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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The Ins and Outs of Japanese Resumes as a Foreigner
This page contains affiliate links. When applying for a job in Japan, you submit a Japanese resume called rirekisho, which is often accompanied by another type of resume known as shokumukeirekisho. He…
Catching A Taxi in Japan
As convenient as the train system is, there are still times when you will need to take a taxi in Japan. While taking a taxi long distances will still cost you a lot more than other forms of public tra…
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…
Mercari Japan: How to Shop in English
E-commerce platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Gumtree have made it easy to find secondhand items available at a good price. This is no different in Japan, where Mercari has become a very p…
Disability Symbols and their Meanings in Japan
There are many symbols for people with disabilities in Japan. Some of the symbols are universal and you may have seen them abroad. Various symbols and signs relating to people with disabilities indica…
How to Sell on Mercari Japan
While in the West there are secondhand online marketplaces like eBay, in Japan there is Mercari, where you can both save money on buying used, yet still high-quality goods and easily make some extra m…
How to Properly Dispose of Cooking Oil in Japan
Proper disposal of used cooking oil from home cooking, such as after making tempura or tonkatsu, is essential for both environmental and sanitary reasons. In this article, we will explain in detail th…
Etiquette Guide: Why Do You Take Off Your Shoes in Japan?
If you have ever visited Japan, live in Japan, or even had some interaction with Japanese culture in your home country, you may be aware that taking off one’s shoes to go inside a residence is a commo…
Where to Volunteer in Tokyo
It's good to do volunteering worldwide and Tokyo is no exception. Volunteerism has grown in popularity in Japan, and there are numerous nonprofit organizations (NPOs) dedicated to a variety of causes…
Pet Manners & Etiquette in Japan - Dog Walking, etc.
For many dog owners, pets are like their own children. If that description fits you, then you may be taking your dog with you almost everywhere you go. Recently, many dog owners with their dogs can be…
What is Sakaki and How Is It Used in Japan?
This page contains affiliate links. This article is contributed by 供TOMO. Japan is known for its deep attachment and respect for nature. Shinto, one of Japan’s main religions with Buddhism, is the pro…
Japanese Currency: Banknotes and Coins
Despite growth of credit card and e-money use in Japan, you will still find yourself paying by cash in some occasions in your day to day life. It's surprising to many that there are still some restaur…
Osaka vs Tokyo - What are the differences?
Tokyo and Osaka are two cities in Japan that are often compared. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and part of Kanto region, while Osaka is the largest city of Kansai region. However, the differences are…
What is Shojin Buddhist Cuisine? Try it at Minobusan
This article is contributed by KAKURINBO. Located in Minobu (population approx. 10,000) in southern Yamanashi Prefecture, Minobusan is a Buddhist enclave that is home to Kuonji, the head temple of the…
Translating Your Japanese Payslip: Essential Vocabulary
If you work as an employee for a company in Japan, it is important to be fully aware of how your wages are being calculated, what percentage is being withheld, and for what reasons it is being withhel…
Welcoming the Obon Holiday: Exploring Japanese Tradition
Japan is well-known for its festivals, especially during the summertime. Fireworks, festivities, and food is the image that comes to mind for most people. However, Obon is a festival with a difference…
How to Rent a Car in Japan
This page contains affiliate links. Japan has one of the best public transit systems in the world covering almost anywhere you could wish to go in the city, but what about when you want to head into t…
The Story Behind “Washi”, Japan’s Traditional Handmade Paper
This article is contributed by MADALAND. Located about 15 minutes by car southeast of Takefu Station on the JR Hokuriku Line, the village of Goka in Fukui Prefecture (which comprises the Imadate-cho n…
The Seven Lucky Gods of Japan: Who Are Shichifukujin?
This page contains affiliate links. Spirituality in Japan is very unique in its wide acceptance and mixing of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, traditions, and customs. However, there are also some traditi…
Prayer Offering Manners at Shrines and Temples in Japan
There are many people in Japan who still get confused about what to do when visiting shrines and temples. While the prayers given at a shrine and temple may be similar, they each have their own proced…
