MMoving to Japan

Temporary stay advice – married couple from UK

  • March 13, 2026

Hi all, first time posting on this sub, so apologies in advance if I screw up.

My wife and I are looking to move to Japan (Nagoya), from the UK, on a temporary/trial basis. Her job allows her to work remotely, but she can combine short visits to various manufacturing plants in surrounding countries. I have an engineering PhD and am currently enquiring with Japanese researchers to support with a JSPS fellowship (6 months, but flexible on the duration).

We have so far considered the following possible scenarios:

  1. Stay on a 3 month tourist visa for the full 3 months. She will certainly work remotely, and I hope to do the same (if the JSPS doesnt come off). We'll probably have about 2 months working and 1 month on holiday;
  2. Around 6 months, with my wife working remotely (I think Japan has a digital nomad-style VISA system???), if the JSPS fellowship is a success.

Unfortunately, I cannot get my head around the accommodation system. Google searches seem to show plenty of apartment/housing options, but it seems like there are very few furnished, and reading reddit, there's a suggestion that even though these places are "foreigners OK", that's not really the case in reality.

So my questions to you all are:

  1. Are either of the scenarios above even feasible!?
  2. Are there any solid options for furnished accomodation which is suitable for foreigners, for (very??) short term lease/rental? We cannot entertain student accommodation, nor shared accommodation.
  3. If the apartment/house is non-furnished, what options do we have for furnishing it on a temporary basis (especially a concern for the 3 month stay – it's not very long to be buying beds, sofas, when we'd be moving out soon after moving in!)
  4. If we were to temporarily furnish, as per Q2, would we have to get rid of the items as we left? (I'm guessing so)
  5. Are there any other considerations that I haven't mentioned?

Sorry if this is a noob post, but that's just what I am!

For context, we've visited Japan five times, and were married here. We first went in 2008, then 2023 (married), 2024, and twice in 2025. Nagoya is ideal for us, and has both a university, and technical college. We also have quite a few friends based in Nagoya (Japanese). I have basic Japanese language (Marugoto A2), but my wife's is even more limited. I can have a very basic conversation, and usually meet people part-way. We are working to improve, with private tuition.

Sorry for the long post. I hope you can help us out!

Thanks in advance

by mr_herculespvp