Is Rural Japan Right for You? Factors to Consider Before Moving

Ads for cheap, abandoned houses (akiya) often show up on my social media feed. Japan indeed has more empty homes than any other country in the world. Low prices tempt many. But for foreigners and expats, buying a house is the easy part—starting a viable business, getting a visa, and adapting to life in Japan are the real challenges.

Japan's countryside is appealing amid rising costs and safety concerns elsewhere, but visas, language barriers, and income realities remain challenges. Still, with the right approach, living and working independently in Japan is possible. If the Japanese Dream is on your list, consider these key factors.

Quality of Life Over Wealth

First, a caveat for prospective expatriates and would-be entrepreneurs: While living in Japan, especially in the countryside, is cheap, the paperwork involved in starting a business is cumbersome, taxes are high, and these days, no one has bubble-era spending money. If maximizing profit is the goal, Japan is not the best place—consider staying put or finding a job in Singapore or Dubai.

Rather, for people seeking an affordable, safe, healthy, and peaceful life with good education and healthcare, Japan excels at providing quality of life rather than quantity of money. You can make money, of course (it's still the fourth-largest economy), but having some savings before arriving helps, especially given that the yen's value shows no signs of rebounding.

Based solely on anecdotal observations, a new type of immigrant has emerged: someone from a developed country who, after years in a corporate job, has saved enough money to buy a house in cash and semi-retire or start a business. This allows for greater freedom, reduced financial stress, and more time with family.

Some who previously would have chosen Southeast Asia are now considering Japan, as the price gap narrows. Japan benefits from such immigrants, who contribute tax revenue and help counter rural population decline. However, the current administration is tightening immigration policies, and obtaining an investor visa has become more difficult—a point we will revisit.

*Daniel Moore (driver) and his friends on his kei truck. (©Daniel Moore, Active Moore)*

Why Start a Business Rather than Find a Job

For the price, Japan offers the highest-quality service in the world. Being on the receiving end feels incredible. Fast-food employees want to be there, a hospital visit takes an hour, setting you back only a few dollars, and hotel concierge services bend over backward to help. That's why Japan is consistently ranked the most desirable travel destination in the world.

However, providing the service (ie, working in Japan) is demanding. Low pay, long hours, and overtime are par for the course. In my view, Japan can be the best country to live in and the worst country to work for.

But working for yourself means hacking the system. One can reap the rewards of Japanese service while avoiding the perils of work culture. Despite the risk, that's reason enough to start a business.

Of course, another way is to work for an international corporation. Japanese work culture still exists, though, and almost all corporate jobs are in cities, so relocating to the countryside will be nigh impossible.

*The author's Airbnb. (©Daniel Moore, Active Travel)*

Business Tips

Work Remotely or Sell to Internationals

Earning in dollars and spending in yen is the most favorable way to work in Japan. If you are starting a business, target an international audience instead of Japanese consumers. Japanese companies, obviously, understand local consumers better than you do. It's hard to move abroad and predict local tastes—you wouldn't start a pizza place in Rome.

Also, visitors generally have more money than locals, especially with the weak yen. It has reached the point where companies and municipalities are introducing dual pricing to differentiate between visitors and local customers, because tourists simply have more money. Focus on customers willing to pay more, and you will succeed.

Learn Japanese

Speaking Japanese improves your overall experience, especially outside cities. Make learning Japanese a core part of your preparation to live and work in Japan—it increases your chances of business success and personal enjoyment.

Do Something Original

Everyone wants to open an Airbnb or restaurant. That's fine, but some markets have limited demand for these businesses. Launching something original or putting a fresh spin on an old idea will increase the odds of success, especially in fields where you have industry experience.

Leverage Your Experience

Experience is invaluable, especially in a country like Japan, which values seniority. Personally, I used my experience in the travel industry in the United States to get a guiding job in Japan. That provided valuable insight into the travel market, which allowed me to open my own agency. Industry experience is key—leverage your personal experiences when opening your own business.

*The author leading a snowshoeing tour group. (©Daniel Moore, Active Travel)*

Visa Options

The Business Manager Visa

The main option for starting a company is the business manager visa, also known as the entrepreneur visa. This visa is now harder to obtain due to alleged abuses. Requirements include ¥3 million (about $18,800) in capital, a detailed business plan, renting physical office space, and hiring at least one full-time Japanese employee.

If you meet these, it offers the most opportunities and freedom. Based on personal experience, the first years are toughest. The longer your business operates, the more trust you earn.

To make the entire process smooth, hire an immigration lawyer who can also assist with submitting the documents to incorporate your business. Hire an accountant first.

The Startup Visa

A startup visa is available for certain regions. Check if it fits your skills, location, and goals.

The Freelance Visa

The freelance visa, also known as the self-sponsored visa, is available to experienced freelancers. However, you must show proof of contracts worth at least ¥3 million per year to apply. For gig work like guiding, photography, design, or web development, this can be a great option, but you need some existing industry contacts.

The Spouse Visa

Being married to a Japanese national is the ultimate trump card. There are no restrictions on the type of work, minimum salary, or duration of stay, though you must reapply periodically.

The Six-Month Option

Finally, Japan is somewhat unique in that one can purchase a property in cash on a tourist visa. That means that you can live in your house in Japan for six months a year without obtaining any visa.

On the flip side, owning a house does not guarantee a visa. If you work remotely or don't want to live in Japan full-time, this could be a great option. However, 180 days is the maximum you can spend in Japan in a calendar year. Also you cannot work in Japan; you can only earn money from a remote job outside of the country.

Conclusion

For any situation, I recommend that aspiring expatriates consult an immigration lawyer and spend time in Japan before deciding to dive in. The honeymoon phase is deceptive, and the realities of living in Japan might diverge from one's imagination. Personally, it has been a personally enjoyable, financially rewarding experience that I have never regretted.