How to Retire in Japan Without a Visa 🇯🇵

Comments · 175

• AW

  @AwayWithJoe · 2 weeks ago · pinned

  There's a lot of great discussion in the comments! The 90-day 'part-time' stay and business manager routes certainly come with trade-offs. For those planning life after work: would you prefer doing split-year stays (3 months at a time) or navigating the red tape for long-term residency? Let me know your plan below! 👇

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• BR

  @bryank7500 · 5 days ago

  I hadn't thought of the ways you brought up. I have been living here since 2000. And back then I already knew I wanted to retire here. So been paying all taxes for 26 years for both countries. Nenkin and Zenkin.

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• SA

  @SaVannaHBeamzDL · 9 days ago

  Hi, Joe! Brand new viewer and subscriber here!  Loved your presentation!  Very thoughtful, refreshingly candid, and balanced...all while being quite detailed and encouraging! So deeply appreciated!  As someone who grew up there as a US citizen (nearly 40 years ago) and have only been back a couple times (pre COVID), but am hoping to possibly work it into my blended country semi-retirement plan, my main challenge would just be the legalities and technicalities..since the language and cultural are second nature to me, and I've stayed connected to it in many ways.  Everything you shared here so rings true, and I'm delighted to find you! Will certainly be staying tuned!

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• TR

  @trafferz · 2 weeks ago

  Especially now, you better check the changing rules on renting out a property you own as an Airbnb. I think it now falls under the minshuku laws, there is a not short registration process making sure you property is set up right and you're then only allowed to rent it out at most 6 months of the year.

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• DO

  @Doberfitz · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  I came to this conclusion earlier this year, knowing I'll never "retire", Business Manager Visa - establish a Godo Kaisho as an M&A holding company for SMEs that have succession issues. A huge problem unique to Japan. Win for me, win for Japan. You can build it so it's self sustaining with little of your own time. Thousands upon thousands of SMEs are ready to sell for 1x annual net profit. You can buy profitable ramen shops for as little as $12k for example. I'll be aiming higher but that just shows what's possible.

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• YU

  @yutokiwa5532 · 2 weeks ago

  Generally speaking, the Japanese government does not seem to view businesses that rely on platforms like YouTube as bona fide enterprises. <br>This is because platforms like Google can alter their algorithms overnight—potentially causing a drastic drop in your channel&apos;s revenue—or even delete your channel entirely for various reasons. You would be powerless to stop it, receive no prior notice or opportunity for input, and have no control over the situation. Consequently, the government places greater value on businesses that avoid such uncertainties—such as those involving the creation and sale of tangible products.

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• SL

  @SlowLaneAsia · 12 days ago

  I prefer the 90-day &apos;part-time&apos; stay because that seems so difficult to do otherwise and I love traveling to other countries also.

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• MI

  @michaelparker3188 · 10 days ago (edited)

  Earthquakes and cold weather. 😮 good luck 👍. JAPAN First 😊😊😊

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• TE

  @tedlasalvia9668 · 11 days ago (edited)

  Hello Joe and greetings from San Diego, CA. &nbsp; Like you, I&apos;m going to retire in the coming year and I&apos;m well aware of the visa limitations in Japan. &nbsp;So if I&apos;m retired and I use the limited tourist visa, I know I can only stay a max of 180 days a year, no more than 90 days at a time. &nbsp;I can also apply for a multiple-entry visa that has the same total limitations but you can enter and exit multiple times. &nbsp;So I sit here watching your video while I&apos;m also searching for a second home in Japan! &nbsp;I&apos;ll sit back and enjoy your content while drinking my morning coffee. &nbsp;Best of luck with your channel!.<br><br>OK, there are a number of other issues I need to consider as a retiree including medical care. &nbsp;As you noted, there is a digital nomad visa. &nbsp;The obvious choice for me is that I&apos;m retired and every day is a slow travel vacation. &nbsp;I&apos;ve earned it. &nbsp;While I do plan on vlogging, it will be more about sharing and not necessarily making money as the key point of my retirement is that I won&apos;t need to work. &nbsp;That&apos;s the very definition of retired. &nbsp;So how does this fit with Japan? &nbsp;Actually very well given that once you are in SE Asia, it&apos;s very easy to travel between countries, especially those with excellent healthcare like Thailand and Kuala Lumpur. &nbsp;In addition, I can purchase a home in Japan (looking for my dream home now) and use that home for up to 180 days a year, which is exactly what I want to do to further my pursuit of Zen! &nbsp;Obviously, part of my learning journey will be to ensure that I don&apos;t run afoul of the various regulations and laws in those countries, but the learning process is the joy of life! &nbsp;I&apos;ve also read about cultural activities visa which have different terms but can go as long as 3 years and require a sponsor. &nbsp;There is that option! &nbsp;Ok, that enough for now, back to learning!

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• CA

  @Caerdenen1 · 2 weeks ago

  I was considering retiring in Okinawa because many of my friends there suggested it as a good place to retire to. &nbsp;Basically, I don&apos;t want to live in a large city like Tokyo, etc. If I were to retire or part time retire it would be in a small town (like locations in Okinawa). <br>But now I realize most of my friends are in Honshu - just outside Tokyo, Osaka, Chiba.. or Fukuoka. I have 3 retirement income sources (2 pensions and soon social security). And I have no plans to continue working unless as part time help for a friend somewhere.

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• MU

  @murrayobrien9192 · 2 weeks ago

  I have a Japanese spouse but I won&apos;t be bothered with a spouse visa. I will just use the visitor visa to stay there for three months at a time. Life here in Australia is good and I would never give that up. My wife has spent the majority of her working life here as well, so really becoming a Japanese tax resident would be very negative for us. Japan is nice , but it&apos;s not forever. I &nbsp;couldn&apos;t cope with paying tax in two countries....paying it in one hurts enough.

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• PO

  @popoymotmot · 7 days ago (edited)

  I’ll just do 90 day visa runs in japan, taiwan, italy and france. 1 year residency solved. 🎉

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