[akickintheteeth]

1) My roommate is Japanese and her student visa expires in September. I have decided to move back with her and was wondering if anyone here knows how easy it is for gaijin to get jobs either as a musician (I play guitar/keyboards semi-professionally in the US) or as a bartender (I bartend to supplement my income as a musician).. Is there much of a music scene (for gaijin, or otherwise) in Tokyo? Nagoya? Osaka? Fukuoka? How about for touring musicians? Could I get a work visa for that kind of work?

Sorry, I don't have a college degree.

2) I was also wondering about my music studio. I've got some expensive mixers, synthesizers, guitars, amplifiers, etc. etc. I'd really like to bring things with me (certainly some, if not all), but I'm not sure if shipping things would be worth it or if I would be better off selling everything and literally starting over from scratch?

3) Any other recommended resources for expats regarding the logistics of making a (semi) permanent move overseas? Specifically I need to investigate things like dealing with current debt before/after I move, what to bring and what to sell (especially concerning electronics, like synthesizers and guitar amplifiers), finding jobs, etc. etc.

Opinions from expats with experience would be very much appreciated.. As for actually living in Japan, I've been there a number of times and will be moving there with my current roommate... so I'll have a little helper once I get there.. I just need to figure out the logistics from my end... that is, taking my current life and moving it across the Pacific.