Rey Waters
@reywatwrite
American expat in Japan
Forum posts
29
Contacts
7
About me
American
Lives in Yokohama
Speaks some Spanish and German
Registration: 14 March 2013
First impressions after moving to Japan by Diksha
Hello everyone, You probably have vivid memories of your first weeks as an expat in Japan. Indeed, moving to a new country is a milestone in someone’s life. Today, we invite you to share with the community how you experienced your first ...
I moved here September 1st 2013. While our condo was be updated we spent six weeks staying at various hotels within the Yokohama area. My Japanese wife could not have planned a better entry for me. Even though I could not speak the language I was ... Read More
Best cities to live in Japan by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Japan. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
Thank for the detailed education on earthquakes, Typhoons and Tsunamis. Maybe you should continue your research into Tsunamis. Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6000 people in the Philippines with Tsunami type waves. ... Read More
Best cities to live in Japan by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Japan. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
I have lived in Yokohama for over six years and this last Typhoon was the most destructive in our history and there was no Tsunami. Most of the population is not in the Bay Area which would be hardest hit. Other than that it has been a really nice ... Read More
Finding your bearings in Japan by Priscilla
Hello, While technology has definitely helped us navigate ourselves more easily in most countries, it's not the case everywhere. How do you get to your destinations and navigate yourself in Japan? Do you use gps systems such as google/apple ...
When I first moved here five years ago I relied on Maps from the Information centers. Since I walk daily I did get lost several times and had to rely on stopping a stranger to ask directions. Most of the young people like to practice their English ... Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Japan by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to Japan? How ...
Even after five years in Yokohama I have times when I feel very lonely. I am retired, however my young Japanese wife still works. Most every weekday I am on my own. Back in 2014 I joined the Enjoy Walking Yokohama group of which there are now ... Read More
Retiring in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Why did you choose to retire in Japan? What are the advantages compared with your home country? What were your main considerations when deciding to move? For example, taxes, ease of transferring your pension, etc.. Are there ...
Hi Ken, if you will e-mail me at *** I will be happy to answer your questions. I am on the National Health Care System, and also have some of my retirement direct deposited into a Japanese bank each month. Regards, Rey Read More
Keeping in touch while living in Japan
For my Mother we use Face Time and for my children we use Skype and insta Messaginger. I keep friends and family informed via my blog (reywatjapan.blogspot.com) and Facebook. I am hoping that my children will get the opportunity to visit us, ... Read More
Anyone retired to Japan from U.S? by Nut_Ella
Hi, I moved from Tokyo to the East Coast 1987 - became a citizen about 20 years ago. I want to retire overseas - the USA is not a place to live happy after the retirement and I came across this site. I am hoping to exchange information on the ...
Hi, I retired to Yokohama back in 2013 and love it here. I checked out Cost Rica and Ecuador, but both places were a lot of expats living in the same place and mainly sticking together. I wanted to be where I would live with the locals. Where I ... Read More
Retiring in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Why did you choose to retire in Japan? What are the advantages compared with your home country? What were your main considerations when deciding to move? For example, taxes, ease of transferring your pension, etc.. Are there ...
I retired in the U.S. just before my move to Japan in the fall of 2013. Upon arrival I opened a bank account with a Japanese bank and had my retirement direct deposited. In all it took about two weeks to accomplish. I am not aware of a ... Read More
How to save money in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you plan your budget before your move to Japan? If so, how did you go about it? How do you save money in your day to day life? Do you find there are any areas where you can't cut costs? Do you have any tips about saving ...
Back in 2013 I set up an Excel spreadsheet budget. Miwa and I both put money away each month towards our travel budget and plan it's use throughout the year. I record all expenses on my spreadsheet and compare with the previous year on a ... Read More
How has your life changed in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to Japan? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
HI CURIOUSSAM, You are spot on with the size of cloths and shoes. I have to use the outlet mall in Yokohama to find shoes that fit and whenever I visit the states I stock up on cloths. Other than that I Love this country and would have a big ... Read More
How has your life changed in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to Japan? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
Yes, I have experienced some dramatic changes since leaving the U.S. and moving to Japan. First, I will say that I do miss my family back in the states. I have been able to visit twice since 2013, but with FaceTime and Skype I am able to keep in ... Read More
Studying in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Would you recommend studying abroad in Japan? Every year, 4 million young people from all over the world choose to study abroad for one semester or a full academic year. Would you encourage them to come and study in Japan? ...
Hi, No not all universities in Japan teach in English. Tama University has a degree program for Hospitality and that is why they teach most subjects in English. Several of my son-in-law's foreign friendsattended a local university in their ... Read More
Studying in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Would you recommend studying abroad in Japan? Every year, 4 million young people from all over the world choose to study abroad for one semester or a full academic year. Would you encourage them to come and study in Japan? ...
My stepson is a Junior at Tama University which has alliances with several foreign universities. They have students from the U.S., Canada, East Asia and Europe. They also offer study abroad programs for resident Japanese. My stepson completed his ... Read More
The holiday season in Japan
This is my fourth Christmas in Japan. Yes, it is commercialized, but I enjoy the decorations, music and the various light shows. Last week I attended the Projection mapping at Skytree and last night the one at Landmark Center in Yokohama. At our ... Read More
Exploring Yokohama
I have been living in Yokohama for the past three years and it is where I want to stay. There are many other cities that I would love to spend a few months in each (Sapporo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki) But when it is all said and done I could ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clich茅s about life in Japan
The biggest misconception for me is that people who have never visited Japan think it is way to expensive to live. If your living in Tokyo, yes it is expensive, but I live in Yokohama and for the past three years our total living cost were ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Japan by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Japan can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent homesickness? How ...
My homesickness is mainly for my family. I Skype and Facetime with them monthly and this helps reduce my sad feelings. I just returned from a trip to the States and I can say except for my family, I do not miss it at all. Japan is my home and ... Read More
Best cities to live in Japan by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Japan. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
I am coming up on three years in Yokohama and I love it. We have many activities and tourist attractions, good restaurants, excellent transportation, and a reasonable cost of living. Last year I walked over 3500 kilometers in and around Yokohama. ... Read More
Christmas in Tokyo!
Hi, This is an article I wrote earlier this year about Christmas in Japan. I hope it encourages you to find some things that will make your celebration here fell like your home in Europe. There are illuminations all over Tokyo and special dinners ... Read More
What do you like the most in Japan? by Christine
Hi, Living abroad, expats discover and enjoy a new environment. What do you like the most in Japan? What seduced you when settling and living here? Share with us your favorite part of living in Japan and the reason why you enjoy your ...
WOW! There are so many things I like about Japan it is hard to boil it down to a few items. First and foremost I like the people. I travel a lot and meet new people almost daily. Even though I am still in the language learning stages I often ... Read More
Safety in Japan by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Japan? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think there is ...
I have lived in Yokohama for two years. I joined the "Enjoy Walk Yokohama" program last year and walk by myself almost everyday. From February thru June I walked over 1800 kilometers in and around the city. I have visited almost every ... Read More
Healthcare in Japan
Miwa and I have been on the system for almost two years. We elected to join the National System and then purchased private hospital gap insurance to handle any large problems. We are using Bluff Clinic in Yamate. The doctors and staff can speak ... Read More
Cost of living in Japan 聳 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Japan in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Japan you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Japan? > accommodation prices > ...
I live in Yokohama and kept a spreadsheet on our budget for 2014. Included in the total expenses are trips to Kyoto, Kobe, Nikko, Kanagawa, Toyama, Hakone and several local places. We were pleasantly surprised at how far our money went last ... Read More
Yokohama Writer's Group by reywatwrite
Hi, I am interested in forming a writer's group here in Yokohama. The Tokyo Group location is two hours each way and not convenient. We would meet once a month and discuss various writing topics as well as critique submissions. I am ...
Thanks for your input Kenjee. I have posted an ad in the classified section. Regards, Rey Read More
Any clubs-Groups For 50+yrs Expats to Socialise?
HI Col, My wife Miwa and I are also interested in connecting with others near our age. I have been living in Yokohama for over a year and love it. I am currently trying to form a local writer's group. You can find out more about Miwa and myself ... Read More
Yokohama Writer's Group
Hi, I am interested in forming a writer's group here in Yokohama. The Tokyo Group location is two hours each way and not convenient. We would meet once a month and discuss various writing topics as well as critique submissions. I am ... Read More