Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@jalakoo
Last active November 17, 2025 23:48
Show Gist options
  • Select an option

  • Save jalakoo/44ba89b8f60fc97400c9750112e5ba7c to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Save jalakoo/44ba89b8f60fc97400c9750112e5ba7c to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
move2japan test json
{
"Moving to Japan from the US": {
"Phase 1: Before Moving (3-6 months before)": {
"Visa and Legal": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Determine the correct visa type and obtain Certificate of Eligibility (COE)",
"links": [
{
"title": "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan",
"image_url": "https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000061793.png",
"link_url": "https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html",
"tags": ["Visa", "Government/Official"]
},
{
"title": "Immigration Services Agency of Japan",
"image_url": "https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/910000042.png",
"link_url": "https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/procedures/16-1.html",
"tags": ["Visa", "Government/Official"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Gather and apostille required documents (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable)",
"links": [
{
"title": "U.S. Department of State - Apostille Requirements",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html",
"tags": ["Government/Official"]
},
{
"title": "Embassy of Japan in the USA",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa.html",
"tags": ["Visa", "Government/Official"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Apply for and receive visa at Japanese consulate",
"links": [
{
"title": "Embassy of Japan in the USA - Consulate Info",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/consulate_info.html",
"tags": ["Visa", "Government/Official"]
}
]
}
]
},
"Financial Planning": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Open international bank account and notify US banks of move",
"links": [
{
"title": "Wise (formerly TransferWise)",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://wise.com/",
"tags": ["Finance"]
},
{
"title": "Charles Schwab International",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.schwab.com/international",
"tags": ["Finance"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Research cost of living and prepare proof of financial stability",
"links": [
{
"title": "Numbeo - Cost of Living in Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Japan",
"tags": ["Planning"]
},
{
"title": "Expatistan - Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/japan",
"tags": ["Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Understand tax implications for US and Japan (consult tax professional)",
"links": [
{
"title": "IRS - US Citizens Abroad",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Finance"]
},
{
"title": "National Tax Agency of Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.nta.go.jp/english/taxes/index.htm",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Finance"]
}
]
}
]
},
"Logistics and Preparation": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Research housing options and understand Japanese rental system",
"links": [
{
"title": "Real Estate Japan - Guide to Renting",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.realestate.co.jp/en/living/guide-to-renting/",
"tags": ["Housing", "Planning"]
},
{
"title": "GaijinPot - Renting in Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://blog.gaijinpot.com/guide-renting-apartment-japan/",
"tags": ["Housing", "Culture", "Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Start learning Japanese basics and cultural customs",
"links": [
{
"title": "Duolingo - Learn Japanese",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.duolingo.com/course/ja/en/Learn-Japanese",
"tags": ["Digital", "Culture"]
},
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Culture & Etiquette",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2000.html",
"tags": ["Culture", "Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Arrange international shipping and book one-way flight",
"links": [
{
"title": "Freightos - Shipping Quotes",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.freightos.com/",
"tags": ["Logistics"]
},
{
"title": "Google Flights",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.google.com/flights",
"tags": ["Transport"]
}
]
}
]
}
},
"Phase 2: Upon Arrival (First 30 days)": {
"Legal Requirements": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Receive Residence Card at airport immigration and declare customs items",
"links": [
{
"title": "Immigration Services Agency - Residence Card",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.isa.go.jp/en/publications/materials/nyuukokukanri07_00020.html",
"tags": ["Visa", "Government/Official"]
},
{
"title": "Japan Customs",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/passenger.htm",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Logistics"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Register address at local ward office and get certificate of residence (within 14 days)",
"links": [
{
"title": "Immigration Services Agency - Address Registration",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.isa.go.jp/en/publications/materials/nyuukokukanri07_00015.html",
"tags": ["Government/Official"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Enroll in National Health Insurance and pension system",
"links": [
{
"title": "Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare - Health Insurance",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/social-welfare/02.html",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Health"]
},
{
"title": "Japan Pension Service",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/english/nationalpension/nationalpension.html",
"tags": ["Government/Official"]
}
]
}
]
},
"Essential Services": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Open Japanese bank account (requires residence card)",
"links": [
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Opening Bank Accounts",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2206.html",
"tags": ["Finance", "Culture", "Planning"]
},
{
"title": "The Japan Times - Bank Account Guide",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2019/08/03/language/opening-bank-account-japan/",
"tags": ["Finance", "News", "Culture"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Get Japanese phone number and apply for MyNumber card",
"links": [
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Mobile Phones",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2223.html",
"tags": ["Digital", "Culture", "Planning"]
},
{
"title": "My Number Card Official Site",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/en/",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Digital"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Set up utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet)",
"links": [
{
"title": "Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html",
"tags": ["Planning"]
},
{
"title": "Tokyo Gas",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.tokyogas.co.jp/en/",
"tags": ["Planning"]
}
]
}
]
},
"Transportation": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Get IC card for public transportation (Suica or Pasmo)",
"links": [
{
"title": "JR East - Suica Card",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html",
"tags": ["Transport"]
},
{
"title": "Pasmo Official Site",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/",
"tags": ["Transport"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Learn local transportation routes and consider commuter pass",
"links": [
{
"title": "Hyperdia - Route Planner",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.hyperdia.com/en/",
"tags": ["Transport"]
},
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Commuter Passes",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359.html",
"tags": ["Transport", "Culture", "Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Arrange airport transportation and find temporary accommodation",
"links": [
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Airport Access",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2027.html",
"tags": ["Transport", "Planning"]
},
{
"title": "Sakura House - Short-term Housing",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.sakura-house.com/",
"tags": ["Housing"]
}
]
}
]
}
},
"Phase 3: Long-term Success (First 6 months)": {
"Housing and Daily Life": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Find long-term apartment (may require guarantor service)",
"links": [
{
"title": "Real Estate Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.realestate.co.jp/en/",
"tags": ["Housing"]
},
{
"title": "GTN Corporation - Guarantor Services",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.gtncorporation.com/en/",
"tags": ["Housing", "Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Learn garbage separation rules and navigate daily shopping",
"links": [
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Garbage Separation",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2225.html",
"tags": ["Culture", "Planning"]
},
{
"title": "Japan Guide - Supermarkets & Convenience Stores",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2036.html",
"tags": ["Culture", "Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Find local doctors, dentists, and healthcare providers",
"links": [
{
"title": "Himawari - Tokyo Medical Information",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq13/qqport/tomintop/en/",
"tags": ["Health"]
},
{
"title": "Japan Medical Information Platform",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://jmip.jme.or.jp/index.php?lang=en",
"tags": ["Health"]
}
]
}
]
},
"Financial Integration": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Understand Japanese tax filing requirements (and US if applicable)",
"links": [
{
"title": "National Tax Agency of Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.nta.go.jp/english/taxes/index.htm",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Finance"]
},
{
"title": "IRS - International Taxpayers",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Finance"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Set up international money transfer services for US-Japan transfers",
"links": [
{
"title": "Wise - International Transfers",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://wise.com/",
"tags": ["Finance"]
},
{
"title": "XE Money Transfer",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.xe.com/",
"tags": ["Finance"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Build Japanese credit history and financial profile",
"links": [
{
"title": "GaijinPot - Credit Cards in Japan",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://blog.gaijinpot.com/credit-cards-in-japan/",
"tags": ["Finance", "Culture"]
}
]
}
]
},
"Community and Future": {
"tasks": [
{
"name": "Continue Japanese language study and cultural integration",
"links": [
{
"title": "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.jlpt.jp/e/",
"tags": ["Culture"]
},
{
"title": "italki - Language Learning Platform",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.italki.com/",
"tags": ["Culture"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Join community groups, expat networks, and language exchange",
"links": [
{
"title": "Meetup - Tokyo Events",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.meetup.com/cities/jp/tokyo/",
"tags": ["Social Media"]
},
{
"title": "InterNations - Tokyo Expats",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.internations.org/tokyo-expats",
"tags": ["Planning"]
}
]
},
{
"name": "Track visa renewal deadlines and consider permanent residency (if staying long-term)",
"links": [
{
"title": "Immigration Services Agency - Visa Renewals",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/procedures/index.html",
"tags": ["Visa", "Government/Official"]
},
{
"title": "Immigration Services Agency - Permanent Residency",
"image_url": "",
"link_url": "https://www.isa.go.jp/en/publications/materials/nyukan_nyukan51.html",
"tags": ["Government/Official", "Planning"]
}
]
}
]
}
}
}
}
Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment