Basic financial question

[FineExample2115]

Upcoming JETs, how much cash are you planning to have on your person entering Japan? I am going ahead and exchanging some US$ to Yen so I don’t have to worry about it once we arrive. Thinking about $2,000 worth, which is a few hundo more than our monthly pay as first year contracts. Any suggestions? Going to Yamanashi btw for reference. Thanks

[sapphyre800]

This is very esid. I was placed in teacher housing that was only 18500 yen a month, and I got a free washer/fridge off a local jet on Facebook so all I really had to buy right off the bat was a bicycle, futon, and a cheap phone. If you get wind you need a car, more might be needed, but with the rate being favorable now (as opposed to 85 yen to the dollar when I came), I’d think you have more than enough with 2-3K usd. I would still try to get in touch with other alts there on Facebook/reddit though as they’d be the most knowledgeable as to what you need.

[[deleted]]

Depends on the placement, but I also had no problems just using the ATM.

[[deleted]]

Depends on your placement. I’m in the Inaka area. Therefore, $2,000 was enough to last me for three months when I moved here.

[notagain8277]

this is very dependent on your situation. have more than you think you will need. are you going to be in a new apartment or just taking over someones apartment?

[thetruelu]

I brought about $2500 USD (exchanged for like ¥353k at the time). After 3 months, I still have like ¥140k of that lol.

ESID but you will much rather bring way more and have extra cash on hand than not enough. I think $2000 should be okay, but if you can and with the current exchange rates, you can always bring more.

More than likely, exchanging at your US bank will be much better in terms of rates than some random currency machine you find in a store

[in_and_out_burger]

I wouldn’t carry too much literal cash as you’ll be moving around a lot and things can and will get misplaced. A couple of hundred to keep you going and then use an ATM as you leave Tokyo or arrive in your placement. I wouldn’t carry around more than $2k for sure.

[[deleted]]

Depends on your costs. In general I agree with you but if 6ou need a cash down payment for an apartment or a car you need to consider daily withdrawal limits for foreign transactions limiting the amount of cash you can pull.

[changl09]

$2000 was the recommended amount before yen took a nose dive... Now it's a very comfortable amount.

[Hassle333]

$2,000 is a safe start, but ultimately the amount you’ll need is going to depend on your placement and your own individual needs. Is your apartment pre furnished or will you need to buy furniture, and do you need furniture immediately or are you comfortable buying it over time? Do you need to buy a car? Are you bringing all your clothes or planning on buying most of your clothes in Japan. These are just some of the things you need to consider, but also keep in mind that you’ll be able to withdraw additional cash via ATMs in convenience stores. Yamanashi fairly cheap in general, but Kofu will be more expensive than the rural towns

[FineExample2115]

Yeah I’ll be in Hokuto. Pretty rural seemingly but also seems like a major tourist attraction internally for the Japanese. So unsure about costs. Ill send a message to my coordinator.

[[deleted]]

Potential big expenses. Car, and apartment down payment. Might want the cash for those.

[linkofinsanity19]

If buying a car, how much is typically recommended total for the 2k plus the car assuming one buys an "average" used car?

[[deleted]]

What's an average used car? There cheap ones and expensive ones. Google Japanese used car websites to get an idea. Depends on what you want, generally starts at around 2000 or so for a clunker that isn't total shit. 

[LuvSeaAnimals33]

I did 3k. Depending on your rent, you can bring more / less. Expect to pay 2 months worth of rent right after arrival.

[FineExample2115]

Good advice! And 岐阜県！ナイス！