International Movers Japan
Published by Chris Townsend
Japan International Moving Companies
Japan International Moving Companies
Japan is a small island with massive influence, importing and exporting over a billion dollars in goods every year. To handle all of this commercial activity, Japan has many international seaports along its coastlines, giving Japanese residents several options for international relocation.
Unsurprisingly, the Port of Tokyo is a major player in international shipping, offering several terminals for general cargo and even two terminals for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transport if you wish to ship a vehicle.
The Port of Kobe was one of the most important seaports in the world before it was destroyed by the 1995 earthquake. Still rebuilding, it has since become the fourth busiest port in Japan.
On the west coast of Japan, the Port of Osaka is a major logistical hub that offers container shipping and RoRo options.
Other ports in Japan include those at Sendai, Toyama, Hiro, Yokohama, and many more. The port you choose will depend on your needs and budget, but it is always a benefit to customers to have several options for international move.
Port of Tokyo
Here are some of the other factors you must consider when moving overseas from Japan:
Choosing the Right Container
If you choose to ship your personal belongings by a full container load (FCL), you will be charged for the entire 12 or 6-meter container. If you don’t need that much space, you can choose to ship a less than container load (LCL). In this case, you will only pay for the space that you need.
For the budget-conscious, an LCL is more cost effective, but it does have some disadvantages. With an LCL you share the container with one or more customers, who may not all be traveling to the same port that you are. This could mean several weeks’ worth of delays if your container needs to stop at additional ports along the way for loading and unloading. All of this additional handling increases the chances that your personal effects may get damaged along the way.
If that does not deter you, you can then begin to evaluate what you will and will not bring with you. Obviously under this arrangement, the more you bring, the more you pay. This could be a great time to get some new furniture rather than pay to have it shipped overseas where it may not match the décor of your new home.
Check in with the Embassy or Consulate
Embassies are located in foreign countries for a few reasons. They are a base of operations for the work of diplomacy and hosting fancy dinner parties, but they are also wonderful resources for people looking to move abroad. Before you leave Japan, touch base with the local embassy for the country you are moving to. They can offer valuable advice and guidance for how to navigate the immigration and importation processes.
Then, once you have arrived at your new home, you should check in with your local Japanese embassy to get advice and support as a Japanese expat. They will be able to help you navigate residence and work paperwork and will be there to advocate for you if you have trouble.
Cost of Moving Overseas from Japan
Budgeting for an overseas move can feel hit or miss. Online quotes provide broad international moving estimates that aren’t really helpful. Moving a full, 12-meter container from Tokyo to London is estimated to cost anywhere between ¥1,046,200 - ¥1,415,500. To move that container to Sydney, Australia could cost between ¥800,100 - ¥1,092,400. Most people look at these estimates and wonder how they could possibly set a budget.
It’s true that these estimates are very broad, in part because they are not tailored for your individual circumstances. But don’t despair. When you work with an international moving company like Three Movers, you get a personalized quote that includes all aspects of your move, from professional packing service to last mile transport.
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