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gaijinhan
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Hi. I apologize for making an unrelated topic. I’m interested in staying in Japan and doing teaching there. Been studying Japanese for close to a year and will take up another course there to get better. Also taking TESOL and maybe CELTA, and have a degree in engineering.
That’s all for my background. Now, my main query is the relative costs in Japan. I hope to save up to 60k before getting there, but right now I have half of that. I’m going to apply for a student visa, failing that I’ll just go there for the three months. I’m just wondering how much you’ll advise to save up to stay there for a year. Somewhere like Osaka or Nagoya would be good, Tokyo’s too expensive.
Sorry for being all self absorbed, but I hope you’ll look pass that.
Hi Sumgai,
To be frank, there isn’t much difference in living expenses between Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. The most significant difference you will notice is probably that you can get a better apartment elsewhere for the same price in Tokyo Metropolis. But if you’re looking at Nagoya city and Osaka city, then the difference is negligible. Regardless, an average decent apartment rental per month would be between 55,000 to 65,000 yen. Of course you can probably find something cheaper but using the median of 60,000 yen, that would come up 720,000 a year. At the current exchange rate, that’s a little under $8,000. You should be in a good position if you set aside $10,000 to include utilities and cheap phone plan. If you eat out everyday, it would cost about the same as your rent. That’ll be $20,000 just for rent and food.
Initial start-up costs depends on what you need at home (i.e. furniture, electrical appliances, etc.). I think JET used to suggest an additional USD$1,000 for settling in costs. To be safe, $25,000 should be enough for the above.
Any additional cash required would depend on:
1) your lifestyle (i.e. play, leisure, travel, etc.)
2) tuition fees for whichever school you’re applying to
3) transportation
It’s difficult to give a gauge for your transportation costs without knowing where you live and where you will be commuting to because they can differ greatly.
* Note that the above figures are based on current exchange rates.
Hey, thanks a lot for the input. From what you said, living in Japan for a year is definitely feasible. Though it wouldn’t be wise to wipe out all the savings and have nothing left if things go south. I suppose from your estimate, it would be good to save up to at least 45k, just in case.
I have one more question to ask though – I’m hoping to teach there after getting my TESOL and CELTA. I’m already 31 (almost 32). Really hope I’m not too old for anything now.
Is it possible to get a teaching job there in a year’s time (or rather, what’s the possibility of this: staying in Japan for a year while sending out job applications, then getting no job there and being forced to come back to Singapore empty handed.)?
Thanks for taking the time to reply – I really appreciate it.
Hi again Sumgai,
It’s funny how people tend to ask me prophetic questions like that and if I were to keep my trustworthiness, I’d say 50-50.
Alright. I understand that it’s no good to be too optimistic or pessimistic. You spent six months there to better your Japanese before going on a job search. I’ll save up and do the same, not that it’s a sure bet.
Thanks for the information. If I manage to get a job there late 2016 I’ll contact you again.
All the best to you!