Japan Guide

Whenever you go to a new country, you experience some kind of culture shock. This is inevitable, but it need not be a problem if you make the right preparations - both mental and physical. The aim of this guide is to give you some idea of the life and culture of Japan, so that you are not completely surprised when you arrive. The guide also, of course, aims to provide you with a starting point for choosing where in Japan you want to study. Choosing the right location can be as important as choosing the right school - there is no point being in the centre of Tokyo if you hate large cities, however much there is to do there. However, the focus is less on being a regional guide than on being a guide to the culture, life, language and formalities of the country - although starting with the essential information such as how to get there, money, transport and so on.

This guide is intended to be comprehensive. It is in a state of continual improvement as we have time to write more material and as we get contributions. Eventually, the plan is to split the Education System off into a separate guide, and the information regarding the Japanese Language into its own independent guide too. Your ideas, comments and articles are all welcome!

Breakdown of the Guide

The Japan Guide covers the following major areas:

Before Japan

All about coming to Japan, climate and when to come, preparations, airports, and so on.

In Japan

Everything that doesn't fit into the other categories - basically everything you need for staying in Japan. All about accommodation, transport, telephones and internet, work and so on.

Money in Japan

Full information on how to get your money to Japan so you can spend it, insurance, and other useful information on bank and Post Office accounts and so on.

The Education System

Information regarding the Education System in Japan, its structure, where you can fit into it, what you need to do to get an education in Japan, and the good and bad points of each level. This also includes information about credit transfer and how to get the most out of your experience in Japan when you return home.

The Language

This is a brief summary of the form of the Japanese Language and its development to date. It also includes information on how to maximise the amount of Japanese you learn from your studies, both in Japan and abroad. As time and material allow, we hope that this section will be improved to become an independent guide in its own right.

If you have any requests or questions, or if there is anything that you cannot find in the guide, feel free to contact us and we will add it to the guide.

NOTE: As with the visa section, we have provided some forms here which you may find useful (eg applications for work permits, re-entry permits and so on) and that are also in the Visa Guide. Remember, procedures and forms change, and while we endeavour to keep these up to date, sometimes you require different forms for different visas and situations. If the Immigration Office tell you that you need other documents or to complete extra or different forms, just accept that - don't try and convince them otherwise. If you do have any trouble, please let us know about it so we can warn others.

Now you should have everything you need. So go!