Moving to Kyoto guide
Moving is never an easy task. There are so many things to think about and so many to plan. Whether it is an international move or domestic moving, you will probably need a reliable moving company. Then there is paperwork to think about, whether you are moving alone or with your family, the need to find your new home etc. If you are moving to Kyoto, then this article is for you. Today, we discuss the most important things you need to know about this Japanese city.
Get to know the city before moving to Kyoto
One of the first things you will need to know when you are moving to Kyoto or moving to Japan is some specifics about the city and the country. Kyoto sits in the central part of Honshu, one of the islands in Japan. The population of the city is near 1.5 million people, which currently makes it 9th largest city in Japan. It is, however, a major part of Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metro region in Japan. The area is the second most-populated metro in Japan with around 20 million people living there.
Education in Kyoto
Kyoto is one of the centers of education in Japan. There are always 40 higher education institutions here. For example, the Kyoto University is considered one of the best in the region, and the second best in Japan, right after the University of Tokyo. And if you are interested in architecture and design, you should look no further than the Kyoto Institute of Technology. In Kyoto, you can also find Doshisha University and Ritsumeikan University.
Kyoto Transportation
The transportation in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metro area is similar as in Tokyo. There are both public and private highway and rail systems, as well as vast networks of buses, walking, and cycling areas, and aviation and shipping connections. There are six train lines and two subway lines, which head north-south and east-west. Most people use the train and subway system, even though the bus system is amazing (you can pretty much get anywhere you want by bus).
How to start moving to Kyoto
So now that you know about Kyoto a little better, you can start moving to Kyoto.
Paperwork for moving to Kyoto
The first thing you need to think about is the paperwork you will need for moving to Kyoto. There are four things you will need:
- A passport – a necessity for moving to Kyoto,
- A visa,
- A photograph and
- The Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
The first three documents on the list are obvious, and we will talk about it more here. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan gives a long list of activities and professions that can help you ease the process of obtaining your paperwork. These include getting a working, general, specified or diplomatic visa. If you are working in teaching, arts, journalism, medicine or research etc, it might be the best to get a working visa. General visas are usually for family members and college students, while specified extend to spouses of Japanese citizens or permanent residents.
Working in Kyoto
One of the most important things you will need when moving to Kyoto is financial support. If you didn’t get a visa by having your company sponsor you, then you will need to find a job as soon as you arrive in Kyoto. Otherwise, you can end up spending huge sums of money on living in a big city, which you do not want to do.
Finding a job in Japan can be hard. If you are not Japanese, it may be even harder since the employers might not trust you initially. There are, however, a couple of websites that can help you when searching for a job. Four of those websites are:
The important thing to remember is to be persistent and not to give up. Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metro area is huge and there will be something for you. Just make it a priority to find a job that will sustain you as soon as possible.
Living in Kyoto
Another thing you will need in Kyoto is a place to live. Depending on where you are coming from, some documents will require you to provide a place of living before you get them. However, we highly recommend you never look for a home online. You should be able to visit the apartments you are looking into. This is why, when moving to Kyoto, try staying with a friend or in a temporary home, like a hotel. From there, you can visit other places and find a home.
A moving company might be able to help you with this too. That’s why it’s very important to find a professional, reliable moving service, such as Kokusai Express Japan. You will need a moving company nevertheless, since moving by yourself can be really hard. Having professional workers can ease the stress levels as well as speed up the whole moving process.
Districts in Kyoto
There are five districts in Kyoto. Each one has unique things to see and do, and you should visit all of them before deciding to settle on one.
In Southern Higashiyama, you can go sightseeing. It has wonderful temples and beautiful lanes, and the biggest geisha district. Northern Higashiyama, on the other hand, is less crowded than the Southern Higashiyama but has just as many beautiful shrines and squares. Downtown Kyoto is the place where all the hotels, shops and restaurants are, and if you want to see the Imperial Palace, head to Central Kyoto. There are also Northwest Kyoto, Nishijin, Arashiyama, and Kyoto Station Area. They each have their own wonderful qualities and things to do and see.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a lot of things to see and do before moving to Kyoto. Informing yourself well about the city will help a lot. Moving to Japan takes time and patience, so being prepared can never hurt. Good luck!
