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Covid-19 has sure been a bewildering and eye-opening event for the whole world. The present year, as a result of it, has been nothing short of a surprise. People have been confined to their homes and industries have been forced to shut down in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Some of the strongest economies were bought to their knees by the deadly Covid-19 virus. But gratefully, things are improving now, and the world is opening up slowly. Japan is also steadily recovering and the travel restrictions are uplifting gradually.

As of now, the government in Japan has allowed international travel for those people who own a business or residence visa. There have been talks in the media about opening the borders of Japan for tourists before the spring season sets in. But, till then, for those of you who are planning on visiting Japan on business trips this year, here are some tips on what you can do while you are in Japan. Hope you have a great time!

What you shouldn’t miss if you are in Japan in December?

Winters in Japan are one of the best times to visit this nation. During the end of the year the widespread winter illuminations, the eagerness to welcome a new year, the first snowfall, and the start of the ski season set people in a great mood. The crisp air of the winters and the white-mountain tops popping against the azure backgrounds make the scenery of Japan even more picturesque. So, if you are someone who gets an opportunity to visit Japan during this season, then here is what you can do to make the most of your trip!

Winter illuminations
The winter illuminations in Japan, which take place during the month of December, increase the beauty of this place manifold. Donned in pretty lights, the grounds and stadiums in Japan look absolutely stunning in winters. This event is, without a doubt, the country’s one of the top attractions. So, if you get a chance to attend this event, you should definitely not miss the opportunity. These events are held all across Japan and you can visit either any of them or all of them as you please. They are generally held until after New Year’s.

Fireworks
Maybe the Japanese people have got something for lights! While they excel themselves every year with winter illuminations, they are also great at surprising the visitors with lit-up night skies. In December, Japan makes a lavish display of its fireworks. You can track most of these displays all over Tokyo. So, if you have a thing for fireworks, you can either attend the Shiodome Lights Display that runs from November to February or you can go to the Midtown Christmas Event nearby Roppongi station that begins on November 15.

Christmas celebrations

Since Christmas is primarily a western celebration it is not observed in Japan with as much zeal as it receives in the US or UK. However, one can still witness people greeting each other on Christmas eve. Most people in Japan put up the decorations and go on romantic dates, but gift exchange is not a priority among Japanese people. So, if you are expecting a Christmas turkey or maybe a Christmas cake, I will say you are setting your hopes too high.

Ramen Expo
For those of you who are self-proclaimed food lovers, we have a surprise, the Ramen Expo in Osaka. Every year in Japan, in Osaka this month-long event is organized. Held on every weekend of December, the expo brings together about 40 noodle vendors at one place. What is great is that they charge no admission fee to enter the premises. So, if you have a foodie in you, what more are you waiting for?!

Snowboarding
For those of you who love the adrenaline rush, here is another treat, which is snowboarding. Japan is one of the best locations to enjoy snow sports and snowboarding is one of the main attractions. Every year many foreigners visit Japan to especially enjoy snowboarding. You can find several world-class resorts in Hokkaido or Hakuba. Many resorts are accessible from Tokyo also.

Skiing 
Skiing is one of the favorite outdoor activities of people in Japan. While heavy snowfalls don’t arrive till late December, most of the skiing resorts are up and functioning by mid of December. Even if there is not much snowfall by then, you don’t have to worry because the resort staff compensates for it by using artificial snow. Now, you can’t let the weather ruin your fun, can you?! Plus, another advantage of visiting the skiing resort is the hot baths. Most of the skiing resorts
in Japan function as hot spring resorts as well. The ones that are not, generally, have a selection of onsen bathing spots nearby. After a long day of skiing, the hot bath relaxes your body and calms your mind. They are absolutely fun and something that no one should ever miss!

Chichibu night festival
Chichibu is a traditional night festival that is celebrated in Japan every year. Anyone who is interested in traveling to the Chichibu shrine that is located in Chichibu city, approximately 90 minutes away from Tokyo city can participate in this festival. The celebrations begin on 1 st December and last for 6 days. You can visit the Chichibu shrine any day during this period, but attending this parade that is organized with massive floats and fireworks on 3 rd December is greatly recommended.

Namahage Festivals

If you are in Japan and you would like to attend something that is unique and traditional, then the Namahage Festival will delight your spirit. This distinctive festival that is held in Oga City, Akita Prefecture on New Year’s eve is something that you would have never witnessed before if you have come to Japan for the first time. In this festival, you will come across performers dressed as Namahage, who is a demonic boogeyman in Japanese folklore, who will dance and glower to entertain the audience. You can also enjoy a little dance and some
good music to make the evening a fine experience. So, that is all about the events that you can enjoy if you are in Japan in December. Tip: Do check in with the organizers if you are planning on attending any of these events. Due to Covid-19, the schedules may have changed or the events may have certain restrictions.

What to eat if you are in Japan during winters?

If you are in Japan during the cold winters, then we will advise you to try the traditional food of Japan, to make the most of your experience. After all, how can you claim to know Japan, if you haven’t enjoyed its local food?
Now, on that note, tasting the local dishes of Japan, of course, means trying a variety of dishes. However, our personal recommendations are hot pot dishes. These are called Nabe in Japanese. They are prepared with multiple ingredients and are available in various kinds of flavors. Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu are the other two popular winter seasonal dishes of Japan that you can try.

Where to stay if you arrive in Japan during December?

Now, because of Covid-19, finding a place to stay in Japan is not easy. After all, all the travelers who arrive in Japan during these times have to undergo a 14-day long quarantine period, before which they are not even allowed to use public transport. But you don’t need to worry about that, because we at Borderless Houses have started a campaign to offer shelter to travelers free of charge during the quarantine period. Here is more about that campaign.
*Picture is BORDERLESS HOUSE OMOTESANDO1

2-weeks free stay
If you arriving in Japan and you need a place to stay during your quarantine period, then call us and forget all about your accommodation issues. At the borderless house, we are offering our customers a 14-day stay free of cost. Just contact us and make your reservations.

Airport pick-up service
Because until the quarantine period is over, the travelers are not allowed to use public transport, therefore, at our sharehouse, we are arranging transportation for our customers. All you need to do is to inform us about your plans and we will have your driver ready at the airport gate.

Support services
At our sharehouse, you will have our staff at your service who will explain to you all about using food delivery services. We will also inform you about the various apps that you can use in order to meet your daily necessities.

Fun activities
In order to ensure that you don’t get bored during your quarantine period, we have also organized virtual meets, language exchange programs, and online club activities with other flatmates. After all, we can’t let you die of boredom, can we?!

Conclusion

So, if you have your bags packed and your tickets booked for traveling to Japan, then call us at the Borderless House to arrange your stay. Have a happy and safe journey!

Traveling to any place in the current year has been really tough, especially when we are talking about international journeys. Most countries in the world are switching between coming out of lockdown and preparing for the second round of complete shutdown. The circumstances have been maddening, to say the least. Now, even after one year of battling with the Covid-19 virus, the end appears nowhere in sight. As a result, the common man is stuck between dealing with his fear of catching the deadly virus, and risking his business and finances if he decides to stay where he is. Japan has been no exception to such problems.

Like every other country, the people in Japan have also been bracing tough situations. The borders were sealed here in order to protect its population from Coronavirus. But with time and vigilance of people, the situation in Japan has changed for the better. The borders are now slowly being opened, and the flights to international destinations have begun to take off.

Presently, Japan has permitted business traveling from certain countries in Asia and Oceania. It has recently lowered the travel restrictions for Australia, China, Singapore, New Zealand, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, etc. Traveling, for tourists, however, is not allowed as of now, but there have been reports that the Japanese government is considering opening it in time for Olympics, that is before the spring season descends in Japan. So, if you are also preparing for traveling to Japan and would like to know about the quarantine norms and traveling restrictions here, then here is some information that you may find useful. Come, let’s plunge in!

What are the travel rules in Japan?

Like other countries, Japan also imposed restrictions on traveling to control the spread of Covid-19 in the country. However, on October 30, Japan relaxed its impositions and allowed people from certain countries to enter its border for business purposes. What this means is that, now, travelers from other countries can come to Japan if they have a business or residence visa.

According to news, Japan is also considering opening up the tourist industry and allowing people to come to Japan on a tourist visa. However, no official statement has been released by the government on this issue until now.

Are the Airlines back into action in Japan?

Since the travel restrictions are uplifting and domestic as well as international traveling is allowed now, therefore, airlines are more or less back in action in Japan. However, if you are planning a trip to Japan, we will recommend you to check Japan’s embassy page to get a better idea about which flights and airlines and functional there.

Is Japan out of lockdown?

With governments all over the world asking people to stay vigilant and reminding them that the danger is not over yet, there has been no certainty in any part of the globe. Many countries in the past months that were out of lockdown have witnessed another phrase of total shutdown following a hike in the number of reported cases. Japan is no exception to this bizarre scenario.

The government in Japan has taken a decentralized approach to deal with this instability. They have chosen to let the regional governors decide what is best for their region. Some people are not happy with this approach as they feel that the government in this way is not upholding its responsibility, but others are viewing the decision in a positive light. The highlight, as of now, in Japan, is the reopening of Tokyo where the most number of cases were detected. The region has been opened, however, with certain restrictions in place.

What are the safety measures in Japan?

In order to keep its people safe, Japan has followed the advice of WHO and opened its borders cautiously. Even when there are no restrictions regarding stepping out of the house in Japan, there are certain guidelines that people need to follow. Here are some safety measures that the people and institutions here have taken to control the spread of the virus.

• All the places where people gather like offices or supermarkets in Japan have installed hand sanitizers to promote people to sanitize frequently.
• Most restaurants, cafes, or bars where many people come and go have spaced out tables and put a cap over the number of people that can be present there at one time.
• Gyms and shops have followed the guidelines by medical clinics and are checking the temperature of all people who are entering their premises.
• Maintaining proper distance no matter where you are is mandatory.
• Wearing masks at all times whenever you step out of the house is compulsory for people.

• The stay arrangement

Usually, if you are looking for a place to stay in Japan during your quarantine period, any hotel will charge you about 70,000 to 1,00,000 yens, but now, at our borderless house, we are offering our customers the opportunity to reserve a room with us free of charge. What is even better is that by booking your quarantine stay with us, you won’t have to look for a place yourself. Thus, in this way, you will have one less thing to worry about.

• Pick up service

Another problem when you reach Japan is that here you won’t be allowed to use public transport, not even cabs from the airport until you have completed your 14 days long quarantine period. But by booking your room with us, you can say goodbye to this worry. It is so because once you have booked your reservation with us, your stay will be our responsibility, and getting you to reach your room will also be on us. As soon as you will land in Japan, we will arrange your ride and a driver will wait for you outside the airport to drop you at your quarantine destination.

• Various supports

Since after coming to Japan you will be living in quarantine, therefore, upon arriving here, arranging for the necessities can become a problem. Therefore, to help our quarantine residents at the borderless house, our staff will inform them about various food delivery services and other apps through which they can order necessities. In Japan, we also follow a systematic way of separating and throwing garbage, about which, our staff will let you know. In case, you have any other queries, you will have our people at your assistance to resolve your problems.

• Fun activities

Now, 14 days is a pretty long time. Staying alone during that time with nothing to do can drive anyone crazy. Therefore, at our borderless house, we have made arrangements to keep you entertained so that your quarantine period is fun and interesting. Upon booking your stay with us, we will get you in touch with future housemates before you come to the sharehouse so you can know them better. After you arrive, we will arrange for you online language classes to brush up on your Japanese, online sessions to meet other people who share similar interests as you, and online club activities to keep you engaged. At our borderless house, we are all set to make the time fly for you.

So, these are some benefits that you can avail of by booking your quarantine stay with us when you are in Japan.

What are the tips for safe travel in Japan?

Once you are free to travel to Japan, here are some safety tips that you must follow to avoid catching the virus.

• Make sure that every time you step outside of your residence in Japan, you carry your mask and a hand sanitizer. You can find these both in any supermarket or departmental store.
• If you want to keep as much distance as possible when you are traveling by train, consider using green cars.
• If you have to visit some popular destination, consider going there early in the morning or during the afternoon when they are about to close, to avoid the rush.

So, this is all about the travel restrictions which you should know about before visiting Japan. Safe travels!

Well, finding a new job at any place is always a dreadful experience. You are never sure of your qualifications and are always worried if you will fit the bill in the companies you have applied to. And if you are searching for a job in a new country altogether where you have not been born and bought up, this difficulty level shoots up many stories. It is so because, in a foreign place, you are not sure about the job market, you don’t know the rules and trends of being hired, and of course, no one could recommend you to some bigshot organization. 

In such circumstances, it becomes exceedingly tough not to feel scared. Finding work in a country where all the rules you have been accustomed to being thrown straight out of the window is an overwhelming experience. Thus, today we will discuss some essential work tips that you may find useful in bagging a job. So, if you are ready for the lessons, shall we begin? 

What are the requirements for working in Japan?

If you talk to people, especially those who belong to the educated class and come from over-populated or small countries, you will find that many of them have considered migrating to a new country at least once in their lives. The reasons could be numerous, like finding better work opportunities, the sake of a better lifestyle, exploring new places, etc. For such people, finding work before migrating to a new location or soon after making a move is of crucial importance to sustain themselves.  

Thus, to help people who have either moved to Japan or are considering moving to Tokyo to secure a job, here are some critical details. 

University Degree

Japan does not follow the same rules and regulations as the US or UK where immigration is concerned. Therefore, if you are considering moving to Japan shortly, then there are some specific immigration laws that you must be aware of. One such rule is that if you want to immigrate to Japan, then in order to get the regular work visa, you will need a University degree. Not the college, but the University degree getting which takes about four years in the US and three years in the UK. This is the law, and if you are serious about finding work in Tokyo, then you will have to adhere to this rule.  

Move to Japan

After talking to the hiring managers who are recruited at good companies, we gained some useful insight. In our chat about foreign job seekers, we discovered that according to the hiring managers, foreign candidates who are already in Japan have more chances of finding employment in Tokyo as compared to foreigners who are living outside of the country. It is so because a failed overseas hiring proves very costly to a company. When an organization employs a foreigner from outside of Japan, they will need to assist the employee in getting to Japan, finding a residence here, training him, etc. And after all, if the candidate does not fit the profile, then all the time and money spent on him will go to waste. 

Therefore, a more suitable option is to hire a foreigner who is already living in Japan. So, you can manage to find work in Tokyo by moving to Japan before you start looking for your dream job. You can initially sustain yourself by living in a sharehouse where you will be paying minimum rent and by getting hired as an English teacher. Then slowly and steadily, you can work towards finding a suitable job opportunity for you. If you are currently searching for jobs and career opportunities in Japan, feel free to check Jooble. 

Use a resume photo

Before applying for a job at any place in Tokyo, you should make some effort to familiarize yourself with the application format that the job candidates must adhere to. For instance, you should know that in Japan, the work norm requires the job applicant to send his photo along with his cover letter. That is what the HRs are used to seeing. It helps them in putting together your personality and skillset with your face. It aids them in making a decision. Therefore, if you are likely to approach a company for work, make sure to include a professional-looking headshot of you in your application. Doing so will make it difficult for the hiring manager to ignore your CV. 

Find an Internship

If you are not keen on working as an English teacher to sustain yourself in Japan for the initial months, you should probably find yourself an internship in Tokyo. Now some of you might be wondering how that would help. Well, the answer is that finding an internship will help you in building a network. In a foreign nation, where you have no one who knows you and can recommend you to an organization, gaining some experience and getting an opportunity to be mentored can be very useful. 

However, you should know that in Japan, the paid internships are more or less paid by the interns. The basic idea is that in an internship, you get a chance to work with a company for about eight months in exchange for a place to stay and a learning experience. So, maybe think hard before making your choice. 

Creating a network

Well, networking with the right people is the key to landing your first, second, third, and even the nth job in Japan. Knowing the right people can reduce your struggle, and it can help you attain your goals quite quickly. Now, one way of networking properly is to join a professional group in Tokyo. Living in a sharehouse where you will live with other native Japanese people can also help form friendships. You can maybe even participate in the after-work drinking culture in Japan. Going out to the bars with professional and industry groups will get you noticed and employed. 

Prepare for the interview

It is needless to say that all the networking and degrees won’t land you a job in Tokyo unless you leave a positive impression in the interview. Therefore, preparing for the interview is essential. Now how can you do this? Well, you can ready yourself for the hour by learning about the basic customs of Japan as well as by polishing off your Japanese. You can also try to talk to some people who are already in jobs to know about the general questions that are asked by the interviewer. This will boost your confidence and increase your chances of being hired. 

Now, living in a borderless house can help you in achieving this. By residing here, you will probably find yourself speaking in Japanese and learning Japanese customs. Your mates there can also help in preparing for the interview by sharing with you their interview experience. 

Polishing your language

Unless you are finding a job in the IT sector where the number of IT languages you know would matter more, I suggest you become proficient in the Japanese language. Or else you may find it difficult to get employed. But how much fluent do you need to be in your Japanese if you want to be hired? Well, in order to satisfy the hiring managers, you can write the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). All the companies in Tokyo use this standardized test to judge the language proficiency of a foreign candidate. You will need to pass level 2 of this test which comprises five levels where level 1 is considered the toughest. 

Boards and cover letters

When applying for a job, most people go about applying everywhere because they feel that the more places they try, the better their chances of getting hired. But it is not valid. When applying for a position at a company, you must be clear about your goals. You should know if this is what you want, or else you are just going to make your resume and cover letter sound very generic, so it fits all, or you may even end up committing some silly mistake. 

Secondly, while writing your cover letter, you should not go overboard with ‘me.’ Remember, it is not what you will get out of this job that will interest the hiring manager but what you will bring to the table that will grab his attention. So, instead of rolling with what your dreams and aspirations are about your job, write about your skills and work experience to give an impression that you are a good match. 

If you’re not fluent in Japanese and still learning it, you can have a native Japanese translator translate your cover letter. Japanese has four alphabets: Hiragana, Kanji, Romaji, and Katakana. So for those just starting to learn Japanese, it can be a struggle to write a coherent cover letter that will get the attention of your employers. You might consider working with a specialist in professional Japanese translation to ensure that the translated document will be accurate and your meaning conveyed properly, as it is easy for the context of a message to go “lost in translation.” As mentioned, no one likes to read generic cover letters. You can write freely in your native language by translating your cover letter.

Conclusion

If you are in Tokyo looking for your dream job, then there are certain norms that we have talked about that you will have to follow. If you observe the advice we have compiled in this complete guide to finding employment in Japan, you will definitely land a job in Tokyo in no time! All the best!