Retire Well in Japan: Visas, Living Options, and Senior Care
If it’s time to retire, you’ve likely weathered every kind of storm—mistakes, sleepless nights, illness, loss, empty nests... maybe even a beloved dog who saw you through it all. First of all—congratulations. Retirement is not just a pause; it’s a powerful milestone that reflects your persistence and wisdom.
Staying where you are—same town, same routine—can feel safe. Hover time, it might also start to feel a little too quiet. Without fresh experiences or new perspectives, it’s easy to feel like life has settled into autopilot. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Expanding your boundaries— even temporarily— can reignite that sense of excitement and remind you that you're still very much alive.
Japan offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, quiet beauty, excellent healthcare, and a surprisingly affordable lifestyle. Whether you're drawn by cultural curiosity, serenity, or just ready for a change, this blog lays out the practical considerations for retiring in Japan.
Summary
Immigration Options
Where to Live
Weather & Natural Disasters
Senior Care System
1. Immigration: How Can You Stay? (As of April 20, 2025)
Japan doesn’t offer a dedicated “retirement visa,” but a range of non-work visas can pave the way for retirees, from short visits to permanent stays. For a detailed guide, grab the free Non-Work related Visa List from our Freebie Shelf, translated from the Ministry of Justice
Below are the key options, each a stepping stone to your Japan retirement dream.
🇯🇵 Highlight: Designated Activities No. 40 – Long-Term Tourism/Respite Stay (Up to 1 Year)
Requirements:
Age 18+
Minimum ¥30 million in savings (couples can combine assets)
No paid employment or business activities
Only available to citizens of certain countries (see Freebie Sheet)
✅ Why it’s great: A year-long trial without permanent relocation or tax headaches. Scout cities like Sapporo or Okinawa before committing.
🚀 Start-up Visa (New in 2025!)
If you’re retired but want to use your skills and stay active, Japan’s new nationwide start-up visa lets you stay up to 2 years while launching a business with local government support.
Eligible sectors include:
Finance
Healthcare
Green Energy
Retail
Culture & Arts
Short-Term Stay (Up to 90 Days): Perfect for scouting cities. U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free entry for tourism, family visits, or short workshops, staying up to 90 days (VWP: Visa Waiver Program). Others need this visa, valid for 3 months from issuance—apply 1-2 months before travel to avoid expiration (e.g., enter by August 1 for a May 1 visa). It’s a low-commitment way to test Japan’s vibe before a longer move.
Cultural Activities (Up to 3 Years): Ideal for retirees passionate about Japanese culture, this visa supports unpaid academic or artistic pursuits, like studying tea ceremony or calligraphy under a master. Periods range from 3 months to 3 years. Don’t overlook this as a starting point—it can open doors to longer stays with the right planning.
Training (Up to 1 Year): This visa lets you acquire skills through public or private institutions, such as traditional crafts or martial arts (e.g., kendo training). With periods of 3 months to 1 year, it’s a unique entry for retirees wanting to learn and network, potentially leading to other visa paths.
Long-Term Resident (Up to 5 Years): Flexible for military retirees post-SOFA or those with special ties (e.g., third-generation Japanese descendants), this visa offers 6 months to 5 years. It’s a bridge to permanent residency.
Spouse or Child of Japanese National (Up to 5 Years): For retirees married to Japanese citizens, this visa starts at 1 year, then extends to 3 or 5 years with stable finances, taxes, and marriage.
Permanent Resident (Indefinite): The ultimate goal for long-term retirees, offering unrestricted living and work. It’s achievable after years in Japan (typically 10, or 5 with a spouse visa),
⚠️ Immigration can be tricky. We used IMS Visa Support (https://imsvisa.support/en) and had a great experience. No affiliation, just genuine recommendation. They are Japanese company however, the staff has English capability.
2. Where to Live: Urban convenience or Peaceful Countryside?
Choosing a home in Japan depends on your lifestyle, budget, and language skills. A Japanese spouse or fluency opens endless options, but even without, you can thrive. My husband and I picked Kanagawa for its balance of urban access and calm. Here’s how we chose, plus pros and cons of key areas.
Our Kanagawa/Kamakura Story:
We prioritized:
Proximity to Tokyo for business (~1 hour)
Hospital and grocery access
Historical charm and greenery
Away from tsunami zones
Foreigner-friendly
Affordable apartment (25 years old, so we fully renovated. Secure, with no building or courtyard maintenance required.)
Over 3.5 years later:
Neighbors embraced us (we followed garbage rules, train our dog Jager smile to neighbors, and participated community fire drill).
Our full-time apartment manager keeps the building spotless.
Hospital and grocery proximity is a lifesaver.
Streaming keeps us connected to U.S. news & shows
Stable internet (SoftBank -> NTT -> KDDI)
Made friends—both locals and fellow foreigners
Trade-off: Our 3LDK is cozy (less cleaning!) but older. We avoided “house poor” by prioritizing location.
Big Cities (Tokyo 23 wards, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo)
Pros:
English-speaking services (clinics, real-estates)
Top-tier hospitals (bring digital medical records—CD-ROMs don’t work, per our cardiovascular doc’s struggle).
Public transport + entertainment
Active expat communities
Cons:
Costly housing. i.e. rent (¥150,000–¥200,000 for 1LDK)
Crowded transport and small spaces (~95 sqm average).
Suburban Cities (Kanagawa/Yokohama, Chiba/Kashiwa, Saitama/Omiya)
Pros:
Cheaper housing. i.e. rents (~¥80,000–¥120,000 for 2LDK).
Quieter but near cities (e.g., Yokohama to Tokyo, 30 mins).
Cons:
Less English support than Tokyo.
Dense in some areas
Countryside (Nagano/Karuizawa, Hokkaido/Furano, Oita/Yufuin)
Pros:
Lower cost of living: i.e. rents (2LDK: ¥50,000–¥80,000)
Spacious homes with gardens, ideal for nature lovers
Beautiful nature, quiet night, fresh air, local food
Cons:
Few English speakers
Driving is often essential
Conservative communities (varies by person).
💡 Real Estate Tip: Consider an Akiya (vacant home)
Akiya Tip: Vacant homes (¥1–5M) are budget-friendly but may need ¥10–20M in renovations. Check post-1981 seismic codes. Some retirees rent akiya as Airbnbs for income.
🧰 Resources:
My Recommendation: Nagano/Karuizawa (My home town area)
45 min to Tokyo by bullet train
Foreign-friendly & gorgeous
Nearby hospital (Saku Medical Center)
Ideal for golfers, hikers, and peace-seekers
Cold winters, active volcano nearby (Mt. Asama)
Alternative: Sakudaira (next stop, flatter and safer!)
3. Weather & Natural Disasters: Know What You’re Signing Up For
Temperature:
Hokkaido: Like Chicago—long, snowy winters, gorgeous summers. Great for snow lovers, tough for Florida fans.
Okinawa: Tropical, warm year-round, but typhoon-prone.
Mainland: Manageable for most.
Typhoons:
Typhoons (July–October) hit Kyushu and Okinawa hardest, causing landslides and floods. Mainland typhoons weaken but still bring heavy rain (e.g., Typhoon Hagibis 2019). Choose homes away from rivers and mountains to avoid floods or slides.
Earthquakes:
Japan is famous for earthquakes with a 70-80% chance of a Nankai Trough megaquake in 30 years. Live in post-1981 buildings (Seismic building codes enforced after 1981) and check municipal hazard maps (https://disaster-report.com/) for evacuation sites. Avoid dense areas where fire trucks can’t navigate and stay inland to dodge tsunamis.
Safer Areas:
Hokkaido (Sapporo, Asahikawa): Low quake and typhoon risks, no tsunamis inland.
Tottori & Shimane: Minimal quakes, rare tsunamis on Sea of Japan coast.
Inland Gunma (Maebashi): Lighter quakes, no tsunami risk, near Yokota for military retirees
🧯 Pro Tips:
Stock a “Go Bag” (3-5 days’ food, water, first-aid kit, portable toilet) from stores like Don Quijote or home center
Know your evacuation zone (usually a nearby public school)
4. Senior Care in Japan: Surprisingly Good (With One Caveat - language)
The good news: Japan has one of the best senior care systems in the world—backed by mandatory Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) for residents aged 40+. Once you obtain a residence card, you're eligible for both the national health insurance and LTCI. Keep in mind, LTCI premiums are lifelong contributions. i.e. My retired American friend pays approx $30/month for LTCI. (Vary based on income)
Covered Services:
In-home caregivers
Nurse and doctor home visits
Walkers, Wheelchairs, adjustable beds, and walking aids
Assigned care manager
Municipalities assess your needs, ranking you on a 7-level scale. Japan prioritizes in-home care, supporting single seniors with home-delivered meds and caregiver visits. Caregivers, including foreign hires via dedicated visas, are compassionate.
Monthly Cost Estimates:
In-home care: ¥100,000/month
Public facility: ¥100,000–¥200,000/month (no entry fee, long waitlists, possible shared rooms.)
Private facility: ¥150,000–¥300,000/month (plus possible ¥0–¥20 million initial fee) Luxury options available for higher budgets.
Compared to the U.S.(if not covered by insurance):
Assisted living: $4,000–$6,000/month/person; dementia care: $1,000+.
Nursing homes: $8,000–$10,000/month/person.
Total for a couple: ~$10,000/month at assisted living
U.S. public homes (if funds run out) offer minimal care.
Private LTC Insurance Premium: $200-$400+/month/person. (Can vary)
🇯🇵 In Japan, the care is more affordable—and dignified. The caveat is language
📘 Tip: Learn basic Japanese phrases or bring a bilingual advocate.
Wrap-Up: Retirement with a Twist
Retiring in Japan isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a chance to reimagine your lifestyle. With its safety, healthcare, rich culture, and deep respect for elders, Japan checks many boxes for a fulfilling second chapter.
No, it’s not always easy. There’s paperwork. New systems. A new language. But you’ve already overcome so much in life.
So if your heart is whispering, “Why not Japan?”—listen.
You’ve earned the freedom to live life your way. And Japan just might be the perfect backdrop for what comes next.
📎 Grab the free Non-Work related Visa List from Freebie Shelf. Happy planning!
💬 Got questions or want to share your story? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear from you!