讀後心得

Many foreigners have high praise for their experiences living in Japan, especially regarding housing. According to statistics from 2022, there are currently over 1.4 million foreigners residing in Japan, and many have shared their thoughts and challenges. Firstly, foreigners generally find the living environment to be safe and quiet, which makes choosing a place to live convenient. The train system is efficient, allowing for hassle-free commuting, and the surrounding convenience stores provide additional convenience. Options for short-term rentals that include furniture and appliances are also quite popular, saving them a lot of preparation hassle. Furthermore, the quality of services from real estate agents is good, making the process of finding a room quick and efficient. However, foreigners also face some challenges, such as sometimes being rejected for rentals due to their status, and there is a common perception that living spaces in Japan are relatively small. Overall, despite some difficulties, most foreigners still find their living experiences in Japan to be quite enjoyable.

Everyone loves a room with this! Things about living in Japan that surprise foreigners. Those who love Japan don't just go there for tourism; what else can they do? Of course, they can live there! According to statistics from Japan's Ministry of Justice in 2022, the number of foreigners residing in Japan has exceeded 1.4 million. So, after living in Japan, did everyone encounter difficulties with the language or culture? We interviewed several foreigners who have lived in Japan for over a year to hear about their challenges and feelings when renting a house. Let's take a look at their real living experiences!

• There are many quiet and safe places, making people feel very secure!

  “I live near a river, where I can see turtles in the water, making me feel very close to nature; it's very quiet and peaceful.” (British)

  “I live in the city center, but it's very quiet on the weekends. I originally thought Tokyo was a noisy place, but now that I live here, I feel quite secure.” (Malaysian)

  “Although it's a bit far from the station, the living environment is very quiet. There are many such places in Japan, making it easy to find a suitable home.” (British)

• Getting around by train is super convenient, and there are many convenience stores, making life hassle-free.

  “There are train routes everywhere in the city center, making it super convenient to move from home to anywhere without a car! It's also easy to go to the supermarket, so there are no issues in daily life.” (Malaysian)

  “The place I live in is within walking distance to the station and convenience store, with parks and hospitals nearby. In Slovakia, one needs to drive.” (Slovak)

• Short-term rentals are stress-free! Rooms with furniture and appliances are super convenient.

  “Being able to rent a room with furniture and appliances means I don't have to buy much; it’s really amazing!” (American)

  “I originally thought that in Japan, I would need to buy a lot of appliances, but renting a room with air conditioning, I really feel lucky!” (British)

• The real estate agents are very friendly! It was quicker to find a room than expected.

  “I thought that as a foreigner, finding a house would take a lot of time, but the real estate agent found one for me in just about two weeks!” (British)

  “Every time I entrusted the real estate company to find me a room, their attitude was always friendly.” (Slovak)

• There are many rooms with separated bathrooms, which is truly great!

  “I love spaces with separate bathrooms, and I was pleasantly surprised that I could find them easily!” (British)

  “I just wanted to find a room with a separated bathroom, and the real estate company helped me find one; I’m really grateful!” (Slovak)

• No worries about the budget! Rent is much cheaper compared to Europe and America.

  “What surprised me the most is how cheap the rent is in Japan! Even though it's in the city center, it’s much cheaper than in the UK.” (British)

  “The rent I pay in London is more than three times that of Japan; it's unbelievable.” (British)

• There are also cases where foreigners are refused rentals.

  “The place I currently live in initially didn’t want to rent to me because I'm a foreigner, but after the real estate agent negotiated, I finally got to move in.” (Slovak)

• People from various countries say: Japanese houses are really too small!

  “The rent and environment are quite good, but the size of the house is only half of that in America; it's really too cramped!” (American)

  “Japanese houses are really small, whether it’s an apartment or a standalone house, the size is astonishing.” (British)

In summary of the opinions from the interviewees, although rooms in Japan may be smaller, the surrounding living environment is quiet and convenient, giving people a sense of security. If given the chance, would you want to experience life in Japan?