The Complete Guide to Buying a Car in Japan as a Foreigner in 2025
When I first moved to Japan a decade ago, I thought having a car was unnecessary since railway transportation in Japan was among the best … Read more
A Guide to Childcare for Babies and Toddlers in Japan
When you have a child in Japan, sooner or later you will need to consider using a childcare service. You might think it is just … Read more
The Expat’s Guide to Getting Permanent Residence in Japan
Permanent residency, or becoming an “eijusha” (permanent resident) in Japan, is highly coveted by many long-term foreign residents of Japan. Permanent residency status grants you … Read more
Shipping from Japan: Services, Costs, and Customs
This article is a comprehensive guide to help you send containers or parcels from Japan to any country in the world. From preparing the package … Read more
Shipping to Japan: Services, Costs, and Customs
Inevitably, when you move to Japan, or have lived here for some time, you will want to either have someone ship something to you from … Read more
The Complete Guide to ATMs in Japan
Using an ATM in Japan isn’t a particularly challenging task, but there are some differences compared to ATMs you might find in your home country. … Read more
How to Get a Driver’s License in Japan as a Foreigner
While the transportation system in Japan is good, you may want to drive a car in Japan. As an expat, your international driving permit (IDP) … Read more
Having a Baby in Japan: The Complete Guide for Expecting Parents
I am a father of two. All of my children were born in Japan. It’s an amazing experience. While navigating Japan’s healthcare system seems to … Read more
Dating in Japan for Single Expats: Where to Meet Single Japanese
When you live in Japan, sooner or later you may want to enter a relationship. The dating scene in Japan can be confusing for both … Read more
Do You Need to Know Japanese to Live in Japan?
The answer to this question depends on who you ask and is specific to your personal situation, but I can say with utmost confidence that … Read more
How to Live in Japan Without Learning Japanese
It is hard to imagine living for an extended period in time in a place where you can’t speak to the people around you, read … Read more
Tax in Japan for Foreigners: Income Tax, Residence Tax, and More
Living and earning an income in Japan comes with the expected duty of having to pay taxes. Like all Japanese citizens (with the exclusion of … Read more