Tax-free shopping in Japan changes on 1 November 2026 Until 31 October you show your passport at the till and simply pay without the 10% consumption tax. From 1 November you pay the full tax-included price in the shop and claim the tax back at…
Category: Life in Japan
Expat guides, shopping, and everyday life in Japan
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Paying Bills in Japan 2026: The 3-Minute Konbini Method
Moving to Japan is exciting — but when the bills start arriving in your mailbox, the all-Japanese text can be overwhelming. From electricity and gas to NHK fees and city water, Japan has its own unique system for utilities and bill payment. The good news?…
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Best Japanese Skincare 2026
Tax-free shopping in Japan changes on 1 November 2026 Until 31 October you show your passport at the till and simply pay without the 10% consumption tax. From 1 November you pay the full tax-included price in the shop and claim the tax back at…
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Japanese Driver’s License for Foreigners 2026
📌 What you will learnYou do not have to read it all — jump to what you need.Do You Need a Japanese Driver's License?International Driving Permit vs. Japanese LicensePath 1: License Conversion (Gaimen Kirikae) — 外免切替Path 2: Obtaining a Japanese License from ScratchTips for Expats…
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How to Use PayPay as a Foreigner in Japan (2026)
⏱ Quick AnswerYes — tourists CAN use PayPay in 2026: download the app, register with a Japanese phone number or use PayPay's tourist-friendly options, then top up at convenience stores. The step-by-step with screenshots (and the ¥1,000 welcome bonus) is below. 📱 PayPay Promotions Change…
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Japan Tax Refund 2026
📅 Update (September 2026): For income earned in 2026 (the return you file between February 16 and March 15, 2027), a reform taking effect on December 1, 2026 raises the basic deduction to up to ¥1.04 million (for total income up to ¥4.89 million), the…
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English-Speaking Doctors in Japan 2026
Finding a doctor in Japan who speaks English can feel overwhelming — between unfamiliar medical systems, language barriers, and different billing practices, even a simple visit to the clinic can become stressful. This guide covers everything you need to know: how to find English-speaking hospitals…
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Japan Pension Refund 2026
📋 Lump-Sum Withdrawal Cap: 60 Months (since April 2021; a longer 8-year cap is legislated but not yet in force)🧮 New: Try our free Pension Refund Calculator — estimate your lump-sum withdrawal in 10 seconds. The maximum payout period for the Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment (脱退一時金)…
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Best SIM Card in Japan for Foreigners 2026 (No Japanese)
📱 SIM Plan Prices — May 2026Key current prices: Rakuten Mobile ¥3,278/month unlimited · ahamo ¥2,970/month 30GB · IIJmio from ¥850/month · povo2.0 base ¥0 + topups. Most carriers offer first-month discounts — check official sites for current campaigns. Getting a Japanese phone number and…
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Renting an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner 2026
Finding and renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner is notoriously challenging — but it's absolutely doable if you know the system. This guide breaks down everything: how Japanese rentals work, which services are foreigner-friendly, what all those fees mean, and how to avoid…
