I've been having these intrusive thoughts about moving somewhere new — especially Japan — and lately, those thoughts are starting to win haha.
Quick background:
I live in the U.S. right now; but I am not american. I have been lucky enough to land a good software engineering job at Google and have been working here for 3 years.
Since I have intrusive thought have took over; I’ve been applying to few jobs in Japan here and there — maybe around 50 so far. Most have ended in rejections, with only 2 progressing to online coding tests. I know that if I push harder, more chances will come, but applying from outside Japan feels like a dead end — especially with the competition and visa barriers.
So, I’m considering a new strategy:
Take a break from work, enroll in a 6-month Japanese language school (starting January 2026), and job hunt from inside Japan. It feels like a good reset and a breather from the grind — plus, I’ve heard being in Japan makes it easier to get interviews and visa sponsorship.
Now here’s where I’m torn:
To save money, I’m looking at language schools outside Tokyo (like Fukuoka), but I’ve heard being in Tokyo can help with networking and job hunting.
Is Tokyo that necessary? Would I still have a solid chance at landing a tech job if I’m temporarily based in Fukuoka during school and move to Tokyo once I get a job?
Also — for anyone who’s done something similar:
What steps did you take to land a tech job in Japan? Any schools, job boards, or recruiter tips you’d recommend?
Appreciate any advice you can share. Thanks and stay safe out there!
by Maleficent-Fennel-66