A quick overview on Japan to get you started. I will be covering each topic in more detail separately from the view of a Japanese national, so please refer to those posts if you want to know more.
Landscape of Japan
Japan consists of 47 prefectures which are grouped in to 9 regions. Each region have their unique culture including the way people talk and local cuisines.
Tokyo is the most well-known and populated prefecture – you can find pretty much everything in Tokyo. For those who are looking for a more Japanese-traditional lifestyle you may want to look at the Kansai region.
Tokyo
Total population of Japan is approx. 126 million, 11% (14 million) of which reside in the capital city Tokyo. This means Tokyo is very dense in population and depending on your background it could feel like there are people everywhere!
Tokyo is the business hub of Japan. Many major companies have headquarters in Tokyo or at least hold an branch in Tokyo. If you are coming to Japan for work, you will most likely be staying in Tokyo. Because of the nature of the city as a business hub, it is interesting to note that many Tokyo-siders are not actually born and raised in Tokyo. A study in 2016 shows that in fact around 45% of the Tokyo population are composed of people from other prefectures.
From shopping and exploring activities during the day to enjoying a night out at restaurants and clubs at night, Tokyo has you covered. There is not much you cant do here. You do not need to own or rent a car to travel, as most areas can be accessed by public transport with ease.
Food
There are many tasty foods that Japan has to offer. Naturally majority of the food offered in the country is “Asian” cuisine, although there are many western cuisine that are also offered. You can also find most major fast food chains from the US like McDonalds, KFC, Shake shack etc, but you probably already knew that.
One thing I want to point out here is that foreign cuisines in Japan are adjusted to fit the taste buds of the Japanese people. I particularly find this true to Chinese and some western dishes like Pasta. From my view these dishes taste sweeter than their origins which may not fit well with some people. Good thing though is that there are many restaurants that offer food as it would have been served in that country – you just have to find the right one.
If you are vegetarian or vegan you will be pleased to know that restaurants that offer Vegetarian/Vegan options are increasing in Tokyo. In other prefectures though, it may be more difficult to find such options.
Living in Japan
The experience in living in Japan will defer greatly depending on where you decide to stay. In Tokyo, living expenses tend to be higher than other prefectures, and housing space is also very limited. Once you get out of Tokyo though, you will start to see cheaper and more spacious options, although the convenience of public transport may also somewhat reduce, requiring you to have a car to get around.
During your time off work you have many ways to enjoy your life. If you enjoy the night life there are plenty of Izakaya and clubs around where you can have fun and relieve your daily stresses. If you are into outdoor activities, outside of Tokyo there are plenty of nature to conquer.
Working in Japan
The traditional view is that Japanese people work hard and long hours. To be honest this is still true for many traditional Japanese companies today. Overtime is embedded to your work condition and people often stay at the office until late to try and finish off their work.
The good news is that the government has begun to implement policies to improve the work condition since April 2019. Many companies have now implemented flexible work hours and are required to leave the office by 8pm. COVID has also helped to implement remote working (often from home) and with it came a trend in transitioning in to a free-work space arrangement at the office.
