Preparing for Life in Japan: A Language Checklist
Moving to Japan for work or study? Beyond JLPT scores, here's the everyday Japanese you'll actually need — and how to prepare before you land.
By NihongoHub Team
Passing the JLPT is a milestone. Surviving your first month in Japan is a different test — train tickets, apartment contracts, workplace greetings, and convenience store interactions don't wait for you to open a dictionary.
Thousands of Bangladeshi learners dream of Japan for work, technical training, or higher education. Language prep before departure makes the transition dramatically smoother.
Before you leave: language priorities
1. Survival phrases (week one in Japan)
Learn these until they're automatic:
- すみません (excuse me / sorry)
- お願いします (please)
- わかりません (I don't understand)
- もう一度お願いします (once more, please)
- いくらですか (how much?)
Politeness matters more than perfect grammar in first impressions.
2. Numbers, dates, and times
You'll use these daily:
- Train schedules and platform numbers
- Rent payments and utility bills
- Shift schedules at work
- Appointment booking at city hall
Drill numbers out of order — not just 1 to 10 in sequence.
3. Keigo basics for work
Even entry-level jobs expect:
- おはようございます (good morning — formal)
- お疲れ様です (thank you for your hard work)
- 失礼します (excuse me — entering/leaving)
You don't need full business Japanese on day one, but ignoring workplace phrases creates distance with colleagues.
Documents and bureaucracy
Japan involves paperwork. Know vocabulary for:
- 在留カード (residence card)
- 印鑑 (personal seal / stamp)
- 契約 (contract)
- 保証人 (guarantor)
Ask your sending organization or senpai which forms appear in your specific visa program.
Cultural habits that pair with language
- Bow when greeting — depth matches situation
- Take shoes off indoors — learn 玄関 (genkan) etiquette
- Trash sorting — local rules vary; learn area-specific vocabulary
- Quiet on trains — phone calls are taboo
Language and culture reinforce each other. A correct sentence delivered loudly on a train still feels wrong.
First 30 days in Japan: language goals
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Train routes, shopping, self-introduction |
| 2 | Workplace phrases, asking for help |
| 3 | Reading signs and notices at your dorm/apartment |
| 4 | One real conversation daily — shop staff, classmates, coworkers |
Keep a small notebook of words you needed but didn't know. Review it each night.
What JLPT level do you really need?
It depends on your path:
- Technical intern / factory programs — N4 is a common baseline; N3 opens more options
- University — often N2 or higher for Japanese-taught programs
- Daily life only — N5 helps, but conversation practice matters more than the certificate
The JLPT tests exam Japanese. Life in Japan tests real Japanese. Prepare for both.
Staying connected with home
Homesickness is real. Balance is key:
- Schedule regular calls with family in Bangladesh
- Find local Bangladeshi community groups in your prefecture
- Use Japanese practice as structure — loneliness shrinks when you have daily goals
How NihongoHub helps
NihongoHub is built for Bangladeshi learners with Japan and JLPT goals in mind — from first kana to structured JLPT paths with Bangla support. Start before you fly, and keep studying on the ground.
Japan will challenge you. It will also reward preparation. Start the checklist now — not at Narita or Haneda airport.