KaigoJourney

Nobody talks about the actual numbers. Not honestly. So I will. This post includes my real payslip, my real monthly expenses, and my real opinion on whether caregiving in Japan is worth it financially. You deserve the truth before you make this decision.

My first salary — the real numbers

When I received my first payslip as a caregiver in Japan, I was not disappointed. I had already known what to expect before I started — and I was simply relieved to have money coming in after weeks of visa uncertainty. But knowing the numbers in advance does not make them any less important to share.

Here is what my first payslip actually showed:

📥 Want the full breakdown? Download my complete salary and expense guide here: KaigoJourney_Salary_Breakdown_v2 (1).pdf

Monthly payslip breakdown

That first payslip included one night shift. Once I settled into a regular schedule of six night shifts per month — my shift runs from 16:30 in the evening to 9:30 the following morning at the dialysis hospital where I work — my monthly take-home pay rose to approximately ¥170,000 to ¥180,000. And this is after housing deductions.

The housing situation — something most people do not know

My rent is ¥57,000 per month. I pay ¥35,000 of that. My company covers the rest. This is one of the most important things to understand about caregiver salaries in Japan — the numbers on your payslip do not tell the whole story. Many companies in the caregiving sector provide housing support because they know the salary alone makes finding accommodation difficult, especially for foreigners who are new to Japan.

But housing arrangements vary enormously between companies. Some provide free accommodation. Some offer company dormitories. Some give a housing allowance as part of your salary. Some cover half the rent like my employer does. And some provide nothing at all. Before you accept any caregiving job in Japan, ask specifically about the housing situation. It can make a significant difference to your actual quality of life.

My company also provides a transport allowance — though it only applies if the distance from your home to the workplace exceeds one kilometre. Small details like this matter when you are planning your budget.

What life actually costs — the full monthly picture

Knowing your take-home pay is only half the picture. What matters is what is left after you pay for everything. Here is my honest monthly expense breakdown:

WiFi costs in Japan vary by provider but typically range from ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 per month. I personally pay closer to ¥5,000. My SIM card costs ¥3,000 separately. Utilities — gas, water, and electricity — vary significantly by season. In summer and winter they run higher. On average, expect ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 per month.

What about buying a phone in Japan?

This is something nobody warns foreign caregivers about before they arrive. If you want to buy a new phone in Japan—for example, a device priced at ¥150,000—and you have the cash, you can pay for it all at once. No problem. But if you want to pay in monthly installments, things get more complicated for foreigners.

Some phone companies in Japan have a policy that requires foreigners to hold a visa for at least two years before they are eligible for phone financing. This means if you arrive on a fresh SSW visa, you may not be able to split a phone purchase into monthly payments right away. Plan accordingly — either bring cash for a phone purchase or use a SIM-only plan with an unlocked phone you already own.

What I actually save each month

I am not a big spender. That is simply who I am. Because of that, the salary is enough for me, and I am able to save each month meaningfully.

Without night shifts, I save approximately ¥70,000 to ¥80,000 per month. With six night shifts, I can comfortably save around ¥100,000. That is a real number, not a best-case scenario. But I want to be honest — this is my personal situation. It is not the same for everyone.

If you travel frequently, enjoy eating out regularly, or want to buy luxury goods, this salary will feel tight. Japan is not an expensive country to live in, but it can become expensive very quickly if your lifestyle demands it.

How caregiver pay compares to other jobs in Japan

Let me be direct about something that most caregiving blogs do not say out loud.

Caregiving is one of the most physically and mentally demanding jobs you can do in Japan. It requires strength, emotional resilience, language skills, and the ability to handle emergencies calmly. And yet, the salary does not reflect that.

Jobs in the restaurant industry are mentally and physically demanding, too — but they often pay more. Factory work, convenience store work, and other jobs available to foreigners in Japan offer comparable or sometimes better pay, with significantly less emotional weight. The caregiving sector asks the most and compensates the least. That is the honest reality.

Some of my Filipino friends find the caregiver salary in Japan genuinely worth it — it is significantly higher than what they could earn at home, and the living conditions and stability that come with the SSW visa make it a good life decision for them. For others, from countries with stronger economies or higher earning potential, the numbers feel less compelling.

Financial worth is relative. It depends entirely on where you are coming from and what you need.

The financial benefits nobody mentions

Beyond the salary itself, the SSW caregiving visa comes with financial advantages that are easy to overlook.

The company handles your entire visa process—and they do not charge you for it. This is unusual and valuable. Many foreign workers in Japan pay agencies significant fees to handle their paperwork. SSW caregiving employers absorb that cost. The visa process is free for you.

Health insurance and pension contributions are deducted directly from your salary, which means you are automatically enrolled in Japan’s social security system. This protects you if you become sick or injured and builds pension contributions during your time in Japan.

Another financial advantage worth noting: the SSW caregiving visa has a very low rejection rate. Demand for caregivers in Japan’s ageing population is high, and the government wants to fill these positions. That stability — knowing your visa is very likely to be approved if you follow the rules — has real financial value. Uncertainty costs money. Stability allows you to plan.

Is it worth it financially? My honest answer.

From my personal perspective — no, not purely from a financial standpoint. The work is too hard for the pay. If money were my only priority, I would look at other options. But money is not my only priority. Japan is my home. The stability, the lifestyle, the connection to this country — those things have value that does not show up on a payslip.

If you are considering caregiving in Japan purely for financial reasons, my honest advice is this: come for one year. Gain the experience. Learn the language. See how the numbers work for your specific life situation. Then decide. One year of Japanese work experience opens doors that are worth far more than any single salary figure.

One final warning — please read this carefully

If anyone approaches you offering a caregiver visa to Japan in exchange for a fee, walk away immediately. That is a scam.

Legitimate SSW caregiving employers in Japan do not charge workers for visa processing. The company handles everything at no cost to you. If someone is asking you to pay for your visa, they are exploiting your hope of coming to Japan. Stay alert. Protect yourself. There are real opportunities in this industry — but there are also people who prey on those who want them badly enough to pay.

The real opportunity costs nothing upfront. 🇯🇵

Click the link to my other post:

https://kaigojourney.com/2026/04/24/nobody-told-me-caregiving-would-break-me-and-build-me/

https://kaigojourney.com/2026/04/29/how-the-ssw-visa-saved-my-life-in-japan-and-what-you-need-to-know-about-it/

https://kaigojourney.com/2026/05/06/how-to-become-a-caregiver-in-japan-the-complete-honest-guide/