🇯🇵 I couldn't believe Japan has a warm cheap place to retire

This link has the information discussed in the above video: vagabondbuddha.com/cost-of-li...
Mark's Channel "Pursuing Impact":
/ @pursuingimpact
𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗘-𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞→ 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱
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𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 $$$ 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀e
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What kinds of risks are you taking if you move overseas?
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[@VagabondAwake]

This link has the information discussed in the above video: vagabondbuddha.com/cost-of-living-in-okinawa-japan/ Mark's Channel "Pursuing Impact": kzbin.info/door/xKdoKgEGTi8Iis_A7CFU9w 𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗘-𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞→ 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/ 𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲☆★☆ vagabondbuddha.com/ 𝗗𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 $$$ 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀e vagabondbuddha.com/courses/the-hobby-income-course/ What kinds of risks are you taking if you move overseas? vagabondbuddha.com/our-liability-disclaimer-the-risk-is-on-you/

[@Dutch1954]

Okinawa is nice, but I married a Kansai girl, so it's Takarazuka for us, now both retired. Took more than 40 years of both of us working and careful financial plans to swing it.

[@donnhall9800]

I was stationed on Okinawa (as were around a million Marines over the years) in the 70's, at Camp Foster. My son and his family are stationed at Iwakuni right now, only he is a Sailor. My wife and I will visit our son's family in Japan next month.

[@traveler7249]

Artillery? - 12th Mar?

[@donnhall9800]

3rd FSSG, H&S Battalion, Comm Co.

[@edithago8845]

I've been to japan too, went to different prefecture, the cities are expensive but the rural and suburbs of cities are also affordable, beautiful clean and food is very healthy and delicious. I am actually planning to visit the area in Sapporo , hokkaido, . i am considering staying in Japan for maybe 2-5 years before my full retirement.

[@gregh7457]

hokkaido in the summer and okinawa in the winter would be a nice setup if you don't mind all the red tape of getting into rentals in japan. Also, you would probably need a drivers license in hokkaido. Its a BIG island and things are pretty spread out once you get out of sapporo. If you're fortunate enough to live in a usa state that has a reciprocal agreement with japan, you can get a drivers license with just a little paperwork and eye test. Otherwise you would need to go to an expensive driving school

[@danitzm]

I would like to see Dan go to Okinawa and do a boots on the ground report.

[@mrbbkk]

You can buy a cheap Akiya house for under $15k Amortized over 15 years, that is $1000 a year or $100 a month. I lived in Japan for 14 years and bought two condos in Tokyo and speak the language so I know it well The bigger problem is getting a longterm visa or mortgage from a Japanese bank.

[@mikemikie8312]

Hi Dan ,great interview with Mark very encouraging info Mark for those wishing to visit or live in Okinawa or other parts of Japan ,thanks so much.

[@specc5859]

I been living on Okinawa since 2004. Is great here.😊

[@jonb3189]

Dan, I'm in Tokyo. My rent is 75,000 yen (around $520) a month and has never gone up since I first got here, 2003. Rents can't go up, by law, or rather it's difficult for landlords to raise rents. It's nothing like the US. I eat at Denny's type restaurants for around $10 and no tipping needed. I don't have a car since the public transport is so efficient and cheap (personally I'm around $60/monthly on the trains) and can get from one end of Tokyo to the other for around $2.00. My salary is decent -- except now yen is low compared to the USD. Water drinkable out of the tap, granted I use a filter. Air is incredibly clean compared to probably every major city in the US and world. Crime low. The thing is, it's just not what I would call a fun place to live.

[@joseamor9319]

Brother Head Out To Shinjuku And Enjoy Both The Day And Night Life!

[@jonb3189]

@@joseamor9319 Shinjuku is a nice area. BTW: That's west side where the rents are more expensive. I'm on the east side, east of Ueno towards kita-senju. Rents there are cheap, but life there is ........ boring.

[@earlysda]

@@jonb3189 Japan is a dying society.

[@jonb3189]

@@earlysda Ummmm, OK. Japan is the 3rd largest economy in the world ..... .

[@earlysda]

@@jonb3189 Jon, didn't you see that Japan lost over half a million people last year, and is projected to go to as low as 80,000,000 within 30 years? . Also within 30 years, the govt. is projecting 40% of the population will be over age 65, and only 51% will be "producing age" (15 - 64). . Since modern society is based on younger people supporting older people, you can easily see that there will be major problems in the near future.

[@nomadinthemaking]

Okinawa that’s where Mr Miyagi on Karate kid is from 🤣🤣😂

[@PursuingImpact]

Hi Dan! Just saw the video! Great talking to you! Thanks again and I look forward to crossing paths with you soon! 👍😄

[@tedlasalvia9668]

Great Video Dan and timely for me. You see, i've been following your videos for awhile and I'm exploring the expat life in the Philippines. So I've monitored costs at the locations you have specified and I was also thinking about living/extended stays in Japan, both the mainland and Okinawa. The nice thing about being based in the Philippines, it would be easy travel to other Asian countries with Japan being at the top of my list. Keep those great videos coming (while enjoying your travels!!)

[@VagabondAwake]

Ted LaSalvia, thank you for being part of our community :-) Dan Do you get my free eBook yet? vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/

[@massiveheadwoundharry6833]

Great interview! My wife is from Hokkaido and we've tossed around the idea of moving to Japan when I retire. Glad to see Mark found happiness there.

[@VagabondAwake]

Very cool!

[@vgshwk]

I’ve only been to Japan in the Tokyo airport. The main reason I haven’t seen Japan is because I’ve only experienced Asia during the winter. It is the same reason I’ve only visited south Vietnam as I went from Saigon to Da Nang and I noticed it getting colder so I changed my plans on going to Hanoi. I don’t go on vacation to experience cold weather as I had enough of that growing up.

[@mrbbkk]

Go to Japan in March April May and October

[@skidwirks7660]

Very well done Dan! 👍

[@499PUCK]

I spent a year and half stationed at Kadena AB,USAF. In 79 / 80 it was pretty expensive. The island was very safe, with the exception of drunk GI’s.

[@2005CessnaPilot]

I was born in Naha Okinawa, Japan. Dad was in the USAF at Kadena AFB. So, was interested in seeing this. Thanks!

[@ronmerrifield8864]

You both are great.

[@josephputnam7586]

Great video.

[@RidingwithStymie]

Wow, what a surprise! Great interview. I wonder about street food & price of a meal. I'm gonna have to do some research into Okinawa...

[@wisteria4981]

Another interesting conversation. I use to own a sports bar too and it was a 7 year marathon. I don’t think I want that amount of responsibility again, however that was in my home state of Oregon.

[@pamelaalston4178]

I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for 5 years of the 22 years in the Army. Torri Station has a beach inside the base. It’s 90 degrees all year round and I had a tan the whole time I was there.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for your service Pamela!

[@2masterdingdong]

I 've been in japan for 35 years and Okinawa is one of the Best

[@doubleunderfire7964]

Great video. What a likable guy! Thanks for introducing him and letting us know how accessible Japan can be.

[@mike330i]

Okinawa is one of the Blue Zones. Didn't know you can retire cheap there as well.

[@rsmith02]

The visa is the problem

[@filetmignon96]

Great content as usaul. One way ticket in hand for Thailand in February from always checking out your top places to retire list, Indonesia came in 2nd for me due to rising cost from expats. Never considered Okinawa, live near Tokyo for a 1.5 years, love it but very expensive. Never made a trip to Okinawa, but I will once I'm inThiland..It would make lots of sense for me being retired military and access to bases and part time job for SOFA (visa)status. Thanks for the new lead, enjoy the journey.

[@VagabondAwake]

You are welcome J Worldviews. Your comment grows our channel. :-) Dan Have you seen our KZbin playlist for each country? kzbin.infoplaylists

[@gregh7457]

i just moved to okinawa from hawaii a couple months ago. I'm retired too. Prices to me seem really cheap especially with the exchange rate. I've been comparing prices to thailand by watching thailand expat videos and some things are more expensive in thailand, bangkok especially. That could be because the baht has held up better against the dollar than the yen. If peach doesn't restart flying from okinawa to bangkok, you can fly into taipei which is a 3 hr 55 minute flight and catch a peach from taipei to naha which is another 1 hour flight. I've subscribed to some of the military/sofa pages on facebook and they always have good stuff for sale at fire sale prices when they pcs out. Naha has a SE asia vibe to it but it's 26 degrees north latitude and jan/feb may be a bit too cold for me to handle so i may be taking vacations to escape the cold north wind i've been hearing about. One thing i'm still in shock is the airline ticket prices for interisland japan. Having lived in hawaii 16 years i was used to paying 60-100 bucks for a short 40 minute interisland flight. Peach just had a sale to tokyo from naha for 2000 yen, one way, which is about 14 bucks and thats a 2.5 hour flight!

[@bijanbayne3259]

I'm considering a February one way from Miami to Thailand to look f/ apts. in Hua Hin, Phuket or Jomtien. Work fr. a laptop, single

[@robertkolleck1508]

Dan, maybe you are on your off time, I see you and Quiang in this particular seaside resort town in Thailand, hope you review airbnb and hotel prices and the night cheap and good food stalls just to the right of the big SCB bank building and behind the 7-11, hope you enjoy it here.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you Robert Kolleck! We will write our usual report about Jomtien including food accommodations and things to do. Stay tuned. Your interactions help our channel grow! Have a great day. :-) Dan

[@nomadinthemaking]

That is so cheap for a first world country! Although food seems rather expensive there. I’m sure it would cost a lot more to live in Tokyo or the major cities!

[@kgsparrow8017]

Thank you

[@VagabondAwake]

You're welcome

[@silvestrenavarro5495]

I’m still shocked. This is very very affordable for a developed country

[@rsmith02]

Japan is generally cheap, especially with the yen right now.

[@totallyraw1313]

Mark has a very cool accent! Is it a Southern Californian accent?

[@marklapierre2163]

Sorry Dan this is not true on a couple of factors. 1. Okinawa people do not consider themselves part of Japan and speak their own dialect. 2. White beach is very expensive. I lived in Japan from 1985 to 92 both in Sasebo and Misawa on and off base. The exchange rate was 246 yen to usd now its 144 yen to usd. I could elaborate more but I won’t. Please forgive my negative commitment. God bless

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Which part do you think is incorrect? I believe he is sharing the costs of living there. How does the local language spoken affect your desire to retire there? Just curious. Thanks, Dan

[@marklapierre2163]

@@VagabondAwake Dan I would not have a problem visiting there again, what was not mentioned was that he I am sure buys all his food clothing etc on base.

[@marklapierre2163]

@@VagabondAwake I have no problem with the dialect. It’s different because Japan does not consider Okinawans Japanese, Okinawa was a separate kingdom until 1879 when Japan conquered them. Okinawa was part of the U.S. after WWII although they were annexed back into Japan in 1951 very deep resentment towards each other.

[@BrMark-cu9ih]

@@marklapierre2163 please clarify: who has a “deep resentment” towards who? (Three parties involved: Japanese, Okinawans , America).

[@Mr196710]

I lived in Okinawa for 7 years and only the very old still speak Hogen.

[@bananapatch9118]

Dan, wondering how you keep your things safe while traveling ? When you leave your Airbnb to go to dinner or beach, what do you do with your laptop, passport, cash, etc ??? Thx !

[@VagabondAwake]

Google vagabond awake safety. :-)

[@davelance8692]

Japan does not have any "retirement visa" option for expats. I've researched this and verified it with the Japanese embassy in Washington DC. The only way an expat can "retire" (as in not working) in Japan is to marry a Japanese national.

[@mrbbkk]

Can work remotely and get a student visa

[@davelance8692]

@@mrbbkk Yes, that is true, but this channel is about "retirement". If you are working, you are not "retired".

[@rsmith02]

If you work in Japan you can get permanent residency and then stay forever.

[@justthefactsjack456]

Great video! Loved Japan when I was there! How about Amami Island? Anyone been there? Thanks:)

[@VagabondAwake]

Not yet!

[@beehive5835]

I wonder why health care is so much cheaper, but still good quality, at a first world nation like Japan compared to the cost in the U.S.A.?

[@fruitloops3718]

there are many countries in the world that have great quality health care at a reasonable cost. the reason American health care is due to politicians, lobbyists, and attorneys.

[@beehive5835]

@@fruitloops3718 Yes, I've heard that the U.S. does not rank very well for quality vs cost. But I'm interested in finding affordable medical insurance either in country, or multi-country, for places like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia (etc.). If people retire (so retirement age) move outside of the U.S., how much will it cost them to afford good medical coverage?

[@VagabondAwake]

Great question bee hive, I have one report where I explain what I do about health care and another where I show you how I search for health insurance. What I do about health care: vagabondbuddha.com/two-biggest-risks-of-retiring-early-overseas/ Report where I search for health insurance: vagabondbuddha.com/best-health-insurance-for-ex-pats-in-philippines/ By the way, once you search for health care you will start seeing more offers for health insurance and travelers insurance when you are online. Health insurance is one of the most dynamic or changing industries in the travel world because so many people around the world are deciding to live or retire outside their home country. So do a search every year before you renew to make sure you have the best available for your personal circumstances because new ones come out every few months. Thanks for asking so I could answer this for many people! Dan

[@beehive5835]

@@VagabondAwake Thank you! I'm sure a lot of us who follow you (I do) would like to see you do a video on health care providers (clinics & hospitals) in the different countries you go to. How many speak English? Quality? Cost? Do they take insurance? How personable are they (great opportunity to interview the doctors).

[@SenorJuan2023]

I spent most of my life in the hot and humid Deep South, so I'll pass on Okinawa.

[@nalakirkwood4425]

🙏

[@ExpatinTokyo]

Retired here in Yokosuka but honestly I’m ready to make my love back to the states because of the b.S is citizenship based taxation system. And I didn’t know until recently that the Japanese human actually tax our military retirement pension. I love it here and my son is here and it depresses me so badly. Any advice on what I should do?

[@VagabondAwake]

Hi @ExpatinTokyo, I do a report every year on the top 15 places in the entire world to retire cheap in paradise, Here is my most recent report and video on that topic: vagabondbuddha.com/best-places-in-entire-world-to-retire-early-cheap-in-2023/ Subscribe so you will know when our update comes out. Thanks for watching and commenting, Dan

[@wisteria4981]

Oops that was suppose to be on the video before this one on your interview series.

[@VagabondAwake]

No worries. :-)

[@SoCalBeachLife]

Hi, Dan; Can the veterans go to the military base hospital for check up as the VA in the states

[@VagabondAwake]

Sorry I don't know. Go to Facebook Expats in Japan and ask. Someone will know.

[@Chris-zc7hq]

I would've never imagined the cost. I think I'm a bit sloppy, and lacking of manners for Japan? I don't think they would welcome a hooligan motorcyclist either.

[@VagabondAwake]

lol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Chris. :-)

[@traveler7249]

Semper Fi

[@MrSaabsucks]

Sounds too good.

[@MrSaabsucks]

To be accurate.

[@Chris-gi9ch]

Japan, or Okinawa seems appealing, but i really like motorcycles or just driving in general? Japan is enormously strict on licensing and vehicles.

[@rattanjeetsingh7310]

you can get your license in a month from scratch. you need to join a school and pay around 200000 yen . Alternatively you can appear for a direct test with the DOT if you are confident enough.

[@kingmaafa120]

Typhoons

[@earlysda]

So what kind of visa does Mark have? It's very difficult to get a permanent visa now, and I don't believe Japan has a retirement visa.

[@davelance8692]

You are correct. Japan does not have any kind of "retirement visa" available.

[@user-fq5xh9vn3o]

I'm planning to spend at least three months in Okinawa. What is the best way to rent an apartment. I am looking for something 50 metres sq..

[@VagabondAwake]

Marc Larsson, Here is how we find cheap apartments all over the world now. Watch the video and read the text to get all of our tips: vagabondbuddha.com/how-i-find-perfect-apartments-traveling-the-world/ Thanks, Dan

[@Cambodiavibe]

I've been to Okinawa and it is a v nice place but I doubt there are decent sub $300 apartments there unless you have US military or other special connections.. feels a bit bait and switch and our man is vague and a tad evasive

[@VagabondAwake]

I don't recommend moving anywhere in the world until you have visited first personally to verify what it will cost you to live there based upon your lifestyle and needs. It just might be that he is comfortable in a place that you would not feel is "decent" enough. No offense intended. :-)

[@paulbucklebuckle4921]

Algorithm algorithm algorithms algorithm algorithms algorithm

[@VagabondAwake]

algorithms? :-)

[@johnparise418]

I'm in Indonesia, would love to come

[@CandycaneBeyond]

Japan doesn't have a retirement visa, so how do you live there?

[@VagabondAwake]

Its not easy for sure. Expats live there on many different kinds of visas. It depends on your circumstances.

[@Dutch1954]

Permanent resident here through marriage, Without that you need a employment visa, I believe, never planned to move here, just a vague dream for years.

[@kckim]

Can you give me that apartment information? I need to move there?

[@VagabondAwake]

Kc Kim, I will let Mark decide if he wants to answer this question. I don't have that data. Here is how we find cheap apartments all over the world now. Watch the video and read the text to get all of our tips: vagabondbuddha.com/how-i-find-perfect-apartments-traveling-the-world/ Thanks, Dan

[@kckim]

@@VagabondAwake thanks!

[@OliviaMmmm]

Holy!!! OK, this has piqued some serious interest in me.

[@wildbill6366]

This guest just posted a new video saying he's "moving to Thailand" hmmmmm ok🤣🤣🤣🐂💨

[@PursuingImpact]

Greetings Wild Bill! I’m going to Thailand for probably about 5 months then I’ll come back here to Okinawa to enjoy the springtime. The rent is cheap, so I’m keeping this apartment in Okinawa too. Will be splitting my time between Thailand and Okinawa. Have a great day!

[@ignacioduran5993]

Much of Okinawa is occupied by the USA military. I don't think the locals are "friendly" to the occupiers. And that sexist comment about cheaply going over to Thailand for "company" is just as disgusting. I know Japan and hope to make it to Okinawa someday; hopefully by then the pernicious effects of such colonialism will have waned by then and I can find my way and be treated there as a normal person. Or instead of my US citizenship/passport, I should use my Spanish one. It's a pity. Military privileges! Military force!

[@rsmith02]

If you're not military you won't be treated as such. You could even join the protest movement if you wanted to. That said I did see nice collaborations between officers and locals around environmental conservation including beach cleans and sea turtle rescue in Okinawa.

[@quantcook]

But does Japan jas a retirement visa ?