Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our frequently asked questions about living in Japan, our work visas, and what those multi-legged critters in our house are.
*Last update: March 2025
Visas & Work
What nationality are you and your partner Jesse?
We are both Canadian.
Are you a Japanese?
No. In addition, neither of us is eligible for the “Child / Spouse of Japanese National” visa (which is applicable for those who have a parent with Japanese citizenship) nor the “Long Term Resident” visa (applicable for those with a grandparent with Japanese citizenship, or if your spouse is a child or grandchild of a Japanese citizen).
How do you finance your rural life in Japan?
We both work for Japan-based companies. I work for a marketing company specializing in inbound travel marketing and, more recently, as a YouTuber. Jesse works as a blacksmith for a locally-based business, providing English-lead knife-making lessons.
What kind of visa do you have?
Until recently, both Jesse and I had the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, which is outlined here on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website. To comply with immigration laws while earning income from YouTube, I obtained a Business Manager visa, which is what I currently hold.
What does the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa cover?
The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa covers a variety of job descriptions, from teachers, copywriters, translators, animal trainers, and doctors to midwives and dental hygienists. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website is technically the official resource for Japanese visas, I’ve personally found their website challenging to navigate, with minimal information about the visa job descriptions and requirements.
The application forms for changing visa status and visa renewals (applicable for those with already valid visas) provide a good breakdown of what job descriptions are actually covered in this visa (check page 6 on this change of status pdf as an example) and basic information needed to complete the form.
*Please seek legal advice for more details on completing your application, submitting a renewal or extension of stay application, or applying for a visa for the first time.
How did you get your visa?
We obtained our first visas through our Japan-based employers, who applied for our CEO (Certificate of Eligibility) and work visas for teaching English.
Later, Jesse got a cultural visa to sponsor his apprentiship with his current blacksmithing employer, before switching to a work visa.
While working part-time as an English teacher, I maintained my Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Studies visa. Additionally, I worked part-time for an inbound marketing company that focuses on tourism. To legally generate income from YouTube, I changed to a business manager visa.
What advice do you have about obtaining a visa?
After reviewing the work or long-term visa information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, I highly encourage you to speak with an immigration lawyer, also known as an administrative scrivener or gyouseishoshi (行政書士). These professionals are not only qualified to prepare documents on your behalf for visa applications to immigration, but help advise and navigate the complex visa requirements on our behalf.
What kind of visa do I need to get a paying craft job in Japan?
Based on our experience, it is likely that you will need an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa to legally work in Japan and earn an income from your craft.
While the Cultural Activities visa is an option to practice a craft, it does not permit you to earn an income from your craft during the validity of your visa. However, you can apply for part-time work unrelated to your craft, subject to permission from immigration.
What is Jesse’s story on acquiring a visa to work as a blacksmith?
Jesse initially came to Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in the JET program under an Instructor visa. During his stay, he researched and visited various blacksmith shops in Japan, networking and making himself known among many shops.
Eventually, he found a workshop where he currently works. Initially, he took two trips to attend classes. He eventually secured an apprenticeship, and his Instructor visa was switched to a Cultural Activities visa, valid for one year.
This one year was crucial in proving his value to the workshop and demonstrating his professional blacksmithing skills. He also built up his credit as a valuable asset to the company, which was later used to make a case for his current work visa.
English was also an essential part of Jesse’s job (and reason why he was able to get a work visa) through the already-established blacksmithing classes at the workshop, given to inbound tourists mainly speaking English, supporting his Japanese-speaking blacksmith master.
Jesse’s seven years of professional blacksmithing experience, graduation certificate in the relevant field, and references from past employers were essential in building a visa application form for his Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa to Japanese immigration.
I am interested in getting a craft job in Japan. What do I need?
If you are interested in pursuing a craft in Japan and want to apply for a work visa, first, you will need to find a shop and/or employer to sponsor your visa.
A Cultural Activities Visa is a viable way to gain experience in a craft in Japan. However, you need sufficient savings beforehand (a year’s worth of income, typically the length of the first cultural visa). Also, remember that you cannot earn an income through the craft you are learning and can only apply for part-time work in an unrelated field after receiving approval from immigration.
To obtain a work visa that allows you to earn an income from your craft, you must prove that you have the necessary technical skills, relevant education, and professional experience in that field. In Jesse’s case, he could demonstrate why a Japanese professional could not fill this position, as Jesse’s English skills were instrumental in the English-led courses.
House Renovation
No. Since our rent is already incredibly low, we consider all the work we do to be part of the rent.
We’re counting the renovations as rent, but they’re equally about making this house comfortable for us. Removing that false ceiling wasn’t just about pests; it was our chance to insulate for winter. Finally, this is the best hands-on training we could ask for when it comes to future house renovations.
If the landlord decides to sell the house, we are likely to be the first people they offer it to. Japanese real estate operates quite differently from Western markets; in fact, improvements and renovations typically add very little value to a property. As a result, we are not concerned that our renovations will significantly impact the selling price in the future.
General House
Do you need to be a Japanese resident to buy a house in Japan?
No, you do not. However, remember that you’ll need a valid visa (such as a work visa, cultural, spousal, dependents, etc.) or permanent residency (PR) to be allowed to stay longer than the 3-6 month period allowed by a visitor visa.
Did you buy your house?
No, we are renting our Japanese house.
How did you buy your house?
We have not purchased our house.
Did you rent the property through a realtor or just you?
We agreed directly with the homeowners without involving any real estate agents. We were even introduced to them because we had someone already living here who could vouch for us. It’s definitely a more personal approach than going through a rental company, but it has drawbacks. Ideally, if you can, it would be great if someone could create a proper contract that clearly outlines responsibilities and repairs to safeguard your stay, especially if you have long-term plans to stick around.
Did the property owners want you to rent for a fixed amount and time, or was it open-ended?
Our agreement with the house owners was open-ended and quite informal in the beginning since we didn’t have a clear idea of how long we would be staying in the house. I think the owners were also surprised that people were interested in living in the house. We agreed to rent the house, set up gas, electricity, water, wi-fi, and do general maintenance, and promised to generally leave them alone without burdening them with too many responsibilities.
This arrangement might not be appealing to everyone, especially those with long-term plans for a house. However, it’s working out fine for us at the moment. That is until we realize our own long-term house plans.
Do you have internet?
Yes. We have an internet package and router from a local internet provider.
Do you take overnight guests or volunteers at your house?
No. We completely understand your interest in our experiences in Japan, and we appreciate your support and enthusiasm! However, we hope you understand that our home is still our private home, and we value our privacy when we’re not on camera.
We are happy to answer any questions online to the best of our ability, but we kindly decline all in-person requests. Thank you for your kindness and consideration.
Is your house haunted?
Only with spiders and monkeys.
Countryside Living
How did you choose the town and prefecture you’re living in?
Work brought us to Kochi.
How do you get around if you live in a rural region?
Public transit options are scarce where we live, so we depend on our cars to get around. That is not to say that cars are the only means of getting around for all traveling or living in the countryside. For example, in some rural areas, there are train stations that link to major stations and regular bus services, which vary depending on the particular locations.
Are you fluent in Japanese, and if not, do you find that a barrier?
I have a conversational level of Japanese that allows me to handle everyday tasks such as shopping, ordering coffee, asking for directions, and engaging in small talk with my neighbors. My partner also has a basic understanding of the language.
Living in the countryside without the ability to speak Japanese can be challenging since it can limit one’s ability to participate in the community and communicate with neighbors. However, I believe that a friendly smile, kindness, and even a jar of handmade pickles can go a long way, even when our language skills are lacking. 🙂
Are communities in Japan close-minded and not necessarily open to welcoming young families (foreign or Japanese)? In your opinion, what do you think is the most important thing to do to be part of the community and not feel excluded?
The community we have chosen to be a part of has always been incredibly welcoming and supportive, both here and in other small towns in Japan.
For us, there are a lot of things we do to show our earnestness to being a part of the community. We enjoy helping out with yard work, sharing our garden produce, and saying hello to our neighbors. It’s a bonus that my Jesse and I are here together as a couple, which has cultivated a stronger sense of trust and comfort within the community.
Even though we may never fully immerse into this community, the people here have been incredibly welcoming, inviting us to join them in community events and festivals, and even including us in the monthly newsletter circulation.
Camera Equipment
What camera do you use for your videos?
When I first started making YouTube videos, I used the Fujifilm TX20 as my camera. However, I have since upgraded to the Fujifilm TX5. I still use the same 18-55mm kit lens that came with my first camera. I also like to mix in footage from my iPhone 12 from time to time.
What video editing software do you use?
I use Adobe Premiere Pro.
How long does it take you to edit a video?
I really depends on the amount of footage I have, but typically, one video takes roughly three to five days of editing to complete one video.
Pancake
What kind of dog is Pancake?
Pancake is the true essence of a country dog mix on Shikoku. Many dogs in this area exhibit similar characteristics—pointy ears, a foxy face, and a curly tail. Their genes are strong here!
Why is Pancake always on a leash?
Dogs are required to be kept on a leash at all times in Japan (except in designated off-leash dog parks). There’s also the risk of getting fined for not following this rule. Also, our countryside area has deer and boar traps hidden within the fields and along the road, so we want to ensure that our beloved dog doesn’t accidentally step on one.
Can’t find your question in the FAQ?
Submit your questions in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer and update the FAQs as soon as I can. 👇
Are you (both) fluent In Japanese and if not do you find that a barrier?
Good question! I’ve answered your question above. Hope that helps!
Do both you and your partner speak Japanese? How long did it take before you were comfortable enough with the language to be able to start life in the countryside?
Hi there, I answered your first question above in the FAQ. As for the latter question, we both worked as English teachers for three years before we moved to the countryside. We learned a lot about living in Japan, where we had more support in renting, buying a car, and opening a bank account in those three years.
Please disregard if this question is too personal/invasive, but how do you finance your rural life in Japan? My partner and I would love to do this one day (we are Australians), but are not sure how to survive financially, given the rural location (other than sustaining our work in Australia remotely). Thanks so much!
Hi Minami, thank you for your comment! We both work for Japan-based companies — I for a company that allows me to work remotely (as with their other employees) and he for a business here.
Because we have Japanese companies sponsoring our visas, it has allowed us to stay for longer term (longer than a visitor visa for example). So, while you could continue to work remotely for your client/businesses in Australia, you’ll be limited to the 3-6 month tourist visa per year if you don’t have a Japanese company sponsoring you. Hope that helps!
Ig: Kai.Art
Do you or your partner have supplemental income for all the renovation costs / tools etc.? American citizen with Japanese spouse researching if this could be a viable life decision. Thank you and I appreciate your videos very much!
– Kevin
Hello Kevin, thank you for your comment. I have addressed a portion of your question in the FAQ section above, but I will provide a quick answer here as well. Both my partner and I work for Japanese companies to support our daily expenses and minor renovations. That being said, we don’t have any supplemental income, and are only able to perform small, incremental fixes to our house.
To be honest, if you wanted to do a proper overhaul and makeover of a house, you’d likely need savings (or a well-paying job) to complete them in a reasonable amount of time.
I wish you the best of luck!
Hi. I know you mention you do a lot of gardening and you seem to have a rice field. How large is the block of land you own and what does it feature?
Greetings Ayoo, none of the rice fields are part of our property and are either managed or owned by locals. It is important to note that we are renting this property and do not own it. The property is approximately 200-250 square meters, including two small garden plots and the house. If you are interested, my second video on gardening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMnjBAj4P80&t=290s) offers a brief overview of what is included on our property. I hope this information is useful!
Hi Mika, how did you choose the town and prefecture you’re living in? Was it because of Kochi’s specific culture and traditions, the people, or the climate? I’ve heard Shikoku people are warmer due to the more pleasant weather—do you feel this is true? Maybe we have to speak Japanese to notice such a difference!
Hi Luke,
Work brought us to Kochi, but the people are certainly a good enough reason to come here! Our experiences living in Japan have always been in southern Japan — first on Kyushu, and now on Shikoku, and we’ve always encountered friendly, warm people during our stay. That being said, I’ve also met plenty of friendly people in other parts of Japan as well, so I wouldn’t say this friendly nature is restricted to Shikoku. Hope that helps!
I adore your videos! I’m wondering, what camera do you use for them? Your shots are lovely.
Hello Candice! Thank you for your kind comment! To answer your question, I use a FujiFilm TX20 camera with an 18-55mm kit lens. Occasionally, I also include footage from my iPhone 12.
Last month you posted a video about using wood to heat your bathtub water, is it possible to use bamboo to do this instead?
Hi Anon, while bamboo has a higher burning temperature, using bamboo to heat up a bath wouldn’t be effective due to the large amount required.
Hi. Thanks for sharing your life in the countryside of Japan. I found it interesting and soothing. This question is perhaps a bit personal so I don’t expect an answer. I imagine most people around you are probably much older than you. Do you miss meeting people with similar age and experience? Do you miss things in cities such as bookstores, concerts, theaters, and also hospitals? I’d also like know how many young people are in this place and if there are schools and kids.
Hello Mika.
New subscriber to your channel. Awesome. How or do you receive snail mail?
Hi MissTasha, thank you for your comment!
I do receive mail. Japanese post workers have these great scooters to scale some of those narrow country roads. 😉
Hi, Mika!
I have been a follower of you and Jesse’s journey on YouTube! I cannot tell you how inspirational it has been for me so I wanted to thank both of you for that. I am a 30 year old American with aspirations of buying an Akiya. I will be traveling Japan for a month beginning in mid-January of next year and will be passing through Kochi. If you and Jesse are open to it, I would love to meet you both and learn more about your experience in Japan. It would be wonderful to begin networking with likeminded people prior to moving to Japan.
Best,
Zack Seiler
Hi Zach, thank you for your kind words! I hope you had a good trip to Japan this year and wish you the best of luck with your akiya aspirations. If you are interested, we have a Q&A section on my Patreon where we answer some of the frequently asked questions in more detail. You can either add your questions there, or send any more on this FAQ page, and I’ll be happy to provide answers. Thanks!
I really enjoy watching your videos and reading your stories here.
When you moved to Kochi, was any consideration given to the property’s proximity to trains?
Also, when you entered into the agreement to rent the property was this through a realtor or just you and your partner…and finally, did the property owners want you to rent for a fixed amount and time or was it open ended?
Hi Eric, thank you for your comment! I’ve added and answered your questions in the FAQ above. Let me know if that answers your questions!
Yes, thank you.
BTW, do you have a link to the Hong Kong TV piece? or the name of the show/TV Network?
It would be interesting to see what they captured.
TKS
Hi Eric! Sure, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySVz8h_pup0&list=PLHrnsRJCYriDv-6Rn-WA4zUPb9-Z3kS38&index=5
Post more frequently about the rural life in Japan,
is that too much to ask for!!
🙂
and your videos are really peaceful to watch, keep on!!
Hello,
Thank you for your beautiful videos. I live in Burnaby, Canada. These videos hit home emotionally because when I was a kid (age 6-14) used to spend almost every summer and winter in the Wakayama countryside at my aunts, uncles and cousins. We had a Kishu-ken dog named Ponta as well, swam in the local watering hole and helped with gardening chores.
Hello- During winter, the home looks very cold given the lack of insulation. Besides the wood burning stove, do you heat the home with portable heaters? Do you live there full time? In one of your videos, you could really see Pancake’s breath in the home!
Hi Kirk, yes, we live here full time.
Thank you fo such a wonderful channel. Japan and its culture is fascinating, though you have mentioned that you and Jesse are Canadians, Mika are you parents originally from Japan (sorry do not mean to pry) ? You seem to assimilate very well into their society
Hi Brad, no, my parents are not originally from Japan. I try my best to assimilate, but I am still very much a foreigner here, stumbling through as best as I can. 🙃
Hi Maigomika,
Thank you for your wonderful youtube channel!
Your sincere, down to earth content is a true blessing.
I am a guy in his late twenties from Germany that relocated to central Kochi roughly 2 years ago because of work. I would love to have a chat with you 2 over a cup of coffee someday. No hard feelings whatsoever if you aren’t interested, but in case there is a possibility feel free to contact me at the e-mail address used here :).
Either way, Good Luck with all your future endevours!
Thank you for your support! It’s nice to know there are other folks in Kochi who are interested in this lifestyle.
How did you and Jesse meet?
Ha! Thanks for asking. We met through mutual friends. We ended up at an art event together, and hit it off!
The website looks great! Did you build it yourself, or are you using one of the website template services, like Squarespace or something?
Thanks, Rachel! I’m using a WordPress template called Astra and customizing it to my needs using their preset templates. If I had to do this all over again, I might opt for something like Squarespace instead to save me from all the tedious design work. But for now, I’m happy with the progress I have made with my website and will stick with it!
Hi, how did you get your marketing job? I’m entry level in marketing right now, and I’ve been interested in going to Japan. I was fine with the idea of starting as an English teacher, but I wanted to eventually try some form of marketing
Hi John, Thanks for your question. I first started in copywriting aspect of marketing. Simply put, I demonstrated my copywriting skills by starting a personal project (a blog) that focused on and showcased those skills. I also began networking in person by attending local meetups and connecting with people working in city tourism. In the end, however, my online networking became the most fruitful for me. I followed several accounts online that was doing work I was interested in, commented on their posts and articles, which eventually lead to my meeting (virtually) with someone involved in the marketing travel work I do now.
Your approach may vary depending on your marketing specialty, but I suggest starting by demonstrating your abilities through a project. It’s also important to note that I gained these opportunities because I was already working in Japan (teaching English), which I think is a crucial stepping stone for most people when they are looking into finding other work in Japan.
Hope this helps and all the best of luck!
Hi. Great site. For health reasons I am looking for an isolated Akiya house in the countryside somewhere to rent/buy. Is it easy to find used cars to buy? Motorcycles? Scooters? How do you get around if you live in a rural region?
Hi Scott, sure, you can easily find used cars, motorcycles, and scooters, though you may need some assistance in navigating Japanese websites selling them and negotiating in Japanese to English on your behalf.
Regarding transportation, it really depends on where you are located — I know people in the countryside living near train stations specifically so that they can utilize public transport rather than drive. For us, our options are limited, hence our vehicle. Hope that helps!
what happened to the cat? i don’t see him anymore 🙁
Hi Jodi, he went missing last year. We searched for him for several weeks, combing through the neighborhood. We miss him greatly.
Probably a dumb question, coming from an Aussie who wants to move to Japan with hubby but has yet to visit (needy pups who we can’t bear to board lol) but- Do train stations have parking for you to drive to then park and ride the train to say Tokyo? Or do you have to walk to a bus stop then bus then train? Is your island joined to the mainland or do you take a Ferry? We DEF don’t wanna live in the city so we would also be buying a car etc, but are there places to park when we go adventuring etc?
Thank you so much for your channel, its my calming happy place and i get so excited every time you post. I can’t wait to escape here and live a slow intentional life.
P.s We noticed Pancake is on leash a lot now, was he naughty and running away? lol. He’s so sweet and rediculously cute. We have adored watching him grow, thank you for sharing him and your life with us.
p.p.s Do the monkeys come near your house? Are they cheeky and naughty? If they were aussie they’d be ripping your rubbers out of the car windows like our birds do, just for fun LOL Hubby is reserved about living near them lol
Hi Heather, thank you so much for your comment!
It depends on which train station — some of the older stations don’t have much real estate for parking spots. Luckily, we have a few at ours, so we can skip the buses.
Shikoku is connected both by a train bridge, the Shimanami Kaido expressway (a series of suspension and cable-stayed bridges to drive or cycle over), and a ferry from Matsuyama to Hiroshima.
Pancake is on a leash most of the time for two reasons: 1. Legally, we are required to keep our dogs on a leash in Japan, and 2. This area has deer and boar traps in hidden corners of the fields that we would rather not have him accidentally fall into.
Yes, monkeys come near the house, but scatter pretty quickly when they see us.
Hope that answers your questions!
Hey!
It really does thank you so much! Loved your newest vlog! Can’t wait to see more. Hows the househunting going? Also- if money and jobs weren’t a factor, where would you both love to live in Japan? (If not where you are now)
Have a greaty day!
Hello Heather, and thank you for your kind words!
Our house search is progressing slowly. We have come across some potential options, but it has been quite challenging to navigate through the limited availability of properties on the house and akiya websites.
Recently, we’ve been hitting the pavement by driving around looking for places, and reaching out to our contacts to see if anyone can contact homeowners directly. Some promising leads, but establishing contact with homeowners or those willing to sell is the tricky part!
There are so many places in Japan that would be incredible to live in. That being said, if work wasn’t a factor, I would be inclined towards Kyushu, particularly Oita or Kumamoto. But, we have certainly found a wonderful home here in Shikoku. No complaints!
Hi! New subscriber, and hooked 🙂 I’m curious about the tannoy or speaker in your house. Is it connected to the radio? Your music? What was its original purpose.
Thank you for this compelling and peaceful content!
Arwen, in Toronto
Hi Arwen, thank you for your question! Yes, it’s a speaker that is connected to the local PA system. Local announcements, morning radio taiso, and the morning and evening bells all come through the speaker. However, it’s quite old, so the sound comes out quite softly. I can barely make out what they are saying. 😅
Hi Mika! I’m curious, what editing software/editing app do you use and around how much time does it take you to edit a video?
Hi Helena! I use Adobe Premiere Pro, but only because I have have the full Adobe suite for work. As for editing a video, it can depend on how much footage I have, but typically, it can take 4-5 full days of editing!
How can we join Jesse in his blacksmith class? Is there an online enrollment? Where is the shop located? Do they sell knives? We would like to visit the shop.
You can find the deets here: https://www.workshop-kurogane.com/
Hello Mika! Fellow Canadian here…I really enjoy your videos…I find your vloging style very calming and i enjoy learning about how you live in rural Japan. I enjoyed the one where you followed Jesse over a day of working at the smithery. I was wondering if he accepts orders for custom knives?
Hi Aristaea! Thank you for watching XD
Jesse doesn’t accept custom orders, but, in the future, he would like to set up an online shop for knives he and his sensei makes. We shall see when that happens!
Hi Mika! I just wanted to say that the combination of your voiceover and the nature sounds makes me feel like I am watching a travel documentary series. Very soothingggg hehehe!!!! May I ask what microphone or techniques do you use to record your voice and the bird sounds? I am proud of you. Please keep up the good work. You got this!!!!
Hi Jenny, thank you! Sound design is still an area I would like to improve on, but every video I think I am finessing it. Glad you are enjoying!
I use the Rode VideoMic GO II on my camera, and DJI Mics for voice over. No special techniques, just fiddling with the dials on my video editor until the sound “sounds” right. 😀
Hi,
I think the link pointing is faulty for all your blogs 🙁
just wanted to let you know
Yikes! Thanks for letting me know Isaac!
OOPs, I just asked about the cat today. But noticed this update.
Enjoy yr coffee anyway!
Peter
Hi Peter, all good, and thanks for the coffee! ;D
Hi Mika,
I’ve been watching your videos for over a year and I absolutely love your aesthetic. I am actually traveling to Shikoku in the new year with my partner and am curious if you know of any locations in the Iya valley that would be good to observe wildlife? Thanks for all your wonderful videos, I always look forward to watching them!
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment! Iya Valley is such a beautiful part of Shikoku; however, I’m not too familiar with the spots where you can observe wildlife there. I suppose it depends on where exactly you are—I’m sure if you’re in the countryside, you could just step out the front door and likely stumble upon a few wild creatures!
What made both of you have an interest in moving to Japan from Canada? Really enjoying the videos!
Hi Rick, thanks for your comment. It’s tough to summarize in one sentence, but we became interested in living in Japan after several trips together. We loved how some of the café and restaurants we visited set up their businesses in residential areas, we were interested learning about traditional crafts, and really enjoyed the interactions with the people we met along the way. 😀