EXPAT INFO
Discover essential information for expats living in Japan. Our guide offers valuable tips on settling in, understanding local customs, navigating everyday life, handling official documents, and finding the best attractions. Whether you're new to Japan or looking to enhance your experience, we provide practical insights to help you thrive in your new home.
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How to Switch your Driver's License to a Japanese License
Are you planning to drive in Japan and wondering how to convert your foreign driver's license? The process depends on your country or region of issuance - some license holders may be exempt from the w…
Japanese Driver's License Classifications & Their Meanings
Living in Japan can present many challenges associated with daily living, as processes and procedures may differ from your home country. One area that can be confusing yet necessary for many internati…
How to Renew Your Japanese Driving License
Holding a driver’s license is a regular part of life in most countries. While this is also true in Japan, there are some rules and regulations which may differ from other countries. If you have a Japa…
Japan Driving Demerit Points: Traffic Violations & Penalties
Whether you have an international permit or a Japanese driver’s license, Japan’s driving rules are the same — and so are the penalties if you break them. If you want to stay on the right side of the l…
Emergency Telephone Numbers in Japan
Whether you are an expatriate living in Japan or a tourist exploring the land of the rising sun, it important to know where to call in case of an emergency. Below list will provide you with a list of…
Lost and Found in Japan - How to Find Lost Items
If you lose something in Japan, there is a good chance that you can get it back. In Japan, a large number of lost items, including wallets with cash and smart phones, are turned in to police and many…
Lost Your Phone in Japan? Here’s How to Get it Back
Losing your phone is a stressful experience at any time, but if it happens in a foreign country, this stress is compounded by language barriers, different or complicated procedures for lost items, and…
Medical Emergencies in Japan: How to Communicate in Japanese
In case of an emergency in Japan, you can call an ambulance (199), the police (110), or the fire department (119). In these instances, being able to communicate clearly with the help dispatcher can be…
24/7 Emergency Hospitals in Tokyo with English-Speaking Staff
Finding English-speaking emergency medical care in Tokyo can be difficult for foreigners living in or visiting Japan. This guide explains how to call an ambulance (119), lists 24-hour hospitals in Tok…
Disaster Preparedness: Stockpiling and Emergency Food in Japan
This page contains affiliate links. Major disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes and torrential rains can happen at any time. When a disaster strikes, lifelines such as electricity, gas and water may…
Japan Typhoon Season: How to Prepare for a Disaster
Earthquakes aren't the only natural disasters to be aware of in Japan. In recent years, rising sea surface temperatures due to global warming have caused typhoons to form closer to Japan and become mo…
For Emergency - Methods for Contacting Family Members
Japan is known as a country with many earthquakes. This kind of disaster could happen in Japan. It is very important to discuss the evacuation methods and measures in case of such event among the fami…
Best Ways to Store Emergency Bags in Japan
This article is contributed by Kurashinity In Japan, where earthquakes and other natural disasters are a part of life, having an emergency bag is essential. But just as important as what you pack is w…
Worry-Free Even at Night? 24-Hour Babysitter Services for Foreign Families Living in Japan
The following article is contributed by Celestsitter. Parenting Challenges Don’t Just Happen During the Day In Japan, more and more foreign families are raising small children today. Many parents may…
The Need for Postpartum Care
This article is contributed by Vitalité House. Childbirth is an event that places a great burden on a woman's body. In order to nurture the baby, the uterus enlarges, putting pressure on the internal…
Japanese Daycares, Preschools & Kindergartens—How Do They Work?
Getting accustomed to new systems and ways of doing things can be a trying and ongoing process for many foreign residents in Japan. It is especially true for families or couples planning to have child…
Fun Places for Children in Tokyo - Farms, Legoland, Book Stores, Animal Cafes
Farms Kawatsura Strawberry Farm (Chiba) Kawatsura Strawberry Farm in Chiba prefecture offers visitors the chance to pick and eat strawberries straight off the vine from mid-December to early May. Thei…
English-Speaking Dentists in Tokyo
This page contains affiliate links. Although routine dental cleanings are recommended once every 6 to 12 months, putting off going to the dentist is a common fact of adult life. But for expats living…
Health Care in Japan
Medical care in Japan is comparable to what can be found in many Western countries. Japan has a broad range of clinics and hospitals that offer all types of medical care, from checkups and routine vac…
English-Friendly Hospital Support Services in Japan
In Japan, most hospitals operate almost exclusively in Japanese, which can make the whole process even more difficult for those who are not fluent in the language. While going to the hospital is a nec…
