Matty9999 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 6:35 pm Thanks for the invaluable information. For day 1 i got myself a mat room, so in other words a small private room where there is only a mat (however my room has AC/heat), but no actual bed i think it does have a fridge This one i got for an unusually low price for the area, so we will see how it goes. Of course its much easier to get a decent room in SE Asia for a low price.

What are are you moving to?

BaltimoreJack wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 3:01 am

HaifongWangchuck wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 11:18 pm If you have no friends or contacts, and don't work a social job, then goodluck: Japan is very lonely and you can spend +6 months without ever having a full conversation with another human being, as it's very hard to make friends in Japan (from my experience), and I had the benefit of going to school with others there in Japanese-language classes

There are some great expat bars in Japan where it's pretty easy to meet other whiteys.

Benny's Place in Yokohama, Cherry Bomb, Kama Sutra, and Shaka Osaka in Osaka, etc.

I was more referring to being with locals, since no one moves to a country to hang out with expats (unless you're part of the Pattaya Circuit)

Do all the entry and custom forms beforehand and get the QR codes on your phone. Speeds up the arrival in Japan a lot.

hanno wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 am Do all the entry and custom forms beforehand and get the QR codes on your phone. Speeds up the arrival in Japan a lot.

Thanks ill be looking to print out all of the flight confirmations in the next day or two. For us Americans we dont actually need anything, I think. i could be incorrect but we dont need to pay a fee for entry, just a gift for our strong democratic ties.

I'm also looking into SIMs for Japan, looks like I hit a bit of an issue there. I think i should probably be getting a SIM from Sakura at the airport. I was going to repurchase a new phone here in Cambodia but i think ill wait until i get to Japan because ive heard non-Japanese phones are having issues with the SIM inside Japan, the ones that were bought in another country.

Strangely enough, I have an older Google Pixel 4 that is also from Japan, so ill use that from the airport along with Sakura Mobile unlimited 30 day.

Matty9999 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 pm

hanno wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 am Do all the entry and custom forms beforehand and get the QR codes on your phone. Speeds up the arrival in Japan a lot.

Thanks ill be looking to print out all of the flight confirmations in the next day or two. For us Americans we dont actually need anything, I think. i could be incorrect but we dont need to pay a fee for entry, just a gift for our strong democratic ties.

I am talking about RQ codes on your phone so you do not need to fill out forms upon arrival. Take a look here: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/howto/

hanno wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:48 am

Matty9999 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 pm

hanno wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 am Do all the entry and custom forms beforehand and get the QR codes on your phone. Speeds up the arrival in Japan a lot.

Thanks ill be looking to print out all of the flight confirmations in the next day or two. For us Americans we dont actually need anything, I think. i could be incorrect but we dont need to pay a fee for entry, just a gift for our strong democratic ties.

I am talking about RQ codes on your phone so you do not need to fill out forms upon arrival. Take a look here: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/howto/

That web site is quality. I wished other countries provided such clear instructions and put some effort into streamlining the process.

Alex wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 9:03 am

hanno wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:48 am

Matty9999 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 pm

hanno wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:33 am Do all the entry and custom forms beforehand and get the QR codes on your phone. Speeds up the arrival in Japan a lot.

Thanks ill be looking to print out all of the flight confirmations in the next day or two. For us Americans we dont actually need anything, I think. i could be incorrect but we dont need to pay a fee for entry, just a gift for our strong democratic ties.

I am talking about RQ codes on your phone so you do not need to fill out forms upon arrival. Take a look here: https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/howto/

That web site is quality. I wished other countries provided such clear instructions and put some effort into streamlining the process.

Absolutely! I flew in January and did my Covid thingy, immigration card, and customs declaration all online. Worked a treat.

HaifongWangchuck wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 11:18 pm If you have no friends or contacts, and don't work a social job, then goodluck: Japan is very lonely and you can spend +6 months without ever having a full conversation with another human being, as it's very hard to make friends in Japan (from my experience), and I had the benefit of going to school with others there in Japanese-language classes

Yes, i see your point, but i am usually on the internet meeting people. Seems like a pretty subdued place so far though. What i sometimes do is use dating sites to meet local ladies and use those as my social connections and proceed from there; that is if they speak English. Over here its a bit harder to get matches that speak English. The Japanese can be quite insular, so we will see how it goes, should be exciting just for the experience.