Once we landed at Narita Airport the JET staff took the lead and guided us through the next steps. We had to get through immigration, onto busses and to our hotel to sleep and prepare for the Post Arrival Orientation beginning the next day. Unfortunately, but understandably, stopping at the Narita Airport Pokémon center was impossible.

The first thing that I, and every other kiwi, noticed upon our arrival was the heat and humidity! I had changed into a summer dress before landing but so many others were still wearing their winter jeans and regretting it. There was air conditioning running while we were waiting in line but it just felt like all it was doing was moving the moist air around instead of cooling us. The wait wasn’t as long as expected and we all had our fingerprints and photos taken before we passed through customs. Preparing the QR codes for immigration before we departed really sped up the process.

Next was the decision about which luggage comes to the hotel and which gets shipped to your school (for a fee which you’ll pay later). You are only allowed two bags on the bus: one small carry-on and one large piece of luggage stored underneath the bus. Since both my partner and myself had only one checked-in bag it and were placed in Tokyo it was an easy decision, but if you are bringing two checked-in bags or need to ship all large luggage ahead of time due to size restrictions on your transport to your prefecture then you need to be more strategic. Pack the formal suit that you’ll wear at the Post-Arrival Orientation into your carry-on luggage along with 3-5 days worth of essential items as your luggage may not arrive at your school before you do.

The bus takes over an hour to get to the hotel so enjoy the sights of the largest city in the world. You can probably spot several landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree. When you arrive at the hotel you will be ushered into a quick briefing where the times for the morning events and their locations will be given to you along with a bag with documents to read prior to the first seminar. You’ll have free time once you’ve gotten your name badge and room key so use the time how you wish but try to get some sleep as there will be a lot of information to absorb over the next several days.

Pro-tip: if you are staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel there is a konbini (convenience store) on the very bottom floor of the hotel which sells fans. You will be hot in your suit during the opening ceremony and being able to cool yourself down makes it a lot more bearable.

The first two days are going to be a blur of TMI and then after that ESID as you’ll be going to your schools. Get out at night to acclimate yourself to the heat and humidity sooner rather than later otherwise when you go out in your suit on a hot summer’s day to meet the teachers at your school you will be miserable. Just listen to the staff and keep a tab with the link to the timetable open to check where you’re meant to be and it will be fine. There have been thousands of people through the JET Programme before you so its like a well oiled machine.

When you get to your new place of residence then you’ll be able to relax a bit and begin to get your thoughts in order. Here is where everything really becomes ESID. In Tokyo, my partner and I didn’t have any JTEs helping us to get our important documents or setting up our bank accounts, but our rental agency had arranged for the power, gas and water to be set up as long as we met with the staff from the organisation in charge of that utility when they came to our apartment at the arranged time. We got information from our preds and co-JETS about places which had English speaking staff that could help us with the processes of opening bank accounts, etc. You may have JTEs who already have a plan to help you with this and will be able to translate for you. I found out the hard way that you must have a Japanese phone number in order to open a bank account so get that done first. Go with it and ask questions if you are uncertain. Its better to sound like an anxious foreigner and get it right the first time than nod along and then realise that your bank account doesn’t allow internet banking (furikome) so you can’t actually pay your rent.

Pro-tip: the app SayHi (made by Amazon) is audio translator that has been immensely helpful. You can talk into it and the app will then translate and say in the selected language what you are trying to say and the person you are speaking to will be able to do the same. It allows communication by proxy.

I know its cliché but try not to stress about it. There are lots of support structures in place in the first couple of weeks to allow you to settle into your new life. It may feel scary, confusing, possibly even overwhelming, but you will get through it. Enjoy your time living in a new country and keep in contact with your friends and/or family at home as I’m sure they’ll be eager to hear how its all going.