Latest Articles
Discover guides, tips, and stories for life in Japan.
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From September 1, Japan’s Local Streets Are 30 km/h: Roughly 70% of Ordinary Roads, No Sign Required
On September 1, 2026, the default speed limit on Japan’s local streets dropped from 60 km/h to 30 km/h. It…
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Can You Work Part-Time on a Dependent Visa? Hired With Almost No Japanese
A 29-year-old from Indonesia on a Dependent Visa, with only greeting-level Japanese, was hired at a Kyoto craft shop. What…
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Can You Get Hired on a Student Visa? A 23-Year-Old Chosen From a ‘Japanese Beginners OK’ Listing
A 23-year-old American on a Student Visa, with conversational (N3) Japanese, was hired at an Osaka cafe. Why a ‘Japanese…
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Can You Work Part-Time on a Job-Hunting Visa? A 36-Year-Old’s Real Hiring Story in 12 Days
Can you work part-time on Japan’s job-hunting visa? A 36-year-old from Myanmar got hired in Tokyo in 12 days. See…
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Silver Week 2026 Japan Flight Booking Timing and Crowds
Flying home for a Japanese holiday break, or exploring Japan instead? When you book changes the price and the trip.…
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Specified Skilled Worker Visa (Tokutei Ginou): SSW 1 vs 2
Thinking about the Specified Skilled Worker visa? How SSW 1 and SSW 2 differ, the 19 fields, the exams you…
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How to Get a My Number Card in Japan: Apply, Pick Up, Renew
Applying for a My Number Card in Japan? See the four ways to apply, photo rules, PIN setup, pickup steps,…
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How to Get a Juminhyo in Japan: Certificate of Residence
Need a juminhyo in Japan? Compare the four ways to get one, what each costs, whether your residence status appears,…
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Full-Time Job Documents in Japan: A Guide for New Graduates, Job Changers, and Overseas Hires
A practical breakdown of the documents you need before starting a full-time job in Japan, organized by three paths: new…
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JLPT December 2026: Applications Open Aug 24. Act Fast Before They Close
Applications for the December 6, 2026 JLPT open August 24. N4 and N3 closed early last sitting, so apply early.…
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Part-Time Job Documents in Japan: What to Prepare
A practical guide to the paperwork for a part-time job in Japan: the five documents almost everyone needs, handling My…
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Tokyo Disney’s First Hike in 3 Years: Up to ¥12,400 from October 2026
Tokyo Disney’s 1-Day Passport rises to a peak of ¥12,400 for adults from October 2026, the first hike in 3…
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Ordering Ramen Without the Guesswork: Ticket Machines, Broths, and What to Say (2026)
Confused by the ramen ticket machine? Learn Japan’s four broth types, how to customize your order, try kaedama, and find…
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What Is a Machi-con? A First-Timer’s Guide to the Flow & Dress Code
Curious about machi-con? This guide covers the flow from check-in to contacts, what to wear, and tips for solo attendees…
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Breaking: M7.1 Earthquake Hits Kumamoto, Japan, Maximum Intensity 7 — Tsunami Advisory Issued (July 28, 2026)
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Japan around 4:27 PM on July 28, 2026, with a maximum…
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Dating in Japan: 5 Ways to Meet People & the Confession Culture Gap
Want to date in Japan but not sure where to start? Compare five ways to meet people, from dating apps…
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A 3-Second Salt Jingle Hit Japan’s #1 Karaoke Spot The Story Behind Japan’s Most-Sung Song Right Now
A roughly 3-second commercial jingle for ‘Hakata no Shio’ salt hit #1 on JOYSOUND’s weekly karaoke ranking — a first…
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Japanese Table Manners & Chopstick Etiquette: Rules and Taboos You Might Not Know
Japanese table manners have specific rules that may surprise international residents. This guide covers everything: proper chopstick use and the…
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Your First Stop in Japan: The Complete Japanese Convenience Store (Konbini) Guide for Food, Shopping & Everyday Life
Japan’s konbini are world-class — this guide covers the Big Three chains’ best foods, register phrases, daily necessities, paperwork, and…
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How to Choose a Japanese Language School for a Student Visa (2026): Costs & Application Process
A complete guide for anyone who wants a student visa through a Japanese language school. We cover the visa application…
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How to Enjoy Depachika: Best Stores in Tokyo & Osaka, Tasting Etiquette & Gift Tips
Not sure where to go or what to buy at depachika? From Isetan and Hankyu Umeda to tasting etiquette, bento,…
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Your First Izakaya Experience Otoshi, Kanpai & Ordering: What You Need to Know
The complete guide to read before your first izakaya visit. Covers the confusing otoshi charge, when to join the kanpai…
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Double Typhoon Incoming (June 2026): Typhoon No. 7’s Latest Track, No. 8’s Movement, and What to Prepare Right Now
Typhoon No. 7 and No. 8 are both approaching Japan simultaneously. No. 7 is expected to hit Okinawa’s main island…
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Venus, the Evening Star, Is Shining in the Western Sky: How to Spot It After Sunset [June 2026]
After sunset in late June 2026, Venus shines as the brightest evening star in the west, with Jupiter low nearby.…
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Father’s Day Gift Budget in Japan: The Right Gift for Your Partner’s Dad [2026]
Father’s Day in Japan falls on June 21 this year. From how much to spend on your partner’s dad (¥3,000–5,000…
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JLPT Study Guide 2026: Pass Rates, Levels, Materials & Registration (N5 to N1)
A complete guide to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): all five levels and their pass rates explained, with study…
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Does Your Company File? What International Residents Need to Know About Japan’s Employer Notification Rule (2026)
If your employer hasn’t filed the required Hello Work notification, your visa renewal could be affected. Japan clarified the rules…
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FIFA World Cup 2026 Is Underway. How to Watch All 104 Matches from Japan, Your Home Team Included
The World Cup arrived while you’re living in Japan — which means you can follow both your home country’s team…
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Using Crypto to Send Money Home from Japan? What the 55%→20% Tax Reform Means for You [2026]
If you use Bitcoin or USDT to send money home, Japan’s crypto tax rules are about to change. The rate…
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Charged a Full Year of Health Insurance the Moment You Arrive?! What Foreign Residents in Japan Can’t Afford to Miss: NHI Prepayment (2026)
Enrolling in Japan’s NHI as a new arrival? You may be asked to pay up to a full year of…
