The Middle Ground: Life in Japan for a Few Months

We all know that Japan is one of Asia’s most popular destinations, drawing record numbers of travelers globally. Many visitors come for a week or two of sightseeing and food tourism, others move permanently to build careers and communities, and there’s a growing group in between: young people who spend just a few months in Japan.

This middle ground offers its own unique experience. It’s longer than a whirlwind vacation, so English menus and tourist-friendly systems are no longer enough. But it’s shorter than a permanent stay, so everything still feels fresh and provisional. It’s a temporary immersion—but long enough to need an apartment, phone and basic Japanese language.

GoConnect spoke with a few young people who recently did this—including Elaine Tse and Valeria Wong from Hong Kong and Kevin Rickansrud from the United States—to see how life shifts when you stay longer than a holiday, but shorter than a permanent move.

What is the best way to find short-term accommodation for a few months in Japan?

The two main short-term accommodation options are Airbnbs and apartment rentals, and the choice often comes down to balancing cost and convenience.

Accommodation was one of the first major hurdles for our travelers. Elaine chose convenience, explaining that “Airbnb costs more, but it was simpler and gave me fewer headaches. Sometimes convenience is worth paying for.”

Valeria chose to save money and accepted the trade-offs that came with less conventional housing. She tried a short-term apartment that seemed like a bargain at first. “The apartment was cheaper than Airbnb, but I had no idea NHK would come knocking at the door,” she said. NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, often sends collectors to investigate payment of the mandatory TV license fee, a practice that can catch newcomers off guard. Valeria froze in this situation, wondering how to explain her situation in a foreign language, and before she could respond, they were gone. This surprise visit was “honestly a terrifying experience,” but she noted that it felt like “one of those very Japanese moments you only understand if you’ve lived here.”

The takeaway is that anyone staying two or three months in Tokyo must weigh the compromises: pay extra for peace of mind (Airbnb) or save money and accept the quirks and occasional shocks that come with local, short-term housing.

How important is preparation, such as getting a local phone number, for daily life?

Preparation is crucial, and getting a Japanese phone number before you arrive is one of the smartest decisions a short-term resident can make.

Valeria invested in a Japanese phone number before arriving, which quickly proved essential. She explained, “It wasn’t just for daily life—it made it possible to attend events and book tickets. Without it, I couldn’t have joined so much.”

For Valeria and Elaine, the daily routine quickly revealed how seriously Tokyo takes rules and punctuality. Unlike the looser approaches in places such as Hong Kong, reservations in Japan are not casual. Restaurants expect you to arrive on time or cancel well in advance, often holding a table for only 15 minutes. This sharp contrast served as a constant reminder that in Japan, order and courtesy are deeply woven into daily life.

What are the biggest challenges for American students during a semester abroad?

For students who come to Japan for a semester, the biggest challenges typically involve navigating the complex transportation system and overcoming loneliness, especially for those with no prior international travel experience.

Kevin, an American student at Kanagawa University, came to Japan without any prior international travel experience. This lack of preparation and fluency in the language left him anxious about how he would manage daily life and integrate into a new society.

His first major obstacle was transportation. He found navigating Tokyo’s maze of intersecting train lines nerve-racking, especially since language barriers made it difficult to ask for help.

Loneliness was also a significant hurdle. “I had no friends or family in reachable distance any longer so I needed to find a way to socialize and make friends,” Kevin recalled. Fortunately, his dormitory placed him among other international students, which eased the transition and created a built-in community.

Now on his second stay, Kevin finds Japan easier to navigate. Small lessons—from not wearing dark clothing in the summer heat to confidently using a transit card—now feel second nature, and he already feels “somewhat acclimatized.”

What are the unique discoveries and daily joys of a longer stay?

A longer stay allows travelers to delve into off-line cultural activities and discover neighborhood charms that tourists often miss, offering a richer, rhythm-dependent experience.

For Valeria, preparation paid off in the form of deep cultural immersion. She discovered that “There are so many offline activities here—K-pop, J-pop, cultural events—it felt like there was always something happening,” and having a phone number made it possible to fully participate.

Elaine’s highlights were focused on local charm and quirky daily life. Her favorite neighborhood was Kichijōji, which she loved for its creative vibe and amazing vintage and thrift shops. She also recalled the small, unexpected moments, such as being embarrassed by the “shockingly loud” foreign-language voice at the train station ticket machines.

Together, their experiences show that Tokyo offers different rhythms depending on what you look for—from cultural events and nightlife to quiet streets and unique shops.

Looking Back and Next Steps

For young people, whether from Hong Kong, the United States or elsewhere, the difference between a short trip and a longer stay in Japan is dramatic. What feels effortless as a tourist can become complicated when you live here, but those who adapt discover more than just a city to explore. They gain confidence, independence and a deeper connection to Japan’s everyday life.

Top 3 Tips for a Stress-Free Longer Stay:

• Plan Ahead: If you’re staying for two or three months, do your research on things such as accommodation and local phone numbers in advance.
• Learn Basic Language: Practice basic kana (Japanese script) to save yourself the stress of navigating signs and menus.
• Master the Transit: Sort out the complex transit system right away; this is often the first major challenge for newcomers.

Looking back on his two stays, Kevin also reflected on the subtler shifts. The first time, he was anxious about being on his own in a country he barely knew, but the second time he felt grounded, even confident. “This time I already feel somewhat acclimatized to the lifestyle here,” he said. That sense of acclimatization—moving from nervous newcomer to someone who knows how to get around and adapt—was just as valuable as any cultural discovery.

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