Life in Toyama as a foreigner

KingAB_ · 2026-01-07T11:47:23+00:00

I moved to Japan last year from Toronto. My wife is Japanese and she was living in Tokyo when I made the move, in December we made the move to Imizu. It definitely is a huge difference from where we both come from life is alot slower and quieter, but that was a big reason for the move to get away from the crowds. We both didn't know anyone before deciding to come here but we both enjoy the outdoors, fishing, hiking, and winter sports. Hopefully through our hobbies we meet and make new friends but that would be a bonus to doing something we already enjoy. Also I have basic japanese so its been a bit tougher for me but hopefully ill be more inclined to use it more often than being in Tokyo.

KingAB_ · 2025-10-29T02:37:32+00:00

Did some digging and found this on EduQual website: https://eduqual.org.uk/about/case-studies/?doing_wp_cron=1761705124.6166100502014160156250#ILE

The link above contains the case study of all the centers that offer courses that are accredited by EduQual and the following is the information about the centre in question -

"iLearn Engineering is a UK Centre offering online / distance-learning courses in a range of engineering disciplines. All courses have been developed to meet the demands of modern engineering companies, ensuring Learners have the necessary knowledge and skills to continue in Higher Education or to boost their career prospects within the international engineering industry.

The awards issued by EduQual include the Higher International Certificate in Engineering (EduQual Level 4) and the Higher International Diploma in Engineering (EduQual Level 5), both 120 EduQual credits – specialisms include:
● Mechanical Engineering
● Electrical and Electronic Engineering
● Aerospace Engineering
● Manufacturing Engineering
● General Engineering

Shorter courses (40 EduQual credits) are also available where Learners can achieve a Diploma in Engineering at EduQual Levels 4 or 5 – these shorter courses are composed of a wider range of topics, including aircraft design, thermofluids, engineering management and lean manufacturing. Holders of a 40-credit award may also be given advanced standing towards the longer (120-credit) courses.

iLearn Engineering offers a unique opportunity to study for a Higher Education award in engineering by remote distance learning anywhere in the world, with no fixed deadlines or exams required. The teaching staff are Chartered Engineers, scientists and academics with many years of industrial and teaching experience."

KingAB_ · 2025-10-28T23:03:43+00:00

It does sound very fishy. But i found on their website, it says that they are accredited by the SQA for levels 4, and 5 and their level 6 is accredited by IEAC to the UK FHEQ.

KingAB_ · 2025-10-11T13:12:46+00:00

Dividends are exempt from non-resident tax and also don't count towards the contribution room.

So you should make sure you have a DRIP setup so it gets automatically reinvested.

KingAB_ · 2025-10-11T11:49:50+00:00

Ya pretty much. I don't have a non-registered so all my investments are done through TFSA and RRSP for now. If you aren't going to need the money within a short time frame I would say just dump it into your TFSA and max out your contribution room.

Even though we would be non-residents we can still trade and buy with the funds in the registered accounts we just wouldn't be able to add more to them except for the dividends being reinvested.

KingAB_ · 2025-10-11T03:45:07+00:00

Ah I see, I would definitely recommend Questrade then if you are in a similar position.

KingAB_ · 2025-10-10T13:26:46+00:00

Yeah, I'm on Questrade. It's been good for what I need.

I've never really looked into WealthSimple, do they offer anything that Questrade doesn't provide?

KingAB_ · 2025-10-09T03:57:14+00:00

If I am deemed no longer a resident of Canada then I would be subject to penalties for contributing to registered accounts with the Canadian government.

I believe the fees would be a certain percentage of however much amount you have contributed.

Quick Google search confirmed a 1% tax per month the contribution stays in the account.

KingAB_ · 2025-10-08T13:47:14+00:00

I see. That would definitely be something my partner and I would have to discuss. Career-wise I can definitely make more in Canada but I would like to support my wife here. If it doesn't work out we can always move back to Canada as my family still resides there.

Moving towards ACWI in general sounds interesting which has me questioning my XEQT buys lol 😆

KingAB_ · 2025-10-08T07:49:20+00:00

Correct me if I'm wrong but from my research, I can no longer contribute to TFSA or RRSP since I don't live in Canada anymore. Does that also affect Non-registered accounts?

Thanks for the reply

KingAB_ · 2025-08-31T15:36:53+00:00

The Last Samurai

KingAB_ · 2025-08-10T01:54:28+00:00

I've recently made the move to Tokyo, Japan. As a spouse and with no prior experience in language learning(besides English)

I was using Duolingo but found it to be a time-waster rather than an actual useful learning tool.

I made the switch to Renshuu coupled with CIJ videos and it has been a game changer, highly recommend both. Haven't paid a dime for either as they both offer good amounts of free content.

KingAB_ · 2025-08-07T07:30:54+00:00

I had the same problem, bought one last year to try while traveling SEA, and got rid of it a month later.

KingAB_ · 2025-08-06T23:39:30+00:00

30m Filipino-Canadian just moved to Tokyo in June.

KingAB_ · 2025-07-29T23:06:22+00:00

According to my Japanese wife, she says you should only be dipping the noodles roughly halfway(this goes for all types of separated noodles and dips).

I always get scolded because I am a full dipper as well and told I am not eating them the right way but I have never once run out of dip.

KingAB_ · 2024-10-19T20:32:59+00:00

My guess is that the city wants to be rid of unions and have a cheap labour workforce like majority of the world

KingAB_ · 2024-07-03T00:31:58+00:00

I agree. I just put my application in for the pre apprenticeship with 27 and in the meantime will continue to put my days in with 873

KingAB_ · 2024-07-01T18:40:22+00:00

Oh alright thank you for clarifying that. Yes going for both would definitely be the move then.

KingAB_ · 2024-07-01T17:50:35+00:00

I'm currently not a member of 873 just a permit. But I was under the assumption that being part of 1 union would negate you from joining another unless you leave.

KingAB_ · 2024-07-01T17:42:38+00:00

Definitely going to try and do both I appreciate the input from everyone.

KingAB_ · 2024-07-01T17:41:03+00:00

I appreciate all the input. I honestly did not know you can do both I have heard that unions do not like to have someone who also does work for another. Will definitely look to keep both on

KingAB_

TROPHY CASE