What Living In Japan Is REALLY Like (as a foreigner)

[@fuegosmoke5342]

Your video is great. It won't take long before your channel will reach 1.000, 10.000 and even 100.000 subs!

[@KyleWongCO]

Thank you!!

[@dianagula8101]

Agreed! Great job! You have it all and I can't wait to watch more of your videos!

[@ChristopherCameron]

Moving there next year to a neighborhood nearby, pretty much doing the same thing. Great vid man!

[@KyleWongCO]

Cool! You’ll have to document how it goes

[@spike8689]

Looking forward to exploring Japan with you ! Super happy to see you found comfort within the church group in Japan :) .

[@KyleWongCO]

Thank you!

[@mikoy2433]

Subscriber #183 here. Keep making videos, more Japan content. I was in Tokyo last month for 10 days, and my life is changed. I felt like Isekai or in another world when I was in Japan. ❤

[@KyleWongCO]

Aw that’s so sweet thank you

[@johnkim8875]

Kyle, I am your 76th subscriber! I rarely ever subscribe but I can tell that you are an excellent story teller. I visited a Japanese Russian Orthodox church last year in Kyoto. I appreciate all kinds of worship styles but that one was a bit hard to descipher lol. Can't wait to visit Japan in November! I will hold you in my prayers!

[@KyleWongCO]

Wow, thank you John! I’ve yet to visit Kyoto but would certainly like to.

[@samweirich5973]

It's kinda like Las Vegas: yeah, the first few days are fun, but after the 4th day people are desperate to get as far away from the Strip as possible, because it's just too much lights, noise, people and commotion. It's sensory overload.

[@KyleWongCO]

@@samweirich5973 sensory overload is a good way to put it

[@benji80proof]

Amazing content! Very informative. Keep 'em coming!!!

[@KyleWongCO]

@@benji80proof ah thank you sir!

[@jejudo3000]

Japon is the best there is! 🇯🇵

[@KyleWongCO]

Incredible place to be, with wonderful people!

[@dru812002]

I subscribed man! Awesome videos!

[@KyleWongCO]

Thank you!

[@Stoupy51]

Very great video! You deserve more views really

[@KyleWongCO]

Thank you!

[@Justinjcoaching]

this is ammmmaaaaazzziiing!!!

[@KyleWongCO]

🥹

[@alandent2746]

Hi Kyle, nice job on introduicing a rather more balanced view of life in Tokyo - It is good that you mentioned that you are paying for convenience in Tokyo - I moved further out, to Saitama where I pay 55k rent for a 2DK (2 bedrooms Dining/Kitchen) apartment, I cook most of my own food (Although that is preference - I don't save much compared to your food bill) and like you I don't bother with a car. I like the space for which I sacrifice the convenience of being close to central Tokyo. It is not much of a sacrifice though, as most of the things I need for daily life are close by. Totally agree with you in terms of joining a club in order to meet people - I play billiards and there are many places in both Tokyo and Saitama where I have met new people socially just by going to practice. In terms of the lack of variety in non-Japanese or "Fusion" restaurants, I am not sure you are living in the same Tokyo as I am... both Italian and French restaurants are almost ubiquitous everywhere I have been - often very good quality. As a counterpoint to Saizeria, try the Salvatore Cuomo chain of Italian restaurants, way more expensive, but much more adult in clientele. Near me there is a great Turkish restaurant, Spanish, French, three Italian restaurants (all quite unlike the chain restaurants) as well as the usual gamut of "Western" restaurants (洋食屋) which serve up the Japanese Showa period interpretation of Western food. There are Indian restaurants that specialise in various Indian cuisines (I love "Kerela no Kaze" in Omori and the Nirvanum chain, especially their Kamiyacho restaurant). I don't eat out most of the time, so perhaps I have become a bit fussy when I do. Oh, and I rarely go to the Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa tourist areas - have played billiards tournaments in Shinjuku, and visited galleries in Shibuya (there is (or was - haven't been recently) a nice Jamaican restaurant in Shibuya as I recall), but mostly I prefer quieter and more interesting areas. There are a few things I would find interesting - These sort of My Life in Japan series rarely comment on their intereactions with Japanese beauracracy - registering at the ward office, opening a bank account (if you have done that with a Japanese bank), visa stuff (memories of trips to Tennozu Isle :P ) - Is this stuff all handled for you with your job, or do you need to deal with this stuff yourself? Although I doubt you can video in Ward Office/ Immigration centre, it is an aspect that interests me.

[@KyleWongCO]

Ah great food recommendations! Yes, I've heard seemingly simple tasks like registering anything, opening a bank account, etc, can be very difficult. I didn't talk about it though as I haven't had to deal with it myself.

[@elmcloudtt]

hello kwong, japanese land with a foreigner living. in usa, foreigner were for me students studying in downtown or uptown of NYU area. if my feet was walking in tokyo, then what really is foreign is that i am a NYU student remembering how they were there in NY and got a job in tokyo - what is important. think my home was everything needs to be cooked at the apt. my parents have shown me over and over - living in tokyo is just a 200 sqft apartment. many speaking or writing would be in english. and from the airport traveling in, you are traveling through english directions on the sign to train to the map. thank you. elle for map printed

[@KyleWongCO]

Thank you

[@dianagula8101]

🧡🧡🧡🧡

[@KyleWongCO]

🫶

[@ataliaperez303]

No food, no like😤…..so I’m glad you showed food😌

[@KyleWongCO]

fair enough 🫡

[@StanleyL-740i]

Do you frequently encounter language barriers on a daily basis, like asking for directions, interactions with the apartment's landlord, receiving and paying utility bills, instructions, and other day-to-day scenarios?

[@KyleWongCO]

I don't really. It's definitely not the same as being a native speaker, but most things are really intuitive and easy to figure out, and if you use a translator app it makes it nearly seamless.

[@ji1511]

For a change, do try Arco Iris Peruvian near Gotanda... It's great value for money for lunch. We do get tired of Japanese food😂.

[@KyleWongCO]

Oh that sounds great. Believe it or not I found a great Mexican spot right off of Takeshita street

[@ji1511]

@@KyleWongCO Chiles? Yup , we love the quesadilla there too... tho it can be pricey.

[@alexishi2000]

Tokyo is lonely place, not Japan. Go to other locations in Japan and people are more talkative and communicative.

[@KyleWongCO]

Such a good point. I really want to improve my Japanese and then visit more rural areas

[@alexishi2000]

@@KyleWongCO I once lived and worked in Tokyo for 4 years and could not make real close friend, I was lonely and tired and went back to the city near Osaka,surprisingly as soon as I started working, made so many nice friends without trying. West part of Japan, people laugh easily and communicate with strangers often.

[@KyleWongCO]

@@alexishi2000 I enjoyed Osaka and did find it easier to meet people outside of my normal groups. Definitely different culture I think

Another great one! But cicadas are NOT disgusting😂

[@KyleWongCO]

Yes they are

[@banana_necessary]

Are you on a Japan Digital Nomad Visa? As you are working remotely for a US company I imagine a visa is an issue as you can't work (even remotely) as a tourist. My understanding is under the Nomad Visa its only valid for six months so a lot of local rate/priced places, just don't do short term lets. You end up having to pay a premium.

[@KyleWongCO]

No visa, just making sure to keep my stay under 90 days. If I needed to stay longer I could always take a short flight out to South Korea and fly back

[@StanleyL-740i]

@@KyleWongCO Based on the feedback from foreigners who reside in Japan long-term, you can do those "border run" one time at most in a given year, or within an 180-day period. Anything more than that will easily raise red flags among the immigration officers.

[@Mwoods2272]

@@StanleyL-740i True, that happened to me at the airport. They pulled me into a room and told me to stay out of Japan for at least 6 months.

[@DoinStuff4Life]

What are the hours you are working for your us company? I'm doing this in April working remotely in Japan but during LA hours. Meaning I gotta be working at 9pm Japan time. Is it hard to get adjusted? Do you lose a lot of day time and ability to do things?

[@KyleWongCO]

My work hours are about 12 AM to about 8 AM which is 9-5 mountain time. Not super difficult for me honestly but you do miss most of the day working during these times. I wouldn’t say it’s super sustainable

[@DoinStuff4Life]

@@KyleWongCO Yeah that's what I assumed. I'll be there in April for 3 weeks working remotely so I'm hoping it won't be too bad. Normally I don't work when i'm there or if I did, it was during normal Japan hours. but buying a house out there is forcing me to do this for now.

[@KyleWongCO]

@@DoinStuff4Life Please let me know how the process is for buying a house, would love to know.

[@DoinStuff4Life]

@@KyleWongCO I'll do you one better, kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2qVo4h4g9xpbac this is my video on the house. second one is coming but that's more about the Insurance, closing costs.

[@theelitelifeee]

Do osaka vid

[@KyleWongCO]

I did a few kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5fOmYZ5nr-kp7csi=crRW_mPUPyWr_k-s kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpypmZSPYrSsiacsi=Dh2QeWDzmbdXnDBt

[@CodingAbroad]

I’m going to be living in Osaka for 6 months on the digital nomad visa. What hours do you work in Japan time?

[@KyleWongCO]

Nice!! Since I'm based out of Denver, my office hours were about midnight to 8 AM (9-5 mountain time)

[@CodingAbroad]

@@KyleWongCO ouch that sounds tough. I’m UK based so I think my hours would be 3pm to 11pm, I think it’s doable

[@KyleWongCO]

@@CodingAbroad Oh that's waaaay better

[@CodingAbroad]

@@KyleWongCO I’m hoping so haha. Well if I see you in passing I’ll make sure to wave 👋

[@caseynw]

Japanese here. The rent you are paying is crazy expensive! I'm surprised. But maybe that is what you have to pay as a foreigner???? maybe....

[@KyleWongCO]

Probably! But in the future I'd love to explore more options if you have recommendations.

[@Mwoods2272]

I have a similar size place and pay about $500 and I also live in Tokyo.

[@Mwoods2272]

There should be good Indian food places since Nishi Kasai is known as little India.

[@KyleWongCO]

I heard about it!

[@Collector_Phil]

I’m in Tokyo but I’ve been going there around 2008-09 I gotta go back visit!

[@lukasmuller7736]

Thought about subscribing, but you have 222 subs. :(

[@KyleWongCO]

I know haha it’s gonna be a bummer

[@yeabsirag2297]

I am an Ethiopian and have always wanted to visit Japan. Your video was quite the shocker as I converted the rent, food, transport and probably other expenses. Now, I figure once you start working there and attain an income things might just be affordable. So, Let's say I have at least 2 months till I go steady. For a single month, Rent would be - 150k ETB ($1250 USD/ 190,340 JPY), Food will sit at - 60k ETB ($500 USD/ 70,400 JPY), 4 one-way tickets at 2k ETB ($16 USD/ 2000 JPY) for 4 trips daily - Transport - 60K ETB per month ($480 USD/ 60000 JPY), * phone plan at 7.2k ETB ($60 USD/ 8,448 JPY), & finally last but not least, Miscellaneous/unforeseen expenses - 24k ETB (roughly $200 USD/ 28, 160 JPY). Which turns into a - sum total of 301,200 ETB ($2500 USD/ 352,000 JPY) per month. A two month, no income stay for two months till the job sorts it out would require a small fortune of 602, 400 ETB ($5000 USD/ 704,000 JPY). * I may or may not have an error regarding transportation cost. I am humbled but not disheartened. Thank you for this insight.

[@KyleWongCO]

Yes I see. You can do it for less money with careful planning!

[@yeabsirag2297]

@@KyleWongCO hopefully, with hard work, i can reclaim the funds expended on the travel and accomodation in good time to avoid loss. But thanks for the reply

[@notafortnitegamer]

When are you gonna get a half gf

[@KyleWongCO]

As soon as someone gives me their daughter as an offering

[@JustinSeara]

Learn to cook, brother. Trust me.

[@KyleWongCO]

Haha I know I should.

[@aliali-ce3yf]

i've heard its miserable for people of color

[@KyleWongCO]

hmm not sure. It is a very homogenous society so I'd image there are lots of stares

[@allnighterist]

Japanese food is overrated its just 1. ramen 2. deep fried 3. raw foods 3. sugary foods Its just different varieties of those four mostly.

[@KyleWongCO]

Fair enough