Welcome to our Incoming Nagasaki JETs!

We are so excited to have you join our community of JETs here in Nagasaki Prefecture. Nagasaki Prefecture is an area packed with unique local cuisines, abundant nature, and hundreds of islands to explore! To help you prepare for the move to Nagasaki and your new job, we have compiled a list of resources for you to review. Please check out the following Nagasaki-specific information before our Welcome Orientation on September 5th to ensure you have the best possible experience!

The first month in Japan can be quite hectic and busy, so make sure to take things slow and don’t be afraid to rely on the people around you. If you have any particular concern or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Nagasaki Prefectural Advisors (Nagasaki PAs).

Click the links to access the website pages. Scroll down for a list of things to check/ do before coming to Japan and some tips for studying Japanese. Also be sure to check out our Guide to Your First Day/Week/Month in Nagasaki to get an idea of what you will be doing when you first arrive.

Budgeting

Check out these two pages to learn about average start-up costs and average monthly costs of life in Nagasaki.

What to Wear

Check out this page to get an idea of what JETs in Nagasaki wear to work and where to shop for work clothes in Nagasaki, as well as precautions to take in summer.

Medical Info

Check out these pages for information on the Japanese medical system and medical access and care in Nagasaki.

Work Etiquette

Check out this guide to the work etiquette in Japanese schools. Good etiquette will help build good relationships with new coworkers!

Transportation

Are you planning on driving in Japan or just sticking to the public transportation? Check out our transportation and driving guides.

Housekeeping

The climate and pests in Nagasaki may be different from your home country. Read about proactive cleaning and pest control here.

Learning Japanese

We also highly recommend that you learn some Japanese while you are here in Japan. Japanese will help you communicate with coworkers and to make friendships outside of work. Check out the following page for information, advice, and resources for learning Japanese.

Important Things to Check Before Leaving

  • If you use services such as online banking that require 2 factor authentication, make sure you will still be able to access them in Japan, for example in the case that you receive verification text messages.  Many people keep their home sim card and use an eSim while in Japan. Once you are in Japan, you may be able to change these to your Japanese phone number. Consider that if your phone breaks or another unexpected situation occurs, it could become very difficult to access your accounts, so plan accordingly. 
  • Make sure you turn off any unneeded subscriptions or automatic bills or payments. Are you subscribed to something that isn’t available in Japan? You might want to cancel it. 
  • Check if there is anything that will be required for tax purposes in your home country while you are in Japan.
  • Make sure you bring ID documents that you may need in Japan (e.g. drivers license if you are going to use an IDP). Consider that you may need to verify your identity online for something in your home country, such as your bank or government services like tax. 
  • Make sure you get an IDP if you will need to drive in your placement (or want to be able to drive). 
  • If you plan to stay longer than a year, and want to exchange your home country’s drivers license for a Japanese one, please bring the required documents. Mainly, proof that you’ve lived for three consecutive months in the country of your drivers license issuance.
    • This could include: bills, tax documents, old driver’s licenses, school transcripts (if they have DATEs September 2025 vs Fall 2025), JET application (some COs will not release this so it’s a last resort), speeding tickets, official papers with DATES
    • Check out the Nagasaki JET Website for more info and examples: https://nagasakijet.com/driving/\

For more ideas of what to  bring with you to Japan, check the link below.

Bringing Money to Japan

Let’s go over some information regarding cash, cards, bank accounts, forex, and the like. It can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time traveling abroad, but with a bit of preparation, it should be smooth sailing.

Forex (Foreign Exchange)

  • You will likely get the best rate by exchanging your money at a bank in your home country, and then bringing the Japanese yen with you. 
  • You MAY have time during Tokyo Orientation to exchange money, but it might not be at the best rate, so don’t rely solely on this method.
  • You may also find it difficult to exchange money once you arrive at your placement, especially if it is in a rural or remote area. 

Bank accounts (Before you leave)

  • If you have access in your home country, many people create accounts such as Wise or Revolut. They also have card options. 
  • You may be able to transfer money to your Japanese bank account using WISE or Revolut. These usually require ID, and can be easier to use if you set them up in your home country prior to arrival in Japan. 

Bank accounts (Once you arrive)

  • When you arrive, your CO will most likely help you set up a bank account. This generally comes with a cash card, which allows you to use an ATM. You could ask them make a debit card or credit card, if it is an option. Japanese credit cards in particular can be difficult to get, especially if you have just arrived in Japan. Cash cards usually allow you withdraw cash from the bank ATMs and convenience stores. To make purchases, you will need a debit card or cash. Some debit cards can also be used for online purchases.
  • “International ATMs” such as those in convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson) can be used to access money if you have a Wise card, VISA or Mastercard card that allows withdrawals overseas. Please inform your bank beforehand. Many ATMs have daily cash limits even if you inform your bank.
It may be difficult to withdraw large sums of money once you get here. Make sure to prepare.

Looking for More?

Besides the content linked above, the Nagasaki JET Website is packed with information about tourism in Nagasaki, information about schools and teaching, and information about day-to-day life. If you want more information/ideas about teaching English and living in Nagasaki, take some time to look at our Past Conference Materials section for activity ideas, safety information, lifestyle guides and more.

If you’d like to get the drop on Nagasaki JET participant-run events and activities, make sure to follow the Nagasaki AJET Instagram account. You can use the following link or the QR code to navigate to the Nagasaki AJET Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/nagasaki_ajet?igsh=MXBzenZta2plend3MA==

For more information on Nagasaki AJET and their activities, check out the Nagasaki AJET page on this website.