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Phone Number in JapanConnectivity

Getting a Phone Number in Japan: Complete Guide for Foreigners on MVNO and Budget SIM Plans

📱 Quick Facts Cheapest monthly plans: ¥990 ($7-8 USD) LINEMO 3GB to ¥1,078 ($8 USD) Rakuten Mobile 0-3GB Short-term (visitors): Mobal, Sakura Mobile eSIM (no contract, 7 days+ plans available) Long-term (residents): IIJmio, mineo, LINEMO, ahamo, Rakuten Mobile (stable and affordable) Required documents: Residence Card (在留カード), Passport, Japanese bank account or credit card eSIM support:...

Tap Payment on TrainsTransport

How to Use Credit Card Tap Payments on Japanese Trains: 2026 Complete Guide

Quick Facts March 25, 2026: 11 Kanto railway operators launched mutual contactless payment system Major card brands supported: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay Simply tap your card or phone—no recharge needed before boarding Coverage: 54 railway lines, 729 stations across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama Children’s fares: Not available with credit card...

NO IMAGETransport

How to Use Credit Card Tap Payments on Japanese Trains: 2026 Complete Guide

Quick Facts March 25, 2026: 11 Kanto railway operators launched mutual contactless payment system Major card brands supported: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay Simply tap your card or phone—no recharge needed before boarding Coverage: 54 railway lines, 729 stations across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama Children’s fares: Not available with credit card...

NO IMAGELiving in Japan

Japan Medical Care Guide for Foreigners | Hospitals, Pharmacies & How to Get Treatment as a Tourist or Expat

✅ 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...

NO IMAGECity Guides

Hiroshima & Miyajima Complete Guide | Peace Memorial Park to Itsukushima Shrine for International Visitors

Quick Facts Access to Peace Park ~15 minutes from Hiroshima Station (streetcar) Ferry to Miyajima ~45 minutes, ¥2,200 (one-way) Recommended Stay Minimum 2 days (half day Peace Park, full day Miyajima) Daily Budget Budget: ~$55, Mid-range: ~$127 Museum Admission Adults ¥200, Students Free Table of Contents Complete Hiroshima & Miyajima Guide Overview Peace Memorial Park...

NO IMAGEAccommodation

Guide to Japan’s Minpaku and Airbnb Regulations: What Travelers Need to Know

Key Facts Japan’s Private Lodging Business Act enacted June 2018 Licensed minpaku limited to 180 days per year Foreigners must provide passport information at check-in Illegal operation penalties: up to USD 8,500 fine or jail Approximately 30,000 Airbnb hosts registered in Japan 2026: New centralized matching system validates registration against platform listings [toc] Bottom Line...

Japan Convenience StoreLiving in Japan

Complete Guide to Using Japanese Convenience Stores: Everything Foreigners Need to Know

📋 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...

Earthquake Safety Guide JapanLiving in Japan

Earthquake Safety Guide for Foreigners in Japan | Preparation, Action & Evacuation Essentials

Quick 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...

Japan Post Shipping GuideLiving in Japan

How to Send Packages from Japan Post Office to Overseas | Complete Guide to EMS, Rates & Shipping Steps

Quick 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,...

Accommodation

Japan Hotel Check-In Guide | Essential English Phrases & Step-by-Step Process

Japan Hotel Check-In Guide | Essential English Phrases & Step-by-Step Process ✓ Quick Facts Standard Check-In Time: 3:00 PM (15:00) Standard Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM Passport Required: Yes, for foreign guests (required by Japanese law) Tipping Culture: No tipping expected Early Check-In Fee: ¥1,210-2,000 (~$8-14 USD) Late Check-Out Fee: ¥2,310-3,000 (~$15-20 USD) Self Check-In Available:...

Living in Japan

How to Make Restaurant Reservations in Japan | English-Friendly Apps & Phrases

How 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...