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urbanrail · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 47

I was wondering if anyone who has experience in Japan could answer this question for me: How much money should I bring with me if I'm going to Japan with AEON? I have read the FAQs on this site and have seen ~500,000 yen quoted. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way I could afford to take that much with me. As far as I know with AEON the key money and deposits and so on are taken care of. Also, I would be going with a work visa in hand. Is it reasonable to assume I could survive until my first pay on about ~200,000 yen? I should say a few things about my habits: I don't go to clubs, I don't drink or smoke, I cook all of my meals at home, I spend most of my free time either reading or just going for walks, I don't spend money on shopping unless it's necessary, I hate taxis and rather love buses/subways (hence my handle) and I communicate with family and friends almost exclusively through email (which I could do at my training centre/school). Besides about ~40,000 yen for rent which is quoted on the AEON site, subsidized transportation costs and grocery costs (just some meat, vegetables, noodles and rice) is there really anything else I need money for? Thanks in advance for your replies.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

rent 40,000/month
groceries 30,000/month
utilities 15,000-20,000/month
phone setup 70,000 for new land line, less for used land line (don't know if AEON has already done this for you)
monthly phone charge 3500-5000 / month
insurance? 2500/month for national health insurance (don't know if you have another type)

Those are the bare basics. If you want a cell phone to accompany your home phone, you'll pay more. You'll also pay more if you want cable/satellite TV options.

I assume AEON pays for local transportation, but I don't know if they do this in advance, or if you get reimbursed.

And, do you know exactly when your first paycheck will come, and whether that will be a full salary check, or a reduced one because of being on a probationary training period?

And I wouldn't count on sending personal messages on email from work. You may not even have the time. So, add a bit more to set up an email account at home.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

20,000 yen will be enough. I believe AEON recommends about this amount as well. You won't live like a king, but you will be fine.

Your first months rent will come out of your first paycheck. AEON's payday is on the 25th of each month and deposited directly into your bank account. You are paid for anytime worked up until two weeks of this date. Obviously the first paycheck will be small because you will likely have only worked one or two weeks of the pay period when the first check comes. The initial one week training is fully paid. And you will also receive return of the deposit you give at the end of the training period.

Refunds of transportation expenses are instantaneous. Just present the receipt to the school and they will pay you cash back right on the spot. Usually AEON will make the initual transportation arrangements for newbies, so there won't be any need to worry about a refund.

The first week of training is very hectic, so you won't have much time to spend money for anything other than food. At the end of the training the trainers will put you on a train to your new school at company expense. You will be picked up at the train station by staff from your new school. They will then put you in a hotel for about 5 days at company expense while the previous teacher finishes his/her contract and moves out of the apartment you will be moving into. The apartment will be furnished, but you'll have to put money into buying things like towels and bathroom products and of course food.

You will probably be invited out a lot by your new students. Depending on the generosity of your students these nights out could be free of expensive.

Try to budget so that you have at least 100,000 yen remaining from your current savings at the time you recieve you first partial paycheck and you will not find yourself in a pinch.

LA Galaxy · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 19 Location: Los Angeles

I came to JApan in 1999 with Westgate. I was so broke and in debt that I could only bring 500 bucks untill my first paycheck. I did bring a lot of products from back home like toothpaste, shampoo, alcohol, and even instant ramen. I brought 2 suitcases full of stuff. I feared Japan would be so expensive, but it actually wasn't untill I learned where to buy food. I spent 200 bucks the first week, one night one going to roppongi and also for paying for a taxi. Since you don't drink I reccomend bringing 750-1,000 just to be safe. I assume they have taken care of your accomodations, insurance, etc. Also make sure you brink a credit card. I don't advise coming to Japan with very little money how I did, especially if you like going out and drinking.