Hi everyone,
I’m from Indonesia and I’m planning a move to Japan in the next couple of years, so I’d like to get some advice from people who’ve done something similar.
About me:
- Country: Indonesia
- Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Science
- Work: almost 4 months as a software engineer (around 1 year total dev experience)
- Tech stack: React, Next.js, NestJS
I’ve just started learning Japanese (currently only at hiragana & katakana level) and I’m aiming for at least JLPT N3. My rough goal is to be able to work as a software engineer in Japan by the end of 2026.
Some questions I have:
- For someone in IT, what’s the most common visa route for moving from overseas (not currently in Japan)?
- Realistically, how much Japanese do I need for day to day life and work? Is it okay to arrive with N3 and improve on the job, or should I try to reach N2 before moving?
- Are there any pitfalls people from abroad often underestimate (cost of living, work culture, housing, etc.) that I should prepare for ahead of time?
- Any recommended resources, YouTube channels, blogs, or communities for people moving to Japan for work (especially in tech)?
If you moved to Japan for a job, I’d love to hear how your timeline looked and what you wish you had known earlier.
Thank you so much for any tips or stories you can share!
by leonfarhan