How to Save Yourself from a Moving Nightmare 2
After feedback requesting more decluttering details, here are extra lessons learned from our move from Chicago to Japan.
Label Everything: Sort items into “Need,” “Might Need,” and “What’s the Point?” Setting aside essentials helps movers estimate costs accurately. Stick to 3-4 label types—too many just creates another mess.
Set Box Limits: My husband insisted on a power saw (!!) and cookbooks—despite online recipes and limited shelf space in Japan. We avoided arguments by assigning each person a set number of boxes for personal picks.
Start Early: Begin decluttering ASAP to maximize selling time. We sold our Chicago place and had to vacate by a deadline, leaving little time to sell—so plan ahead!
Check Storage: Know your new place’s capacity. Tokyo apartments rarely have garages or basements (unlike rural Japan, where storage matches US sizes). Measure before you pack.
Manage Emotions: Letting go of our huge Christmas tree and my husband’s beloved car was tough, but finding new owners eased the sadness—they’re in good hands now!
For the move itself, we recommend Japanese movers like Nihon Express or Yamato (links on our main page). They speak English, excel with import procedures, and assemble furniture like desks and shelves. (Ours couldn’t figure out our desk without instructions, but everything else was perfect—no breakage, no hassle.)
Bonus Tip: Built-in ovens aren’t common in Japan. We use a small electric oven on a shelf—fine for most meals, but too tiny for a turkey. Want a gas oven in your apartment? Check Yodobashi, Yamada Denki, or Kojima.
Decluttering for Japan takes effort, but these steps turn a moving nightmare into a fresh start !!