How much is it to live in Japan? [bills, groceries, taxes & more]

[@Jinty_1966]

The video isn't boring at all. You gave us an inside about the living costs in Japan and I found that very interesting. Thank you. ^_^

[@LayersOfJenn]

Awe thank you 😭♥️♥️ yeah I shared a lot of bills and information and it can be an overload BUT, I think people moving to japan and worried about the price want to know!

[@camcam225]

Omg! I’m so stupid! I thought your mic was your knee 🤦🏼‍♀️😆

[@LayersOfJenn]

LOL cute 💋♥️

[@star0liz]

So did I 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@satujohanna6334]

You are not the only one :D

[@okashi3806]

same... xD

[@dianajames4717]

that's what I first thought ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[@abigailingu]

This is useful actually. I want to work and live in Japan someday. Its good to know what I’ll have to pay

[@LayersOfJenn]

Budgeting is key!!! I also recommend coming with 4000$ to 5000$ in hand while moving to japan. That’s another whole video😂🙌🏻

[@abigailingu]

Osharegirl im acting coming this summer for two weeks on a “school trip”. We are starting in tokyo and then making our way down to Hyogo where we’ll be doing a homestay! Ill be there over my birthday as well and im so so excited

[@gashaback]

So glad that you have uploaded this, my husband and 3 kiddos are going to be moving to Japan very soon and knowing the basic cost of things is so helpful! Thank you so much for this! ❤

[@LayersOfJenn]

Wowwwwww that’s a big move BUT so exciting !!!!!! Good luck 🙌🏻♥️

[@ericl2525]

This video wasn’t boring at all and it was very informative. Keep up the great work and have a great weekend! 😄

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!! It’s Friday in japan now so, imma enjoy !! You have a good weekend too ♥️

[@andywhere1906]

I pay about 4500-6000¥ per month for my internet/phone coverage! That’s VERRRY cheap for Tokyo!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Wow together ??! I think that’s a great deal!

[@sunshinecindy570]

Wasn’t a boring! I learned a lot and found it interesting! Thx!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you for watching !

[@BroniaK]

Ah been so long since I commended (used to be called The Fluff Butts) WELL DONE ON 13K SUBSSSSS!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxx seriously you've worked so hard you deserve success so much xxx

[@LayersOfJenn]

I rememberrrrr that user name bc it was so cute LOL. Thank you for always watching and supporting meeeee♥️♥️

[@vanjiesprperson7560]

LOl, when you said the creepy crawlers, I totally thought you meant creepy people! I’ve heard from female friends that when they lived on the first floor they had their underwear stolen (when it was hung up to dry)

[@LayersOfJenn]

Nah I meant the bugs LOL I grew up calling them that BUT some people are def creepy crawlers too 😂😂

[@oolongtea3098]

Not boring at all,one bit! I love informative videos,especially from you.Since you're engaging.😁😁 Congrats on 13k!!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!!! Hopefully going up from here~ and I’m happy to know if even just 1 person took something away & learned from this video!

[@meggerz5292]

Everyone keeps saying how expensive this is but I was thinking how cheap everything was 😂 I live in southern California and rent alone is typically about $800-1500 for either just a room in a house or a one bedroom apartment and then the utilities are usually more than yours, besides the electricity being about the same but that's without heat or air conditioner here since that doesn't exist in southern California apartments/houses unless they're newer

[@LayersOfJenn]

I guess it just depends on where your living and where you grew up!?

[@hyaha7319]

That was so helpful thank you! I’m thinking to come to Japan ..

[@LayersOfJenn]

🇯🇵♥️

[@cindiakers2361]

Congrats on the 13k SUBS!!!!! YAY!!!! :) :) The audio sounds great!!! Thanks for all of the info on prices in Japan.....really informative :) :)

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yay I’m happy that the audio sounded clear !! I just have to figure out how to use the mic now without having it in the shot but, I think that will be hard.

[@cindiakers2361]

I have faith in you....you got this girl :) :) This video REALLY makes me want to move to Japan one day :) :)

[@andreamartelli6303]

I am totally mesmerized by your lashes. They are amazing!!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Lol thank youuuu!!! It’s all thanks to my serum ~

[@b2monkey]

Congratulations on your new microphone! Sounds perfect!!! 👌👏👏👏

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!!! I did asmr on it in my own tome and couldn’t stop laughing 😂😂

[@katedutchie]

I greatly appreciate sharing your costs and referencing your bills! It really helps puts the cost of living in Japan into perspective! I have been considering moving to japan at some point in the future. However, I am afraid of finding good paying work as a foreigner and without an university education. 🌸

[@LayersOfJenn]

There are some people here without university degrees!! I don’t know many I believe but it is possible

[@annalawrance7754]

This is the video Ive been searching !!! Looking into moving to Japan . This was so helpful!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Awe really!?!? I’m glad you found it helpful :)

[@coffee_coloured_eyes8040]

This is the most amazing and useful video about living in Japan EVER. I really NEEDED those kind of information since in the (I hope) nearest future as possible I want to move there! Thank you so much 🌸🌸

[@LayersOfJenn]

Hopefully you can live here one day like you want and be prepared!! I def had NO idea about pension and resident tax before living here!

[@coffee_coloured_eyes8040]

Osharegirl I’m 20 years old, but here in Italy people of my age don’t really live alone unless they applied for a university that’s away from their hometown and, since I’m still with my parents, I think I’ll figure out what to do when I finish my studies or something like that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Mwoods2272]

Great info, Jenn! Shopping at Costco helps with the grocery budget. LOL

[@LayersOfJenn]

It def does LOL!! That and having a bigger fridge to store it all!!

[@MeggieKay]

GIRL YOUR ELECTRICITY! I've never had a bill over ¥7000. That's in the winter with liberal use of my heater. Fall/spring is around ¥2500. Also, my internet is ¥5800/month for unlimited high speed. Honestly, I'm looking at moving back home so I'm going to enjoy the cheap cost of living while I can. Just looking at rent in Toronto makes me want to cry. 😭

[@LayersOfJenn]

I imagine Toronto is crazy expensive!! Halifax Nova Scotia is so cheap (for rent anyways & that’s my hometown!) I never understand why my power bill is so high, even when I lived alone lol. Maybe bc I have a lot of gadgets that are always plugged in? Or maybe Yokohama is expensive? When I lived in Mie, that stuff was cheap!

[@teasadventures1623]

I am in the GTA i agree rent is crazy! But we were lucky to get an apartment with everything included except for internet and phone there is not a lot with everything included.

[@saraha6417]

This was an interesting video. I had fun comparing it to the places that I've lived here in the US. I think videos like this will really help people who are moving or thinking of moving to Japan.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I hope so!!!! I hope people can take something away from this video 👏🏻

[@kendarudesu]

I watched to the end bc I gotta be prepared. I pay roughly about 1,230 dollars a month for my apartment in Vegas. I have a roommate that helps but I mean. She only pays her HALF of rent. So I’m covering bills n groceries for me. But this video will help meeeeee for future reference!

[@LayersOfJenn]

DANGGGGZ that’s expensive !!!!

[@lumiii_-]

I really needed this kinda video actually. I'm also Canadian and where I live, these expenses seem like a hell of a good deal. $800 for rent with or without utilities doesn't give you much..So although the pricing is pretty similar, it seems like you get a general better standard of accommodation for what you pay for.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I think it also all depends on what city you live in!! My rent is well over 800$ ~ When I lived in Halifax NS, I paid 750$ for a huge apartment in the city with power included!

[@karisenpaii]

I didn't realize I wasn't subbed to you, ahh! I think your channel will really soar this year, can't wait to see more videos!!

[@LayersOfJenn]

I hope soooooo 🙏🏻 Thank you!!

[@stephanyrosales2182]

Go you with 13,000 subs. Yay

[@LayersOfJenn]

YAYYY!!! hopefully this will be the year of growth for me 🙏🏻♥️

[@stephanyrosales2182]

@@LayersOfJenn absolutely! I have no doubts this will be the start of something great. I tell all my friends about your channel. I have 2 favorite vloggers you and Zoella and dor the same reasons. Your personality is so humble and like someone i would be friends with. You are relateable and real.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I wish to make long vlogs like zoella lol. That is goals!!!

[@teasadventures1623]

Great video! Very informative not boring at all! i thought the mic was actually your knee at first lol. Have an awesome weekend!

[@LayersOfJenn]

You’re not the only one to think so 😂😂

[@sherbear6537]

Congrats on 13k😃

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you ♥️♥️♥️

[@maidenthe80sla]

From what I gathered from this video to the others I have seen, the utilities generally seem to average out the same. I know when I lived in the Central Valley of Northern California I would pay more than that; with electricity being the exception as slightly lower. Another reason this particular video stands out is that you included the Residence & Pension taxes and when they are due. Yay Jenn! 🙌 I have been and will continue to do my research on living costs for the next 2 years or so before I move over. As you said, the rents fluctuate due to so many variables, but what does stay the same is the closer proximity the apartment is to a train station and the city center the higher the costs you will incur.

[@LayersOfJenn]

It’s true! My old place I walked 15 minutes to the station every day up hill 😭 I was dying on the summer lol. And yeah not people mention taxes pension etc.. maybe bc you can get a general idea of their salary. But I don’t mind sharing I’m broke 😂😂

[@maidenthe80sla]

@@LayersOfJenn Feel you regarding the Summer heat. My crap year on the South East gave me a clue as what to expect in Japan and life in Southern California gave me the earthquake experience. You are honest and not afraid to be either which is an excellent trait to have.

[@jaidepoppy]

Really informative video 👍🏻

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you 🙌🏻

[@Samilovescandy]

I do love hoe you explain each of your bills in detail. OMG the bills for electric is crazy... its like Chobits (Anime) charging a robot, the electrcity bill will go through the roof

[@LayersOfJenn]

LOL omg chobits 😂😂 the memories I have watching it in junior high school!

[@zerohbeat]

Thanks a lot for the video. Very informative. Congrats on the 13k subscribers :D !

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!!!

[@sailornavy1303]

We have SoftBank wifi and it’s monthly pay is 4500¥ not bad it works perfectly

[@LayersOfJenn]

Noted thank you!

[@carinacrowe4591]

I found this really interesting. I didn't know that Japan charged so many like extra bills, like pension and residency taxes.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yup!! Not many people bring it up and I had no idea before moving here either !!

[@flurokitty]

This was so great to see and compare my utility bills (3LDK in Tokyo) with yours. Our water is about the same, our gas is a little cheaper but I don't cook as much as you do and our power is a little higher but my hubby is a tech head and there are so many things plugged in it's like mission control. Internet is not included in our building so we have Shinagawa cable which provides internet and TV channels that we never watch and should really get round to cancelling. It's about 4900 yen a month for the internet but its part of the package which costs about 10000 yen all in.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Would you consider you internet fast? And I have a dream of living in a 3LDK one day!!!

[@misek20]

Haha, it wasn't boring at all. Oh boy, Japan is definitely expensive. I can compare it some other European countries (France, Netherlands and Croatia) and Japan actually might be even more expensive than the Netherlands (and the cost there can sometimes really be insane)

[@LayersOfJenn]

Oh really!?!! Everyone keeps mentioning it’s the same price or more expensive for them but I def feel like my life here in japan is more expensive than Canada.

[@dumpsterwitch]

This is handy cuz I was doing research on Japan for possibility of going there in the future. Thank you for doing this video. Now to go back and write out what the amounts were so I can see what the value is for American money.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yayyy I’m glad you can find it useful!!

[@dumpsterwitch]

@@LayersOfJenn I did find it useful! I have nothing better to do but look up information. Do mind if I ask you alot of questions?

[@LayersOfJenn]

I might take time to respond bc I’m in the way to work BUT I can try my best 🙌🏻 just give me time :P

[@dumpsterwitch]

@@LayersOfJenn no problem if you have Facebook you can look me up.. I go by callie rose moon and I have my cat ghost as my profile picture.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I actually save fb for close friends and family! You can DM me on Instagram though.

[@Zelkaina]

No, this is super interesting!!!! Thanks girl!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you ♥️

[@queenkoi]

Thank you for doing this. That was very helpful.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you for watching & commenting!!!

[@itsRebeccaRayne]

I live in London, in a shared house but I rent my own room. I worked it out and I currently pay more to live here as a single woman, but of course pay also has to be considered as I'm not sure if we earn more here for the same job etc.

[@LayersOfJenn]

It’s true!! Your heart salary will change everything ~

[@Scrapdaph]

Hi!! What a great video to inform everyone the average prices of living out there! I wish I knew before!! When I used to live in Japan, the internet avg was ¥5,778! That was for medium speed internet!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Noted thank you!! I think everyone and myself included is learning more about internet in japan for sure lol 🙌🏻

[@JMHoskins87]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! So informative and eye opening. ^.^

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!! 🙌🏻

[@nyanyai88]

Was really usefull and good done!! Thank you so much.

[@LayersOfJenn]

No thank you!!

[@TheFryShrimp]

it's useful arigatou!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yay 🙌🏻

[@pslovechloe]

This was super informative and not boring at all! Thanks so much for sharing! I've lived in various countries, and I would say the most expensive city I lived in was London, where rent is charged weekly and not monthly. Where I live now is a lot cheaper than London, but I still cannot live on my own bc well paid salaries are hard to find here, so the question I want to ask is, does an average salary in Japan allow you to live comfortably and independently , without having to have two jobs? And have a little bit extra for shopping? Lol 😁😅 P.S. Congrats on the 13K subscribers!!! I am so happy see your channel growing, not only for your awesome Japan/ everyday life/ fashion content, but for you and your amazing self!! Whenever I see your videos I feel like am catching up with a good friend ❤️️😊

[@LayersOfJenn]

Omg thank youuuu 😭♥️🙌🏻 that’s my main hope is to always come across as a friend to y’all bc seriously everyone in my online family. You guys all give me so much inspiration to continue !! And holy crap... weekly.... I would die if I had to pay month weekly in japan bc we get paid once a month here

[@LindaLantz]

Thank you!! Saving for future reference.

[@LayersOfJenn]

🙌🏻🙌🏻♥️

[@MsRudo10]

This wasnt boring at all! I live in such an unstable country... budgeting and regular bills are not always guaranteed.

[@LayersOfJenn]

That sucks so much :( I’m sorry to hear that girl ♥️

[@almbng]

Well come on with the content! What an amazing video!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thanks 🙌🏻

[@kated47]

I pay for gas and electric, but thankfully not for water. My electric bill is usually from $80-$120 USD (trends high in summer), and my gas bill is usually from $40-$120 (trends high in winter). The gas heats my water heater, I have a gas stove, but it also heats my home via the furnace. That is cheap for me for a 2 br apartment with forced steam radiators and garbage wiring.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I remember my power bill being expensive in Canada bc we didn’t use gas or have a gas bill!! Do you think your bills are average in the US?

[@kated47]

I think they’re average but on the low side. I know people in California that have electric bills in the $500-$700 range during the hottest months of summer. Thankfully I only have to run an AC unit for ~3.5 months a year!

[@satujohanna6334]

It's really interesting to hear how things are done in another part of the world. Not at all boring! For ex you can choose to pay pension but here it's mandatory and it will be automatically deducted from your pay. With taxes, pensions etc. the monthly deduction is around 30% of your salary with average salary and that sucks. It's progressive so if you make more the percentage gets higher. Other than that the prices for the electricity and all is pretty much the same here in Finland. No gas though nobody uses that here and we pay all our bills online :)

[@LayersOfJenn]

Ahhhh well most companies deduct pension from your pay cheque here just some companies don’t (like mine 🙄) but that’s another whole conversation lol

[@HiNeRy14]

I actually find this kind of videos very interesting. Specially since I'll be moving to Japan in a month 😳

[@LayersOfJenn]

Ohhhh girl save money before you come!!!!! I always recommend having 4000$ in pocket to move to here

[@HiNeRy14]

@@LayersOfJenn Thanks! Good to know.

[@chalalalar1688]

That was really interesting. Living in London makes Japan look cheap (although I am aware it will vary). I always thought that it would more expensive in Yokohama. (our rent is equivalent 180,000 yen for a 2 bedroom place that's falling apart and over an hour into work... excluding council tax and bills - which are also much higher). I pay MUCH less than most of my friends who live in nicer places too.

[@LayersOfJenn]

WHATTTTT!?!? I could NEVER afford that rent lol.

[@ReagzVoice]

Very helpful, in-depth explanations! Thank you, Jen!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Some sharehouses are good though just I know some are terrible. It’s mostly for people who want to live cheap. I have never lived in a sharehouse myself bc I’m difficult to live with (due to me calling out people’s bullshit in the home) That really sucks though your sharehouse was poopy :(

[@FairlyOddChelle]

I remember watching your old video! I think I've only been watching you for about a year or so and that video I kept rewinding to make sure I was texting the right amount to my husband (cause at the time I was binge watching, so all of my convos with him, even via text were, "In Oshare Girl's video...." lol. Anyway, I think we both thought it was a lot cheaper than we imagined. I liked the detail and the transparency of all the costs, it was so informative. I liked this video, too! Your food budget sounds like the norm, even for the US. So, I'd think $100 a week in Japan isn't bad at all for two people. Do you use a monthly budget or anything? I'm trying to glow up my finances, so trying to not only use my budget spreadsheets, but actually stay within the allowed spending amounts for each section.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Awe LOL ♥️ I actually keep my grocery money in a glass jar & take out 10,000¥ a week every Sunday so that helps me control that. But I don’t recommend leaving jars of money around you place bc well... people are dangerous lol

[@sashavonkirsch4948]

very nice video) and yes! grocery budget is a must for responsible adult 😋 I also make 40.000¥ (3 person)a month. we buy meat, rice and potatoes at Costco. so it's not so much to buy every week))))i buy fruit and veggies at 💯 shop or/and frozen and on seasonal)))

[@LayersOfJenn]

Girl me tooooo!!! I don’t buy potatoes bc hubby doesn’t really like them BUT if I could made mashed potatoes, baked, etc with every meal I would be happy lol.

[@sashavonkirsch4948]

@@LayersOfJenn we r Ukrainian family)))) so we love potatoes))))

[@LygiaHadj]

Thanks so much for sharing this video! I'm moving to Japan in March and i was curious to know about how much utilities would cost. It's good your internet is included in your rent, mine isn't and i found the one the agency recommended to be a little expensive. So now i'm on the lookout for cheap internet :c

[@LayersOfJenn]

People are Sharon their internet packages here in the comment section so def keep your eyes peeled there 👀

[@Cozmicsuga]

You look great with bangs!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thanks lol! I hated them & styling them every morning was such work!

[@Cozmicsuga]

@@LayersOfJenn I have curly hair, so I totally understand the bang struggle! Oh wells.

[@gummybearlesbianmafia]

Thank you for all great info. Your break down gives me a much idea of what the costs are in Japan. Do the costs for certain things go down or up based on how many years you've lived in Japan? Things like residence tax? Once again great vid!

[@LayersOfJenn]

My residence only went up when I moved prefectures !! I think it’s based on your Prefecture and “ward” you’re in. Some wards are expensive while others are cheaper!

[@yvonnenippsonribbs1811]

Wow that residence tax would make me cry 😓

[@LayersOfJenn]

I weep one tear every time I have to pay it LOL

[@yvonnenippsonribbs1811]

@@LayersOfJenn so much selfcontrol girl 💪😂

[@hansnews5270]

I live in New Jersey USA and the cheapest apartments here is at least $1000

[@LayersOfJenn]

Dangggg!! Every city had different prices for sure~

[@jeetandarsilwani8121]

Very very nice

[@LayersOfJenn]

♥️

[@dmochizuki]

Very informative and interesting

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!!!

[@MaraWaka]

I feel your pain on those electric bills during the winter. 😭

[@LayersOfJenn]

😭😭😭😭💸💸💸💸💸

[@usaginomame1217]

Our internet bill is around 3,000 yen a month. Its not the fastest but its better than what I had in Canada. Cell phone bills are another big bill, for me.

[@LayersOfJenn]

That’s not bad! I was shook in Canada when I was uploading on my moms internet... like they only have a certain amount of usage a month... like WHAT!?

[@SushyDraws]

We have a fixed budget for groceries, I think it works very well.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Agreed!!!!

[@Kawaiicherryberry]

We pay 4500 yen every month for our internet ☺️ depends on the company you sign with and if you want a portable WiFi or installed in your apartment.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Noted thank you!!!!! Is your internet fast!?

[@Kawaiicherryberry]

It’s ok, but for some reason gets slow after 19🤦‍♀️

[@LayersOfJenn]

Strange.. I could understand if it’s a shared internet bc then everyone is home then 😂

[@sauceIord]

Jeez... You brought up the size of spiders and that made me question if I want to move to Japan or not in the future lol

[@LayersOfJenn]

LOL they are huge here BUT they are not poisonous which is a plus!

[@sauceIord]

Osharegirl Oh okay, well that’s fair lmaoo!

[@Nikki.L.L]

Ours is equivalent to 70,000 yen. I live in HK and the apartments here suck. Mostly because there isn't much land here anymore, rents skyrocket.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I’ve only been to HK once but would love to come back!! My image of HK is expensive lol.

[@Unmei_Ka]

I never knew about the residence tax. It's kind of crazy that they charge people just for living there. I wonder what that money goes towards.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Good question haha

[@itseveryday8600]

Can you do a comparison between Japanese healthcare & Canadian healthcare? I live in the States and there is a debate about alternative healthcare model to the crappy one that we have, where people can go bankrupt. Is it cheaper in Canada or the same? Is the standard of care any different? How about waiting time?

[@LayersOfJenn]

That’s tough.. in japan we pay 30% of everything medical. I think it’s still affordable here! And the wait isn’t usually very long BUT in Canada if you go to the emergency room, you wait forever. For example I broke both my arms at the same time & I waited 8 hours in the emergency room JUST to see a doctor and then an extra 4 hours to get casts and xrays

[@itseveryday8600]

@@LayersOfJenn That's interesting🤔, 30% still sounds like a lot, but I guess, the base rate is cheaper to begin with. In US, I got charged $900 for a simple blood test. 30% of that would still cost $270! So we'er being exploited 💰& the prices are generally super inflated to begin with, which is part of the problem here I guess. Thank you for the info!

[@aleenr4425]

I thought this was really interesting!! 😊

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!!

[@minp4919]

Osharegirl aa/

[@Samilovescandy]

I think Japan is an expensive country to live in. Here in the UK you pay TAX, Pension (many people avoid this) free healthcare and of course Morgage. I feel lucky as I am studying and living with my parents.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I should have lived with my mom for longer when I was in university haha

[@snapesflower1]

I don't think your vid was boring. your expenses except for the residence tax are very similar to mine, although I own my house. I was glad to hear the numbers. Overall, its not that bad. Even the grocery budget is good for the two of you. The only thing about japan that freaks me out is how high fruit is.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I would love to own a home one day and all my “rent” payments will just be to the bank mortgage !! I’m worried to buy a home here though bc well... natural disasters

[@Crissybesr]

I have softbank air and its 4600 yen a month.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Ah for wifi!!!?? Noted thank you!!

[@Crissybesr]

@@LayersOfJenn yes! Wifi

[@MsBuggyness]

This was a neat topic. In the US, your employer deducts income taxes as well as “pension” which I guess would be social security here. We don’t have a choice, unless you work “under the table” or for cash. I think it’s interesting that in Japan, at least how I understood from this, you have to send in your residence tax and pension. Lol, no one would do that in the US if it wasn’t deducted by our employers. Insurance is horrendous in the US. If you have a nice employer who offers health insurance, they will also deduct it from your pay, if you don’t, you have to purchase it privately (so expensive) or like a lot of folks, you go without it and just don’t go to the doctor or if you have to, it could bankrupt you. So sad.

[@LayersOfJenn]

That’s so sad the healthcare in the US .. :( And most companies do deduct pension etc from your pay cheque just my company doesn’t 🙄🙄🙄

[@MsBuggyness]

Osharegirl unfortunately, a lot of politicians here don’t think health care is a right, but a privilege. :(

[@japanesenoodles]

This video was very informative and interesting. I think your grocery budget is really affordable, well done. In Australia, water is calculated based on your home value and usage. Water and electricity is rather expensive so many home owners are investing in solar panels which greatly reduce electricity bills. We don't pay a pension here. Our employers pay superannuation minimum of 9.5% (higher in education and government sectors around 17%) but we can make voluntary payments into our superannuation too. We also have council rates (tax to the local council for cleaning the roads, emptying our bins, looking after footpaths) based on property value, emergency services levy (to pay for firefighters etc) and medicare levy (calculated during tax return) which is our public healthcare scheme.

[@LayersOfJenn]

It’s interesting for me to hear about how other countries run things!! Employers usually pay pension for others here too I believe, just mine don’t 🙄🙄🙄 I should ask my mom about how things are run in Canada bc when I lived in Canada, I did live alone and paid for rent etc BUT I was still a student so pension and health insurance wasn’t on my mind. (Especially bc health insurance I was 100% covered under both my parents !)

[@ysk3442]

Congrats on 13k subs!! I'll be moving to Tokyo in three months but I feel that living in Tokyo would be quite expensive in many ways compared to Aichi where I'm living now. What's I'm afraid the most now is that if I can survive from the fully packed trains lol How do people actually manage to do that 🙄

[@LayersOfJenn]

Thank you!!! And ohhhh exciting you’re gonna make the move to Tokyo!! I’ve been taking packed trains for awhile now and... I’m still not used to it lol

[@j2ciii]

I made it to the end and it was interesting

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yay thank you!

[@The666link666]

Very interesting video! The only thing that threw me off is your groceries budget. So you spent 360$ (US) a month, which is around 12$ per day for two people. 6$ per person for breakfast, lunch and dinner?? That's sounds too cheap.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Hmmmm well that’s what we spend lol. My hubby doesn’t easy breakfast & I don’t make bentos for him (I used too & could with this budget though but he doesn’t want to carry)

[@The666link666]

Twa Pehs I wish there was something like those cheap days in the US.

[@Midaregami1510]

Thanks a lot ! My husband and I are moving this September in Japan. We are now living in France and though, French people complain about cost of living, we are quite lucky. It's about 75€ for transportation (unlimited in Paris and in the Parisian suburbs), less than 10€ for the phone (calls and sms unlimited, 20GO), less than 30€ for internet... We don't need to pay an insurance or pension (it's deducted from your salary). Water is included in the rent too, and food (especially veggies and fruits compared to Japan) are cheaper. I'm gonna miss that ^^; By the way, you didn't mention it but how much are a mobile contract and transportation (I know that some Japanese companies take care of it) ?

[@LayersOfJenn]

Most people in japan get all that stuff deducted from their paycheques here in japan too just my company doesn’t :( So I would say I probably spend between 10,000¥ to 15,000¥ on transportation BUT my work isn’t far from home so I’m lucky!! When I lived far from work I would pay 20,000¥ a month just to go back and for to work for a month. A lot of companies here will give you the money back though the following month for you transportation !! And I’m not sure about my mobile contract bc my hubby takes care of it.

[@tesstavares3143]

I don’t mean to move to Japan, but it’s great to have an idea on prices at all.. I was wondering if people that live in share houses have different bills (water, gas, electricity, etc) or if it’s all in, since the needs are different.. maybe that would be a ideia for a video 😉

[@LayersOfJenn]

That’s a good question!! I have a friend living in a sharehouse here in japan but she doesn’t like to be on camera really. I wonder if she would chat with me about it on video!

[@ChimuJin]

Miss my dorm room in Tokyo, I payed 15,000¥ it was so cheap!!

[@LayersOfJenn]

Omg donttttt!!! I wishhhhhh 😭😭😂😂♥️

[@zenithian15]

Oh lord, pension... I didn't pay (following my first year), and I consistently received letters (some of them looking very urgent). Hopefully they won't deny me entry when I come to visit. :( I also remember taking my bills to the convenience store near the end of the month and feeling so weird about spending tens of thousands of yen (or hundreds of dollars) on bills along with whatever drinks and snacks I was picking up. lol

[@LayersOfJenn]

They better let you in lol. I need to see you this April ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Midori_Seabreeze]

When I lived abroad I liked to think that I saved a lot of money with public transportation. I think I paid £160 year for unlimited bus rides. So paying for health insurance and residence tax would break even with a car payment and insurance. :) How much do you think you spend on transportation?

[@LayersOfJenn]

That’s a good question and it really depends on what I want to do. Going into to Tokyo costs me about 1000¥ and if I go twice a week into Tokyo, the. That’s 2000¥. And then I also travel Back and forth to work. I believe I spend around 10,000 to 15,000¥ a month on travelling on trains/buses

[@hermin]

can you do this kind of vlog now that you are in Taiwan? :)

[@Rachel-yb2de]

These all seem super cheap compared to the cost of living in New Zealand by almost half for everything!

[@LayersOfJenn]

DANGGGGGG NZ must be so expensive !!

[@Rachel-yb2de]

@@LayersOfJenn Well I live with just my fiance in an obviously bigger than your place but not massive in a medium size city for NZ and we pay a lot more for rent, electric, gas. Water is included in the rates bill which is paid by the owner of the house. Our internet bill is fairly high I would estimate. We also pay insurance, contents and home and obviously have car expenses which are high. Our groceries are defiantly higher too! We don't pay for healthcare though which is nice.

[@LayersOfJenn]

I would love to have a car one day but it’s expensive !! I always heard that NZ was expensive!! I still want to travel there one day tho!

[@mujitsukyo]

I thought it was super insightful. Vancouver almost everything is double or more. ( Though I don't pay hydro,water or gas in my apartment) my Internet,phone and rent MORE then make up for it haha

[@LayersOfJenn]

Sweet baby jesussssss I couldn’t deal lol.

[@dannyshett]

Much more expensive than Europe, Canada and Australia. I'm not sure about USA

[@YasmeenMO]

wow that a lot but if you can manage a budget and sharing a place it can be doable.

[@LayersOfJenn]

Budgeting is key!!!!!! Took me a few years to come to that realization though!

[@YasmeenMO]

@@LayersOfJenn exactly and it helps in the long run.

[@laurac6895]

HI JENN❤❤❤ is Japan cold right now?

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yup lol. Yokohama is anyways~ next week it should get warmer !

[@ColletteisaBear]

What on Earth is Pension? (Prob a dumb question but I honestly have never heard of it)

[@ColletteisaBear]

@Nanayul D. ahhh gotcha. Basically like a 401k here in the US. Interesting! Thanks for explaining !

[@LayersOfJenn]

Yasssss girl you have great memory to remember what I said about pensions lol. And yeah it’s basically a retirement fund I pay into here in japan so that if I retire here, I have money coming to me. EXCEPT people have theories how the old people here in japan will suck up all the pension we are paying into (bc there are so many and many more to retire soon) !! That’s just a theory though 🧐

[@punkrockissexy]

So do you have any taxes taken out of your paycheck, or do you have to just pay this separately from the money you receive from work (like it's up to you to pay)

[@LayersOfJenn]

I pay tax & unemployment tax (it’s taken out of my paycheque automatically)

[@tinkerbell120]

NHI 16.000¥??? WTH I pay around 3.000¥....now I’m wondering if I’m doing anything wrong...I try to budget groceries too 😅 I like to have everything under control 🤓

[@LayersOfJenn]

Nothing wrong with wanting control of your finances 😊 and dang that’s cheap haha. If you just moved to japan or are in your second year living here, your bill might be cheaper. A lot of my friends pay around the same amount as me.. while a few pay like 24,000¥ or more!

[@CestLaaaVie]

I payed 3,000 yen too, but I was a student so maybe that's why?

[@Rose_from_UK]

The gas etc is comparable to UK, what deductions do you have direct from wages? In UK we pay national insurance and tax direct

[@LayersOfJenn]

We pay tax & unemployment insurance !

[@frogthetraveller2590]

I'm just doing the math and WOW that is expensive: the health insurance, the resident tax... I also firstly thought, that the mike was your knee))) Btw I liked your instagram stories cooking receipt . But now it's gone(

[@LayersOfJenn]

Someone else thought it was my knee too lol ♥️😂

[@dannyshett]

Oh my god it cost around US$ 3000 month. Not cheap

[@LayersOfJenn]

Noted !!

[@hyaha7319]

What about restaurants and coffeeshops in Japan like Starbucks I’m coffee addicted so I need to buy coffee everyday how does is cost?

[@LayersOfJenn]

You can get 1$ coffee brewed from 7/11 👏🏻

[@trenneka6118]

How did you learn Japaneses

[@LayersOfJenn]

I picked it up here and there and studied a bit. My Japanese is not amazing so best to ask Kemushichan on youtube !

[@vanessac.1571]

Thank you for all the information!!😍 I have a few more questions!🙈 Did you have to pay any deposit and key money? And did you have to pay 2-3 worth's of a month rent before moving in?? Sending you lots of love from Luxembourg!😊❤

[@LayersOfJenn]

I was going to mention that in a video but I’m going to save that for a moving in japan video!! Most places you have to pay 1 month or 2 months rent when you move in, PLUS key holder money, and IF you use a realtor, you need to pay realtor fees.. also I was a foreigner living alone in my first place so, I needed a guarantor for my apartment so, I had to pay a company 50,000¥ to sign my lease with me. Expensive right?? BUT that being said, you can find some places that don’t have all those fees or as much. You just hav to really look for them and/or say to your realtor agent that you don’t want to pay those fees. Your selection will decrease greatly though.

[@vanessac.1571]

@@LayersOfJenn Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!!😊❤

[@LayersOfJenn]

Of course ♥️

[@maximatefox2517]

That rent is tough! Damn!!! I think I might just rent the forest!

[@LayersOfJenn]

LOL yeah rent isn’t cheap. I didn’t mention BUT it also costs like 3000$ to move in japan with all the stupid fees.. but that’s another whole video lol

[@maximatefox2517]

@@LayersOfJenn $3000?? I can't imagine Going from Barbados to Japan. But as I can see in your Fantastic videos, it's worth the price!

[@hansnews5270]

$640 per month is cheap

[@LayersOfJenn]

For my old place it was affordable!! About a 17 minute walk to the closest station on top of a huge hill BUT it was brand new ~ That’s not anywhere near what I pay now~