Image by Oimax

** This post was written by Andy Hayes. Find out more about Andy at the bottom. **

In this interview we talk to somebody who is a real road warrior making real success abroad in the buzzing backdrop of Japan.

John Bardos is an active member of the location independent community and he spared some time to share with us his winding journey into location independence.  He blogs about his lifestyle at his website, JetSetCitizen and you can also find him on Twitter, @JetSetCitizen…

First, could you briefly introduce yourself and your business?

I have been living abroad for more than 12 years now. The last nine of those years, I have owned and managed an English school as well as some related internet projects to help teach children English.

You’re based in Japan. What made you decide to relocate there?  Do you find it a difficult country to get settled in as a foreigner?

I first became interested in Japan when I was at university. I read a steady stream of books on Japanese business, management and society and have been fascinated with the Japanese way ever since. I moved to Japan on relatively short notice without a job or work visa. I came because I needed the change and didn’t want to start at the bottom of some corporate job back home.

I found it very easy to get settled in Japan. Despite the history and traditions, it is a very westernized country. Everything you have in your home country and more is available in Japan. Japan has a fantastic culture but it is not as rough nor exotic as other Asian countries like Thailand or Bali.

It is possible to survive with very few Japanese language skills because there are so many businesses that serve English-speaking foreigners. Occasionally, you may need assistance with government forms or perhaps medical visits but there always seem to be many helpful English-speaking Japanese willing to assist.

In many ways, I feel that I am more at home in Japan than in Canada. Japan is a very cosmopolitan, active and exciting country. I felt more out of place in Canada. Here I am an outsider, but it is cool to be different. In Canada, I was just strange :-)

What is a JetSetCitizen?

We are all global citizens with the ability to work, live, travel and play anywhere we want. The jet-set lifestyle previously exclusive to the rich, is now inexpensively available to the masses. Anyone with an internet connection can set up a business for essentially free and work with clients around the world. We really do live in fantastic times.

Global problems and opportunities extend beyond national boundaries. I feel the idea of nation states have outlived their usefulness. I am a Canadian, living in Japan, with extensive family in Hungary. I have outsourced to workers in many countries around the world and I plan to begin a more nomadic lifestyle soon. What do I say when people ask, “where are you from?”

As a business owner, how has your experience been living in Japan so far?

Setting up a small business here is relatively easy and taxes are fairly lenient with numerous write-offs available. For smaller companies, Japan is a great country in which to do business. Many foreigners complain of the bureaucracy and hassles of living and working in Japan, but those problems are relatively minor in my opinion.

Things work differently here: you just have to learn the system and go with it. That same bureaucracy, in addition to the cash-based society also create the opportunities to creatively minimize your taxes. :-) The taxes I pay are a fraction of what I would have had to pay in Canada.

One of the biggest difficulties in setting up a life in Japan is renting apartments and office space. It is expensive because you typically have to pay 3 to 10 months rent as key money (gift money) and a deposit. Also, you generally need a Japanese guarantor to rent. This is definitely a country that favors business owners and landlords.  It is improving now, but it is much better to be on the receiving end of that money flow.

Japan is probably the most technologically-advanced country in the world, so you won’t have any problems with wi-fi access or mobile phone coverage. People are always connected here. If you are going to be here for a couple of years, there are on-going promotions for free net-book computers if you sign up with high speed wi-fi access.

If you are trying to sell your services to Japanese companies, it can be difficult to build the necessary relationships. Connections and introductions are hugely important. This is changing with younger companies, but Japan is still very much a big company culture.

If you expect to sell to Japanese companies, you will definitely have to be here for the long haul. It is unlikely that your first few months of dealings will generate any sales, but if you do manage to land accounts you can expect a long-term business relationship.

As a tourist, what’s been your best experience so far?

Japan has amazing festivals, many of which have been celebrated for centuries. A lot of these can be quite dangerous, but that adds to the excitement. I participated in a New Year’s festival in Sakurai, Nara where groups of runners take turns carrying a large bundle of wood burning at both ends on their shoulders. The event takes place at around 2:00am after everyone has had ample time to enjoy the Japanese pastime of alcohol consumption.

Running around on narrow paths in the mountains in the middle of the night, would be a liability nightmare to organize in most western countries but those types of festivals are the norm in Japan. We met at about 10:00 P.M. and drank and socialized for several hours before carrying the burning logs in pairs around to all the small shrines and altars on the mountain.

Experiences like this really are surreal and so visceral. There is something so primitive and inspiring at night, with fire and thousands of people around. Festivals in Japan are unlike anything I have experienced else where in the world.

Any other insider tips for things to do while in Japan? Is it easy to get in/out/around?

If you can, do your research and try to make it to at least a few of the festivals held all over Japan. My home prefecture of Nara has great events throughout the year, but visitors often miss out on these special occasions. There are some great light up events in August in Nara. New Year is also an amazing day for special events and ceremonies.

There are many must-see places in Japan, but here are some of my favorites:

• If you are a technology lover visit one of the electronics megastores. Every time I visit Osaka I always go to Yodobashi Camera. They have every, and I mean every electronic device available. Akihabara in Tokyo and DenDen Town in Osaka have a huge variety of electronics stores. They are worth walking through just to feel the excitement of the town.
  
• If you can, try to time your visit to see a sumo match. Seats are cheaper in the back, but early in the day you can move up to the front and watch the lower-ranked wrestlers up close.
  
• Everyone should visit the bomb dome and museum in Hiroshima just to remember the atrocities of war. It is a very humbling experience. Nagasaki is also a beautiful city and the bomb museum is even better, but it might be too far out of the way for most travelers.
  
• Japanese temples and shrines are also must see places. Todaiji in Nara is great. Kinkakuji in Kyoto is also very popular.
  
• If you have a Japanese guide, try to go to a traditional style Japanese restaurant with a multi-course meal. They can be very expensive but the attention to detail and quality is something you will never forget. The entire experience is a work of art – from the kimono of your servers to the way that they leave the private room you are eating in.
• Japan has the best quality of food in the world. From inexpensive street stalls to high end dining; everything is available with a variety and quality that make New York and Paris jealous. Make sure you try ramen in a few different cities – yakiniku, takoyaki, okonomiyaki – and of course some real sushi.
• Japan has the best transportation system in the world, bar none! Trains go everywhere and they are always on time, albeit a little pricey but definitely worth every yen. Most train maps and directions are in English – as are all the ticket machines – so it is not difficult to learn to navigate your way around. Announcements are in Japanese and English so you will always know when to get off or change trains. You shouldn’t have much trouble getting around.

For other LIPs considering a move to Japan, any words of wisdom or advice?

Japan is one of the most fantastic countries in the world. Setting up a business here is great because there are so many write-offs for small businesses. Regular tourist visas last for 90 days but a quick trip to a nearby country will allow you to come back for another 90 days.

For longer stays, consider teaching English. Teaching is a great way to work in the country legally and your employer will be instrumental in getting you set up with accommodation and everything else you need to function in the country. From that starting point, look into other avenues to extend your stay.

I love Japan and will always consider this country my home. I can’t over-emphasize the convenience, safety, culture and quality of food Japan has to offer. It is more expensive than other Asian countries, but still a bargain in my view.

Andy Hayes is professional travel writer & photographer. For more Location Independent locations, head over to his blog, Sharing Experiences.

We’re always looking for community members who want to be featured on the blog. Please do get in touch if you’d like to share your story or have a suggestion for an inspiring location independent destination.

Share This...

Hide Sites