This may be a slightly long post so apologies in advance, essentially I am looking to start the path toward living full time in Japan with a relatively unique situation and wondering what the best route to go down is.
I currently run a business (fully online) that averages £5k gbp per month so I can realistically go down any path financially. I only have 1 certification after gcse's which is an A for AS level maths, essentially a 1 year maths course in sixth form as I dropped the rest of my A levels after 1 year for the online thing I do now (thanks to this I would meet the minimum 12 year education requirement for university though). This of course affects my options as I don't have a degree now. My current Japanese level is around n4 self taught.
My current idea :
I have been researching for a language school for an initial 2 years so I can reach a good level in language. Then I would look to apply for university after reaching minimum n2 (hopefully n1) which I believe is the requirement for most courses, this would give me a solid career path as I don't know how long this online business will last, it either takes off again (was at 15k/m once) and makes me enough money to live forever or slowly dwindles out.
Of which will happen I can't say for sure hence why I'd like to take this opportunity now for something guaranteed and secure while I have the chance.
If it does take off (or even stay the same) I will look to transition to a business startup visa after language school instead as I have plans I'd love to try, but if it eventually doesn't go well I'd have enough in savings to go through the two years language school and then uni and be in a great position for living in Japan full time.
Lastly for location/study. As a person I live a quiet disciplined lifestyle, I love nature, daily walks/hikes, tradition, healthy life. So a big city is not really for me, perhaps Japan could be different but I tried living in Bangkok for 3 months and it completely threw me off course. Friendly/open locals is important for me too. I would most likely look for separate housing to rent rather than a dorm, however I know this can be very challenging.
The current options I think may be a good fit good are Nagano (isi school), Okazaki (Yamasa school), Shizuoka, Kobe (many school options with visa offering) or Okinawa (a few school options with visa offering). However finding information regarding the quality of schools is proving difficult and often mixed. I lived in the outskirts of Fukuoka for 2 months and I did like it there so that's also an option however schools will be in the Centre.
Overall my questions are :
-Is this a viable path/are there other options
-What location would you recommend
-Is it worth starting somewhere with more expats/English language first until my Japanese improves compared to somewhere more remote
Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this — any advice is appreciated.
by Illustrious-Ear2530