What is your experience? Mine is: visiting Japan is 2x more expensive compared to visiting China and 3x more expensive compared to visiting Thailand. (Based on spending 2 weeks each with similar hotel lifestyle)

Don’t know when you went, but China is cheaper than Thailand now, for sure.

It obviously depends on which cities within those countries, but having beem to all 3 recently, I'd also say China is the cheapest right now. That said, while obviously more expensive, the difference between Japan and Thailand isn't nearly as high as it used to be. Definitely not 3x.

Can second that. Thailand has become surprisingly expensive if you're earning Japanese yen. A big cost in Japan is accommodation because most places have rates per person per night instead of per room per night, and hotel prices have skyrocketed after the coronavirus pandemic ended. It's pretty outrageous. So accommodation is one area where Thailand is still cheaper than Japan. One way to keep such cost down is to rent something for a longer period outside of Tokyo. There are many nice regional cities in Japan that could work as bases for indie hackers. Honestly I think it is only a matter of time before more people will choose Japan as a base, though it depends on whether they are able to get visas.

Im looking into doing this. Could I bother you for info about where you think it could be cheaper? I’m considering going far from Tokyo all the way to Kagoshima or Hiroshima, just on an exploratory trip, but I’d love to get some more informed opinions.

Hey Marcel, did you end up making that Hokkaido trip? I am planning something similar this year. Will probably go to Furano if I can find a place to stay that is not $6k for two weeks 🫠😅

I did not

Depends how close you want to be to a major urban area! My advice would be to ask an AI...! Also, consider what kind of weather you like best. Do you want to be somewhere where it's generally not that cold throughout the year or do you want to be somewhere where you can ski and snowboard?

Currently looking at where I go next, curious which area did you choose for your 4mo stay

I chose Kyoto.

Any advice on how to find sublets in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka? Obviously, besides Airbnb. Are there any other good sources/local sites?

Here are some recs from earlier in the channel

tokyosharehouse.com

but you need to apply for a few places to try your luck. The site don't have real time update, so check your email often.

Hey! I'm going to be in Tokyo starting on Feb 12 th through the end of Feb. Anyone around want to grab a beer?

I'll be here for a couple months.. always down for a drink

Check out DN Tokyo meetups

Awesome!!

anyone know Okinawa, main island?

looking to stay 4 to 6 weeks in March/April. is it realistic to book a hotel for a week and find a longer term place once i am there?

the places i see advertised online seem to be for short stay. tia

Hi, I'm Reece, I'm a standup comedian looking for a 100+ seater venue in Japan suitable for a comedy show

Haha that's hilarious you're good 🤣

Hi everyone!

I got offered a position with relocation to Japan for around 10-11 million yen per year before taxes.
I checked numbeo and looks okay, but I am not sure and would like some advice about cost of living there.

Im assuming Tokyo ?

Fully remote inside Japan

how's the weather these days in tokyo?

Winter weather is very good in Tokyo. Lots of days with bright blue skies and sunshine. Right now it already got quite warm even, about 16 degrees Celsius.

10-11mln yen a year is top 10% income bracket so quite good. If you can keep rents down by living outside the center of Tokyo you can save a lot, but if you are alone and do not need a lot of space, you could still find a reasonably priced apartment and save a lot of money each month. Japan is still quite cheap to live if you can keep housing costs down.

If I remember, Donki sometimes has protein, can't remember if it's isolate or not. They also sell creatine sometimes, but it's even rarer

anyone managed to get the japan startup visa?

Hello everyone
Has anyone tried getting the HSP VISA in Japan?
🇯🇵

Anyone in Tokyo from now until May 31st? I am thinking about heading there for a bit and wor 🙂 Would love to meet up

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rGXHNwSaUta9AMaf6?g_st=ic

Anyone been here before?

Looking for a serene calm and local town (preferably very little tourists) to chill and work 🙏🏼

Any hints highly appreciated!!!!

I haven’t yet but I was recommended to go to that area by a person whose from there when I was last in Tokyo

Thank you for the feedback, brother 🤝

anybody have connect for short term rental in tokyo

Takayama is nice. Definitely touristy though. Neighboring villages are much more quiet.

Thanks!! What about this place? https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hzm18QkyPtGAQnSD7?g_st=ic

Not been myself. I recall Hida-Furukawa being quiet sweet.

THANK YOU!!!

Any recommendations for a in-person private Japanese teacher in/around Setagaya (I’m near Sangenjaya).

yea i saw a place in yoyogi that was decent, but it got scooped up right before i was about to book

Me

how much are you paying for rent each month and what location are you staying in?

Hi all 🌸 I am planning a WHV year in Japan, to travel around and work remotely. Does anyone have any recommendations of coliving/coworking places with international communities?

I only know about one in Fukuoka but never stayed there

Can I rent a car in Okinawa if i didn’t bring my international drivers license

No, you need an international driver license to rent a car or scooter in Japan

Oakhouse has sharehouses in a lot of places. There's also Come On Up, which has sharehouses in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Both are super affordable.

I will be most likely in Kyoto October and November, we could stay in touch 🍂

They made me show one the three times I've rented there: Naha, Ishigaki and up north on the main island...you may be able to rent a scooter without one. FWIW I got some "fake" IDP from a Chinese website and it's worked fine globally...