Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Digital nomads are people who use telecommunication technology to make a living and lead a nomadic lifestyle. This kind of employees usually works remotely, like from foreign countries, public libraries, coworking spaces or cafes. This is often achieved through the use of devices with wireless Internet access, such as smartphones or mobile hotspots. Successful digital nomads often have the need to develop high levels of self-confidence and self-discipline.

The digital nomad uses online (or “digital”) tools to work from anywhere. This kind of work is also called “location independent”.

Digital nomads are people who use wireless digital technology to carry out their work duties and are generally nomadic. These workers usually work remotely – from home, in cafes, public libraries, and even from recreational vehicles – to accomplish tasks and goals that would normally be accomplished in a single stationary workplace.

The digital nomad community has organized various events to host its members. The most popular types of digital nomads are:

• retirees or semi-retirees,
• independently wealthy people or entrepreneurs,
• remote workers (most often younger ones).

People usually want to become a digital nomad for different reasons, and the first one can be the desire to be financially independent and locationally independent. During that time when digital nomads enjoy the advantages of freedom and flexibility, they see one biggest problem – called loneliness, which can consequently cause other problems.

Lifestyle also comes with other challenges such as securing international health insurance with global coverage, complying with various local laws, obtaining work visas and paying taxes in accordance with local and local laws.

Who are digital nomads?

Digital nomads can be:

• Freelancers who write, code, teach, run social media campaigns, and more for their clients online.
• Professionals who provide online / remote services including legal assistance, accounting or even consulting.
• Entrepreneurs who manage their team with online tools
• Employees who work remotely in a more traditional company
• People who create and sell digital products like e-books, manuals, online subscription services, etc.

Digital nomads mostly are young people and they are usually working in industries such as marketing, design, information technology, writing, media, tutoring, or consulting. According to a 2020 study by MBO Partners, there are 10.9 million digital nomads in the US alone, with an additional 19 million Americans reporting that they are considering a digital nomad lifestyle.

Digital nomads can be either remote workers or knowledge process outsourcing workers. While most homeworkers and freelancers are technically digital nomads, the term is most often used to describe people living or traveling abroad or inland while working. Some digital nomads have a wide range of clients and make a living by combining jobs, while others enter into formal or semi-formal agreements with clients that guarantee a certain amount of work or paid time.

Digital nomads are often people who want freedom and flexibility in their job choices and travel times. Digital nomads often live a minimal existence rich in experience rather than physical objects. They get the opportunity to explore new cultures, leaving temporary roots in many places each year. The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t for everyone. If you can’t make enough money on the road, you may find yourself broke with no money to return home.

You may have to work unconventionally and manipulate multiple clients. Digital nomads must have reliable internet access and work and meet deadlines across time zones. Many digital nomads separate the feeling of loneliness, with no family or close friends in the city, and it can be difficult to establish long-term relationships. It can be expensive to purchase travel medical insurance, and even though health care in some countries is cheaper than in the United States.

Pros:

• Freedom from the traditional office environment
• Chance to travel and learn about new cultures
• Time to do some outdoor hobbies like surfing
• More control over your time

Cons:

• Traveling regularly can be expensive
• You may need to work with clients across multiple time zones
• Loneliness or isolation from family and friends
• Must be highly organized for maximum balance between life and work on the road

What destinations are most popular among digital nomads?

Several destinations are some of the most popular destinations for digital nomads, including Chiang Mai – Thailand, Lisbon – Portugal, Medellin – Colombia, and Mexico City – Mexico.

Bali – Indonesia, is a great example of a popular destination due to its low cost and reasonably high quality of life. For example, the city of Ubud in Bali became popular with digital nomads after installing fiber-optic connections to access the Internet. There is also a petition for a digital nomad visa to the Indonesian government, signed by over 2,000 people and led by social media advisor Olumide Gbenro.

Another popular choice among digital nomads is Cyprus: a European nation with low taxes, fast company formation and beautiful scenery, the island of Cyprus has a growing nomad community.

Other cities include Tallinn, Tarifa, Bansko, and Tbilisi due to the critical mass and wider acceptance of the digital nomad lifestyle, as well as the relatively lower cost of living. For digital nomads, there are cities with a higher cost of living, including Singapore and Oslo. Other notable movements loosely associated with the rise in popularity of digital nomads include Vandwelling.

Due to the popularity for people, there are opportunities to live in the area as digital nomads to facilitate this. Popular cities in the United Kingdom include Bristol, Birmingham and Brighton. And all this is happening due to the reduced cost of living compared to London. Organizations such as Innovation Birmingham exist to house 90 technology companies.

Many digital prefer Thailand for their adventurous lifetime. Except for all the mentioned, one question will arouse, is being a digital nomad legal in Thailand or in any other country. Let’s discuss this question below and try to understand every point.

Is it legal to be a digital nomad?

Living a life with the freedom to travel the world and work as digital nomads right from your laptop is too good to be true. The first impression is that there is something suspicious behind this.

Some can say it is illegal and some can insist on its 100% legal. Before we dive into why it’s legal or illegal to be a digital nomad and debunk the myths you’ve heard about them, let’s see what kind of definitions people give to being a digital nomad.

Many digital nomads tend to come from more developed countries with passports allowing a greater degree of freedom of movement. As a result, many seek to travel on a tourist visa. While it is technically illegal for digital nomads to work in the country on a tourist visa, many digital nomads tend to live in lower cost of living places, working online on different projects abroad in another country.

In most countries, as long as a nomad behaves discreetly and does not take work from a local, the authorities turn a blind eye to the work of nomads. In the digital nomad community, it is not uncommon to be without a visa. Some nomads also tried to legalize their stay by taking part-time jobs, teaching English, and attending university courses in their country.

In addition, digital nomads often use their status as perpetual travelers to avoid tax liabilities in their home countries without immigrating to another country’s tax system. However, this practice is considered controversial among digital nomads.

This has led to the creation of several programs targeted at digital nomads, such as e-residency in Estonia and the SMART visa program in Thailand. Estonia also announced plans for a digital nomad visa following a growing number of e-residency applications. Other countries such as Bermuda, Barbados, Georgia and Croatia have begun offering similar digital visa programs for nomads.

Some digital nomads have used residence permits in Germany for the purpose of freelancing or self-employment to legalize their stay, but successful candidates must have a real connection and reason to stay in Germany.

Tourist visas and digital nomads

Many countries understand this very clearly when you apply for a tourist visa – it does not give you the right to work, it just gives you the right to come and visit on vacation.

It is quite true that the tourist visa was developed by most places even before the advent of the Internet. It is also true that millions of real tourists will check their emails or chat with the office while on vacation.

This, according to some digital nomad gurus, turns tourist visa work into a so called gray zone and it’s only “technically illegal”. They are wrong. Being a digital nomad with a tourist visa is illegal.

However, this does not mean that you will be held accountable for checking your email or receiving calls at work. Countries have taken a very simple approach to the small amount of work done with tourist visas – they pretend they don’t.

Any written exemption that allows tourists to do a reasonable amount of work would be open to exploitation by those looking to immigrate illegally. It would be a work visa with a back door.

Unfortunately, digital nomads don’t do tiny businesses – they work in the countries they visit. If you need a tourist visa, you are almost certainly working illegally.

It probably doesn’t matter if you’re restrained. The only digital nomads we know of who were prosecuted for working on a tourist visa were wrong all this time. Local residents gave them to work because they continued to brag about the money they earned while doing it.

You can lie in the pool and relax if you figure out how to be a digital nomad, even if you are “illegal”.

Do not tell anyone and no one will ever know that you are working on a tourist visa at all. And whatever you do, don’t declare your digital nomad status to the immigration office when traveling on a tourist visa – say you’re a tourist.

All we know that this gives some people discomfort, but it is much less inconvenient than being denied entry into the country and then deporting or arresting as an illegal alien.

However, you should be aware that even if you are working illegally, you may still be eligible to pay tax on your income in the country in which you are a tourist. In most countries, you are eligible for taxation if you reside in the country for more than X days a year, and this is usually, but not always, 180 days out of 365.

Digital nomads in Thailand

Over the past few years, you can notice a huge increase in the number of so-called digital nomads in Thailand. Countries around the world are now beginning to see the benefits of accepting digital nomads and have begun offering special visas specifically designed to attract them.

Estonia, Barbados, and Dubai have introduced special visas or programs specially designed for this purpose. The same cannot be said about Asian countries, including Thailand. This is relatively surprising considering Thailand is often touted as the best destination for digital nomads, especially Chiang Mai. Koh Phangan is another popular destination that is becoming more and more attractive for its high quality of life and beautiful beaches.

Thailand Smart Visa

While a digital nomad visa would be a welcome option for those looking to come to Thailand, there hasn’t been a single Asian country that could follow Estonia’s lead. As a result, many freelancers are turning to short-term tourist visas as a way to live and work in Thailand. While this may seem like a simple alternative, there is one major drawback: tourist visas do not allow the holder to work.

Although there is no immediate solution to the problem, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In December 2020, the Thailand Covid-19 Management Center approved a proposal from the Investment Board of Thailand (BOI) that will allow freelancers and digital nomads to work in Thailand for up to four years under the pre-existing Smart Visa program. The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the Thai Cabinet and has not yet entered into force.

The Smart visa was originally introduced in 2018 to “enhance Thailand’s attractiveness by attracting science and technology experts, senior executives, investors and start-ups.” Currently, just over 500 applicants have successfully applied for and received a Smart Visa. However, if the proposal from the BOI is legal, there will likely be a large increase in applications.

Should digital nomads pay taxes in Thailand?

In Thailand, you are considered a “resident” if you are in the country for more than 180 days in any tax year. Residents of Thailand must pay tax on income from income in Thailand, as well as income that is transferred to the country from foreign sources.

However, even if you are not a resident of Thailand, that is, you stay in Thailand for less than 180 days a year, you are still required to pay tax, but only on income received in Thailand. Please note that the first THB 150,000 is tax deductible.

In fact, it is very difficult for the Thai authorities to get taxes paid as most digital nomads live here on tourist or short-term visas. This is because they do not need to register their business or activities with anyone in the country, so it is almost impossible to track down people who owe taxes. However, it is important to note that this is a very dubious and gray legal area.

The possible introduction of the above amendments to the smart visa should create a basis for paying taxes and other issues, but so far there has been no official information on this matter.

What options are currently available for digital nomads seeking legal status in Thailand?

One of the easiest ways for a digital nomad to gain legal status in Thailand is to start a company. However, starting a company is not an ideal solution for digital nomads as the requirements for starting a company are high (2 million baht paid up capital) and a minimum of 4 Thai employees are required to obtain a work permit.

A dealership can be used as an alternative as there are fewer initial requirements, but there are more favorable work permit options, meaning you can get a work permit for the first two years before paying the full investment. There is also a reduced share of only 1 Thai employee per foreigner required to obtain a work permit. Representative offices have several disadvantages, firstly, the scope of their activities is limited, and they cannot generate income. Second, it is mandatory to have a head office outside of Thailand (Hong Kong or Singapore is a popular choice for a head office that is then used for invoicing customers).

Another potential option is the use of Contractor-for-Employment Management. These companies will be able to accept you and provide you with a work permit and visa. However, they will charge you for this convenience by charging you a fee from your monthly salary. The service fee is usually around 15,000/20,000 baht per month.

Or a different solution that has become popular lately is to take advantage of the current smart visa type S. Smart S is an initial 6-month visa (renewable up to 2 years), which is for foreigners who are planning to start a startup. companies in Thailand or engage in promotional activities for startups or startups. This visa is a popular choice as it does not require a work permit to set up and work with a startup. Holders of this visa can also participate in approved startup promotion activities.

However, in order to obtain this visa, applicants must have a plan for setting up a technology startup in Thailand, which must be approved by relevant agencies such as the National Innovation Agency. Alternatively, they should participate in activities aimed at promoting startups, or in activities like Startup Camp approved by government agencies such as the Investment Council and the National Innovation Agency.

It is highly recommended that digital nomads register with news sources related to digital nomad visas in Thailand.

The main pros and cons of being a digital nomad in Thailand?

To sum everything up, let’s see what can be the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of “illegal” activity in Thailand.

Pros:

• High quality and affordable lifestyle. Being a digital nomad empowers you to work from anywhere in the world. This means that you can choose any location that offers you the best quality of life. Thailand is the obvious choice as it has a lot of affordable food and drink, excellent healthcare, infrastructure and many amazing places to find.
• Finance goes even further – Thailand offers an attractive lifestyle that allows people to lead quality lives for a fraction of the cost of their living at home. Usually digital nomads from more developed countries like America, Canada, Europe, etc. These countries have a much higher cost of living than Thailand, which means your money goes much further.
• Legal Accommodation Options for Digital Nomads – There are several options available for those looking to settle in Thailand for a longer period. These options include setting up a dealership, using HR, and obtaining an Smart visa.

Cons:

• Legal gray area. While there are several options for digital nomads to legally live and work in Thailand, creating them is often costly and / or hassle-free. As a result, very few people take advantage of these opportunities and work in secret or say nothing. The chances of being caught are slim, but of course, doing this is illegal.
• Taxes – Living and working in any country requires you to pay taxes. However, as the legal status of digital nomads is questionable, this is a difficult area to fight.
• Security. As a digital nomad, you will not be contributing to the social security system and therefore will not have access to free public health care in Thailand. As a result, you have to rely on expensive private insurance.

Cons:

• Legal gray area. While there are several options for digital nomads to legally live and work in Thailand, creating them is often costly and / or hassle-free. As a result, very few people take advantage of these opportunities and work in secret or say nothing. The chances of being caught are slim, but of course, doing this is illegal.
• Taxes – Living and working in any country requires you to pay taxes. However, as the legal status of digital nomads is questionable, this is a difficult area to fight.
• Security. As a digital nomad, you will not be contributing to the social security system and therefore will not have access to free public health care in Thailand. As a result, you have to rely on expensive private insurance.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

As we’d discussed earlier on this platform, Japan is home to beautiful countryside, ancient temples, and home to the world’s freshest food. In fact, it’s even the fourth-largest island country in the world, surrounded by many smaller inhabited islands. Besides, it’s a unique place with lots of technology.

Tokyo, the capital city of the country, is the futuristic and energetic capital of Japan. With a growing population of about 9 million and around 90,000 restaurants, Tokyo is the place to be for the curious digital nomad. This city became the country’s capital in 1868, after being moved from the city of Kyoto.

The modern and built-up skyline of Tokyo attracts many expats from all over the world. Not only that, but it gives digital nomads an experience like no other with its fusion of old and new. Besides, the Japanese city is really fantastic for anyone looking to experience something new as there’s something intriguing in every corner of the country.

Have you been planning to diversify your portfolio and become a digital nomad? Or does it seem difficult whenever you’re making a move to the right destination? Worry less, as this is the right platform to lead you through. You don’t have to surf the internet for the right information anymore as we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we have compiled the 7 reasons why Japan is among the best countries suitable for the digital nomad in 2021. Aside from this fact, you’ll understand the best city that’s good enough for expatriates to reside in if they’re planning for a digital nomad lifestyle. Does that sound interesting? Read further!

Why Japan is Suitable for Digital Nomad

Since Japan is a wonderland and there’s nothing that this mystical archipelago doesn’t do well, living as a digital nomad seems to be your best decision ever. You can begin the day with a walk to your local Shinto shrine, head to a café, and then explore the city. Before we proceed, let’s take a look at the benefits.

Rich and Interesting Japanese Culture

For a digital nomad, we can tell you that living in Japan isn’t always easy, and it’s far from perfect. If you’re visiting the country for the first time as a digital nomad, it can be difficult at times, and you’ll need to prepare for some obstacles. However, learning the Japanese language, embracing their cultural heritage, and knowing the customs, and meeting locals will help you immerse yourself in the community.

Living a More Simplified Lifestyle

Traveling to new cities and countries means you’ll be limited in what you can bring along to your new location. Many digital nomads could find it difficult to live in other countries. But in Japan, you’ll live a more simplified lifestyle. In fact, you’ll likely feel more freedom without the weight of your everyday belongings.

Super Clean and Ultra Safe Nation

What’s noteworthy about Japan is that the country is super safe and clean. Wherever your feet guide you, don’t be surprised to be impressed with how clean and well-organized the cities are. In fact, a lot of expats said they never saw cockroaches or rats on the street.

And this is because; keeping the environment clean in Japan starts from the basics, which is sorting all trash from non-combustible and plastic materials to canned goods and household goods. Moreover, houses, and buildings, both in public and private places, are clean and well-maintained as well.

Great Educational System

While you’re working in this country as a digital nomad, you also have the opportunity to explore around the excellent educational system in the country. As of today, Japan is well known for providing a world-class education to all students, whether the locals attend free public school or a private school.

Again, Japanese students are held to high standards of excellence as they complete their education. Moreover, US News and World Report, in recent years, ranked the country’s school system among the best in the world. This means there are great opportunities for a digital nomad to learn multiple languages in Japanese schools, and the universities in the country are highly esteemed.

Healthcare System in Japan

While living in this country as a digital nomad, you don’t need to worry about your health. This is because; Japan is very affordable, with public healthcare system available for both expats and the locals. Meanwhile, everybody is protected, and the out-of-pocket expenses are capped to keep the cost of healthcare manageable in the country. Whereas, the nation is still making a concerted effort to keep healthcare costs under check, and they rarely create problems for digital nomads in the country.

Excellent Shopping Experience

While you’re enjoying your stay as an expat in this beautiful country, you can enjoy an excellent shopping experience as well. Supermarkets in Japan are world-famous for being convenient, well structured, and good. Here, you can buy almost everything you think of. Moreover, they’re always clean, safe, and well-staffed. This way, you may not even recognize a convenience store in Japan when compared to your own.

Healthy and Scrumptious Cuisine

Japanese restaurants are incredibly notable in the world. Their restaurants were given more Michelin stars than those in Paris. But as research disclosed, Japanese cuisine has more to say than sushi, and this is why they are simply termed as healthy and scrumptious cuisine. With that being said, you can even see an array of fresh seafood and world-class dishes, including melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef and more.

Best Places to Live as a Digital Nomad

We can tell you that Japan is quite bigger than you might think! All the way from frozen Hokkaido in the north to subtropical Okinawa in the south, there are many places to reside if you’re working as a digital nomad in Japan. Without further ado, let’s quickly describe some of the best places to live in the country.

1.    Tokyo for Digital Nomad

Since Tokyo is the iconic capital of the country, it has a lot to offer digital nomads. Tokyo is absolutely huge, and it’s even one of the biggest metropolises in the world, with a population that rockets well above 13 million people. If you want to enjoy your life as a digital nomad in the country, this is the right place to visit. In fact, Tokyo itself is made up of many different cities as there is a lot to explore.

2.    Osaka for Digital Nomad

Well, if you don’t know Osaka, it’s high time you understand that it’s the food capital of Japan. This centrally located city is 500 kilometers west of Tokyo, and it is where to come if you like eating and drinking. In this city, you can get to grips with Osaka’s soul food, such as okonomiyaki and others.

In spite of that, Osaka also happens to be another sprawling city complete with malls, an endless underground shopping experience, and a buzzing nightlife. However, this place is usually considered cheaper than Tokyo, the capital city of the country.

3.    Kyoto for digital Nomad

This is another place to consider as an expat. And of course, it’s the old imperial city of Japan where you can experience a quite traditional backstreet and have world heritage, UNESCO status, and centuries-old temples on your doorstep. Aside from what we’ve mentioned, there are numerous fun things to do in Kyoto that’d keep you busy and lively as a digital nomad.

And while the city sounds perfect, the downsides of Kyoto are the tourists, which are mightily plentiful during the high season. Notwithstanding, you’ll enjoy your life but know that accommodation is rather expensive in the city.

4.    Kobe for Digital Nomad

Kobe is famous for beef and is known as the sixth-largest city in the country. Also, it’s one of the most multicultural cities in Japan to be opened to foreigners. As a result, there’s plenty of foreign food to enjoy in this city and plenty of communities of westerners to socialize with. Meanwhile, there’s a historical area here with many Western residences, as well as a rather large Chinatown to explore.

5.    Fukuoka for Digital Nomad

This is known as Japan’s burgeoning start-up city. It’s an excellent option for digital nomads who like life by the sea. Here, you’ll find the third Japanese home island known as Kyushu. Fukuoka, since its inception, boasts sandy beaches, a vibrant tech scene, funky malls, and life here is so good.

Fukuoka has also been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world, helped by its mild winters and balmy summers. Meanwhile, you can also explore the neighborhood through the ferry connection available to South Korea and others.

6.    Countryside for Digital Nomad

Sometimes, living in Japan as a digital nomad isn’t about moving to the cities. If you really want a taste of the authentic, everyday lives of Japanese people, the countryside is just the perfect place. Even some cities in Japan are often just made up of small towns and villages. So, try and explore the countryside.

On the flip side, life as a digital nomad in this place is ruled by nature and lack of amenities. This means you might be working and enjoying the uniqueness of nature while meeting friendly and hardworking people all around. And this is definitely a good option if you want to enjoy a simpler lifestyle.

7.    Smaller Cities

Aside from the big cities, there are dozens of smaller cities scatted across the islands. Here, you can enjoy your lifestyle as a digital nomad without disturbance from third parties or any uniform officers. Some of the smaller cities range from Matsue on the Sea of Japan, Kochi on the south coast of Shikoku, and the Nagoya, which is pretty big compared to other smaller cities.

Types of Accommodations Available for Digital Nomads

If you’re planning to stay in this country for an extended period of time, you need to find a home. In Japan, there are numerous accommodation options but just keep in mind that most won’t offer ample living space.  In no much talk, we have compiled the types of accommodation available for expat. Check it out now!

●        Hostels for Digital Nomads

Don’t be surprised to see the hostel as number one in Japan. In fact, their hostels are amazing, and they’re well geared up for digital nomads living in the country. In addition, these hostels usually come with a strong Wi-Fi connection and tables for people to work at. That being said, living long term in such a hostel could get pricey even in a normal setting that has no amenities.

●        Hotels for Digital Nomads

Well, if you’re planning to stay in this country as a digital nomad, it’s quite essential to know the price of the hotel. Of course, a good option for when you first arrive in the country is to search for the nearest hotels. However, rooms are pretty compact, and the rates get high, depending on what you want.

On the other hand, hotels are cheaper in towns that aren’t tourist hotspots but aren’t the best choice for long-term living in the country.  So, if you want to stay in the hotel, we advise you to reside there for a short period of time in order not to consume your hard-earned money or go against your budget.

●        Airbnb for Digital Nomads

In recent years, Airbnb used to be a godsend for a digital nomad individual living in japan. This was unregulated and cheap, with a myriad of options all over the country, even in the most off-the-beaten-track locations.

But, since the Japanese government made it more difficult for people to become Airbnb hosts in 201, there are now fewer Airbnbs to choose from in the country. Meanwhile, they’re still a solid option for digital nomads, and a bargain can be found if truly you want to live in Airbnb.

●        Shared House for Digital Nomad

If you’re looking to base yourself in a city for a couple of months as a digital nomad, living in Japan can’t get much easier or cheaper than staying in a shared apartment or house. These shared houses consist of your furnished room with communal facilities. Not only that but Wi-Fi and bills are usually included in the price. Even though the location might not be in the middle of the city, the houses are usually near a train station and shops.

●        Renting a House

We can confidently tell you that this is the best way to enjoy your lifestyle as a digital nomad in Japan. Renting your own apartment gives you enough time to do whatever you like in your space without disturbance from any uniform men or officers. Even in Tokyo, the rents are surprisingly affordable. On the other hand, some basic Japanese language knowledge would be helpful in this instance.

Basic Amenities Digital Nomad Enjoy in Japan

Being utterly chock-a-bloc with amenities makes a living in Japan as a digital nomad hassle-free. There are libraries everywhere, parks on every corner, a crazy amount of convenience stores, hospitals, video game arcades, doctor’s surgeries, and post offices in every town. Now, see the basic amenities below.

Transportation Network

Japan’s railway network is world-famous, and there’s a reason for that – and this is because; it’s amazing! Here, you can get pretty much anywhere because of the train network available in the country. Also, many metros are fairly inexpensive and much cheaper than the U.S. or London.

Furthermore, long-distance buses are reasonably cheap compared to shinkansen and can really help to stick to your proposed budget. However, you’ll find taxes in cities, but not precisely expensive as you might have suggested.

Wi-Fi and Sim Cards Option

For all Japan’s technological advancement, getting online is one of the easiest things in the country. While big train stations, malls, and convenience stores have Wi-Fi, cafes don’t always have, and if they do, they might not have a power socket. So, for a digital nomad living in the country, finding the right chain café is going to be the key to getting some work done.

Must-Have Apps in Japan

Apps make a living in Japan so much easier for the digital nomad. That’s not to say that you can’t live without them, but simple things like using a washing machine can be a minefield if you can’t read Japanese. Thankfully, there’s good old Google Translate that can help you through while using some features.

Best Cafes and Coworking Spaces in Japan

Paper Back Café (Digital Nomad)

Since you’re coming to this country for digital nomad work, an ideal place to go is the paperback café. It is adorably located in a jointly shared bookshop named Books Tokyodo, and you’ll have nothing but peace and a quiet environment when working here. Free Wi-Fi is available here with multiple outlets to charge your devices and all the ingredients you need for a productive day of work as a digital nomad.

Blink Community (Digital Nomad)

Blink community is another place to take into consideration if you’re planning to work as a digital nomad in Japan. It’s a sleek, modern coworking space, which offers a variety of reasonable working environments to digital nomads. That being said, it’s a place aimed towards building a foreigner-friendly working atmosphere. Therefore, it’s a great place for any remote workers or travelers in the country.

Working Outdoors in Japan

If staying connected online is not a necessity to finishing your work, parks should be towards the top end. So, if you need to stay connected, you can find a portable Wi-Fi device that you can rent out or buy during the duration of your stay in such an area or community. Meanwhile, you’ll be blessed with sunny days or beautiful cherry blossom trees as your backdrop during the summer and spring seasons.

Interesting Things to Do As a Digital Nomad

Nowadays, more and more people are experimenting with a different rhythm of life. Thanks to the advancement of technology and the better opportunities that exist today compared to a few decades ago. More so, a digital nomad lifestyle is by no means an easy one! Take a look at the things to do.

Exploring Tokyo Streets

The capital of Japan, Tokyo, is one place to visit because of its overwhelmingly huge metropolis. Before visiting this area, it’s crucial that you turn to a handy Tokyo Guide, as this will give you a better understanding of what living in Tokyo entails. Meanwhile, you can visit an actual robot restaurant, government buildings or take a walk around the bustling streets.

Harajuku Unique Fashion

If you’re interested in a unique fashion, you must head to Harajuku to explore the fashion Jargon in Japan. Not only are there numerous boutiques and shops all over the place, but chances are you’re going to spot some interesting fashion creations if you just take a walk around and keep your eyes open.

Exploring the Snowy Mountains

Japan is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to snowy landscapes and several winter activities. So while living in this country as a digital nomad expat, you can explore some of your favorite options, including the popular Hakuba and Niseko skiing resort, or even go for a picturesque stay in Furano.

Visiting the Best Cafes

Japan is famous for always bringing the unexpected. This way, expect to see some extraordinary cafes in the country. While cats cafes are still immensely popular, there are other animal cafes such as owls and hedgehog cafes, but the list is more and doesn’t end there. So, don’t be shocked when you hear animal names as cafes in Japan.

Explore Japanese Museum

No, what country you’re visiting, one of the best ways to enjoy the cultural history and heritage is to visit the museum. Even if you’re not so big on museums, everyone can find something that will interest them. So, if you’re in Japan and you wish to know more about the history, culture, and art, you must not miss out on visiting the popular studio Ghibli Museum.

Conclusion

If you’re considering working remotely in Japan, then you should read the guide above carefully. Japan is a tech-savvy nation, and it will help you make the most of your nomadic life abroad. So, what are you waiting for? Go get your ticket, and prepare ahead to enjoy a fantastic relocation experience in Japan.