Hello,
After reading multiple user's posts about moving to Japan, it prompted to me to seek some advice from this subreddit.
I'm 32 years old and I wanted to learn Japanese in Japan ever since high school. After graduating from university in 2015 I wanted to take a few years to go to a language school in Japan but back then I wasn't financially ready to do so, so I decided to leave this dream on the backburner. After returning from my 4th vacation to Japan in April, I've been thinking about making this happen.
I just want to mention that I know that visiting Japan and living in Japan are completely different and I know how brutal working in Japan can be. I have friends that have worked in Japan as English teachers and each of them have their own stories about being in Japan, both positive and negative.
I graduated university 2015 with a bachelors degree in Nursing, worked as a registered nurse for two and a half years and switched careers into the construction industry as a document controller for an international construction company and I've been in line of work since making a comfortable six figures. While at my current job, I have also acquired a Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety in TAFE (Vocational School in Australia).
My reasons for wanting to learn Japanese in Japan:
- I've always wanted to learn the language
- Working in Japan if possible
- To be honest, it was my dream since high school.
- FOMO. I don't want to regret not doing this when I'm older. I already regret not doing this sooner. This seems like a very silly reason.
My question is: as a 32 year old, is this an unreasonable thing to pursue? Is it unreasonable to put my career on hold just to fulfill a goal I've had since high school?
I'd also like to hear from other people's experiences who may have been in a similar situation as me. The good and the bad.
by ceb_ahoy
31 comments
Go for it, but you have have to read a little more into some rules as when I (30M) was looking there were places that had an age limit of 30.
32 is actually a good age to go abroad in my opinion. You’re more mature and also not “too old” either. Go for it, you going to have a great time in Japan
I’m older and in a language school right now. There’s a lot to consider when moving to Japan at this age, but you’re old enought to think about if it’s worth the risk or not. What I think you’re looking for is reassurance. Yes you’re not the only one that’s 30+ looking to do this, it is possible and many others have done it before us. I can only speak for myself here but I know I would had regretted for the rest of my life not taking the chance when I had it. Life as a student has been really fun, meeting a lot of new people and classmates from all over the world and I’m sure even if it doesn’t work out the way I hope it does, this will forever be an amazing memory.
I’m 33 and looking at doing language school in Japan as well. I was supposed to do an exchange year in Japan in uni and ended up not going, which I regret. I don’t think it’s at all silly to have that worry about regretting it if you don’t go for it. Better late than never!
Im your age. Did the move. Just a little break before i resume my career next year.
I’m older than you and currently studying at a language school. Go for it!
Go for it!!!! Worse case scenario, you just go back to what you’re doing now.
I did 6 months in Japan as a 34yo – 3 months in language school, then 3 months traveling around the country. I loved it!
This was part of a 1.5-year career break. Afterward, I spent 4 months job hunting and returned to a regular desk job in the US. No big deal. This was actually my third career break.
Do it, but get to an n4 level first. Dont want to regret wasting your first few months on babyshit grammar and vocab, being completely unable to speak anywhere, etc.
there were quite a bit of people in their 30s and beyond in my language school! not everyone is 18-20 so go for it!!!
I did language school when i was just 27, but out of 5 students we also had a 30 year old and 32 year old.
It was a great experience for me. I highly recommend attending a school in a smaller city or town as you’ll be more immersed in the language and culture that way. Must be a bit odd to attend a language school in say Tokyo and then walk outside and see English and other foreigners everywhere.
You have good bunch of experience to fall back on, and sounds like financially OK. Its the best time.
I quit my job at 30, after even having just invested in graduate school to get a Masters that I ended only using for about a year, and went to Outdoor Leadership School (basically camp counselor school). I was ten+ years older than everyone else, and five years older than my instructors.
It was a pretty great decision. Have never regretted it for twenty years since.
I usually hate FOMO, because it causes people to miss things, and only stick to the safe path (afraid of missing out on what everyone else is doing), but in this case your FOMO is pushing you in the right direction. You only have one life.
If you can afford it and think you can get back into your current career after a few years in Japan, it would be a worthwhile and interesting experience to have, and you should absolutely do it if you want to, regardless of your age!
As far as working in Japan goes, you will almost certainly be taking a major paycut if you decide to live and work here. Office workers earn about $40-60k here, and that would likely only be attainable if you become business-level fluent from a few years of living here and attending language school (not impossible, but the majority of people in that situation do not). Otherwise you’d be going into English teaching which generally does not pay well at all.
Also if you have no prior language experience I would aim to get through a beginner level textbook, maybe with a tutor, before going, as going as a complete beginner means that you can’t effectively reap the benefits of being in Japan until a few months in (because you can’t really talk to anyone or read anything around you).
Lots of people encouraging you here–I’m glad to see it.
Because I also enrolled in Language School at Age 32. Actually, just last year. I don’t have a structure for this post. I am just going to list off a bunch of random thoughts surrounding it.
* You’re probably not going to have any issues related to visas or schools. If you have the funds, and a clean background, you’ll get your CoE pretty easily. Maybe some schools have an age limit for this, but immigrations does not.
* If you go to a big school, you’re not going to be the oldest, but you will be old*er*. My first class had 18 people. 32 (Me), 33, and 40, with everyone else being below the age of 25. Make sure you’re okay with this.
* If your goal is to really learn Japanese, start now. Language School is going to be a fantastic opportunity, if it’s a good school, to have a trained native speaker on hand to answer basically any question you have on a moment’s notice. You don’t want to spend that opportunity on the beginner stuff you could have done yourself. Also, demonstrating previous study is generally a requirement these days.
* It is going to set back your career a bit most likely, but it’s not going to *kill* it. You can return to it. It just may not be as easy as walking in with a resume, as you’re missing out on a couple years of experience.
* I cannot know if this applies in your situation, but it did in mine. We are at the age where parents and relatives are getting older. Friends and family are starting their own families if they haven’t already. Flying back and forth is not cheap. *This is not a reason not to do it.* But it is something we have to weigh a lot more at 32 than 22. A big part of the difficulty settling in can be the reminder of what you’re missing. But it’s something to be aware of.
* On the other side: At 32, you’re not too old to do this. Plain and simple. You’re simply not. But you, and me, and others like us don’t have many more years of that freedom. Its soon or never. Which will you regret more? Missing out on things back home, or never taking this chance while you can? If your answer is the latter, **go.** That’s what it comes down to.
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I did it for 6 months last year. As I’m writing this, I’m pacing back and forth after submitting a CoE to my consulate yesterday, waiting for my next visa (different types) and hoping it goes through. All I can think about is going back.
I went to Japan at 49. Not a problem. I do think you are asking several different questions though.
1) Can I go to language school in Japan and should I?
If you want to, yes of course.
2) Can I start a career in Japan and should I?
That is a different question. The unemployment rate in Japan is low and I know some of the schools offer help with employment.
There are schools geared toward those living in Japan and those that need a visa. I have taken classes at Kumon, Switch, COTO and a smaller school.
I’m 46 and doing it next year…but I’m in a position where I’m able to take a year break from my life and realize that not everyone can.
how long does a language school take? am planning to do my masters in japan and am wondering how long before doing my masters should I join a language school
I’m 39 and making plans for the same. Though I have some obligations that will delay my move for 2.5 years.
Are we older than the norm? Yeah, but who cares. Go live out a dream and see if you like it enough to live the rest of your life there. It’s not likely our original countries will be gone if we need to move back.
The way I see it is the worst that happens is the few years in school causes a delay in retirement a couple years but allows us to really enjoy ourselves with mostly able bodies for a few years
One thing to consider: if you’re living in Japan for over a year on a student visa you’ll likely become considered a tax resident in the country. That’s potentially an issue if you have income from investments in your home country.
I was at the same age when i enter japanese language school and thats like 3 yrs ago
It’s a good idea. Best of luck!
That’s too late I would suggest not wasting your time. Just look at this thread it’s full of people convincing themselves that the time they wasted was worth something.
You’ve been to Japan many times so not sure where your FOMO comes from. You don’t need to be in Japan to learn the language. Finding work with a nursing degree is going to be next to impossible unless your Japanese is N1 which will take you years. Just my two cents.
What language school are you looking at? The ones I looked at and ones I was able to talk to people who went, the outlook didn’t look great. It sounded like places just to get Pakistani and India people visas so they could come work on the student visa. Im sure not every school is like this but that’s what I seemed to find. I decided to go study chinese in China at Sichuan university for half the cost. Though my soul still yearns for Japan.
I’m 36 and actively considering the same so I hope it’s not too old!
I am also 32 and very interested in moving / working in Japan. I have been self learning Japanese with a personal tutor. With a Bachelors in Cybersecurity and work experience in IT, I am currently looking for work in Japan in IT or any field. However, I might use language school as an entry tool and way to better my Japanese. I have seen jobs with English teaching but I am a little worried about the outcome of that.
I am following this thread for some helpful tips and knowledge about completing the process. 😆
Is the working holiday visa limit 30 or 35? (I’m American and can’t get one)
I think becoming a student is definitely feasible, as it seems there’s multiple older people here who have done it! It’s not impossible.
In regard to actually working in Japan, that might be a bit more difficult? You said you had a background in nursing, and I know for the medical field they’d want someone N2-N1 more often than not.
I think definitely strive for enrolling as a student, and see how far language school can take you. There’s definitely some jobs aside from English teaching that exist for non-native speakers but depending on how conversational you can become as well as being able to read higher levels of Japanese, I think that’ll really set the tone for what doors will even open to you, if that makes sense?
Best of luck! ^_^
According to 2025 reports 30% of the population is above the age of 70. Based on that data you’re still on the younger side of Japan lol. Do not overthink it. Just do it.
We, husband and I and pur son, are moving to Japan in 2 months. He is 38, I turn 36 by the end of the year.
Its the perfect age for us to move over and work (he, not me for now) and attend language school.
It is his wish and I just go along, not wanting to hold him back from his dream.
So: do it!
Hm.. my only concern would be that 30s usually key years for career development, in 40s it might be harder and with school and then entry level jobs in japan you might set yourself off quite a bit.
But then, if you don’t have career and don’t really care about career much, have good support system, I’d say go for it!
No, you are not too old. If you go to a reputable school be prepared to do plenty of homework. The good side is that you will learn.
How big a dent in your career only you can know, however learning a new language is a huge plus for whatever follows.
The good (in my case) was that thanks to the school could get to N2 and fit in this society.
The bad can be the opportunity cost, especially right after finishing studying. With time the benefits of speaking properly multiply and then the initial cost diminishes.
I’ve seen people in their 50s going to language school in Japan. Just check if there is an age limit and that’s it.