but my school gpa was pretty meh so I wondered if it even makes sense to try, I'm in university here right now but I'd be so down to switch
@@theguyinhd just do it doesn't hurt to try.
I‘m gonna go to Japan next year as an exchange student if everything works out. I could go to Hokkaido University, University of Tsukuba, Sophia university etc., but to be honest I think I want to go there to learn as much Japanese as possible and other partner universities of my university that are ranked in like the 80th place seem like to have a nicer program for me. Is there that huge of a difference between going to an top 80 or a top 15 university if you only spend 6 to maybe 12 months there?
@@LJMahomes btw what are your grades like? Just wonder what it took you to get a spot
I like your note about the "thick black hair" in Japan. I'm European and I have brown, very thin hair. On a business trip to Tokyo I had to have my hair cut before the business meetings and I went into the barber shop at the ANA hotel where I was staying. After having explained the cut I wanted (with difficulties), everybody in the shop came to touch my hair to see if this was not something of an european fake.
That's a good amount of information, great advice! I know that when I was I was hired as eigo no sensei back in 1990, I knew nothing about Japan but learned a lot very, very quickly.
Lived there for eight wonderful years. The advice to learn the language is gold - you don't have to be perfect, in fact it's almost better to struggle a little because Japanese people are the most helpful, forgiving people in the world if you're just trying a little to understand their culture. One old bit of advice, too - don't wear the dang toilet slippers around. Trust me on that one.
That's one thing I like about Japanese people. They can actually help you learn their native language. I study Japanese in my spare time, so I know a little. I may not be able to speak Japanese fluently, but that never stopped me. Because I refuse to give up
How is it working in Japan? Is getting a work visa difficult?
"Don't show your love of anime physically"
Me with 3 anime tattoos: "............ I mean I have non-anime tattoos too"
Same 🤣🤣🤣
From what I've heard, tattoos in general are viewed very unfavorably in Japan.
@@Primalxbeast Not so much when you're a blue eye'd white dude, gaijin pass
@@colinwhite6879 LOLLL
This is actually what I was about to ask Shun! Like will having anime tattoos make me a straight up laughing stock in Japan??
I love your videos. Very informative and entertaining. Now I have an idea of what to expect should I decide to visit or live in Japan. I love the humor as well. Keep up the great work!
I have no intention of moving to Japan, but I'm planning my second trip to Japan and this was still really informative. Thanks!
When I was staying with my host family in Japan, my host mom bought a house. So I joined her in the "gift giving" in the new neighbourhood. I was carrying the gifts and bowing to every neighbour xD It was really fun, because I was able to go inside many different Japanese houses, including very old ones.
@H S Not in the way the Japanese do it. It really is something else😜
dang that sounds real fun, you got lucky
@@harmonicposting It was. Also witnessed a family member dying...which resulted in an izakaya party with unlimited drinking... Barely noticed that anyone died🤔 Edit: I did not see anyone dying, just that a cousin died during my stay there😅
@Batuhan keskin haha lol. I went in 2014 when I was 21 years old. I went there for a short internship at the University 😄
What do you mean by host family?
I haven't said this before but thank you so so much for adding subtitles to your videos. One of my best friends is deaf and ever since they removed the fan made captions from youtube, they've been struggling so much with a lot of videos. I hope more creators add them. also great video
Wait, when did they remove those? What's with YT and removing every useful feature...
@@thrax1831 They removed it back in September last year due to "low usage" and "abuse" I hate YT for removing this
My one suggestion would be instead of "burning" the subtitles into your videos, use the closed caption feature of CZcams. This enables things like auto-translating the English subtitles into other languages, for example. It also means that viewers can control the size/appearance of the subtitles (some people may need higher contrast or larger font sizes)
@@Sandra_F yea it works well enough for english content but it gets funky really quickly when you watch something in a different language and get that auto translated. amazing example from a korean ghost hunting video i watched : "Then it's not stable, and when I fall on a trip, I'll roll 4 arms. Horses, horses, etc. It's completely clear." absolutely no idea what they actually said lol
@@TheMiseh1 Oh yeah it's not ideal at all, and human captioners are always going to do a better job. That's not always an option for smaller creators, though, let alone getting that for multiple languages!
I just want more accessibility wherever I can get it :)
It's LITERALLY my dream to visit Japan as a tourist someday and these advices really gave me a lot of ideas on what I should be prepared for. I guess I'll be taking serious measures about learning Nihonggo. It's my first time seeing this video (Thanks CZcams's algorithm) and your channel. And you got another subscriber here.
Hontou ni arigatou gozaimazu!
I think a lot of youtubers are right when they say it's much easier and more fun to come as a tourist than it is to come and try to live and work here for a year or more. Kanji is a nightmare and while there are a lot of English loan words written out in Katakana, Kanji is obviously the most pervasive writing and signs you'll see, which makes finding places very hard unless you looked up things first on google maps to see what was around and then decide on a destination. While Japanese food is great, there's gonna be a ton of stuff you're used to having access to at home that aren't available (especially if you go to the countryside), so that really cuts down 'what you know how to cook" to 'what you know how to cook with what's available to you', including being limited to an induction heater stove and microwave/toaster oven (no oven). Small difficulties can add up and make things harder over the long run, rather than minor or completely unencountered nuisances during a trip for a week or two.
The list:
1. Learn to speak Japanese (at least somewhat fluent)
2. Bring gifts to neighbours when moving to a new place (can be small, it's about the act, not the gift itself)
3. Know your name in Katakana
4. Try getting a college degree
5. Learn how to cook for yourself(yes, actual meals)
6. Watch your expression of anime (you can like it yes, but if you wear alot of merch people may judge you for it)
7. Men are encouraged to shave facial hair, women are encouraged to shave all body hair except pubic hair
8. Try getting a new phone before visiting (cellphones sold in Japan have an unchangeable shudder sound when taking photographs)
About bringing a phone to Japan:
1. It will not be automatically connected to the earthquake warning system J-Alert (positive/negative? idk)
2. You need to check if the frequencies your Japanese carrier uses are supported by the phone
Why would any of these be the case? It would make ZERO sense out of a technological point of view. Are you just guessing?
I will add that when I was there I was using Google Fi, and since it connects to local networks rather than using it's own, it did manage to sync up with the earthquake warning system.
Most phones nowadays support Japanese frequencies, you just have to check to make sure but it’s not as big of an issue as it used to be
Which model or brand of smartphone is most popular in Japan? Thank you
@@mac3490 iphone I'd think
I love that you know English so well you've picked up on colloquialisms. Is there a Japanese equivalent for nitty gritty? I'm self studying, and I don't believe I'll learn that phrase on my own.
ikr! it's awesome to see
何ゆーてんねん。
There isn't an equivalent to the phrase.
Doesn’t it just mean “the smaller details” or along those lines? If Japanese doesn’t have an equivalent phrase, maybe just directly translating could work
細かいこと komma kai koto means fine details but nitty gritty has a different nuance, it would at least get the idea across.
I absolutely love the relationship you have with your family. That’s all I wanted to say.
Wooo. Been living in Japan for 3 years now and these are sooo true ! Thank you ! Loving your videos 🤣💚💚
Excellent list, but you forgot one thing. Japanese SIM cards are different from what most of the rest of the world uses. Which means it's vitally important to make sure that your phone is compatible with Japanese SIM cards. Since not all phones are compatible, especially on the Android side of the market.
lol, you say it like it's a big deal. Most phones will be compatible. Maybe not LG or other lesser known brands, if you think Japan SIM cards are that different, you should go to Korea.
I didn't know that! For me, I get Samsung galaxy from overseas and so far it's been working
the only problem is that i have to download an app to type in japanese tho😂
Are Google Pixels popular in Japan?
@@beijingbikinikill8608 no they aren't. xperia, android are the most popular.
Arent all phones using a mirco sim nowdays?
The bush thing is also kind of a relief to me. Saves a lot of time and preparation, lol. Though I had a Japanese friend who would shave her arms in high school, and now that you mention it, the hair on her arms was quite unforgiving against her complexion. It makes sense now. Still can't get over the bush thing, lol.
Believe it or not, it's actually more hygenic to have a bush than shaved
@@mickyhouse8753 this is what I'm saying ❤️❤️
A bush can be sexy. Sometimes you want a little underbrush after dealing with just fish lips all the time.
@@mickyhouse8753 It actually depends. Yes, extra hair prevents from bacteria getting there and stuff but at the same time it stimulates more smell when you sweat.
@@dothetwist298 Yeah, but it's a nice scent so...
I definitely agree with this video been living in Okinawa for over 4 years work with Japanese and they help me with Japanese stuff while I help then learn English and etc.
Hello! I bumped in your video casualy and loved your way of speaking and all the info you gave. I am really planning to visit Japan, because I watch your BL series and love what I see. Thank you again, and all the best!
"You have to speak Japanese in Japan"
Americans: *surprised Pikachu face*
Yeah DUH!
Do you know how many people live in America and don't speak English? Lmfao it's not really a dumb question/statement 🤦
@@PFCBOB561 America is different than Japan in every way. Can't compare the two.
@@PFCBOB561 Even if you only speak Spanish you can still speak one of the 3 official national languages in the US (according to Wikipedia)… I don’t see anything wrong with this even though it may make communication somewhat more difficult… even then between Spanish and English google translate is actually rather good… it only really fails when there are more significant differences in the languages, for instance in Japanese you don’t really refer to yourself as it is implied so you end up saying things along the lines of “grocery store going to”… don’t fact check that though… I’m not anywhere near fluent in Japanese
Just yell really loud in English and repeat the same thing.
As a foreigner that moved to Japan, I am trying to think about what you should do...in addition to what you said. And I would say, pack meds (but be careful and read all about which meds are allowed and how much you can take, so you don't get arrested lol). Stuff for whatever health problem that may arise for you...because Japanese meds may not necessarily work the same way on you, as the meds you are used to in your country.
I would add also: do not forget to bring deodorant from your country.
This video helps a lot, thank you sir! 😊
i love watching these types of videos cause it gives me more information abt countries
" if Japanese neighbours like you, they will really take care of you "
Now I get it why my neighbours always would knock on the door to give some foods...especially my favorite, rice with salt...
This is one of the most useful "before-you-move-to-Japan" videos I've ever seen! I think more Japanese people who've spent time studying abroad should make these. It's a great perspective.
Excellent content! I'm not planning on moving to Japan but I'm interested in learning about other cultures and I found your video very interesting to watch! Keep up the good work :)
This video is very informative. Makes a lot of sense. Thank you!
Oh man! I died when he was talking about the "taking care of my bush"! 😂🤣 SHUN is great!
The university advice is THE advice, I can't emphasize it more! This man speaks the truth!
I have a question? I’m currently in school and the semester just ended but i’m not planning ingirs going back, because i didn’t see the point of going because i was going just for the sake of school and i felt like i was wasting my time . But i don’t plan on completely giving up on school in general. I am interested in studying in japan and maybe have a career and this advice got my hopes but i want to know if me essentially “dropping out” would look bad on me?
@@trigi3678 I don’t think it would look bad on you. I am studying abroad next semester with an individual who took a semester break in Japan. I’m not sure how long you plan to be out of school but if I were you, look into study abroad options your home university has!
@@trigi3678 dropping out pretty much invalides all the benefits of it "on paper" but you still get the experience. as for how they see you, you'll be treated the same as someone who didn't go to that uni in the first place. you don't get the prestige so to speak if you don't finish
I have to ask though if it is actually smart to go to a elite university in Japan if you are just an average student. I mean you will be sitting in a class with all the straight a students who work their ass off. isn t it posible that you will start to feel like an underperformer?
This video made me laugh out loud several times, really enjoyed it, and look forward to moving to Japan in 2023.
I’m in Japan for school just for 6 weeks and your videos are really helpful. Best regards
About knowing your name in katakana, if you can find a reference like another person or a character name, check those examples out!
When I was there a few years back, I had to get an hospital card done and translated my name as it's written. Later I realized that family names like mine (For instance Lelouch from Code Geass) was translating "Le" into "ル" because that's the closest phonetic sound.
For this reason, I am now registered in a Japanese hospital system as "Lemon-do" as the fruit. Funny but very awkward next time I'll have to write my name properly in katakana.
So my lesson is think about the phonetic, not how it's written.
remondo > zawarudo
I was lucky to have the same name as Sasha Braus ! 😂
"Displaying anime stuff is still thought of as kind of childish or geeky" It's thought of the same here in the west. Most adults who enjoy anime are made fun of a lot. Thankfully, Being a geeky weirdo generally lends to the attitude of "Fuck you, I don't want your approval anyways" for a lot of us.
I don't know, it seems like Anime is pretty mainstream now, sort of like how comic book nerds used to be made fun of but now everybody likes marvel movies and think wearing a batman or spiderman shirt is cool. "Geek" culture is actually so popular now.
I know we be like "weeb!" or like Homer Simpson would say "Nerd"
That's true. I wear anime shirts and pins and don't give a flying fish about if someone thinks I'm weird or nerdy. In fact, I feel confident wearing that stuff because I love it! And why shouldn't I?Anime brings me happiness (tho I won't wear stuff that's printed tackily/designed poorly or has garish colours 😬)
I'm in my 30s and wear a one punch man hoody at the gym. I've only ever got compliments on it.
@@oldmanronan8473 Well of course because it's a gym. Everyone at the gym wants to be One Punch Man lol
I appreciate your honesty! Very helpful information :)
Excellent video, great advice and energy!
Lived in Japan (with a plan to go back ASAP) and ALL of these are definitely true.
On university, the 'Foreign Gateway' is true at least for Keio. Japanese students are ultra smart with unmatched profile while foreign students are kinda lacklustre, still very solid though, comparing to those stellar Japanese students. And, yes, when I mentioned to Japanese people that I went to Keio, they saw you in a brilliant new light LMAO.
Learning how to cook is soooooo important and saved me soooo much money. I was in Japan as an international student. I lived in a dorm but my dorm mates and I really looked out for each other since the most of us were foreigners.
learning how to cook in general is helpful too, in some emergency cases
A person who knows how to cook will be rewarded with endless results. I freaking love hearing when people are happy and excited to cook food for themselves and their families. Cooking is both a need and an art. Most utilitarian thing there is that can be considered an art form. Cooking is the best ❤️
@@victoriahope8371 Agreed! I didnt know how to cook prior to studying abroad but I could bake sweets. I loved leaving goodies for my dorm mates, especially when i see them studying late or working extra hard to support themselves in a foreign country. I usually do it anonymously or leave little notes, and I love seeing their surprised faces 😊.
Also I love to eat, so it just makes me overall happy. Lmao.
Ive loved cooking since i was12, i think its a skill everyone should have. By “cooking” though, i am referring to proper soups and omelettes and such, not boiled noodles with pasta sauce.
@@alicia-hd2cs hahaha agree. I cook from scratch too. It's funny, because some people are like "yea I cook" and when you ask them, its boiling pasta and heating up premade sauce 🙈 and that's the extent of their "cooking".
Wow this was SOO helpful. Thanks so much. I’m planning on visiting early next year with my family. Also your mom is so adorable. And her English is crystal clear. Dry well done both of you. Btw I am born and raised American.
I’ve save this song for many years now and I sometimes hear this ost it heals my soul
I have no intention of moving to Japan (although it _would_ be nice) but still found the video really interesting. Thanks!
If I had known that university cheat when I was about to graduate high school, I'd have done that in a heartbeat. I guess it's a good thing I've kept up on Japanese since then
Im in the US and this was really interesting and informative. You are a really good presenter.
This was interesting. I definitely want to at least visit Japan someday. I've been learning Japanese for a year now (slow progress) in the hopes of at least having some skill in reading and understanding the language. Not sure how well I'd fit in, but from what I've learned of the culture, I think I could adapt well enough. There aren't many countries I'm interested in, but Japan is top of the list.
I like the honesty relating to the healthiness of bento👍🤣
I wish he would go more into that! He sort of just glossed over it.
There are still bento shops that are perfectly fine. I ate them for 5 years every day at work. Don't eat all the rice, though. Way too much rice.
BIG missed opportunity for advice: When making a katakana name, leave out any ッ (small tsu). In the long run, these can make your name much longer to write and/or fit on a hanko. For example, my name, Josh, would normally be converted to, ジョッシュ. But it doesn't matter. The pronunciation is fine as ジョシュ. Short and sweet. And, my family name has 2 x small tsu. If I had known this little tip 20 years ago, I could have saved a lot of time and space.
That was a great video. You have a wonderful dry sense of humor.❤
We had a Bokksu box for one of our tabletop game groups, we all loved it!
He has a point about the schools. I went to Sophia University, and the school name definitely carried weight. Something I would add as a foreigner who has lived in Japan: even if you're perfectly fluent in sonkeigo, try not to use it if you're from abroad. Yes, really. It's supposed to be deferential, but I think it kinda has the opposite effect. It makes people nervous, lol.
Japanese has forever been on my must learn list. I don't have plans to move to Japan, but I'd love to be there for vacations or who knows, maybe I can go there for a master's degree. Thanks for the tips! ✌️
I definitely am looking at using the excuse to get A Masters Degree, as a reason for moving out of the US...I need to distance myself from its culture, and I need to distance myself from English so I can address some of my own Mental Health Issues from a different perspective...as that is the answer I have found...I am too proficient in English, so it's not novel or all that stimulating...and I need to be in an environment where I am learning new things constantly to function anyways...so moving to a different country with a completely different language & culture would be exactly what I need... it's not about the greener pastures... it's all about gaining a different perspective on how I see things...and I am abnormally good at language as I can somewhat comprehend what's being said in more than 10 languages at this point... including japanese, and Thai...I also have the whole of Europe pretty well on the way to full comprehension... simply because I am good at patterns...
@@MrAntisound was ik ook al aan het denken. Ik ben zelf ook vlug in talen, maar om zoiets als hierboven te zeggen is nogal wat te ver xD
@@MrAntisound Sorry, but I only have English in my list of Fully developed languages...I am not nearly as familiar with the other related languages...
It's been 15 years since I started learning Japanese. Let me tell you I am nowhere near at even 1/100th knowledge 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 would have known Japanese of I learned 1 words a week!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣
@@BJCMXY jeg tror du lyver. Hvis du ikke forstår nederlandsk (som likner på engelsk), så forstår du ikke andre europeiske språk. Dessuten virker det ikke som om du er god på engelsk. Du bruker … istedenfor å skrive ordentlige setninger.
Really like your videos. It really helps when learning about Japanese culture
I lived in Kyoto for two glorious weeks in 2019. I only had a barely marginal command of about 50 words or phrases in Japanese and an utter failure to learn even the Hiragana alphabet. One thing I learned was that simple attempts from a foreigner to show a sincere desire to be polite or show gratitude are met with some surprised looks followed by beautiful smiles of approval and willing offers of help. The simple business of adding -san to a name made friends everywhere I went.
I adore Japan, but I think I am too old (I am QUITE elderly) to live there full time. I'd prefer to stay maybe two-three months each year. There's so much to see, to do, to discover I don't think I can ever be bored. Moreover, the food and the walking lifestyle took five pounds off me in only two weeks. We came in mid-September and left in the beginning of October so I missed the changing leaves. I haven't many "some days" left, but I'd use them in heartbeat to go back to Japan again.
seems absolutely lovely - Im hoping to go there someday
@@hanahakipaimon3547 Make it as soon as you can. Save every penny to make it happen. The younger you are the more likely you'll be able to learn what you need and enjoy everything you see. "If not now....when?"
@@DannyJane. i really hope to be able to! thank you for your kind advice
how was kyoto? i plan on moving there sometime within 1-5 years(hopefully this year though) and kyoto has cheaper apartment prices compared to those in other major places(however that's only what I saw on apartment listings)
@@JasonDbread I loved every single moment. I can't say about living there permanently, but for a vacationer I found it like paradise. Since we dared not drive, not being able to read the road signs, we taxied everywhere that was too far away to walk. I think it was cheaper than renting a car. Our two apartments were tiny, but adequate. We had no tv in either place, but there were ravens outside our second apartment and we delighted in watching their antics.
I loved that your mom wanted to do the outro. It was really good, lol.
Currently living in Japan for 3 years and in the middle of extending my working visa.
1. On learning Japanese, the more you know, the better, esp intonation. Like, job opportunity, etc. On my 1st year, I had the opportunity to work as veteran manga writers' interpreters, and on my 2nd year, I went to Voice Acting college and always got at least 1 or 2 house production offers to join their group on every audition I went to.
2. About giving gifts to your neighbour, I'm living in a small share house (w/ only 2 foreigners incl. me), so I didn't do it nor accept any, but I sometime cook Indonesian foods (or any non Japanese cooking) for all the members of the house, and they quite often giving me fruits and let me use vegetables, milk, eggs as I like XDD
3. On gakureki shakai (idk the Eng for this too LOL), my country, Indonesia, is also the same, but Japan at least much better when you're be able to proof yourself on work (your portfolio n such). I couldn't go to college or uni because financial problem, all of my skills (incl. Japanese) I've learnt by myself (from books n internets) luckily I could perform best on my current office standard.
4. On anime/game, I usually go full otaku-mode to make barrier w/ ppls that I don't comfortable with www But ofc I have quite a lot Japanese friends who can playing game together or just hanging out w
5. Small talk, I never have problem with this, but don't ask to hang out/have a drink/grab food as a small talk, Japanese usually takes every offer seriously, they WILL start to searching places and checking their schedules, and ofc they'll go book the place.
6. Nomikai and Golf, these two quite important, but depends on your work environment you can refuse it if you don't want to, just... don't forget to make a reason why you're refusing ^^;;;
I'll add it more if I remember something else, maybe...
would you say that having no college or uni is still managable? might be moving relatively soon-ish, as a musician I feel like i'm gonna work odd jobs to get by
Very interesting. Thanks for posting it
Great advice! Thank you! And you made one step easy for me by using my name as an example 😄. Super glad I clicked on this video.
I've watched a loooot of advice videos in my day and you have brought up stuff I've not heard elsewhere. Like giving gifts to neighbors. I recall someone making a professional moving company video bringing it up but never elaborated. And now I know I should pronounce my name in a Japanese way for ease of understanding. Golden advice.
And thankfully for me, I actually took Japanese in college 15 years ago so I have the parts to rebuild my language foundation.
Thanks again.
It's always great to hear from a Japanese citizen, raised in the culture. I think these are really good points that I haven't seen in ANY videos on this topic. I especially learned about giving gifts to neighbors. I think that is great and I wish we could trust our neighbors that much in the USA. I also think the LINE account bit was new, too. I am a young Millennial who operates technology like a Boomer.
Enjoyed watching your video! And thanks for the useful tips! 😍
I've thought about living in Japan when I'm older after any attachments I have here are gone. I am learning Japanese now, so by then I should be more than proficient enough to start. The main thing I hope I'll fit in. It's fun to be thought of as "exotic" when you're a foreigner, but hopefully I can and will eventually be accepted as simply a fellow person.
That's very interesting to know that you get some gifts to your new neighbors! My neighbors in Germany were super surprised when I gave them chocolate for Christmas and they thought it has something to do with my cultural background (Chinese). But no, I did it, because I have zero problems with them :D
that's funny cause i have some german family, and they always made a point to be friendly with neighbors... like they exchanged food and plants regularly and all that.
@@andij605 that's really nice! My parents and their Persian neighbors exchanged some Persian/Chinese food to each other. The older German couples gave me something for Christmas. All these things were super unusual for my neighbors now.
Thank you Shunchan. I did live in Japan 30 years ago and I'm moving back soon. This was helpful.
Very entertaining, thanks for the insight.
I just came across your vlog. Love it! My family and I lived in Japan for 21 years. My children were all born in Japan. My oldest lived in Japan a few years ago and just came back. Can’t get enough!
Where are you living now ?
That tip about LINE makes so much sense to me in retrospect. I once tried to get Japanese lessons from a friend who lived in Japan, and he actually asked me for my LINE account. I had no idea what he meant so I just sent him my number thinking LINE was just Japanese slang for “phone line” or something. He responded with a really vague “no no no” and we instead just ended up doing the lesson over Instagrams FaceTime feature. Ik my stories not that interesting, but it’s just interesting to me who cool it is to know what caused my mistake that day😂
I Love your advice!
Thank You
I really consider moving to Japan as an international student. This video helps so much!
Like always, I really love your content. You are really matter of fact and provide great examples and comparisons between the American culture and Japanese culture. Thank you!
Im actually moving to Japan soon! Thanks for this video :) And Ooof your English is actually incredible.
Great stuff thank you! Love your humor!
Wowza! I'm just another fanatic when it comes to Japanese manga and anime! But boy, oh boy, watching this video was an absolute blast!
Kinda late here but as a vegetarian living in Japan, the learning to cook thing is essential.
As a veggie you will almost certainly not be able to eat 99% of anything in Japanese restaurants as almost everything includes fish, meat or dashi stock. Which will affect your ability to go out and socialize immensely.
You also should never trust anything you THINK will be vegetarian and check the label. A lot of things that we take for granted as vegetarian in the west like cakes, ice-cream etc will contain gelatin. This also applies to things that label themselves as “veggie” like soy meat products. More often than not they have gelatin in them so they aren’t actually vegetarian!
On the flip side, if you go to specialized veggie/vegan restaurants you are more likely to find people like you!
I used be a vegetarian for 18 Years when I came to Japan. It is really hard to find vegetarian foods here, so I gave up being vegetarian.
@@nilangaarsha723 Hmm, I know some vegan websites with tips! Like vcook and vegeness! But yeah, I understand. I hear many people talking about the difficulties of being vegetarian/vegan in Japan.
Wow that's hard. I thought it would be rather the other way around. 😯
@@hushhush85 me too, I had no idea :(
"You have to speak Japanese in Japan."
I would say it's a definite plus to learn the language of the country if you're going to move, or possibly some simple phrases if you're just visiting.
Seems obvious, but apparently, some just don't get their head around it. Mostly those who mix up emigrating with travelling.
@@alexanderfo3886 I agree.
@@alexanderfo3886 travel is when you go on a trip or vacation, emigrating is when you go there to live right?
Very informative video man, thank you
The tip for katakana names website was really useful! I definitely struggle with katakana and end up misspelling loan words all the time!
I’m trying to plan to move to Japan in five years and it makes me feel more better about schools over because I was curious and wanted to go to a university. Working on Japanese language. Everything is I get and understand, except one. We’ll see how that goes when getting over there. Love the video.
Big fan of Japan. Really interesting videos to learn more about the Japanese and Japanese life! Hope it will be possible to travel to Japan again soon! I miss it … (and need to stock up on green tea again🙂)
Thank you, this video was helpful.
Love the honesty.