Tokyo Study Abroad – Complete Preparation

1. Japan Student Visa – Quick Guide

2. Visa Checklist

3. Flight Booking Hacks

4. Best Airlines for Students

5. Document Checklist

Must-Carry Documents:

• Passport & Visa
• COE & Admission Letter
• University fee receipts
• Accommodation proof
• Vaccination certificates
• Insurance papers – Travel + Health
• Financial proof (Bank statements, Loan letters, Forex card)
• Photocopies & Digital copies (Google Drive/USB backup)
• Emergency Cash: ¥20,000–¥30,000 (~₹12,000–₹18,000)
• Forex Card / International Debit/Credit Card

6. Useful Apps for Students in Tokyo

Local & Transport Apps

Shopping & Food

Banking & Finance

Language & Daily Life

7. Must-Carry from India

Clothing

Shoes

Medicines

Electronics

Kitchen Essentials

Personal Care

Tokyo Study Abroad – Miscellaneous & Extras

Packing & Travel Essentials

• Backpack – daily use, campus & commuting.
• Cabin Bag – for weekend trips or short travels within Japan.
• Strong Suitcase – with lock & name tags, for checked luggage.
• Travel Pillow, Eye Mask, Ear Plugs – for long flights & trains.
• Stationery – pens, notebooks, files.
• Sewing Kit – needles, thread, buttons.
• Portable Umbrella – wind-resistant, compact.
• Small Gifts / Souvenirs from India – for Japanese friends / classmates.

Packing & Travel Tips

• Check airline baggage allowance before packing.
• Use vacuum bags to save space.
• Carry essential medicines in cabin luggage.
• Keep all luggage tagged with name & contact details.
• Keep digital copies of documents on Google Drive/USB.
• Carry a set of clothes in cabin bag in case main luggage is delayed.
• Buy heavy items like blankets, quilts, pans, or rice cookers in Japan (IKEA, Nitori, Muji, Don Quijote) instead of carrying from India.

Must-Carry from India – Kitchen Items (Lightweight & multipurpose)

• Pressure Cooker (3–5 L) – essential, expensive/difficult to find locally.
• Idli/Dhokla Stand – if frequently used; fits inside cooker.
• Chapati Roller & Board (Chakla Belan) – for making rotis.
• Spice Box (Masala Dabba) – with basic spices.
• Small Kadai / Fry Pan – for Indian cooking.
• Tava / Dosa Pan – medium-sized flat pan.
• Paneer Maker / Muslin Cloth – muslin cloth sufficient; strainer can substitute paneer mould.
• Stainless Steel Plates, Tumblers, Small Bowls – 1–2 sets.
• Reusable Lunch Box + Water Bottle – campus use.

Spices & Ingredients (small packs)

• Chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, sambar powder, rasam powder, cumin, mustard seeds, hing (hard to find).
• Ready mixes – Upma, Poha, Dosa, Pulao, etc.
• Pickles, dry chutney powders.
• Tea / Coffee powder.

Buy in Tokyo (Cheaper & Easy)

• Cutlery: forks, spoons, knives.
• Non-stick pots & pans.
• Cooking spoons, spatula, ladle.
• Strainer, chopping board, scissors.
• Microwave-safe dishes, oven-safe plates.
• Dish rack, cleaning supplies.

Quick Reference – Jobs & Internships in Tokyo (For Indian Students)

Tips for Indian Students in Tokyo:

• Legal work limit: 28 hrs/week (student visa) during term, full-time during vacations.
• English-demand roles: English teaching, tutoring, cafes, tourism.
• Always get written contract; avoid underpaid cash jobs.
• Networking (WhatsApp/Facebook/University portals) often leads to better opportunities.

Student SIM Card Comparison – Tokyo

Pro Student Tips:

• Cheapest long-term: Rakuten Mobile (cheap data + calls).
• Tourist-friendly: Prepaid IIJmio or b-mobile SIM.
• eSIM: AloSIM / Ubigi for instant activation without store visit.
• Always carry passport when buying SIM in-store.

Indian Grocery Stores / Online Options in Tokyo

Pro Tips:

• Order essentials online ahead for first week.
• Use local stores for daily needs.
• Compare prices across stores; some items cheaper online.

Things to Do Immediately After Arrival in Tokyo

Legal & University Formalities

• Validate Student Visa at Immigration office (if required).
• Register at University → student card, course schedule, Wi-Fi, library access.
• Apply for Japanese Health Insurance (National Health Insurance – NHI).
• Consider extra student insurance (optional).

Accommodation & Housing

• Sign rental contract; obtain house insurance (mandatory in Japan).
• Apply for student dorm / shared housing if university-provided.
• Set up electricity, gas, Internet for private apartments.

Banking & Finance

• Open a Japanese bank account (Mitsubishi UFJ, SMBC, Mizuho, or online NeoBanks).
• Set up Forex / transfer app (Wise, Revolut) for India ↔ Japan money transfers.
• Keep ¥20,000–30,000 cash for initial expenses.

Mobile & Connectivity

• Buy SIM card / eSIM.
• Install essential apps → Google Maps, Suica / PASMO, Line, Mercari, Uber Eats, convenience store apps.
• Get student Wi-Fi from university if available.

Transport & Mobility

• Get Suica / PASMO card for metro, trains, buses → student discount available in some cases.
• Look for JR Pass (if traveling intercity, e.g., Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka).
• Use JapanTaxi / Uber for short trips if necessary.

Shopping & Daily Essentials

• Buy cheap essentials at Don Quijote, Daiso, IKEA, Muji.
• Use Mercari / Facebook Marketplace → second-hand furniture, bikes, clothes.
• Stock Indian spices locally or online.

Jobs & Internships (English speakers)

• Check university career portal.
• Search part-time jobs on GaijinPot, Hello Work, LinkedIn.
• Network via WhatsApp/Facebook “Indians in Tokyo” groups.
• Legal work: 28 hrs/week during semester (~¥1,100–1,200/hr).

Community & Support

• Join Indian / international student groups.
• University clubs & societies → networking + cheap/free activities.
• Register at local Indian associations (ICWA Japan) for cultural events.

Study & University + Social & Community Apps

First Month Survival Planner – Tokyo (for Indian Students)

Week 1 – Essentials & Setup

• Validate Student Visa (if required).
• Register at University → student card, Wi-Fi, library, orientation.
• Buy SIM card (IIJmio / b-mobile / eSIM).
• Get Suica / PASMO transport card.
• Arrange temporary accommodation (Airbnb / dorm check-in).
• Buy groceries & basic cooking starter kit.

Week 2 – Banking & Housing

• Open Japanese bank account → needed for rent, stipend, payments.
• Set up house insurance (~¥3,000–5,000/year).
• Apply for student dorm / shared housing if not already done.
• Buy second-hand essentials → Mercari, Facebook Marketplace.
• Join student WhatsApp/Facebook groups.

Week 3 – Health & Daily Life

• Apply for Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI).
• Consider extra student insurance (optional).
• Register local GP (for easier reimbursements).
• Buy winter wear if needed → check second-hand stores & Decathlon.
• Explore food-saving apps →g., Retty, local bakery discounts.

Week 4 – Career & Settling In

• Start part-time job search → GaijinPot, CareerCross, Indeed Japan.
• Prepare Japanese-style CV & cover letter.
• Attend university career center workshops.
• Join clubs/societies → networking + social life.
• Set up bank transfers / Forex app (Wise, Revolut) for India ↔

Quick “Survival Musts” in First Month

• SIM card & Internet
• Transport card (Suica / PASMO)
• Japanese bank account
• Health Insurance (NHI)
• Housing contract & insurance
• Basic Indian spices & pressure cooker