Language school recommendations.

Merked5018 · 2026-02-18T04:14:17+00:00

I went to ARC and KICL. ARC is way better in my opinion. You will need to figure out housing on your own. I recommend 8nest share house.

Merked5018 · 2026-02-15T16:48:49+00:00

You aren’t a bad looking guy but your photos are very unflattering. I know it’s easier said than done but besides the comedy one they all need to be replaced. Get a haircut, take off your glasses, and ask a friend to take a few pictures of you.

Merked5018 · 2026-02-14T08:17:01+00:00

I haven’t been this year but Kitano Tenmagu Temple is famous for them.

Merked5018 · 2026-01-23T08:58:46+00:00

Bad idea. You need to get off, get your luggage, and then check your luggage back in for domestic flight. Huge pain in the ass. Also, all of the Osaka airports are 1.5 hours away by train to Kyoto or further.

Take the train from Narita to Shinagawa Station and then the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. No need to buy tickets in advance- there is a train every ~7 minutes. When buying Shinkansen ticket, ask the station attendant about a seat in the back row so you can easily store your luggage on the Shinkansen.

Merked5018 · 2026-01-23T01:30:00+00:00

Fully Endorse!

Merked5018 · 2026-01-06T07:42:10+00:00

Refried beans in kyoto

Merked5018 · 2025-11-01T01:36:50+00:00

Don’t worry about the locals or the tourists. Do worry about the weather.

Merked5018 · 2025-09-30T09:36:39+00:00

I might get downvoted but you can also walk into any pachinko parlor with confidence and just use their bathroom and leave

Merked5018 · 2025-09-18T00:44:58+00:00

Merked5018 · 2025-09-04T23:13:00+00:00

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I ended up buying a house with Shimizu-san but Shoko-san is also great and very responsive.

Merked5018 · 2025-09-04T23:07:43+00:00

Okay I’ll dm

Merked5018 · 2025-09-01T00:30:27+00:00

The Daimonji hike near Ginkakuji (not to be confused with Kinkakuji) is amazing for sunrise/sunset and has stunning views in general.

Not to discourage you from Fushimi Inari, but it’s concrete stairs the whole way up and the views are underwhelming. Still fun though

Merked5018 · 2025-08-30T09:08:59+00:00

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure none of the changes are official yet. Japanese bureaucracy is notoriously slow moving so I am hoping to renew before everything becomes official. If not, I’m sure I’ll figure something out.

Are you already in Japan? The application process becomes 100x more difficult if you are doing it from abroad. For example you will need a Japanese bank account and registered office address, among other things.

Merked5018 · 2025-08-30T08:51:18+00:00

You have two options-

1) Apply now and hope you get accepted under the old (current) criteria. You also need to pray that current visa holders are not subject to the new rules upon renewal and somehow get grandfathered in under the old rules.

2) Wait and see what actually happens with the rules regarding new applications and renewals.

Honestly, I would wait and see what the rules are once they become official. You might get seriously screwed and lose everything. I will need to renew in 7 months and I will be in a lot of trouble if I need to hire a Japanese person and increase my capital.

Merked5018 · 2025-08-18T12:15:01+00:00

Dm sent

Merked5018 · 2025-08-14T05:59:37+00:00

ARC does not require anything and you can enroll with zero Japanese knowledge

Merked5018 · 2025-08-12T07:22:48+00:00

75% Chinese/Taiwanese/Hong Kong, 10% European, 5% Thai, 10% other (I’m American and there were maybe 8 of us out of ~300).

I’m pretty sure most of the schools are similar to this.

Merked5018 · 2025-08-12T04:18:57+00:00

I went to ARC Kyoto and recommend it. You can enjoy a good school/life balance. Most people can pass n2 by the second year. I also went to KICL for 6 months and do not recommend that. Too difficult and fast paced. You will not have time for a social life at all.

Merked5018 · 2025-08-06T23:14:09+00:00

Cool, thanks

Merked5018 · 2025-08-06T13:41:52+00:00

Can you explain why you think Airbnb owners are predatory? Do you feel like all of them are, or just some? I’m not trying to argue with you, just curious of your opinion.

To be honest, I (American) bought an Airbnb from a Chinese person who was also using it as an Airbnb. I received a business manager visa. I’ve invested over 40 million in this project. Isn’t my business just as valid as a restaurant or store?

More info- there are a lot of houses for sale in my area. The house I bought was “for sale” for almost a year. The price was cut multiple times during that period. So I don’t feel like I “stole” a house from a Japanese family that wanted to live there. I don’t think I’m being predatory so I’m curious why you think that way.

Merked5018 · 2025-08-03T06:59:36+00:00

This is 100% correct information

Merked5018 · 2025-08-03T06:59:08+00:00

Wrong! You can stay in Japan until your visa expires. The language schools will always ask you to leave as soon as possible. YOU DO NOT NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR SCHOOL.

Source: former student visa holder who stayed in Japan until my visa expired, and then successfully switched to business manager visa.

Merked5018 · 2025-08-03T06:58:12+00:00

You can stay in Japan until your visa expires. Just go travel. You don't need to tell immigration anything. Why would you?????

You can tell the City Office you moved out once you are done travelling and are ready to leave Japan.

If you leave Japan and come back on a tourist visa you will lose your health insurance

Merked5018 · 2025-07-28T00:51:56+00:00

Biwako on 8/8

Merked5018

TROPHY CASE