Living in JapanJapan's shoes-off culture demystified: the genkan step is the boundary. A complete guide to when to remove shoes at homes, ryokan, temples, and tatami restaurants — plus toilet slippers, sock etiquette, and footwear tips.
Living in JapanJapan consumes 80 million plastic umbrellas yearly. Where to buy, price comparison, theft prevention, disposal rules, and eco alternatives — a complete foreign-visitor guide to Japan's umbrella culture.
Living in JapanJapan's bowing etiquette explained: 15° for casual, 30° for business, 45° for deep apology. A practical guide for foreign visitors with cultural context, scenario tables, and a one-minute training method.
Living in JapanWhere to find your embassy or consulate in Japan, what services they actually provide, and how to call them in an emergency. Built for foreign visitors and long-term residents — covers lost passports, arrests, hospitalizations, and routine paperwork.
Living in JapanComplete guide to Japan's re-entry system for foreign residents. Special Re-entry (free, 1 year) vs Standard Re-entry Permit (¥3,000/¥6,000, up to 5 years), application steps, validity rules, and how to avoid losing your residence status when traveling abroad.
Living in JapanComplete English guide to Japan's emergency numbers 110 (police) and 119 (fire & ambulance). Learn three-way interpreter support in 20 languages, how to dial from a SIM-less phone, plus #7119, #9110, JNTO Visitor Hotline and other lifesaving numbers.
Living in JapanA practical guide to Japanese dining etiquette for foreign visitors and residents. Covers proper chopstick handling, the meanings of itadakimasu and gochisousama, the ten forbidden chopstick taboos, and behavior in sushi, ramen and izakaya settings.
Living in JapanComplete guide to enrolling foreign children in Japanese schools. Compare public (free), private (~¥1M/yr), and international (¥2-3M/yr) options. Learn the 5-step enrollment process, language support programs, and high school exam tracks for non-Japanese speakers.
Living in JapanComplete guide to Japanese funeral etiquette for foreigners. Learn koden amounts ($33 to $660), envelope labels by religion, black dress code, the 5-step incense ritual, condolence phrases, and the photography taboo — with comparison tables for Buddhist, Shinto, and Christian services.
Living in JapanComplete etiquette guide for international guests invited to Japanese weddings. Gift money amounts, the ¥30,000 rule, crisp new bills, dress codes, RSVP customs, day-of timeline, and ceremony types - all explained for first-timers.
Living in Japan📌 Quick Facts (30-second summary) About 5% of Japanese have a food allergy (Consumer Affairs Agency, 2024). Restaurant disclosure is voluntary, not required by law Big chains disclose all allergens; small independent places may not. Read in advance, ask twice on arrival Japan now has more than 2,500 vegan restaurants (HappyCow), up 15% year on...
Living in JapanComplete Mercari guide for foreigners living in Japan. Covers English UI, overseas credit card signup, anonymous shipping, translation tips, and strategies for reselling household items before you return home.
Living in JapanA practical guide to Japan's koban police boxes for foreign visitors and residents — 6,250 locations nationwide, 24-hour staffing, multilingual support, and exactly what you can ask a koban officer for.
Living in JapanJapan's konbini are far more than shops — they are 24/7 hubs for ATMs, bill payments, shipping, and tickets. Here's how to use 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart to their full potential.
Living in JapanThe complete guide to tax-free shopping at Japan's major electronics retailers. Compare Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, Yamada Denki and Edion. Learn about tax-free procedures, point cards, recommended products and the upcoming 2026 tax refund system change.
Living in JapanJapanese drugstores aren't just pharmacies — they sell cosmetics, snacks, daily goods and souvenirs, and offer tax-free shopping for tourists. Here's how to use Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Cosmos, and the other big chains.
Living in JapanA complete beginner guide for foreigners on how to play pachinko in Japan. Learn the rules, the prize exchange system, pachinko vs slots, legal status, how to avoid losses, and addiction precautions. Updated for 2026.
Living in JapanVisiting Japan without knowing Japanese can feel daunting, especially in emergencies. Unlike many English-speaking countries where you can get by with English almost anywhere, Japan presents unique communication challenges — only about 30% of the population reports being comfortable with English. This guide equips you with the essential Japanese phrases, point-and-speak (YUBISASHI) communication techniques, and...
Living in JapanComplete guide to using Japan's 25,000+ coin laundries (laundromats). Learn step-by-step instructions, pricing from ¥300, payment tips, and essential etiquette rules for tourists and residents.
Living in JapanOne of the most striking sights that amazes foreign visitors to Japan is the country’s ubiquitous vending machines (jidohanbaiki). Japan is home to approximately 4 million vending machines, making it the highest vending machine density per capita in the world — roughly one machine for every 31 people. Beyond drinks, these machines sell food, daily...
Living in JapanJapan is famous as one of the safest countries in the world, yet many tourists and expats wonder: “Where does all that CCTV footage go?” “Is it illegal to film strangers on the street?” “Is it really okay to walk alone at midnight in Shinjuku?” If you’re planning a trip or a long-term stay, you’ll...
Living in JapanStarting June 2026, Japan launches the Specified Residence Card merging your Residence Card with your My Number. Understand the benefits, process, and whether to choose integrated or separate cards.
Living in JapanComplete guide to Japan's Digital Nomad Visa (Designated Activities No. 53): income requirements, eligibility, application process, and step-by-step instructions to apply.
Living in Japan📌 Golden Week 2026: Essential Facts for Visitors Dates: April 29 (Wed) – May 6 (Wed) Minimum vacation: 5 consecutive days (April 29 + May 2-6) Maximum vacation: 8 consecutive days (April 27-May 6, with PTO) Congestion level: ★★★★★ Japan’s 3rd busiest travel period Hotel prices: 1.5-2x normal rates, up to 3x in popular areas...
Living in JapanMaster Japan's moving procedures: move-out notification, move-in notification, 14-day deadline, ward office registration, residence card update, health insurance, pension, and utilities setup for foreigners.
Living in JapanEverything you need to know about importing dogs and cats to Japan: microchip, rabies vaccinations, antibody test, 180-day waiting period, quarantine rules, and required documents from MAFF.
Living in JapanComplete guide to Japan's sento public bathhouses. Learn bathing etiquette, entry fee (~$3.50), tattoo policies, and how sento differ from onsen. Step-by-step instructions for first-timers.
Living in Japan✅ Quick Facts for Foreigners Essential information before visiting a hospital in Japan. If you’re a foreigner seeking medical care in Japan, here are the critical points you need to know: National Health Insurance is mandatory: If you’re staying 3+ months, you must enroll at your municipal office Insured patients pay 30%: With insurance, you’ll...
Living in JapanEssential guide for foreign residents: Japan's Residence Card & My Number reporting requirements. 14-day address change deadline is critical—violations carry fines up to ¥200,000. Unified 'Specific Residence Card' launching June 2026.
Living in Japan📋 Quick Facts Convenience Stores in Japan: 56,000+ Major Chains: 7-Eleven (21,000+), FamilyMart (16,000+), Lawson (14,000+) Operating Hours: Most locations are open 24/7 ATM Support: 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards with multilingual support Tax-Free Shopping: Available at some stores for purchases over ¥5,000 ($35 USD) Services: ATM, package delivery, ticket printing, bill payment, copy/fax/print, Wi-Fi...
Living in JapanComplete guide to renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner. Understand upfront costs, key money, deposits, guarantor companies, and the best apartment search sites for expats.
Living in JapanQuick Facts About Japan’s Garbage Sorting 41% Of foreigners cite garbage sorting as the #1 confusing rule in Japan 4 Main waste categories in Japan’s system 20% Japan’s current waste recycling rate $67,000 Maximum fine for illegal dumping (approx USD) What Is Garbage Sorting in Japan? For foreign residents in Japan, garbage sorting (gomi bunbetsu)...
Living in JapanEssential guide to Japan's health insurance for foreign residents. Learn the difference between NHI and Shakai Hoken, enrollment steps, costs, and the critical 2027 visa rule.
Living in JapanQuick Facts About Earthquakes in Japan Annual Earthquakes Japan experiences approximately 1,500 felt earthquakes per year, making it one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Shindo Scale Japan uses the Shindo (震度) scale (0-7), not the Richter scale. This measures earthquake intensity and impact in specific locations. Building Standards Japan’s 1981 seismic building codes...
Living in JapanQuick Facts About Japan Post International Shipping If you’re living in Japan or visiting as a tourist, you might need to send packages overseas. Japan Post Office offers reliable, affordable international shipping options that have been trusted for decades. Here’s what you need to know at a glance: EMS (Express Mail Service): 3-7 days delivery,...
Living in JapanComplete guide to Japanese pharmacies and drugstores for foreign visitors. Learn about OTC medicine classes, English support, tax-free shopping, and which medicines to buy for common symptoms.
Living in JapanHow to Make Restaurant Reservations in Japan | English-Friendly Apps & Phrases Quick Facts Primary Reservation Methods: Tabelog, TableCheck, Google Maps, and phone calls Restaurant Database Size: ~890,000 restaurants nationwide in Tabelog Online Reservation Coverage: 35,000+ restaurants offer English-language online booking Michelin-Starred Availability: 200+ Michelin restaurants on TableCheck Cancellation Fees: Free if canceled 24+ hours...
Living in JapanQuick Facts about Japanese Izakaya Average spending: $15-40 USD per person Most popular ordering method: Call staff or use menu Typical capacity: 30-100 customers Peak hours: 5 PM – 11 PM on weekdays Cash payment still dominates: 65% of transactions Table of Contents What is a Japanese Izakaya? How to Enter and Be Seated Ordering...
Living in JapanComplete guide to Japan's 100 yen shops. Discover the best items at Daiso, Seria, and Can Do, pricing, tax-free shopping, and tips for maximizing your budget at these iconic retail destinations.
Living in JapanVisiting Japan? The tipping question might confuse you. The truth is Japan has no tipping culture—service charges are already included. This guide explains what you actually need to know and when you might offer gratuities in this gift-giving context.
Living in JapanWhy Does Japan Have So Many Earthquakes? Understanding the Basics Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, it sits at the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the North American Plate. This unique...
Living in JapanWhat Is Japan’s Short-Term Stay Visa? Understanding the Basics Japan’s Short-Term Stay Visa (tourist visa) is a residence status defined under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. It allows foreign nationals to temporarily stay in Japan for activities that do not involve paid employment, such as tourism, visiting relatives, attending business meetings, or participating...
Living in Japan🌐日本語でお読みください:【2026年最新】日本の温泉でタトゥーはNG？外国人が知るべきマナーと対応施設・入浴ガイド完全版 → 🌊 Quick Facts — Japanese Onsen…
