Settle Japan
Free
Trial-Stay &
Relocation
Incentives
Japan Guide 2026

Get the Japan Trial-Stay Guide

20+ programs researched. Find out which subsidies foreigners can actually use from abroad.

✓ 20+ trial-stay programs across 12 prefectures, each individually verified
✓ Overseas-friendly vs. Japan-resident-only — clearly tagged so you don't waste time
✓ Exact amounts, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step application flows
✓ Free or subsidized housing from ¥0 to ¥2,000/night while you scout your future home
✓ Common blockers explained: resident certificates, bank accounts, visa gotchas
✓ Practical checklist for contacting municipalities from abroad
✅
Guide unlocked!
Scroll down to read the full guide. We've also sent a copy to your inbox.
Follow @johnofjapan for more

Free guide + occasional tips on trial stays, rural living & making Japan home. Unsubscribe anytime.

Japan Trial-Stay & Relocation Incentives for Foreigners

The complete guide to programs you can apply for from abroad — and the ones that require Japan residency.

20+ Programs
12 Prefectures
2026 Verified
✓ Overseas-friendly
⚠ Ambiguous — confirm eligibility
✗ Japan-resident-only

How to Interpret "Overseas-Friendly" for 2026

When we label a program "overseas-friendly," we're answering two key questions:

  1. Can you start the process while you're still abroad? — Can you submit an inquiry, attend a consultation by Zoom, or send documents by email/post?
  2. Can you satisfy the document requirements without already living in Japan? — Does the program require a 住民票 (resident certificate), a Japanese bank account, or a prefecture-based address classification?

If both answers are "yes" or "likely yes," the program gets a ✓ tag. If one or both are unclear, it gets a ⚠ tag. If either answer is definitively "no," it's ✗ and goes into Category B.

Common Blockers

  • 住民票 (Resident Certificate): Issued by your local city office in Japan. If a program requires this, you cannot use it without Japanese residency.
  • Bank transfer requirements: Many reimbursement-style programs pay out to a Japanese bank account. Some accept international alternatives — most don't specify.
  • Prefecture-based residency classifications: Forms that ask you to select your "prefecture of residence" from a Japanese list are implicitly assuming domestic residency.
  • Visa considerations: Trial-stay programs are designed for scouting visits, not work. If you plan to telework during a trial stay, confirm that your visa status (typically a short-term stay / visa waiver) permits it. Most don't.

Category A: Pre-Move Scouting Support

Programs foreigners can start from abroad

⚠
Nara "Trial Relocation Support"
Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Perks

¥2,000/person/night, max ¥20,000 (up to 10 nights). Paid as QUO card after stay.

Who Qualifies

Must live outside Nara City. Stay 2+ nights. Must cooperate with surveys and allow use of photos.

How to Apply

Apply via registration form at least 10 business days before departure. FY2025 program (check-out by late March 2026).

Duration

Up to 10 nights.

Caveat: QUO card is mailed after the stay. Confirm with the city whether they can mail internationally.
✓
"Otameshi" Machinaka Stay
Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture
Perks

City subsidizes lodging — user pays reduced rate. City covers up to ¥4,000/night.

Who Qualifies

Requires prior consultation via seminars, fairs, or online.

How to Apply

Apply approximately 10 days before your stay. Payment is applied as a discounted rate at time of stay (no reimbursement needed).

Duration

1–5 nights.

Why It Works

Discount-style program — no resident certificate required. No reimbursement process. One of the most overseas-friendly programs available.

✓
Rural Lifestyle Trial House
Minowa Town, Nagano Prefecture
Perks

Facility use is FREE. Laundry/cleaning approximately ¥1,200/set.

Who Qualifies

"People who want to experience living in Minowa." Car recommended. No nationality limits stated.

How to Apply

Phone for provisional reservation + formal application via e-form. Includes remote relocation consultation.

Duration

2–6 nights. Encourages daily-life checking activities; can include guided tours of the area.

✓
Trial Housing "Jinba"
Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Perks

¥2,000/day (days 1–7), ¥1,000/day (day 8+). Utilities and Wi-Fi included.

Who Qualifies

Purpose must be "trial living," not tourism.

How to Apply

Confirm application steps with the city if applying from abroad.

Duration

1–4 weeks. Wi-Fi is highlighted — remote-work friendly.

✓
"Tamakawa Lifestyle Experience House"
Tamakawa Village, Fukushima Prefecture
Perks

¥1,000/night per group.

Who Qualifies

People interested in experiencing village life.

How to Apply

Booking via inquiry. A "hearing" determines which house is assigned.

Duration

1–30 nights. Up to 2 uses per year, 30 nights/year cap, max 4 people per group.

✓
"Second Home Biei"
Biei Town, Hokkaido
Perks

Monthly rent: ¥69,000 / ¥58,000 / ¥48,000 depending on house size. Additional costs: deposit, cleaning ¥10,300, bedding wash ¥4,000, Wi-Fi ¥1,100/month.

Who Qualifies

For people exploring migration or "two-region living."

How to Apply

Apply by email or postal mail. Selection based on documents, possible phone or Zoom interview.

Duration

FY2026: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027. Available in 1-month blocks, up to 1 year.

Note: You cannot place resident registration (住民票) at the facility. This is a trial-stay program, not a permanent residence arrangement.
⚠
Oumu "Try Living" Housing
Oumu Town, Hokkaido
Perks

¥2,000/day (Jun–Sep), ¥2,500/day (Oct–May). Utilities and internet included.

Who Qualifies

People considering moving to or teleworking in the area. Must be healthy, emergency contact clear.

How to Apply

Apply by mail or email. ID copy required (example given: MyNumber card).

Duration

1 week to 1 month. Telework framing, but visa/work legality is not addressed.

Caveat: ID example is MyNumber card — confirm whether a passport is accepted. Telework during a tourist visa waiver may violate immigration rules.
⚠
Travel/Lodging Subsidy for Relocation "Field Activities"
Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture
Perks

Lodging: up to ¥5,000/night/person, max 3 nights. Transport: up to ¥5,000 per application.

Who Qualifies

Must be a "migration hopeful" with prior consultation (remote consultation is allowed).

How to Apply

Submit plan 7 days before departure. After returning, submit application within 30 days or by March 15 (whichever is earlier).

Caveat: Transport definition is written around domestic transit. Treatment of overseas airfare is not stated.
⚠
Trial-Relocation Support Subsidy
Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture
Perks

1/2 of transport and lodging costs. Transport caps vary by Japanese prefecture of origin. Lodging cap: ¥5,000/person/night.

Who Qualifies

Living outside the city, considering moving. Must use designated consultation routes.

How to Apply

Post-visit submission: provide ID, receipts, bank account documents (bankbook or cash card copy).

Caveat: Prefecture-based transport caps and bankbook requirements strongly suggest domestic banking assumptions. Confirm overseas applicant handling before committing.
⚠
Trial-Stay Subsidy
Kawaminami Town, Miyazaki Prefecture
Perks

"Preparation" track: ¥2,000/night (max 5 nights, FY cap ¥40,000). "Experience" track: ¥1,000/night (max 5 nights, FY cap ¥25,000).

Who Qualifies

Under 55 years old (exception: household with a child under 15).

How to Apply

Notify the town before visiting. Obtain a stay certificate. Submit application at the town counter.

Caveat: ID examples focus on Japanese IDs. Payment is bank transfer (likely Japanese bank account required).
⚠
"Model Tour"
Gosen City, Niigata Prefecture
Perks

Participation free. Transport: 1/2 subsidy up to ¥10,000/person. Lodging: 1/2 subsidy up to ¥5,000/person (designated facilities).

Who Qualifies

Residents outside the prefecture. Survey required after participation.

How to Apply

Apply approximately 1 month in advance. Format: 1-night/2-day tour.

Caveat: "Prefecture of residence" framing implies domestic residency. Confirm overseas eligibility before applying.
⚠
"Migration Experience Meeting"
Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture
Perks

Lodging free + "transport cost assistance" (exact formula not publicly shown).

Who Qualifies

Living outside the prefecture. Households with children under 18. Considering migration.

How to Apply

Choose 1-night/2-day or 2-night/3-day itinerary. Content is "made to order" based on your interests.

Includes

Area tours, school and clinic positioning, meetings with senior migrants, vacant-house visits.

⚠
"Half-Live Half-Travel" Farm Stay
Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture
Perks

Special price: ¥3,000 (1-night/2-day, normally ¥15,000) or ¥6,000 (2-night/3-day, normally ¥30,000).

Who Qualifies

Considering migration. Must search for housing during stay.

How to Apply

Contact the tourism/machizukuri company directly.

⚠
Rental-Car Incentive for Vacant-House Viewing
Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture
Perks

¥2,500/day (max 4 days) for days spent viewing vacant-house bank properties.

Who Qualifies

Must be registered as a vacant-house bank user.

How to Apply

Application forms exist and can be submitted by mail.

⚠
Workation Subsidy
Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture
Perks

Amounts depend on Japanese prefecture of address. 2-night/3-day base + per-night scaling.

Who Qualifies

Residency is framed via a Japanese prefecture list. Overseas eligibility is unclear.

Caveat: Confirm qualifying work activities and visa status. Working on a tourist visa waiver is generally not permitted.
⚠
"Relocation Experience" Travel Subsidy
Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture
Perks

"Partial travel cost subsidy" (exact amount unspecified on public pages).

Who Qualifies

Living outside the prefecture. Doing migration preparation. At least one consultation with staff required.

How to Apply

Application steps unspecified in public materials. Contact the city directly.

⚠
Semboku "Migration Experience"
Semboku City, Akita Prefecture
Perks

Perks unspecified in public materials.

Who Qualifies

Resident outside the prefecture. Limited to 2 uses per facility per fiscal year.

How to Apply

Requires publicity and survey cooperation.

⚠
Ugo "Experience House" + "Made-to-Order Experience Tour"
Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture
Perks

Fees and subsidy amounts unspecified in public materials.

What's Included

Childcare/school visits, farm work, vacant-house viewings. Strong "custom itinerary" support.

How to Apply

Contact the town directly to arrange.

⚠
Oga Travel-Cost Assistance
Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Perks

Amounts and caps unspecified in public materials.

Who Qualifies

Living outside the prefecture. Visiting for trial living or scouting purposes.

How to Apply

Classic "reimburse your scouting trip" program. Contact the city for current details.

⚠
Kochi Prefecture Trial-Stay Facility Directory
Kochi Prefecture (multiple municipalities)
Perks

Benefits and fees vary by municipality and facility. This is a directory, not a single subsidy program.

Who Qualifies

Conditions vary per facility. Check each listing individually.

Why It's Useful

High-value "one-stop" starting point for Kochi Prefecture. However, it is not proof of overseas eligibility for any individual program.

Best Category A Picks for Overseas Applicants

  • Omachi City, Nagano — Discount applied at stay. No reimbursement. No resident certificate. Online consultation available.
  • Minowa Town, Nagano — Free facility. E-application. No nationality limits stated. Includes remote relocation consultation.
  • Hitachiota City, Ibaraki — Up to 4 weeks. Wi-Fi included. Low daily rate with cost stepping down after week 1.
  • Tamakawa Village, Fukushima — ¥1,000/night per group. Up to 30 nights per year. Extremely low friction.

Also worth knowing: the JET Programme and MEXT Scholarships are separate, well-established pathways for getting to Japan with housing support — but they are employment/education programs, not trial-stay subsidies.

Category B: After-You-Move Benefits

Programs that require Japan residency

These represent the majority pattern. They were designed to move people from one Japanese municipality to another — typically from the Tokyo metro area to rural regions. They require Japanese resident documentation (住民票, tax certificates, domestic bank accounts) that you cannot satisfy without already living in Japan.

These are worth knowing about for after you arrive and establish residency, but they are not usable for your initial scouting trip.

National Relocation Cash Grant (UIJ Turn)
Requires 5 of the last 10 years in Tokyo 23 wards + intent to live in the destination for 5 years.
Hashimoto City Trial-Stay Subsidy
Requires 住民票 (resident certificate) and tax "no delinquency" proof.
Hashimoto City Akiya Trial Living
Requires resident registration + in-person filing only.
Azumino City "Otameshi" House
Requires 住民票 copy.
Azumino City Migration Registration Form
Requires selecting a Japanese prefecture for your current address.
Tamba City Reimbursement
Requires bankbook or cash card copies (Japanese bank account).

Application Flow & Practical Checklist

Typical Application Flow

1
Initial Inquiry — Email or call the municipality. Introduce yourself, state you're overseas, ask about eligibility.
2
Confirm Eligibility by Email — Ask specifically: "Can a non-resident of Japan apply? Can I use a passport instead of a MyNumber card?"
3
Pre-Consultation — Many programs require a consultation before you can apply. Ask if Zoom or phone is acceptable.
4
Pre-Approval / Reservation — Submit your application or reservation form. Some have deadlines (7–10 business days before arrival).
5
Travel to Japan — Arrive with printed copies of all correspondence and confirmations.
6
Collect Proofs — Receipts, stay certificates, survey completions, photos as required.
7
Submit Application — For reimbursement programs, submit within the stated deadline (often 30 days or by March 15).
8
Review — Municipality reviews your submission. Timeline varies.
9
Benefit Delivery — Discount applied, QUO card mailed, or bank transfer issued depending on program.

Practical Checklist

  • Confirm non-Japan addresses are accepted in the application form
  • Ask how they pay out benefits (bank transfer? discount at stay? gift card?)
  • If 住民票 (resident certificate) is required = not usable without Japanese residency
  • Treat workation and telework claims carefully with respect to immigration law
  • Check if the program is still active for the current fiscal year (April–March)
  • Ask if passport is accepted as ID (many forms default to MyNumber card or driver's license)
  • Save all email correspondence — municipal staff rotations can cause confusion

Coverage Notes

  • Built from the IJU JOIN national portal (the official government clearinghouse for migration support programs) plus individual municipal and prefectural sources.
  • Programs reset with the Japanese fiscal year (April–March). Budget exhaustion can close programs early.
  • Where specific information was unspecified in public materials, it has been marked as such rather than guessed.
  • We strongly recommend sending a confirmation email to the municipality before committing to flights. A simple email in Japanese (or English, many will try) confirming eligibility can save you a wasted trip.

Planning Your Move to Japan?

Trial stays are just the first step. Figure out which visa you qualify for, or talk through your full relocation plan with someone who's helped dozens of people do it.

Take the Visa Diagnostic Book a Strategy Call

This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal, immigration, or employment advice. Always verify with official sources and qualified professionals.