For Japanese people living in Malaysia, returning home once or twice a year is something to look forward to, but at the same time, it is an event that requires careful preparation.
We will provide you with a complete guide to make the most of your limited stay.
Travel preparation
Required documents
- ●Passport (valid for more than 6 months)
- ●Pre-registration for Visit Japan Web (online immigration procedures)
- ●Not required if you have a Japanese resident record. There are no special procedures if you have already transferred.
Tips for booking flights
| Season | Airline ticket price (round trip) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Spring break (March) | RM2,500-4,500 | Early reservation required |
| GW (May) | RM3,000~5,000 | Highest price. Good to avoid |
| Summer Vacation (July-August) | RM2,500-4,000 | Reservation recommended 2 months in advance |
| Year-end and New Year holidays | RM3,000-5,500 | Make reservations in September |
| Others | RM1,500~2,500 | Best value |
LCC vs Full Service
- ●AirAsia X—Lowest price. Beware of baggage restrictions (additional charges may apply)
- ●Malaysia Airlines—30kg of luggage included. KL-Tokyo direct flight available
- ●JAL/ANA—Comfortable but expensive. Must use miles
- ●Batik Air—A hidden gem. Relatively cheap and comfortable
For people with a lot of luggage, Malaysia Airlines is often a good deal overall.
Top 10 things you should buy in Japan
Items that are difficult or expensive to obtain in Malaysia:
| Rank | Item | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japanese medicine (cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, eye drops) | Difficult or expensive to obtain in Malaysia |
| 2 | Children's teaching materials and drills | Continuing Japanese-style education |
| 3 | Seasonings (miso, mirin, dashi) | Expensive even at Don Donki |
| 4 | Instant noodles | More than twice the variety in Malaysia |
| 5 | Underwear and socks | Overwhelming size and quality |
| 6 | Stationery (ballpoint pens, notebooks) | Japanese stationery is the highest quality in the world |
| 7 | Cosmetics/Skincare | Japanese brands are expensive when denominated in RM |
| 8 | Furikake and seaweed | Useful for children's lunch boxes |
| 9 | Sweets (for souvenirs) | Perfect as gifts for Malaysians |
| 10 | Japanese books | Things you can't buy on Kindle |
Restrictions on bringing in: When entering Malaysia, food is generally OK, but meat (jerky, etc.) is prohibited.
Take advantage of tax-free shopping
Visit Japan Tax-free
- ●Japanese people who are not registered as residents in Japan are eligible for tax exemption**
- ●Passport + proof of non-resident status required
- ●Available at electronics stores, department stores, drug stores, etc.
- ●Requires purchase of 5,000 yen or more excluding tax at one store
Procedure flow
- 1Present your passport at time of purchase
- 2Check “Is it tax exempt?”
- 3Sign the tax exemption paperwork
- 4Confirmation at customs upon departure (digitalized from 2023)
10% consumption tax returned is great! Be sure to use it when purchasing large home appliances.
SIM/WiFi while temporarily returning to Japan
| Options | Monthly/Daily Fee | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese prepaid SIM | ¥2,000 - 5,000/14 days | Can be purchased at the airport |
| eSIM (Airalo etc.) | ¥1,000-3,000/7 days | Smartphone settings only. No physical SIM required |
| Pocket WiFi | ¥500-1,000/day | For family sharing |
| Malaysia SIM roaming | — | Maxis can be used in Japan, but data is expensive |
Recommended: eSIM (Airalo or Ubigi) has the best cost performance. Settings can be completed on your smartphone before departure.
Hospital/Health Checkup
Returning to Japan temporarily is an opportunity to receive medical care that can only be provided in Japan.
Things to do
- 1✅ Dental check-up/cleaning (some people feel more secure than Malaysia)
- 2✅ Comprehensive medical check (if you can use Japanese health insurance)
- 3✅ Additional vaccination (Japanese schedule for children)
- 4✅ Ophthalmology (Contact prescription/purchase)
- 5✅ Dermatology (ongoing treatment for atopic dermatitis, etc.)
National Health Insurance: If you return your resident card, you can temporarily enroll in National Health Insurance. However, due to the insurance premiums, you may end up losing money if you stay for a short period of time.
Tips for temporarily returning to Japan with children
- 1🎒 Trial Enrollment: 1-4 week trial enrollment is possible at Japanese public elementary and junior high schools. Consult with the Board of Education in advance
- 2📱 Kids smartphones in Japan: Short-term contracts such as TONE Mobile
- 3🏊 Short-term classes during summer vacation: Short-term classes such as swimming, gymnastics, calligraphy, etc.
- 4🎌 Japanese culture experience: Let your children experience Japanese festivals and events because they live here now.
Souvenirs for returning home (for colleagues and friends in Malaysia)
| Standard souvenir | Price range | Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Banana | ¥1,000〜 | ⭐⭐⭐ Teppan |
| Matcha KitKat | ¥500〜 | ⭐⭐⭐ Popular worldwide |
| Shiroi Koibito | ¥800~ | ⭐⭐⭐ For those with a sweet tooth |
| Eel pie | ¥800~ | ⭐⭐ Slightly less well-known |
| Kaki no Tane | ¥300～ | ⭐⭐ For those who like spicy food |
For your Muslim friends, please check that the ingredients do not contain alcohol or pork-derived gelatin!
Summary
When returning home temporarily, the trick is to pack in "shopping + medical care + children's education + family time" efficiently. Start planning 2 months before departure!