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Essential Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Japan: Visas, Jobs, and Education
Japan remains one of the most sought-after destinations for expatriates, drawing millions of visitors annually with its rich history, safety,…
Work in Japan: The Complete Guide for Foreigners in 2026
If you want to work in Japan, you are not short on motivation, but you might be short on a…
How to Study in Japan – A Complete Guide to Schools, Universities and Visas
Thinking about studying in Japan can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. There are language schools, full degree…
Credit Cards in Japan: Best Foreigner-Friendly Credit Cards
Navigating personal finance in Japan can feel overwhelming for new residents, especially when it comes to credit cards. To make…
Japan’s Trash System: A Complete Guide for Newcomers
Understanding the ins and outs of Japan’s trash and recycling system can feel daunting for newcomers. Japan’s emphasis on sustainability,…
Best Cities to Live in Japan: Most Livable Cities for Foreign Residents
Japan is home to hundreds of cities, some enormous, some small, but each with unique qualities that will appeal to…
Latest Guides
Driving in Japan: Get Your License and Get on the Road
Driving in Japan may not be the first thing you think of when considering moving here. Even if you already…
Freelancing in Japan: Is it worth it? What You Need to Know
If you've been in Japan long enough, you've probably wondered whether going freelance is worth it. More money, more freedom,…
Quitting Your Job in Japan: Everything You Need to Know Before You Resign
In early 2025, Tokyo police sent a hundred officers to raid the offices of Moody, Japan's biggest job-quitting agency. Its…
TOEFL vs IELTS: Which English Test Do You Actually Need for Japan?
You need to prove your English for Japan, but which test do you actually take? Both TOEFL and IELTS are…
Remote Work in Japan: The Ultimate Guide for Foreigners
If you've been searching for a clear, honest breakdown of how remote work actually functions in Japan as a foreigner,…
Japanese Work Culture: Everything You Need to Know
Why Japanese Work Culture Is So Distinct If you ever had the experience of walking into a Japanese office at…
Why Is Networking in Japan Different from Networking Elsewhere?
If you've ever tried to build a professional network in Japan the same way you would back home, handing out…
Game Developer in Japan: Career Guide, Opportunities, and Industry Insights
Japan's gaming industry stands as one of the most influential in the world, home to iconic companies like Nintendo, Sony…
Paths to Becoming a Chef in Japan
To become a chef in Japan, you need culinary training (either at a Japanese culinary school or through apprenticeship), work…
How to Become an English Teacher in Japan
To become an English teacher in Japan, you need a bachelor's degree in any field and native or near-native English…
Sheila Cliffe on The Kimono Closet and the Stories Kimono Hold
Sheila Cliffe is a longtime kimono researcher and the author of Kimono Style. In her new book, The Kimono Closet,…
Japanese Cultural Concepts: A Complete Guide to Japan’s Most Powerful Philosophies
Japan exports two things that the rest of the world cannot seem to get enough of: technology and philosophy. The…
Greenery Day 2026: What to Know About Japan’s Nature Holiday (May 4)
Greenery Day (みどりの日, Midori no Hi) falls on Monday, May 4, 2026 — right in the middle of Golden Week,…
Japanese Idioms: Meaning, Examples, and How to Use Them Naturally
You have been studying Japanese for months. Your grammar is solid. Your vocabulary is growing. And then a Japanese colleague…
Cycling in Japan: Etiquette, Laws, and What Foreigners Need to Know 2026
A New Zealander moves to Tokyo, hops on a bike, and immediately realises that everything they knowknew about cycling is…
Mushin Meaning: Losing Yourself to Find Yourself
What is Mushin? Mushin (Pronunciation: moo-sheen・Japanese: (無心) is a concept that you can find in many areas of life, as…
Constitution Memorial Day in Japan: Meaning, History, and What to Expect on May 3
May 3 is one of those days in Japan where the trains are packed, the tourist spots are swarming, and…
Omotenashi Meaning: The Practice Behind Japan’s Convenience and Comfort
If you’ve studied Japanese, you might’ve heard the word omotenashi (Pronunciation: oh-moh-teh-nah-shee・Japanese: おもてなし) before. If you look it up in…
Golden Week 2026: The Best Spots to Explore Near Tokyo
One of the nicest things about working or studying in Japan is the country’s wealth of national holidays. They give…
Spring in Japan: Your 2026 Guide
As the impenetrable chill of winter begins to fade and the air welcomes a subtle warmth, Japan’s springtime seems to…
Real experiences, told by expats living them.
¥100 Stores: The Last Word in Bargains
Everywhere in the world has bargain stores. The US has dollar stores, the UK has Poundland, and of course, Japan…
My Story: Renting an Apartment in Tokyo
Renting an apartment in Tokyo can be an exciting adventure, but it also presents unique challenges for foreigners. From finding…
Going to a Sumo Tournament: What to Expect
Although Japan is well known abroad for its samurai history, and kendo (swordplay sometimes know as “Japanese fencing”) is a…
Working in Japan as a Foreign Writer: My Job Hunt, Tokyo Office Culture & Daily Work Life
Meet Tobias, originally from the United Kingdom, who has been living in Japan since February 2019. Tobias works in media…
Living on a Prayer: Why Japanese Shrines Enchant Me
One of the small joys of living in Japan is discovering the many Shinto shrines dotted throughout cities and countryside…
Working in Japan as a Developer: Job Hunting & What Tech Life Is Really Like
Meet Ang, originally from Canada, who has been living in Japan for about a year and a half. Ang works…
Perils! Pleasures! What It’s Like to Work in a Japanese Office
Moving to Japan and starting a new job can feel both exciting and daunting. When I first arrived, I joined…
What It’s Like Visiting a Japanese Doctor
Going to the Doctor Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Whether you’ve got a cough you just…
Getting an Eye Test in Japan: A Sight for Sore Eyes?
Like any other part of your body, your eyes are very important in your life — both in Japan, and…
My Typhoon Experience: What to Expect, What to Do, and What Not to Do
Japan is notoriously prone to natural disasters, including tsunamis, earthquakes, and typhoons. But while I have no experience with the…