Preparations 3-6 Months Before Departure
Moving to Japan is a big decision that requires careful preparation. Many Indonesian citizens (WNI) regret their lack of preparation and end up facing problems in their first few weeks. This guide will help you prepare everything systematically.
Documents to Prepare
Here are the important documents you should prepare well in advance of your departure:
| Document | Processing Time | Cost (estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (new/renewal) | 3-14 working days | Rp 350,000 - Rp 650,000 | Ensure it's valid for at least 6 months |
| Japan Visa | 5-10 working days | Free - Rp 400,000 | Depends on the visa type |
| Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | 1-3 months | Free (handled by sponsor) | Handled by the company/school in Japan |
| Birth Certificate (apostilled) | 7-14 days | Rp 100,000+ | For immigration purposes |
| Diploma (legalized) | 3-7 days | Rp 50,000+ | For student/work visa |
| Police Clearance Certificate (SKCK) | 1-3 days | Rp 30,000 | Sometimes requested by the sponsor |
| Medical Certificate | 1-2 days | Rp 200,000-500,000 | Includes a TB test if requested |
Types of Visas for Indonesian Citizens (WNI)
Understanding the right type of visa is very important as it determines your rights and limitations in Japan:
- Student Visa (留学) - For studying at a university, language school, or senmon gakkou. Can work part-time up to 28 hours/week with an additional permit (資格外活動許可).
- Work Visa (就労) - Includes Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Worker, etc. Must be sponsored by a Japanese company.
- Specified Skilled Worker / SSW (特定技能) - For specific sectors such as manufacturing, caregiving, and agriculture. Must pass language and skills exams.
- Technical Intern Training (技能実習) - A technical internship program, usually for 3-5 years. Managed by a sending organization.
- Spouse Visa (配偶者) - For spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents.
- Dependent Visa (家族滞在) - For family members of work/student visa holders.
Financial Preparation
Japan is a country with a high cost of living. Here is an estimate of the funds you should prepare:
| Need | Estimated Cost | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Plane ticket (one-way) | Rp 3-8 million | Book 2-3 months in advance |
| Initial apartment cost | Rp 15-50 million | Shikikin, reikin, agency fee, 1 month's rent |
| First month's living expenses | Rp 10-20 million | Food, transportation, household necessities |
| Emergency fund | Rp 15-30 million | Minimum 2 months of living expenses |
| Travel insurance | Rp 500,000-2 million | Covers the first week before NHI becomes active |
Total minimum recommended: Rp 50-100 million depending on the destination city. Tokyo requires more than cities in regional areas.
Luggage: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind
Must-Bring Items
- Original documents - Passport, COE, diploma, birth certificate, photos size 3x4 and 4x6 (at least 10 copies)
- Cash in JPY - At least 100,000 yen for initial needs (exchange at a money changer before departure)
- Personal medications - Prescription medicine with a doctor's letter (in English), stomach medicine, medicine for colds/flu
- Winter clothing - If arriving in winter, bring at least 1 thick jacket. Uniqlo's Heattech can be bought in Japan
- Indonesian cooking spices - Sweet soy sauce, sambal, instant seasoning. You can buy them in Japan, but they are much more expensive (sweet soy sauce can be 500-800 yen per bottle)
- Power adapter - Japan uses type A (2 flat pins), with a voltage of 100V
- Hanko (optional) - A name stamp for official documents, can also be made in Japan for around 500-3,000 yen
What You Don't Need to Bring
- Large electronic appliances (different voltage 100V vs 220V, and they are heavy)
- Too much clothing (can be bought cheaply at Uniqlo, GU, or secondhand stores)
- Kitchenware (can be bought at 100-yen shops like Daiso or secondhand stores)
- Thick Japanese language textbooks (it's better to buy the latest editions in Japan)
First Week in Japan: To-Do List
After landing in Japan, there are several things that must be done immediately in order of priority:
- Days 1-3: Register at the City Hall (市役所/区役所)
- Register your address (住民届/juminhyo)
- Get your Residence Card (在留カード/zairyu card) if you didn't get it at the airport
- Register for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険)
- Register for National Pension (国民年金) - mandatory for ages 20-59
- Bring: Passport, Residence Card, full address
- Days 3-7: Get a SIM card and phone number
- Cheap SIM cards: IIJmio, LINE Mobile, Rakuten Mobile
- For temporary use: Prepaid SIM card at the airport (3,000-5,000 yen/30 days)
- Weeks 1-2: Open a bank account
- Foreigner-friendly banks: Yucho Bank (ゆうちょ銀行), Shinsei Bank, Prestia (SMBC)
- Bring: Residence Card, passport, hanko or signature, Japanese phone number
- Some banks require proof of residence for at least 3-6 months
- Yucho Bank (post office) is the easiest for newcomers
Must-Have Apps to Install
- Google Maps - The most accurate transit navigation in Japan, including real-time train schedules
- Suica/PASMO (mobile) - Digital transit card, can also be used to pay at konbini
- DeepL / Google Translate - For text and camera translation (scan Japanese text for instant translation)
- Safety Tips (NHK) - Earthquake and disaster warnings in multiple languages
- LINE - The main chat app in Japan (like WhatsApp in Indonesia), a must-have
- Tabelog - Trusted restaurant reviews in Japan
- Mercari - For buying and selling used goods, very popular and cheap
- PayPay - The most popular e-wallet in Japan, accepted almost everywhere
Indonesian (WNI) Communities in Japan
Joining the Indonesian community in Japan is very helpful, especially when you first arrive:
- Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo (KBRI Tokyo) - Website: kemlu.go.id/tokyo. Register on the online consular service system.
- PPI Jepang - Indonesian Students' Association. Active in various major Japanese cities.
- Facebook Groups - Search for groups like "WNI di [city name]" or "Komunitas Indonesia [city name]"
- Masjid Indonesia Tokyo - Located in the KBRI area, holds Friday prayers and regular religious activities.
- LINE Groups - WNI chat groups by city, usually accessible after joining a community
Final Checklist Before Departure
- Passport is valid for at least 6 months from the departure date
- Visa and COE are in hand and have been double-checked
- Temporary accommodation for at least 1 week has been booked (hotel, share house, or a friend's place)
- At least 100,000 yen in cash has been exchanged
- Copies of all important documents are stored both physically and in the cloud (Google Drive/iCloud)
- Inform KBRI Tokyo of your arrival through the online portal
- Activate international roaming or purchase a Japanese eSIM before departure
- Download an offline map of your destination area in Google Maps
- Inform your Indonesian bank to enable access from abroad
- Purchase travel insurance to cover the first week
With thorough preparation, your move to Japan will be much smoother. Don't hesitate to contact the existing WNI community in your destination city for local tips and assistance. Congratulations on starting your new adventure in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms!