MMoving to Japan

Does this plan sound reasonable?

  • March 23, 2026

Hello all!

Im 20 and currently in my third year of college studying chemical engineering. I want to experience living abroad and I’m planning to move to Japan a few years post graduation at around 24/25. I’ve been doing some research, watching videos, lurking the subreddit and I think I have a decent rough draft of my plan from now to post graduation.

  1. Finish college so I have my bachelors, and hopefully graduate debt free (im currently on scholarship so it makes life easier for me). Try to learn as much Japanese as I can…im still not even N5, but I’m currently teaching myself.

  2. Move back in with my parents and find a job post graduation so I can focus on saving instead of living expenses. I’m aiming to save around 20k-25k, but it may be more when the time comes.

  3. While saving, apply for a language school. I’ve been looking at ISI, especially ISI Takadanobaba. This way I can get a student visa.

  4. I had been thinking about where to live, but I’m currently interested in Setagaya as its cheaper, far enough that the rent prices wont be as bad but not too far that the commute to Shinjuku is too long. Im thinking of moving into a sharehouse first, so then I can go apartment hunting in person (and hopefully find a place willing to rent to foreigners)

  5. Do language school for a year. Find a part time job for extra income, see how I like living in Japan before considering another 6 months/year of language school.

However. I’m not sure what to do after language school. I know I wouldn’t be able to do much with my engineering degree as my Japanese level probably wouldnt be high enough, but at least I could get a work visa with it if I happened to find a job. I could do English teaching, but I think I would be an awful teacher, and I don’t really have the passion for it. Maybe I’ll do two years of language school then move back home😅

Does this plan seem reasonable, should I plan to save more? I’ve heard mixed reviews of ISI, but I still have quite a few years to think about it and do more research.

Thanks to anyone who read this far.

by LocalLoserLiv