Top 10 Difficult Things about Living in Japan (As a Foreigner)

[@Lyssakay]

Guys update! My mom has since contacted me and insisted that I put together an emergency pack. So I now have one!

[@jesavius]

Lyssa must get a drivers license! Road trip KZbin vlogs of Lyssa and Seerasan would be DOPE!!!

[@nicky._mate]

Even though I'm Japanese, the things that we should do at city hall is soooooo difficult and hassle. I respect you made it, thank you for posting a nice video!

[@Lyssakay]

I’m glad to hear even Japanese people find it difficult!

[@Markus.D.K]

In Germany its 6 weeks of paid sick leave for the same illness. If you are 3 times sick a year with 3 weeks each, but every time with something different, you´ll get your full salary. After 6 weeks, you´ll receive money from your health insurance, which is 70% of your salary for one and a half years max. I think it´s absolutely ridiculous to take your paid days if you are sick.

[@carinameyer4156]

Fellow German here. Ich bin echt hart schockiert. Gott sei dank lebe ich in Deutschland.

[@Lyssakay]

That sounds amazing. It’s hard for me to even imagine!

[@tandre07]

Super fascinating video! I don’t plan on moving but I’ve been taking Japanese for a few years. It’s cool to see what living there is like

[@Ren_Brands]

Verry informative Video, Always Great to see you two together.

[@vonplus00]

Love the vids with both of you!!!!! Thank you for the tips Ill get me a japanese friend!!!!

[@heaththompson6034]

Great video, Alyssa and Sarah! You guys should start a consulting service to help foreigners who relo to Japan.

[@crimsondawn020]

Y'all are so cute! Big fan of your channel Lyssa! Love seeing your stories :)

[@franciswax]

❤❤❤ OMG ur desk area is sooooo cute!

[@Markus.D.K]

Its also mandatory in Germany to register your new adress at the City Hall after you´ve moved. People nowadays pay up to 3000 Euro ( $3200) for a drivers license and about 40 % fail the first attempt. You have multiple language options with the theoretical test but I dont know if that´s the case with the practical one.

[@janusu]

Thanks for this great video! I got a 3-year visa when I first arrived in Japan, from my eikaiwa (English Language school) and I got it renewed twice. The first time I was still employed by the eikaiwa, but the second time I had gone fully private teaching and the renewal still went smoothly. My income as a private teacher was close to my previous company salary, so I think it was okay with them that I was still earning a livable income. I got a Japanese credit card super easily within my first year in Japan, but I think it might have been a fluke. I definitely get the impression a lot of foreigners have an experience more like Alyssa's. I was really good about using it and making payments on time the whole time I was in Japan. I deeply regret, though, that I ran up the balance shortly before returning to the states and wasn't able to pay it back down. I thought I had a job lined up before retuning that fell through and I ended up working minimum wage jobs for several years and simply wasn't earning enough to pay off the debt. If I ever return to Japan to live again I doubt I would be able to get another credit card with that possibly on my record.

[@LisaSamaritan]

Some things are definitely nice in Europe (at least in my country): * 5 weeks paid holiday (25 days) * You dont get paid the first day you are sick. But you get 80% of your salary after that (you do have to show a note from your doctor to prove that you are sick, if you are gone more than a week). * 480 days of parental benefit (390 of them is also 80% of your salary, the rest is a lot less). * Subsidised healthcare (you basically don't pay anything to visit a nurse and ~$20-40 to visit a doctor, a specialist or emergency services. And ~$13/day if you have to stay in the hospital. There is no extra cost for any treatment or medications etc, while you are there. There is a max pay both for healthcare visits and medications each year. ~$140 for visits and ~$700 for medication, but for medications it is a stepped tier one, so you pay less the more you pay, until it get's free.) * Free education. They even pay you money so that you can afford books and other things you might need for your studies.

[@norwegianblue2017]

Here is what my household experiences in the US (California) on the same topics: * 3 weeks paid vacation (in addition to holidays). For my wife, since she is a public school teacher, she only winds up working only 180 days per year with full salary. Currently on a two month summer break. * I get 4 sick days (required in my state), my wife gets 6 sick/personal days. No one day delay required. * Paid maternity leave of 8 weeks. Up to 28 weeks unpaid leave. (both state laws) * Copays are typically $10-$60 to visit a doctor (depending on plan). We pay $0 copay because public school teacher benefits are very good. All out of pocket medical expenses except for prescription medicine and dental are completely free, and those are heavily subsidized. *There is always a cap on all American healthcare coverage, which depends on which plan you have. An average one would be something like $6000 max out of pocket for one year for an individual. Families also have a cap as a group, usually double the individual cap, which is good if you have kids. *Free education up through high school. College has become very expensive, but you can get federal and state grants based on income as well as up to full scholarships that include living expenses.

[@HaploPrime]

What country?

[@LisaSamaritan]

@@HaploPrime Sweden

[@noseboop4354]

The catch is that the unemployment rate is sky high in most of Europe, because employees get so many benefits and are hard to fire, companies don't easily hire people. And you're doubly screwed if you don't like school, because of the free education more people have degrees so it's more expected that you have one. Oh, and of course salaries are way lower

[@LisaSamaritan]

@@noseboop4354 Unemployment is 6.6% in my country. That's not to bad. It is true that if you want to work, you need an education, unless you are self employed. Many start their own companies which is also good for the country. There have been a drive to start education based on apprenticeship again. It works well, for those who don't like "ordinary" school.

[@NoFace89-z6z]

lol just watched the video where you got the matching jewelry!!! Yes please get a license so we can see some Japan road trips!!!

[@danieldevine]

10 holiday days is mad... I have had over 50 before!! 28 days + 7 bank holidays + 1 week long service + 1 week carry over + buy 1 week (tax relief on cost too so cheaper than taking a week unpaid) - Most i've managed is about 50 ish fully paid days off. Sick pay i used to have a sick deal which was 6 months fully paid, next 6 basic government sick pay. Retail telco job, nothing crazy. I literally couldn't move somewhere with less holiday time.

[@ritatojal]

Nice video you two! Lyssa, please do get an emergency bag ready 🌿 it's not much work to do it, and it makes you a bit safer 🌿you can make a cute one too!

[@asianwoof]

As an American you could use Google Voice to add a phone number (via an existing US phone number for verification), then use your in-country phone to access that US phone number. Technically, you could use WiFi calls via that GV number to make free calls to friends/family in the US while in JP.

[@GodAtum]

How about dating? Do you find it easy dating in Japan? Do you mostly date other expats or do local men want to date you?

[@norwegianblue2017]

Very surprised that wasn't a topic for two attractive young women.

[@claudetteedwards4115]

Yes we need a video on that 😊

[@jc3drums916]

Nitpick: fish flakes are called katsuobushi in Japanese. It is usually made from skipjack tuna, which is sometimes (erroneously) called bonito, especially by the Japanese.

[@SotaMaehara]

Just moved to Japan and could not relate anymore with the first point already 😅 been spending the past few hours trying to sort things out related to this but it's such a hassle

[@Topgunchannel]

Interesting point! I’m Japanese , so I will remember that

[@chak_dizzle]

Really appreciate the slice of life style format, ty ladies!

[@tak178]

FMLA provides 66% of your income on maternity leave... and some companies provide the same for paternity leave.

[@Willbme4EVA]

If your license from states side has not expired yet next time you go back to US extend your license. Get an international license, come back and apply for a licence again. Should just be a driving course to sit through. Do not forget to get a reentry pass stamp on visa before going. It is well worth the fee's. Have a great time in Japan. !Cheers!

[@lionheart082766]

My Keigo experience! When visiting Japan you get used to a lot of places requiring cash yen . I wanted to use my credit card to pull cash from a bank machine. Turns out the bank machine has a minimum and my card has a maximum or something to that effect. Anyway I'm at the Bank which is kinda a post office? I speak to a few people in my broken Japanese and Google translate and they had no answers for me prior to knowing the previous info. What's funny is that the lady came to the machine to help, then she brought a colleague, then a supervisor, then the branch manager. Soon I had five people around me graciously trying to solve my issue but not accomplishing much. All of them acknowledged the fact that it wasn't possible by bowing to the 45 degree. What I get from this is the devotion and work ethic of the Japanese people to strive for the best even though the outcome may be negative. Very humble but non productive. I hope that doesn't happen in a hospital!

[@silverian]

Kuyakusho (moving to new district) was new thing! This was very informative video!

[@aneramac88]

Girl, I get you. As a Texan, we always find ways to get things done! 😁

[@MissiBoo]

Phew 😅 I've got a headache 😕 😂 I'm glad that you sorted things out 🫶

[@BattleRoyaleAction]

I've been living in Matsusaka since March. I have the Google-fi international plan. It's not a cheap option, but I can make phone calls and text with my American number plus use as a hotspot all over the planet.

[@lilichaii]

Nice video!! Thank you so much for this :'') Question! How do you do the city hall thing? You can just go into the local one as soon as you arrive and they'll direct you where to go? But is that all in Japanese omg I bet that would be hard 😭

[@sammislowpoke4310]

America has maternity leave 😅 A lot of jobs in American are now contract jobs that have no pto, no sick days, minimum holidays, no pension, no health benefits and if they do offer health insurance through the contract company the deductible is expensive and the insurance is rejected in most doctors offices.

[@hustlecrowe9440]

not paid leave, there is no federal law requiring it.

[@ufgatorbearify]

I think an additional topic, maybe it's own video, is the Hanko. I never went anywhere without it back in the 90s

[@thebichannelful]

USA does have maternity leave. Its short, but it is offered (4 months, I believe)

[@hustlecrowe9440]

not paid leave, there is no federal law requiring it.

[@Mwoods2272]

I have both an American phone number and a Japanese phone number and I don't have any problems. Also if you are from a certain state like Washington, you can just convert your license but the list is short, something like 6 states are eligible.

[@voldymore69]

im jelly; love your vids

[@RelaxNChillOut]

Japan *sigh*, so far ahead of everyone yet so far behind everyone.

[@ellenrik]

Maybe it will make you feel better knowing it is a nightmare trying to set up a bank account in America too, as a foreigner! 😘👍🇨🇦👋 Love your videos!

[@Lyssakay]

That does make me feel better! Thank you! ❤

[@Anukulous]

Food in Japan is high in Fiber, Carb, Sodium, and fat. America food is high in sugar, trans-fat, carbs, sodium, preservatives, and bad cholesterol. Last time i was in Japan, I was shedding weight on Japanese food alone. 2 weeks in, i dropped one to two belt notch.

[@voldymore69]

hack to the num ber issue setup a google voice number before switching over

[@arceus54321]

1. my bank account has double verification with my canadian number so when i moved to japan i had to call my bank account to log in 😭😭 that was an expensive phone call 3. 6:08 im a language student too and its only around 2000 yen for me?? but i already declared that im a student at the city hall :p though luckily i think we have a lot more resources know. i came here with the help of gogo nihon and they told me all this. my language school told me all this too during our orientation 6:51 i do the same thing... lol. 8. 19:37 i commented this on sarah's video too but visit the ethnic grocers in shin okubo!! the fruits and vegetables there are way cheaper, even cheaper than back home in canada. also, when i shop for fruits/veg at my local daiei i always buy it from the discount rack during the evening. i really enjoyed this video! its cool that now i can relate to your videos

[@ufgatorbearify]

Do you still have to leave the country every year to keep your visa?

[@markseymour8365]

"Bum around and hang out" - Every country should have a class of visa for this! :)

[@wildphilpresents]

America has maternity leave. Most major companies in America have it. Source: I'm a 40+ y/o GM of a business that has it.

[@97MiloProductions]

thanks for the video, very useful tips! there's one question i've always wondered about, say I were on a student visa for a language school and wanted to find a job to move onto a work visa, could employers possibly be flexible and hire you when your studies end? or like if you're hunting early and you get something early, would one need to balance the studying and working at once? i do recall hearing that if you skip a good amount of classes at these schools you can be in trouble for your visa, so I'd have no clue how to handle a situation like that. even at my own country ive only ever been in one work position so i have no idea how quiting even works 😅 my plans are to go to Japan either on some scholarship for a postgraduate degree or if that fails a language school, i'll keep on working until its time for that

[@mokisan]

Same question

[@vinyalonde]

Are there any services available that will handle these types of things for expats? A friend of mine who had been teaching in Japan for over 10 years decided to return to Canada. He had to retain a tax lawyer from a major accounting firm to handle the transfer of pension funds (and that was not cheap). About the credit card refusal, there may be something in your credit history, likely based on some administrative mistake from the past that you don't know about. If there is a credit agency, you should find out what you credit score is to see if there is something that is a concern. And yes, you should have a disaster kit.

[@ufgatorbearify]

Dietary: my friend was a vegan, even back then. She always had to make sure her " Vegetarian" soup wasn't chicken broth.

[@ufgatorbearify]

Lol. I had to comment on issue one, so I'll just do play by play for each. I lived in Osaka 92-94. We didn't have cell phones or Internet 😮😊. So nope. But if y'all have been to Chris Broad's studio, that is the exact phone we had on our guesthouse (Orange House) floor. Also I was the Japanese speaker, so if it rang there was probably a knock on my door 😂

[@dankim23]

You and Serrasan should do one on dating in Japan.

[@natalian.1320]

➡️ "Natural"

[@deeves_]

That insurance thing sounds confusing and stressful. Why do they have it? Is it in case you hurt yourself or something else?

[@jensebu78]

I guess the Japanese government knows how you get a driver's license in the US. So, even if you have driven a lot, you never got a comparable education. Our German driver's license is pretty hard to get, that's the reason why we have half of the amount of deadly accidents, even with a high speed Autobahn...

[@corrado]

don't they have accountants or tax experts you can pay to check over all your stuff?

[@taz2491]

About phonenubers iikr: you can update contact information 😂

[@tiotake6236]

But,but,but, you guys must live in Japan! Because you are very beautiful. If you can, in Osaka！　 頼むで、ほんま。ニッコリ笑えば、敬語はいりません。😊

[@timbailin]

LONE STAR STATE LFGGGGGGG🎉❤

[@voldymore69]

good thing i have an international card whew

[@fukuokakusuo2391]

Being healthy totally depends on you, mate. There's loads of healthy stuff here.

[@claudetteedwards4115]

Are the Japanese Anti American? 😂 I'm seeing a pattern here guys ❤ Great video.

[@sebastiendumais4246]

Interesting…. Nothing about finding a place to live?😅 Also…. Of the list I have a gripe about the customization of food….. you know they don’t do it…. Live with it. Unless you have a medical reason (eg allergy) then don’t bug people😊

[@johnxy416]

damn gurl...need that Tmobile quick for that free data in Japan.

[@vincentg616]

Are LGBT ppl well accepted in Japan ?

[@jay2122ss]

At the moment, there is no same-sex marriage law. The conservative party wouldn’t like the idea. Yet, in terms of daily life, people don’t really care much whether you’re gay or straight. Being completely open about your sexuality is rare though. In the workplace, global companies give your same-sex partner benefits(sick leave for your partner, hosing for family etc) like straight couples.

[@brutaltruth7197]

Stay safe a big one is coming soon

[@R0d_1984]

Stealing Emma's sign-off hahahah.

[@jonathansakura]

Japan is awful 😅 I lived in Korea 4 years and for every single thing you complained about it was the opposite I had the car, the credit cards, food customized, etc. But I'm still moving to japan in September 😅😅

[@gaspode7]

Can’t you tell/ask your employer not to transfer you? Or change jobs? Because you find Korea so wonderful and Japan terrible you will leave the country in a couple of months anyway. So why not work now to make sure you don’t get transferred?

[@jonathansakura]

@gaspode7 next time you have a thought let it go lol 😆 😂 I don't wanna be in Korea .I've been to Japan 100s of times I wanna be in Japan no matter how much more difficult it is.

[@dittohead7425]

Gee, its in Japanese, surprise, surprise....!!

[@tsutomu5991]

BAKA!!!! If you don't prepare an emergency bag, I will unsubscribe to your channel. I expect confirmation in your next video. Please, listen to the wise Serasan.

[@Lyssakay]

Don’t worry, my mom (and Sarah) have set me straight!

[@carinameyer4156]

I'm HORRIFIED that you have no sick days or that sick days even exist. Here in Germany you get paid sick leave for six weeks and after that the health insurance takes over. And you can be ill as long as you are.

[@mimistak]

Ειστε ωραια μωρακια αλλα πρεπει να βαλετε βυζακια επιγοντως !!!!

[@specialk9999]

For the driver’s license thing, I read or saw a video that said it depends on which state you are from. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_license_in_Japan