- Vladimir Rostev
InterNations not only helped me finding great business contacts but it moreover helped my family to quickly settle in.
Japanese expats moving to South Korea: Your questions answered
If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in South Korea, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in South Korea. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.
What are the most common nationalities in South Korea? As an expat in South Korea, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in South Korea currently are:
- Americans
- Canadians
- British
- Indians
Which cities are most popular among expats in South Korea? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in South Korea:
- Seoul
- Busan
- Incheon
How much rent do expats pay in South Korea? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 495 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.455 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within South Korea.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in South Korea.
Average rent in Seoul
- Single expats: 811 USD
- Expat families: 2.645 USD
Average rent in Busan
- Single expats: 550 USD
- Expat families: 1.200 USD
Average rent in Incheon
- Single expats: 278 USD
- Expat families: 1.213 USD
How safe is South Korea? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in South Korea as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.
How safe is South Korea for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in South Korea as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in South Korea (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.
Meet other Japanese at our events in South Korea
Attend our monthly events and activities for Japanese expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to meet other Japanese at our events?
Meet other Japanese in South Korea
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Find other Japanese to share your hobbies with
Tips and Advice on South Korea from Your Fellow Japanese Expats
Obviously, expat life in South Korea goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow Japanese is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the South Korean mentality and way of life. Japanese in South Korea are a part of our community, calling cities such as Busan, Incheon, Seoul, and many others home. You can use InterNations to look for fellow Japanese in Seoul, for example.
Wondering where to shop for Japanese delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the South Korean InterNations Community!
- Our network is the best place to meet expats from Japan.
- On the South Korea Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get sushi and sashimi in Seoul, etc.
- The InterNations Places database for South Korea has information on the nearest Japanese embassy and many other institutions.
From the urban sprawl of Gyeonggi to such popular nature places as Boseong Tea Field, you can meet supportive and friendly Japanese expats in South Korea on InterNations.
Meet and Mingle with Fellow Japanese in South Korea
Additionally, InterNations hosts regular expat events and activities in South Korea. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some South Korean kimchi, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Seoul’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover South Korea? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see the natural wonderland of Gangwon and other beautiful landmarks.
Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from Japan and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your InterNations membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Konbanwa from our Japanese living in South Korea!
- Vladimir Rostev
InterNations not only helped me finding great business contacts but it moreover helped my family to quickly settle in.
- Mia Lindberg
Getting to know other Scandinavian women was so easy with InterNations. We quickly got connected and became friends.
