Living with pets can bring much joy to our lives. As foreigners in a foreign land, having a pet can be even more rewarding. After finding a pet-friendly apartment, the companionship can brighten our ...

Your taxes in Japan are collected in a number of ways. Some are deducted from your pay, others you have to pay yourself. The taxes you are obliged to pay vary for each individual depending on: your ...

Planning on getting a haircut in Japan? Here are some essential Japanese words and phrases for a seamless trip to the salon. If you’re planning on getting a haircut in Japan, here are some useful ...

Scary stories are a Japanese summer tradition. So what better way to cool off from the brutal summer heat than with a spine-chilling Japanese urban legend about a haunted tunnel in Kyushu or a ...

Everyone is talking about getting a My Number Card. But, what is it and what can I do with it? The Japanese government is urging people to get their My Number Card, also known as Individual Number ...

Get nice and cozy in Aomori. Are you longing for a magical, off-the-grid getaway? Aoni Onsen, also known as Lamp no Yado, is the place for you. This ryokan (Japanese Inn) uses oil lamps to light up ...

Instead of looking at the similarities between the two, it’s far easier instead to consider the differences between them. The most obvious difference is the limitations that each one has. Instructor ...

Having a side job in Japan can help you make some extra money and help you transition into a career in IT or translation. Pursuing a side job will also let you gain experience and get your foot in the ...

Back in mid-January, I was somewhat surprised to read that the Japanese Immigration Bureau had announced a relaxation of some of its immigration rules for skilled foreign workers. Until recently, ...

When you move to Japan, it doesn’t take long to realize that what’s considered “normal” here can be pretty mind-blowing. From small cultural quirks to habits that would turn heads back home, Japan has ...

I share a common dilemma with many globe-trotters: wanting to travel everywhere but not always having someone to travel with me. I used to think that if I couldn’t get a buddy to come along on my ...