7 Tips When Living as an OFW in Japan

When asked, “Kung mag-a-abroad ka, saan ang dream destination mo?” a lot of our answers would probably be Japan. It’s one of the countries where a unique harmony between tradition and modernity take place. The Japanese are also known for developing technology that would make our lives easier, similar to how BeamAndGo wants to make the lives of OFWs easier.

Send Supermarket GCs or care packages using BeamAndGo!

Para mapadali ang stay mo sa Japan, we’ll help you prepare by sharing some tips. Get ready to equip yourself with the basic do’s and don’ts when going to or living in Japan.

1. Follow the rules.

Like we said in one of our previous blog posts, 7 Tips when living as an OFW in Singapore, it’s important to follow the rules. Minsan kasi, hindi natin sinusunod ang mga simpleng batas when it’s inconvenient for us. Sa Japan, mahahalata mong organized ang pamumuhay: from the different shops, to the busy streets, to the train stations. Mahalagang sumunod sa mga rules and regulations, whether or not we are in other countries or our very own.

2. Be Respectful.

Malaking bagay ang pagiging respectful sa mga Japanese. The best way to show respect is being polite to everyone. Maraming simple ways to show this. When meeting or saying goodbye to other people, bow politely. When addressing people, add –san after their names. When showing gratitude, offer simple tokens of appreciation. When giving something, offer it with two hands.

Hindi lang sa tao ipinapakita ang respeto sa Japan. Ang dalawang major religion sa bansa ay Shintoism at Buddhism, at pareho silang nagpapahalaga sa environment, kaya dapat natin respetuhin ito by not harming natural resources in any way possible.

3. Get ready for the cold.

Isa sa big difference between the Philippines and Japan is the weather. Kung ikukumpara sa Pilipinas, napakalamig sa Japan, kaya kailangan mong mag-stock up ng mga damit na panglamig. Marami namang choices sa pag-shopping sa Japan, but things can be relatively expensive, so spend wisely!

4. Enjoy the food.

“I-ta-da-ki-masu!” ito ang sinasabi bago kumain at “go-chi-so-sa-ma de-shi-ta!” naman pagkatapos kumain. Food is a big part of Japanese culture and the reason is obvious: masarap kasi! Healthy at tasty ang Japanese food, at marami ka pang options tulad ng sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, fugu, at madami pang iba.

5. Learn the language.

There is a growing number of Japanese trying to speak better English, but it will be easier for you if you learn simple Japanese terms at least. Maraming establishment sa Japan ay may signs na nakasulat lang sa Japanese, pero don’t worry – kung may smartphone ka naman, pwede mong i-research kung ano ang translations nito.

Alam mo bang gamit ang BeamAndGo, pwede ka ring bumili ng smartphone at ipadala sa iyong kapamilya?

6. Keep it simple.

Simplicity and minimalism are some of the attributes of Japanese culture. Usually, maliit kasi ang living spaces sa Japan, kaya ang mga necessity lang ang karaniwang gamit dito. “Less is more,” ika nga. You can have more space and more time, if you own less material things, na hindi mo naman talaga kailangan – makakatipid ka pa, diba?

For budgeting tips when shopping at the grocery, click here.

7. But don’t be afraid to try something new!

Japan is a wonderful country and it’s culture has so much to offer! Kaya siguradong mag-eenjoy ka sa pagsubok ng mga bagong bagay dito, whether it’s eating new food, visiting new places, or meeting new people. Malay mo, makahanap ka pa ng bagong paborito – gaya ng BeamAndGo na paborito ng mga Beamers in Japan. With BeamAndGo, mas madadalian kang pagpadala sa pamilya mo sa Pilipinas. Here are the supermarket and department store partners of BeamAndGo.com.

If you still don’t have a BeamAndGo account, what are you waiting for? Sign up na dito!

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