Because leaving is not easier than going
Nobody prepares you, nobody knows. It’s a process that to every single person is different. Even before doing anything, you have to accept it, you’re leaving. You decide that it is time, or some other reasons have made you take the suitcase out of the closet (I’m staring at you Covid-19). In any case, it’s time to do it. But how do you start? I hope my experience can help you. It was a long road, and a lot of struggle, trying to not make any mistake, even though a lot of mistakes were made. This is the list of things that you should do to be ready to move out of Japan. All from my own experience.
Note: If you’re a student or a short term resident many things won’t apply. You’re lucky to do less. Believe it.
1. Talk with your friends: Sometimes you’re just going through a hard time and talking with your friends, or other “gaijin” in the same situation as you is really helpful. Sometimes all you need is to talk about it and listen to other points of view and experiences. If they convince you to stay, you don’t need to keep reading this article. Enjoy Japan!
2. Go through all your belongings: Deciding what you want to bring back with you when you get home. And this is the first thing you have to do, get rid off your stuff, and send it home. Sending your stuff home, easy to say, expensive to do. Trust me in this, if you can buy it back with money, don’t put it in the box. I made that mistake once. Used clothes, random shirts… Only if it’s limited edition clothes, or you have space in the box, put it in. It will also serve as cushion for the rest of things. And this works for all items, if it’s limited edition, or craft, put it in the box. For students, your notebooks, and test results, and text books, if you want. In my case, it was photography books from my sensei, and my own printed projects, photography books and negatives. Items of sentimental value, that you
feel like crying every time you see them. But be careful, there’s a chance that the package might get lost (like your suitcases in the airport).
a. To send your belongings home, you can use private services, but the most common is to go to any Japan Post office, and go through a lot of filling in documents and listing everything you have inside the box.
3. Quit your job: Seems obvious but still, had to mention this. Give notice at least one month in advance, and this works for almost all the notices you have to give for before leaving Japan. (I know someone that said to the company, tomorrow I'm going back to my country, and nobody saw him again)
4. Notice to immigration: Of both things, if you're on a working visa. First you have to notice that you quit your job, and then that you’re planning to leave Japan. And be sure about it because if you go to the airport, they will ask you, and if you don’t have a job, they put a hole on your resident card and you lose your working visa. Also, make sure that you have a valid visa the moment you leave Japan, If you get to the airport with an expired visa, they might ban you from re-entry to Japan, for years. At immigration, they can issue a Temporary Visitor Status of Residence, to have until you leave Japan.
5. Cancel your apartment: Or room in a share house. You have to at least notice your landlord about leaving the place one month in advance. This again, you might be in trouble if you’re planning to just go away for a month or two, you have to notice them anyways that you’re coming back in a couple of months. You’ll have to fill some papers and they will have to make an inspection after you leave the apartment, so make sure you have an extra couple of weeks before leaving (just use that time to travel around Japan). And clean the whole place like it was new, so you can get back some of your deposit money the next month. Also, cancel your utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet-phone)
6. All your things: If you live in a share house, it’s easier. Just give all your things to your housemates, they’ll be happy too. And it’s one of the best systems of recycling items. What was from another, now it’s mine, and can be yours next.
If you live by yourself, this step gets complicated. You have to get rid of all your furniture and things you piled up during your stay in Japan. When throwing things, make sure to follow the rules of your neighbourhood about throwing large items, and follow their calendar. You’ll probably have to book a pick up service for big items, like your bed, or desk. Every city has their system, so you can check on your town hall website about recycling and throwing items.
Recycling shops: Go to your neighbour recycling shops with pictures of your things and ask them what they can give you, or…
Sayonara sales: There’s facebook groups for foreigners that are leaving Japan, or just getting rid of old stuff. Check it out, also if you’re moving in Japan, sometimes you find awesome bargains.
7. Pay your debts at the city hall: Also, you have to notice the city hall where you live in, that you’re moving out. And you can use the same day to deal with all your debts. This one is probably the most important for work visa residents. If you leave Japan with debts, next time you come they’ll be waiting you to pay your debts, and in extreme cases, might ban you from re-entry to Japan. For students or short term, nevermind about the pension, but most likely you’ll be paying health insurance. Just in case, bring all your documents and contracts with you. You’re probably going to spend the whole morning here, and better be early. I did it all in one go. Notice of moving out, health insurance and pension system. And turned out that I paid more taxes that expected, so I left with some extra cash.
8. Close your bank account: After dealing with all payments, and make sure about it. Also, that you have your deposit money back from apartment contract, you’re ready to close your bank account, and withdraw any money left that you had.
9. Change your address at the Japan Post office: Before moving out, you have to notice too the Japan Post office that you’re moving out of the country. They will ask you for another Japanese address even though you’re leaving the country. You’ll have to give some friends address, or if you’re student, the school address. For share house tenants, just leave it like that, and some other tenant can notice you if something arrives (usually spam or forgotten bills). But this was super important for me, as the packages I sent home, went BACK TO JAPAN, a week after I left the country, so lucky that I gave my friend’s address. Finally got my stuff with me (not all of it).
10. Cancel your phone contract: You can do this even the day before your flight. It will only take a few hours in the morning, and you can give your home country bank account to pay the last phone bill. This was super easy.
11. A hole in your heart: But with the last cancelation, comes the void. No way back, you’re leaving. You’ve said goodbye to all your friends, you don’t live anymore in the share house. No more party night, drinking buddies at izakaya, no loved ones. you don’t want to end it. The last night, alone, in the hotel room, regretting all your decisions. You don’t want to leave, but you made up your mind, you’re strong. Until at the airport a kind old security officer at immigration tells you – are you sure? – and then you can’t hold it anymore, and cry all the way until you realize you've left.