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Shipping to Japan
Are you preparing for Removals to Japan? GoodMove offers a full or part load removals service to various cities across the Far East, including Hong Kong, China and Japan.
GoodMove have moved individuals and families around the world for over 34 years. We have the necessary knowledge and expertise to plan and execute your international move with relative ease.
For international moves, we can export your possessions and have them delivered to your new destination. Through our industry partners we negotiate the best shipping and air freight rates to keep our prices competitive.
To find out more about our removals to Japan service or any other destination don’t hesitate to contact us today. Call us on the above listed number of fill out a quick quote form and we’ll be in touch shortly.
Why Choose Us for Removals to Japan?
Moving with GoodMove couldn’t be simpler. Our experienced and friendly team will be on hand to guide you throughout the process and will tailor your move to your time and budget.
We pack your belongings using a bespoke range of packing materials and deliver them right to your new home using our extensive fleet of vehicles. We can supply the following materials so all your items can be packed properly and avoid any damage in transit:
- Boxes
- Packing Paper
- Packing Cases
- Book Cartons
- Packing Tape
- Wine dividers
- Acid free paper (for silverware)
- Portable Wardrobes
- Bubble Wrap
Once we ascertain the volume of effects being moved we will send you a free no obligation written quotation. If satisfied we will then provide you with a full schedule detailing every aspect of your move, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.
We also offer a range of flexible storage solutions should you wish to take advantage of them.
Why Move to Japan?
If you’re looking to move to Japan, an archipelago known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, you can look forward to a truly unforgettable and life-affirming experience.
There will be lots to get used to – the language and social customs for one – but those expats who make the effort report that they make lots of news friends and enjoy a very high quality of life.
Highlights include:
Japan has a strong tech and business sector which has now opened its doors to foreign workers who command some excellent pay packages.
Closed off to the world for almost 200 years, Japan has a unique culture. You can expect plenty of new experiences from talking toilets to Japanese dining and karaoke bars.
The Japanese people are respectful, courteous and extremely law-abiding with one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
Up to 70% of the landscape consists of forest which makes for some of the most stunning natural scenery on this planet. There is Mount Fuji to the north, sand dunes to the west and the gorgeous beaches of Okinawa to the south. Don’t forget the gorgeous cherry blossom!
Public transport is exceptionally efficient and quick. Say goodbye to that rustling commuter train. The average speed of the Shinkansen bullet train is a lightning 155mph!
Working in Japan
To be able to work in Japan, you must apply for a working visa and receive an offer of employment from a company which is based and registered in Japan.
Working in Japan as a foreigner is both a challenging and rewarding experience. Japanese is a notoriously difficult language to master, which combined with the different culture and business custom can be seen as a barrier to working in Japan.
However, those who dedicate themselves to acclimatisation will be rewarded with exciting opportunities for both business and personal growth.
As one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world (up to 25% of the population is over 65) Japan is looking to immigration to address increased labour shortages.
One of the ways it seeks to do this is through technology and artificial intelligence, of which it is a world leader.
Currently there is a demand for Java engineers and those with experience in Gradle, Spring and NoSQL databases.
Candidates with good qualifications in managerial and team leadership skills are also very attractive to Japanese companies.
More traditional opportunities are available in the areas of investment banking and teaching English.
Schools in Japan
The Japanese education system is well respected internationally. Both Tokyo and Kyoto universities have produced 16 Nobel Prize laureates.
School is compulsory from the from age of 6 to 15 and almost all students go on to higher education.
Most expats will send their children to school at an international school to minimise the culture shock and to allow them to learn a curriculum from their home country.
There is a good selection of international schools in Japan, although they can be expensive at 1 to 3 million Yen per year (£6654-£19,900).
Healthcare in Japan
When you consider that Japanese citizens have an average life expectancy of 84 it comes as no surprise to note that Japan has a superb and advanced healthcare system.
Medical facilities are excellent with clean and modern equipment and experienced staff. Patients have greater freedom of choice as to their doctor and treatment location than British NHS patients.
All foreigners are required to have health insurance while residing in the country.
In Japan, medical expenses must be paid on completion of treatment. It is very important that you have insurance for you and your family and that you do your homework before you arrive. Medication and care without insurance is very costly and hard to obtain.
For more information on the Japanese healthcare system and different policy options see this excellent article from TransferWise.
Property in Japan
There are no restrictions on the purchase of property in Japan by foreign nationals but you will need to have permanent residency.
With interest rates in Japan so low at the moment, it is an excellent time to make an investment and buy a property.
Obviously, deciding where to live will depend of your personal circumstances. Where you work, access to school for your children and the type of lifestyle you lead, will all be important factors.
Purchasing through the regular Japanese real estate system can be a challenging and daunting prospect.
Japanese real estate agencies typically require large upfront fees and a Japanese guarantor, and most properties are unfurnished. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of companies aimed at assisting foreign residents and simplifying the process.
Click here to search for properties currently on the market.
Renting is easier, and you will find contract terms are quite flexible. Although renting might not be as expensive as London or New York it is still pretty high.
As an example, in Tokyo city centre, you can currently expect to pay a monthly rent of approximately 86,631 ¥ (£600) per square metre for a one bedroomed apartment. Outside of the centre the price drops to 58,172 ¥ (£403).
Traveling Around Japan
You will have no problem at all getting around Japan using public transport.
There is a vast network of public transportation available, which provides a fast and efficient way of reaching your destination.
Rail travel is popular with timetables strictly adhered to and fast and modern trains. Some even contain women-only carriages.
Cross-country bullet trains (Shinkanesen) can get you from Tokyo to Kyoto (a distance of over 300 miles) in just a couple of hours!
Getting around by bicycle is also a very popular option, especially for those living and working in the cities. Taxis are plentiful but can be slower and more expensive due to traffic congestion.
If you intend to drive check with your local Automobile Association and obtain a driving permit. They are not too expensive and allow you to drive in Japan up to a year before needing to get a license.
Local Currency
The Japanese Yen is the currency of Japan (¥).
Many automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Japan do not accept UK credit and debit cards, which are issued outside of Japan.
The only exceptions are postal ATMs found at the 20,000 post offices in all parts of the country and 7-Bank ATMs found at approximately 20,000 7-Eleven convenience stores and other locations across Japan.
These ATMs will provide an English user menu and allow you to withdraw cash using the following cards, Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express and JCB cards.
You will need your Residence Card (Zairyu Card in Japanese), a personal seal, although a signature should be fine in most banks and a small deposit of 1,000 yen to open a bank account in Japan.
As part of a new regulation you will be asked whether you are part of a criminal organisation or not. Provided you are not of course, your bank card should be issued to you within ten days.
Shipping My Effects to Japan
The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially so when relocating abroad. GoodMove has over 35 years of experience in the removal industry and can help make the process manageable and stress-free.
We can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation. It will be carried out by one of our qualified surveyors, who will able to answer any of the questions you have and offer advice where necessary.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the volume of effects you will be shipping. The cost of shipment is based on the space your effects will take up in the container. Following the visit, you will receive a free written no obligation quotation.
Export Packing for Removals to Japan from UK
Our experienced UK-based teams pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move. We wrap all china and glassware in special paper and then pack it in double-thickness cartons.
Bubble blanket and made-to-measure wooden crates provide extra padded protection for furniture and items requiring specialist care, such as antiques.
Upon arrival at your residence our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Storage
You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving abroad. We offer taior made storage solutions as part of your Removals to Japan package.
Our UK depots offer secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.
All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Just speak to our surveyor for further information.
Our international partners can also offer you storage. You may be renting for a while and may not need all of your belongings to be delivered immediately. If so, you can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates may apply.
Contacting GoodMove
For further information on Removals to Japan or any of our removal services to international destinations contact our international office. Alternatively complete the form below with your details and we will contact you.
Why Choose Us?
Worldwide Coverage
Our experienced team of removals specialists have been relocating customers all over the world since 1984.
100% Satisfaction
With a reputation for outstanding customer service, there's no better choice of removals firm for your next move.
Here For You
Our friendly support team are always on hand to offer help and guidance, whenever when you need it.