• The Japanese equivalent of a garage sale, the sayonara sale is a great way of getting rid of unwanted goods.
• Decide what you’ll be shipping and what you’ll be carrying. Find out the baggage limitations well before your departure date. Take the rest to the post office in boxes, or call a shipping company for a free estimate. If you plan early, opt for surface shipping and you can save money.
• For the things you won’t be selling, shipping or carrying, call one of the city’s many private rubbish removal companies. Tell them how much you need to dispose of and they’ll bring a truck, load it up and take it away – just make sure to agree on a price beforehand.
• Security deposit: Japanese landlords are notorious for trying to keep deposit money. Be sure to ask for it back, and try not to be surprised by unannounced deductions.
• Taxes are computed in June. If you leave before then, you are legally required to appoint someone to pay on your behalf.