讀後心得

Many people love living in Japan. According to the statistics from the Ministry of Justice of Japan in 2022, there are already 1.4 million foreigners residing in the country. Foreigners from different countries have shared their rental experiences, including the quietness and safety of their living environments, convenient transportation and convenience stores, the furniture and appliances provided in short-term rentals, friendly real estate services, and relatively affordable rents. However, there are also rental issues influenced by their foreign status, as well as a common feeling of cramped living spaces. Overall, the living experience of foreigners in Japan tends to be positively evaluated and is worth considering.

Everyone loves this kind of room! Surprising aspects of living in Japan that amaze foreigners

For those who love Japan, what can you do besides sightseeing? Of course, you can live here! According to statistics from Japan's Ministry of Justice in 2022, there are currently over 1.4 million foreigners living in Japan. However, do they encounter any difficulties with language and culture after actually living in Japan? What are their perspectives? Next, we asked foreigners who have lived in Japan for more than a year about the challenges and insights they encountered during the rental process. Let's take a look at their real experiences!

• 1. Quiet and safe living environment: Many foreigners say that their residences in Japan provide a sense of security.

  “I live by a river and often see turtles; the environment makes me feel connected to nature, and it is very quiet and peaceful.” (Female, 30 years old, United Kingdom)

  “I live in the city center, but it's very quiet on the weekends. I originally thought Tokyo would be noisy, but now I feel quite at ease living here.” (Female, 30 years old, Malaysia)

  “Although my place is a bit far from the station, the surrounding environment is quiet, and it's really easy to find.” (Female, 20 years old, United Kingdom)

• 2. Trains and convenience stores: Convenient transportation makes life worry-free.

  “There are train lines everywhere in the city center, which makes moving from my home very convenient; I don’t even need to drive!” (Female, 30 years old, Malaysia)

  “I can walk to the station and convenience store from where I live. There is also a park and a hospital nearby, which is rare in Slovakia.” (Female, 30 years old, Slovakia)

• 3. Hassle-free short-term rentals: Furnished rooms and appliances are super convenient.

  “I was able to find a room with furniture and appliances, which saved me a lot of trouble!” (Male, 30 years old, United States)

  “I originally thought I would have to buy many appliances in Japan, but I found a room with air conditioning; I was really lucky!” (Female, 30 years old, United Kingdom)

• 4. Kindness of real estate agents: Finding a house faster than expected.

  “I thought it would take a long time to find a house as a foreigner, but the real estate agent found one for me in just two weeks!” (Female, 20 years old, United Kingdom)

  “The real estate company I found was very friendly and helped me quickly locate a suitable house.” (Female, 30 years old, Slovakia)

• 5. Separate bath and toilet: A very popular design.

  “I like being able to find rooms with separate baths and toilets.” (Female, 30 years old, United Kingdom)

  “The separate bath and toilet space the housing company helped me find really satisfied me.” (Female, 30 years old, Slovakia)

• 6. Affordable rent: More budget-friendly compared to Europe and the US.

  “The rent in Japan surprised me; even in the city center, it's much cheaper than in the UK!” (Female, 20 years old, United Kingdom)

  “My rent in London is more than three times that in Japan.” (Male, 30 years old, United Kingdom)

• 7. Experience of being rejected for housing as a foreigner: A challenge that still exists.

  “I was rejected before because I was a foreigner, but with the assistance of a real estate agent, I ultimately found my dream home.” (Female, 30 years old, Slovakia)

• 8. Size of housing space: A commonly reflected issue.

  “Although the rent and environment are great, the room is really too small!” (Male, 30 years old, United States)

  “Whether it’s an apartment or a standalone house, the space is really cramped, which surprised me.” (Female, 20 years old, United Kingdom)

Based on feedback from several interviewees, although rooms in Japan are smaller, the surrounding environment is relatively quiet, convenient, and provides a sense of security. If you had the chance, would you like to try living in Japan?