I have been living in Japan for 16 years: 4 years in Tokyo in the 90's and currently 12 years on Okinawa. I teach the US military in Okinawa and my wife was Japanese. It's a nice place to live, but I will be retiring to Portugal next year. The only reason Japan is cheap right now is because the government is failing the economy (since the 90's) and the US dollar is so high. You can never become a Japanese citizen, permanent residence is difficult to get, and the bureaucracy is probably as bad as in Portugal if not worse (and everything must be in Japanese.) Regulations are very stringent, so trying to own a business is super difficult. I have friends who own dive shops and they are looking to leave. If you live rural, you have to learn Japanese as no one there will understand you and you will be isolated as Japanese stick to their own cliques and clans. You are always the foreigner unless you marry into the clan, and even then, you will never be Japanese. The cities are still quite expensive. I love the culture and especially the food, but I am ready to leave. Yes, Japan is super safe, and their healthcare system is exxellent, but the grass is always greener.
I've lived in Japan since 2019, making USD, and it's been amazing. However, the healthcare system, banking, and day-to-day documents can sometimes be challenging to navigate. The bureaucracy in Japan is next-level! Visiting Japan is way more enjoyable than living here.
I lived in Japan for two years with the Navy; it took me about a year to beat the culture shock, but I love it. I had a house in Yokosuka, but low crime rate and cheap transportation are the best part.
Lived in Japan for a couple years myself. Agree with pretty much everything that was said. The only thing I’d mention is that the houses you showed were rather large compared to the ones in and around Tokyo. My first apartment there was smaller than some closets you’d find in the states
born and raised in japan met american husband and moved in US but wow America is expensive for everything!! and also for crime rate and food. We are planning to live in japan after he retire from USAF 7 years to go!! Can’t wait❤️❤️
Moved to Okinawa, Japan over 8 years ago. Been renting two bedroom apt for ¥63,000 = $409. Not even one rent increase in 8 years. Car insurance just renewed for $138 for the whole year for ¥30,000,000 = $195k coverage. Paid another $92 to increase coverage to ¥500,000,000 = $3.2M. Extremely safe. What Amon said about returning lost money is straight facts. Occasional earthquakes and typhoons are bearable. Every structure is made of concrete so very resilient.
I love ❤this video Amon! Thanks for sharing it! My nephew speaks fluent Japanese and has lived more than 10 years in Japan and my family has enjoyed exciting visits there and I get it. If you’re going to move abroad it should be a place that fits you and your family. It should feel like home!🥰
I'd love to hear an update after you guys live here for more than a year. Its an amazing place! However, as any place does, Japan does have its issues. Come check out Okinawa too!
As a single dude I rather live in Thailand not just for the cost of living but for the cost of everything. I will visit Japan and S.Korea my next visit which is a couple of months. Japan is on many ppl travel list now they re open to tourist after covid.
I want to visit Japan. It’s a very ordered society. One thing though. Even if your kids become “Japanese”, they will have a hard time finding a mate. You can buy a house for cheap if it’s not in a city.
That’s how I felt about Singapore when I went in Oct 2024. They speak English and EXTREMELY safe. Only thing is the housing is expensive!! Everything else top tier.
Portugal has a great quality of life, beautiful weather, and it’s pretty affordable. But Japan, man, it’s so efficient, the job market can be strong in certain sectors, and the cultural experience would be incredible. It’s not an easy decision
Both countries are fantastic to be honest I totally get it. Language and work barrier is wild, but if you can work remote, or for yourself it is amazing to relocate imo
I’ve been in Japan for a year. Overall good experience, but I don’t think I would retire here. I definitely would choose Japan over any other larger East Asian country because of the friendly mannerisms and hospitality of the people and built within the culture. Money can stretch much further in other countries. If I were to retire in Asia it would be in Southeast Asia.
Arigato for your choosing Portugal.....arigato is a derivative of obrigado from Portugal....Portugal and Japan have history going back about 500 years...
Is your Dad married to a Japanese national? Or is he teaching English? Does he have SOFA status with the US government? I see videos now touting Japan as an expat destination and they just aren’t set up for that here. They definitely don’t want any more retirees. I find these videos a bit disingenuous.
I think a lot of people would opt for Japan, but they don't provide many options for long-term stays (VISAS) - keeping many at bay. Portugal seems more welcoming in this regard. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to live where you can AFFORD without all the restrictive RED TAPE and bureaucracy? Ah, a world without borders💭
I lived in Japan for 18 years, in the US for 28 years and in Portugal for 5 years. For me what Japan stands out most is how nice the people are. I mean the bank clerks, the government office workers, airport employees, everyone is smiling and willing to help. In the US or Portugal, most of the time, those people are rude or half angry.
I live in Japan Now. What visa would you get? I have sofa status and I’ve lived in Korea before as an English teacher. Unless you were married to a Japanese national I’m not aware of any retirement or non-lucrative visa here.
Looks awesome but I’m too set in comfort living in my pied-a-terres in San Diego and coastal warm Mexico. I’d love to visit Japan for sure. Have you ever considered moving to coastal Southern California, but the healthcare I guess is a rip off.
Aman great video, and as I can see, many of us locals agree with you except for the matter of housing. Would you mind sharing the name of that neighbourhood? Housing in Japan is the worst I have experienced in my 24 years of living here and in different places. No insulation, no central heat, one bathroom in a 3LDK, heating cost is frightening in the winter, both gas and electric! I mean hundreds of dollars a month, even with closing off a room or two and turning off all the heat at night! Listen, those mansions you are showing represent perhaps .000001% of housing in Japan. The first home I had to live in did not even have a flush toilet! No, I was the one shocked!, added to the fact that centipedes were my uninvited room-mates. "Not beating the futon before going to bed could land you in the hospital," my neighbours warned! On the flip side, rent is so affordable compared to almost anywhere else. Even with the chronic inflation, It is so easy to find a 2 bedroom apartment for less than $1100 a month in any major city really. Public transportation is not cheap; however, our companies pay for that. In many areas cycling is the norm and bicycles here are very affordable. All in all, life here is relatively easy and stress free except for the occasional annoyances. After a while (around retirement), it may be time to leave. Many people who leave during their working years tend to come right back, the ones who leave for good, tend to be over middle age and want to go back to their roots.
I love Japan and could live there. But you gotta live what suits you best. I'm just curious. Since your dad has been living there so long has he become fluent in the language? Thanks for the videos! Hope your 2025 has started out well.
Japan is not an easy country to move to. You must have a "Hoshonin" aka "Guarantor" whether it be a company/school offering an employment contract, or a friend or relative to act as one. It is not simply enough to show that you have substantial assets and guaranteed income from abroad. That said, I did get my long-term residence visa recently so it is not to discourage anyone, but rather, you have to WANT go live there - not something you do on a whim. Aside from that, I love Japan!
Just like with any country that is popular and Americans come flocking, real estate and food will become expensive. Japan will get more expensive than what it is now. Also will you give up your U.S citizenship to live there?
I think it really comes down to lifestyle and opportunities. In Portugal, life is a bit slower and relaxed, which is great, but Japan offers that sense of innovation, fast paced living, and opportunities in tech and other industries. It depends on what you value more stability or ambition
I am incredulous your father actually enjoys living in Japan long term. As a long term expat living in Asia, having dated a Japanese, and actually going to Japan..., I think it's absolutely hysterical (both literally and humorously) for foreigners to consider moving to Japan 🤣
Japan is struggling with a declining population and increasing hostility toward foreigners, making it less welcoming. It may not be as enjoyable to visit or live there anymore.
Investments are the roots of financial security; the deeper they grow, the stronger your future will be. By investing you have plan for a good retirement. With my adviser, I’ve cultivated deep investment roots, strengthening my financial security for the future
I have been living in Japan for 16 years: 4 years in Tokyo in the 90's and currently 12 years on Okinawa. I teach the US military in Okinawa and my wife was Japanese. It's a nice place to live, but I will be retiring to Portugal next year. The only reason Japan is cheap right now is because the government is failing the economy (since the 90's) and the US dollar is so high. You can never become a Japanese citizen, permanent residence is difficult to get, and the bureaucracy is probably as bad as in Portugal if not worse (and everything must be in Japanese.) Regulations are very stringent, so trying to own a business is super difficult. I have friends who own dive shops and they are looking to leave. If you live rural, you have to learn Japanese as no one there will understand you and you will be isolated as Japanese stick to their own cliques and clans. You are always the foreigner unless you marry into the clan, and even then, you will never be Japanese. The cities are still quite expensive. I love the culture and especially the food, but I am ready to leave. Yes, Japan is super safe, and their healthcare system is exxellent, but the grass is always greener.
I've lived in Japan since 2019, making USD, and it's been amazing. However, the healthcare system, banking, and day-to-day documents can sometimes be challenging to navigate. The bureaucracy in Japan is next-level! Visiting Japan is way more enjoyable than living here.
I lived in Japan for two years with the Navy; it took me about a year to beat the culture shock, but I love it. I had a house in Yokosuka, but low crime rate and cheap transportation are the best part.
Lived in Japan for a couple years myself. Agree with pretty much everything that was said. The only thing I’d mention is that the houses you showed were rather large compared to the ones in and around Tokyo. My first apartment there was smaller than some closets you’d find in the states
born and raised in japan met american husband and moved in US but wow America is expensive for everything!!
and also for crime rate and food.
We are planning to live in japan after he retire from USAF
7 years to go!! Can’t wait❤️❤️
Moved to Okinawa, Japan over 8 years ago. Been renting two bedroom apt for ¥63,000 = $409. Not even one rent increase in 8 years. Car insurance just renewed for $138 for the whole year for ¥30,000,000 = $195k coverage. Paid another $92 to increase coverage to ¥500,000,000 = $3.2M. Extremely safe. What Amon said about returning lost money is straight facts. Occasional earthquakes and typhoons are bearable. Every structure is made of concrete so very resilient.
I love ❤this video Amon! Thanks for sharing it! My nephew speaks fluent Japanese and has lived more than 10 years in Japan and my family has enjoyed exciting visits there and I get it. If you’re going to move abroad it should be a place that fits you and your family. It should feel like home!🥰
I'd love to hear an update after you guys live here for more than a year. Its an amazing place! However, as any place does, Japan does have its issues. Come check out Okinawa too!
Love this!! You make me want to visit. I lived in Portugal for 1 year and have decided not to retire there because cost of housing increased too much.
You should!
It's gonna get expensive in Japan too if everybody starts coming, you keep making these videos you bringing everybody in
This is cool. I liked seeing a part of Japan that is not often shown. Seemed like a beautiful quiet neighborhood too. 👍🏾
My dad’s neighborhood is a so magical. He found a piece of paradise
I’ve been looking forward to this video
So glad!
As a single dude I rather live in Thailand not just for the cost of living but for the cost of everything. I will visit Japan and S.Korea my next visit which is a couple of months. Japan is on many ppl travel list now they re open to tourist after covid.
I was in Portugal for a day on a cruise and loved it..Porto, Fatima..beautiful I could live there....plus closer to other place to travel in Europe.
I moved to Brazil. João Pessoa. And the cost of living here is turning impossible to live here.
Truly one of my favorite countries in the world!
Great video. The kind of video that made me a fan of OurRichJourney.
I want to visit Japan. It’s a very ordered society. One thing though. Even if your kids become “Japanese”, they will have a hard time finding a mate. You can buy a house for cheap if it’s not in a city.
That’s how I felt about Singapore when I went in Oct 2024. They speak English and EXTREMELY safe. Only thing is the housing is expensive!! Everything else top tier.
Love Singapore! Cars are also expensive 😅
Shout Out to your Dad
🥰 thank you!
Beautiful country and people, especially outside of the larger metropolis areas where life is slower
Portugal has a great quality of life, beautiful weather, and it’s pretty affordable. But Japan, man, it’s so efficient, the job market can be strong in certain sectors, and the cultural experience would be incredible. It’s not an easy decision
How can Americans stay in Japan for more than 3 months? Japan is so strict on immigration.
Both countries are fantastic to be honest I totally get it. Language and work barrier is wild, but if you can work remote, or for yourself it is amazing to relocate imo
I love living in Japan! I love everything about it.
I look forward to visiting Japan. I have a cousin there and he refuses to come back to the U.S.
What a gorgeous town!
I’ve been in Japan for a year. Overall good experience, but I don’t think I would retire here. I definitely would choose Japan over any other larger East Asian country because of the friendly mannerisms and hospitality of the people and built within the culture. Money can stretch much further in other countries. If I were to retire in Asia it would be in Southeast Asia.
Arigato for your choosing Portugal.....arigato is a derivative of obrigado from Portugal....Portugal and Japan have history going back about 500 years...
Japan is a great place to live 🎉
Yes!
Is your Dad married to a Japanese national? Or is he teaching English? Does he have SOFA status with the US government? I see videos now touting Japan as an expat destination and they just aren’t set up for that here. They definitely don’t want any more retirees. I find these videos a bit disingenuous.
I think a lot of people would opt for Japan, but they don't provide many options for long-term stays (VISAS) - keeping many at bay. Portugal seems more welcoming in this regard. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to live where you can AFFORD without all the restrictive RED TAPE and bureaucracy? Ah, a world without borders💭
You wanted to move to Thailand. What happened?
Good comparison
I lived in Japan for 18 years, in the US for 28 years and in Portugal for 5 years. For me what Japan stands out most is how nice the people are. I mean the bank clerks, the government office workers, airport employees, everyone is smiling and willing to help. In the US or Portugal, most of the time, those people are rude or half angry.
Honestly, if I could afford those gorgeous houses in Japan, I’d be outta here in a heartbeat! 😍🏡 Who wouldn’t want a home like that?
So where did you guys move to?
arriving in tokyo on 12 january ..
I live in Japan Now. What visa would you get? I have sofa status and I’ve lived in Korea before as an English teacher. Unless you were married to a Japanese national I’m not aware of any retirement or non-lucrative visa here.
Looks awesome but I’m too set in comfort living in my pied-a-terres in San Diego and coastal warm Mexico. I’d love to visit Japan for sure. Have you ever considered moving to coastal Southern California, but the healthcare I guess is a rip off.
Welcome back to Japan😊
Very good video.
Thank you ❤
Aman great video, and as I can see, many of us locals agree with you except for the matter of housing. Would you mind sharing the name of that neighbourhood? Housing in Japan is the worst I have experienced in my 24 years of living here and in different places. No insulation, no central heat, one bathroom in a 3LDK, heating cost is frightening in the winter, both gas and electric! I mean hundreds of dollars a month, even with closing off a room or two and turning off all the heat at night! Listen, those mansions you are showing represent perhaps .000001% of housing in Japan. The first home I had to live in did not even have a flush toilet! No, I was the one shocked!, added to the fact that centipedes were my uninvited room-mates. "Not beating the futon before going to bed could land you in the hospital," my neighbours warned!
On the flip side, rent is so affordable compared to almost anywhere else. Even with the chronic inflation, It is so easy to find a 2 bedroom apartment for less than $1100 a month in any major city really.
Public transportation is not cheap; however, our companies pay for that. In many areas cycling is the norm and bicycles here are very affordable. All in all, life here is relatively easy and stress free except for the occasional annoyances. After a while (around retirement), it may be time to leave. Many people who leave during their working years tend to come right back, the ones who leave for good, tend to be over middle age and want to go back to their roots.
I love Japan and could live there. But you gotta live what suits you best. I'm just curious. Since your dad has been living there so long has he become fluent in the language? Thanks for the videos! Hope your 2025 has started out well.
He is not fluent but still get around well.
I already heard that housing in Japan makes Japan one of the most expensive countries in the world
Japan is not an easy country to move to. You must have a "Hoshonin" aka "Guarantor" whether it be a company/school offering an employment contract, or a friend or relative to act as one. It is not simply enough to show that you have substantial assets and guaranteed income from abroad. That said, I did get my long-term residence visa recently so it is not to discourage anyone, but rather, you have to WANT go live there - not something you do on a whim. Aside from that, I love Japan!
If your girls were still younger and in school would you choose Japan though? Also, cost of living being your main priority is surprising.
I’m need to visit soon😊
😊
Ready. 💝💝💝💝
Portugese people are more jovial. I love Japan but only as a tourist.
Man if I jump to Portugal with u guys I’d be in a mud ..Especially if I didn’t pray about it
Just like with any country that is popular and Americans come flocking, real estate and food will become expensive. Japan will get more expensive than what it is now. Also will you give up your U.S citizenship to live there?
I think it really comes down to lifestyle and opportunities. In Portugal, life is a bit slower and relaxed, which is great, but Japan offers that sense of innovation, fast paced living, and opportunities in tech and other industries. It depends on what you value more stability or ambition
Im curious about what you meant by etiquette and language?
I❤🇯🇵
beat me there, dont meet me there!
Interesting. I had always heard that Japan had a very high cost of living, but maybe that’s only in the main cities?
...and as millionaire's you guys can afford Portugal 🤔
🎉
When you don't have to work and you're just living, moving to those countries are great. You're definitely living financial freedom.
First 🎉🎉🎉
I am incredulous your father actually enjoys living in Japan long term.
As a long term expat living in Asia, having dated a Japanese, and actually going to Japan...,
I think it's absolutely hysterical (both literally and humorously) for foreigners to consider moving to Japan 🤣
But earthquakes… worries me
portugal, yes. japan,no. i consider thailand
First comment
😊
Japan is struggling with a declining population and increasing hostility toward foreigners, making it less welcoming. It may not be as enjoyable to visit or live there anymore.
Japn IS special. Amazing country and people.
Investments are the roots of financial security; the deeper they grow, the stronger your future will be. By investing you have plan for a good retirement. With my adviser, I’ve cultivated deep investment roots, strengthening my financial security for the future
Japan is cheaper.
Yes!
Japan is Dubai safe.
Exactly!😊
Now everyone going to move to japan lol 😂 Osaka here we come lol