Honest reviews, expat guides, and tech picks for foreigners in Japan
Honest English guides for expats, travelers & Japan lovers โ from tech picks to daily life tips
Browse our guides by topic โ find exactly what you need
Tech & Gadgets
Best gadgets to buy in Japan, tech reviews & Amazon JP guides
โTravel in Japan
Suica cards, rail passes, best places to visit & travel tips
โLife in Japan
Bank accounts, health insurance, taxes & everyday expat life
โPets in Japan
Pet-friendly apartments, vets, bringing your pet to Japan
โThings every expat & visitor should know
IC cards like Suica work on almost every train & bus in Japan โ and at convenience stores too!
Amazon Japan ships super fast โ often same-day or next-day delivery, even for gadgets
National Health Insurance covers foreigners after 3 months โ enroll at your local ward office
A My Number Card is essential for banking, healthcare & tax returns as a foreigner
Pet-friendly apartments exist but are limited โ use GaijinPot or Sakura House to find them
Rakuten Mobile has the cheapest unlimited plan โ starting from ยฅ1,078/month for 3GB
Fresh guides updated for 2026
Best Areas to Live in Tokyo for Foreigners (2026 Neighborhood Guide)
Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a foreigner in Tokyo. The right neighborhood can mean an easy commute, English-friendly services, great food, and a community that helps you settle in fast. This 2026 guide breaks down the best areas of Tokyo for foreigners โ from international hubs to […]
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Getting Married in Japan as a Foreigner (2026): Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Getting married in Japan as a foreigner is absolutely possible โ but the paperwork can feel intimidating if you don’t know the steps. Whether you’re marrying a Japanese national or another foreigner, this 2026 guide walks you through exactly which documents you need, where to submit them, and what to do afterward (including the all-important […]
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Secondhand Shopping in Japan (2026): Mercari, 2nd STREET, Hard Off & Jimoty Guide for Foreigners
The complete guide to buying and selling used goods in Japan: Mercari basics for foreigners, 2nd STREET, Hard Off junk corners, Jimoty free furniture, safe used appliances, and the leaving-Japan sell-off timeline.
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Going to the Dentist in Japan (2026): Costs With Insurance, English Clinics & What to Expect
How to see a dentist in Japan as a foreigner: finding English-speaking clinics, costs with National Health Insurance (30% copay), first-visit flow, key Japanese vocabulary, and emergency options.
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How to Quit Your Job in Japan (2026): Resignation Rules, Visa, Unemployment Benefits & Taishoku Daiko
The law is on your side: 2 weeks notice is your legal right, your employer cannot refuse, and unused paid leave must be honored. Visa notifications, unemployment benefits at Hello Work, health insurance choices after quitting, and when a resignation agency is worth it.
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Buying a Home in Japan as a Foreigner (2026): Mortgages, PR & the Full Process Explained
Foreigners CAN buy property in Japan โ no visa needed, freehold forever. The real challenge is the mortgage. Which banks lend without PR, the true cost (add 6-9% in fees), the 1981 earthquake rule, condo vs house vs akiya, and the step-by-step path from loan pre-screening to keys.
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Japanese Daycare & School for Foreign Kids (2026): Hoikuen Points, Costs, and the April Deadline Everyone Misses
A foreign parentโs complete guide to Japanese daycare and school: hoikuen vs yochien, how the points system works, the OctoberโDecember application window for April entry, real costs (ages 3โ5 are free), and what happens when your child does not speak Japanese yet.
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Earthquake in Japan: What to Do in the First 60 Seconds, 10 Minutes and 72 Hours (Foreignerโs Guide)
A foreigner-friendly earthquake survival guide for Japan: what to do while shaking, tsunami rules, evacuation shelters (hinanjo), Disaster Dial 171, the 72-hour rule, key Japanese vocabulary, and the English alert apps to install today.
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Unlimited Data eSIM for Japan (2026): Best 30-Day Plans for Long Stays & Temporary Returns
Staying in Japan for weeks, not days? Compare the best unlimited-data eSIMs for long stays and temporary returns: JAPAN & GLOBAL eSIM, Holafly, Airalo, Ubigi and Saily โ 30-day unlimited plans from around ยฅ900, with tethering.
Read more โAll guides are free, honest & written for English speakers
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