How much cash do you need in Japan? Get a complete budget breakdown for 5, 7, and 10 days, plus tips on credit cards,...
Japan Ticket System: Why You Need Two Tickets for Shinkansen
You get two Shinkansen tickets: a jōshaken fare ticket and a tokkyūken express ticket. Here's what each pays for and how to feed both...
How to Travel Japan Like a Local: Etiquette & Everyday Tips
From ramen shops to train platforms to shrine gates, here's everything unwritten about everyday Japan — and how to get it right....
Japanese Food Expiration Dates: Shoumikigen(best-before) vs Shouhikigen(use by)
賞味期限 (best-before) & 消費期限 (use-by), two kanji on food in Japan mean different things. Learn how to read Japanese date labels, and know when...
Japanese Convenience Store Guide: What to Buy at 7-Eleven, Lawson & FamilyMart
From egg sandwiches to ATM cash and Takkyubin drop-offs—what to actually buy and do at Japan's 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, and how to pay....
Shibuya 2026: New Trash Bins, ¥2,000 Fines & What Tourist Must Know
Shibuya's new 2026 law adds trash bins near the crossing — and ¥2,000 on-the-spot fines for littering, payable by card. What every visitor needs...
5 Japan Restaurant Surprises That Catch Every First-Timer Off Guard
Ordered nothing — yet got charged anyway? Japan's dining rules can surprise travelers. Here are 5 restaurant moments that catch first-timers off guard....
[Updated 2026]Tokyo Safety Guide: Best & Worst Wards for Living and Solo Travelers
Explore Tokyo's 23 wards with full 2025 crime stats, showing the safest and least safe areas for travelers, students, and solo female residents....
The Suica Penguin Curse? Why Tokyo’s JR Trains Keep Crashing
Tokyo’s JR network hit by a “Friday Curse” in 2026. Is the Suica Penguin behind it? Get the facts, the dates, and the best...
Must-See for Traveling in Japan: Learn to Read Japanese Addresses in 3 Minutes!
Learn how Japanese addresses work, from postal codes and prefectures to chome and building numbers, with clear examples to help you navigate Japan....
PayPay: Enjoy Cashless Shopping in Japan!
In Japan, in addition to traditional cash and credit card payments, there are more and more mobile payment methods, such as linepay, paypay, and...
Japan’s Cashless Shift (2025): How to Pay and What Travelers Need
Japan went cashless fast—learn 2025 payment options: Suica, PayPay, Apple/Google Pay, credit cards, and tips for tourists....
Why are the Sidewalks in Japan Yellow?
You might have noticed when walking the streets in Japan, many of the sidewalks are lined with yellow pannels, some with raised lines, other...
Use Mobile Suica and Pasmo Cards on iPhone: Add Suica to Apple Wallet
Learn how to add and use Mobile Suica and Pasmo cards on iPhone via Apple Wallet. A convenient way to travel in Japan without...
Japanese Morning Dramas, An Introduction to the Asadora
Different countries have deliciously different approaches to television. When you hear the word, ‘sitcom’ you might think of 90s television from the US, with...
Do People Smoke in Japan?
In the past 30 years, the culture around tobacco has changed in big ways. Now that many countries recognize that second hand smoke has...
PayPay Introduces New Offline Payment Feature
Japan’s leading mobile payment company, PayPay, announced on July 20th that it will develop a new feature that allows offline payments without the need...
Ten Things to Be Aware of in Japanese Life
Discover 10 essential taboos in Japan to avoid cultural faux pas. Learn how to blend in, respect customs, and make your trip smoother and...
A Guide to Renting an Apartment in Japan: Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
New to Japan? Learn how apartment rentals work—from gift money and deposits to utility setup and costs. A must-read guide for students and workers....
Prepare for An Earthquake in Japan: Your Go-To Emergency Kit
Traveling to Japan? Prepare for earthquakes! Learn what to pack in your emergency kit for a safe trip. Tips & essentials....
Mobile Phone in Japan (2) What Is the Kakuyasu SIM Card in Japan?
Many people may know that there is a kind of SIM card called Kakuyasu SIM in Japan, of which the monthly fee will be...
Japanese Vocabulary Related to Earthquake and Disaster Prevention
It's essential to understand some Japanese vocabulary related to earthquake and disaster prevention. There're some Japanese terms and simple sentences for you....
Post Offices in Osaka: Alternate Pickup Locations after KIX Post Office Closure
Attention all travelers! Exciting news for those visiting Osaka and its vibrant city attractions like Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Tennoji, and Umeda. Starting from March...
How to Save Data While Streaming Video (YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime)
So during your weekly Zoom catchup with friends, you might be finding it’ harder and harder to find new things to talk about. Does...
A Must-Read for Studying in Japan: Trash Disposal Rules & Sorting
Foreigners coming to Japan often find the country’s garbage sorting and disposal system to be a significant challenge. In many of our home countries,...
For Foreigners – Getting a Credit Card in Japan
Credit cards issued in Japan are necessary for foreign nationals to live in Japan. Although it is possible to make purchases with a credit...
Do You Know How to Eat Revolving Sushi Properly?
I have a friend who went to eat revolving sushi for the first time in his life. When he was eating four plates in...
Japanese Convenience Store Familymart’s Fami-chicken 40% Increment? All the Bento Snacks Increased in Quantity without Any Price Increase!
We previously wrote an article about Japanese convenience store Family mart’s fried chicken nuggets: Fami-chicken (if you haven’t seen it, check out this article.)...
Facing Typhoon and Earthquake : 5 Recommended Disaster Prevention Apps in Japan
Japan is one of the countries with many natural disasters. We have been hit by typhoons, earthquakes and other natural disasters, and in 2021,...
What is the green leaf you often see in Japanese sushi and bento?
If you have paid attention to Japanese food, you may find a very interesting thing: in sushi and Japanese bento (such as ekiben, the...