Know Before You Go: Moving to Japan
by Noralee Jones - April 20th, 2022
Congratulations! You are headed to Japan! Are you excited?
Well, whether you are or not, you may be a little overwhelmed at this point. Don’t worry; that is completely normal. When our family received the orders to PCS to Japan, we had some major mixed emotions. Many people told us about the amazing opportunities we would have, but all I could see is leaving the familiar and going into the unknown.
If this sounds familiar, let me assure you--everything is going to be ok! Here are some important tips for you to keep in mind as you move into this new adventure and move your family to Japan.
Prepare for housing in Japan
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most of the time, you won't know the exact housing options you will have until you get to Japan. Here are some important things to keep in mind.
First, know that all housing options in Japan are going to be smaller than what you may be used to. Not only is there less “real estate” in Japan, but the materials and building styles are also different from their western friends.
There are two standard options on base: towers (apartments) and townhomes. Both options have pluses and minuses to them and can vary from two to four bedrooms. There are a lot of factors that determine your particular housing options. Do you have a pet? Kids? How many? Ages? Active duty or civilian? Rank?
On top of that, it also depends whether on-base housing is even available! If not, you will be able to go look for housing off base once you are in Japan.
Honestly, you will never really be able to predict what housing you will get. In order to prepare, think about what you really want to take to Japan and what you maybe want to pass on to others or put into storage. Trust me, you will do a lot of “collecting” while in Japan, so consider making some decisions before you head out of the country.
Express shipments when moving to Japan
Your express shipment is going to be your new best friend. Why? Because it will be your main lifeline throughout your time in Japan while waiting for your Household Goods (HHG).
Currently, the average transit time for HHGs from the US to Japan is 10 to12 weeks. For our express shipment, we had a 1000-pound limit (which seems like a lot!), but then when they got there to pack up, it was only a half crate, so about 500 pounds. I had to make some major decisions.
What to pack in your express shipment to Japan:
Kitchen items to make most meals: my favorites were my InstantPot, CrockPot, and blender
Bedding for all beds, and extra pillows
Books and toys in you have kids
Clothes for an entire season or two: think enough for up to 12 weeks- so be aware of the months you are waiting for your HHG. We were here in December, but didn’t get our HHG until March, so I needed to include layering clothes and coats.
Cleaning items: mops, vacuum, broom
Bathmats, towels, shower curtains, rugs
Baby gear: strollers, wagon, pack n play
Do not pack furniture, food of any kind, liquids, or anything combustible. Just don’t.
You can get loaner furniture while waiting for HHG, and you can buy other essentials here, so really focus on what your family will need right away.
Not sure what to pack in your express shipment? Here's a blog to help you decide!
Communication methods in Japan
When we moved to Japan, my husband and I had US phones and phone numbers. I figured we would be fine. And for the first few months, we were…mostly.
But then things get more complicated. Ordering items from Amazon Japan required a Japanese phone number. My daughter’s off-base Yochien (Japanese preschool) couldn’t call me. And our reception overall was quite slow. Technically, yes, we can still have our US phone number, but it was just harder. So I made some changes, and I am now passing my advice to you.
First, get your phone unlocked BEFORE coming to Japan. Having your phone unlocked will give you options if and when you need to make a change.
Secondly, consider using an alternative form of communication for friends and family in the States through apps such as Marco Polo, Facetime, or WhatsApp. These are mostly free with a wi-fi connection, so you can use them without paying for minutes and service. But practice using them before you head across the water.
Finally, it is okay if you decide to get a Japanese phone number. Many phone companies can place your number on hold with a copy of military orders.
Paperwork for your move to Japan
I am going to say this loudly for everyone in the back: paperwork is vital for getting and staying in Japan. First, you have to deal with getting a passport, and not just a tourist passport. You will also need to get a no-fee passport, which is used for official government travel. So yes, you'll need two passports per member of your family.
Tourist passports can be obtained through your local USPS office and also through local passport offices. No-fee passports are obtained on base, typically through the base's military passport office. Make sure to start the process of obtaining passports as early. Sometimes it can take a while, and you will not be able to travel without them.
Next, be sure to get a hard copy of all medical records for your family. You will need to complete your overseas screening paperwork, get copies of orders and the Dependent Entry Approval and be sure to keep all of these in a very safe place. You want to have easy access, but also keep them from getting messed up or lost throughout the move, so these are important documents to hand carry when you fly to Japan.
This is only a small part of how to best prepare for moving to Japan. Are you ever really prepared for such a move? Hopefully, this can get you started on your journey and “know before you go” as you prepare for your move.
Overseas moves can feel very hard. There are a lot of steps to take overall, but with some careful planning and taking it one step at a time, you can set your family up for success and an amazing experience.
Noralee Jones is a MILSO of 12 years, mom of 4, and strong advocate for self-care. Noralee has been through 7 deployments and 4 PCS moves alone. She is the author of the Self-Care Guide for MILSOs, and co-author of The Newbie’s Guide to Military Life. You can follow along with her journey at www.mrsnavymama.com.
