Before:
It is required to do research before coming to Japan like about your workplace or location of your workplace and location of your temporary stay. If you are going to work in Japan, then you should possess COE (Certificate of eligibility) from your company. You will also need to search temporary accommodation like shared house/air BnB and book I from India itself. They need only passport for doing a booking. Its better if you know a bit of Japanese. Don’t worry still if you don’t know Japanese as you will not get stuck due to language barrier in Japan. One important thing is to carry at least 1.5L 円currency (either cash or travel card) as you don’t find currency exchanges in Japan so easily. Do activate international roaming. Carry lots of food stuff like ready to eat and basic raw food like rice/spices etc. Download google translate or similar app.
After landing in Japan:
First thing when you land Japan is to get Residence card at the time of immigration. This card is very important in Japan and you need to carry it all the time. Once you are done with immigration you can come outside airport in arrival hall and you will able to see a baggage transport facility. It is better to drop off your luggage there and move to your destination without hustle. It will charge around 6K 円for 2 luggage. Besides that you will have a SIM counter where you can get a temporary SIM. It is bit costly so it will be better if you activate international roaming pack from your home country for a month or so. Immediately near t that there will be 2 automated machines which will give your train smart card (PASMO/SUICA). These cards you can also get from the JR counter. English speaking staff will be there so not to worry. There is another counter available for limousine bus service which takes you to central Tokyo. It costs you around 3K 円On airport there is free wifi so you can just connect to it and check how to reach your destination. The train service in Japan is the best service and it connects to every part of Japan. And it is a bit cheaper too. You can download “Japan transit” app if you are interested in going by train.
After couple of days:
It is very important to register your address in local ward office. Check in Google the location of local ward office and visit the local ward office within 14 days. Ward office people will help you to fill up the form and give you residence card with new address printed. Next immediate thing you need to do is to open a bank account with any bank you prefer. Shinsei bank has English support and preferred by many. Apply for cash and debit/credit card while opening an account. Once you have residence card with address and bank account then get a mobile SIM. (Soft bank/Docomo/AU) are top operators but you can get cheaper plans with Rakuten/Y mobile/Ijimio.
Meanwhile check your nearby locality for Kombini (Lawson/711/family mart/mini stop/aeon)/ATM/farmers market/Tokyu store. As in daily life you need all these things to visit. Also check train timetable and bus timetable which is convenient for you to commute. One more important thing to search is nearby restaurants. If you are an Indian and can’t eat Japanese or non-veg food, then you must search Indian restaurants nearby. There are many restaurants but located in certain areas only. Everywhere you will get help by their respective staff.
Also for any help/information you can always connect with me on my email – amoghkutumbe@gmail.com
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