🏠 1. Choosing Accommodation in Japan
For new international students who are not familiar with Japan yet, the most recommended choice is student dormitory.
It doesn’t have to be the dorm provided by your language school—you can also apply for dorms run by foundations. For example, I lived in:
👉 Kyoritsu International Foundation Dormitory
Features:
- Single rooms available
- Meals included, plus Wi-Fi, electricity, and water
- Shared bathroom, laundry, and kitchen (important if you mind sharing)
- Daily cleaning service
- I lived there for two years (2018–2020), monthly rent was about 60,000 yen
Advantages of student dormitory:
- Easy to make new friends
- Plenty of activities
- Great for improving Japanese speaking skills
When my sister came in 2022, she didn’t stay in a dorm (partly because of limited spots during COVID, and also because I had already moved out for work). Instead, we shared an apartment, which made living cheaper and more convenient.
🎒 2. Luggage & Must-Bring Items for Japan
Honestly, you don’t need to bring too much. Just pack your daily essentials and some medicine you usually use. Most things can be bought in Japan.
When I first came in 2018, I brought 40KG of luggage. In the end, I only wore a few comfortable clothes—the rest I threw away.
Must-bring food list (highly recommended 😂):
- Indomie / Maggie noodles
- White Coffee, Milo
- Lot100 gummies (also good as small gifts)
- Chili sauce
- LIFE 40 BILLION BACTERIA POWDER (Shopee MY)
- GINSENG ROOT （Shopee MY）
👉 These were the foods I missed the most in Japan, and I always stock up when I return to Malaysia!
✈️ 3. Flight Tickets to Japan
- Choose any airline you like
- If you bring a lot of luggage → pick airlines with higher baggage allowance (MAS / JAL)
- If you travel light → I recommend Batik Air. It’s convenient, affordable, and the arrival time is perfect.
💳 4. Money & Bank Cards for Japan
- Bring enough cash, but you don’t need to exchange all into Japanese yen
- Bring a debit card or Wise card → you can withdraw money safely at convenience store ATMs in Japan with reasonable fees
- Don’t forget to enable overseas ATM withdrawal before leaving
- Make sure your card has your name printed on it (this is important, I’ll explain later)
✅ Summary: Preparing for Japan after SPM
The most important things before leaving for Japan:
- Secure your accommodation (dormitory or apartment)
- Pack only essentials and food you really miss
- Buy flight tickets and check baggage allowance
- Prepare bank cards and cash for safe withdrawal in Japan