Japanese cuisine has been rapidly gaining popularity around the world over the last several years, particularly since Japan’s traditional cuisine, known as ‘Washoku’, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A cultural practice designed to reflect the spirit of nature, Washoku places a large emphasis on seasonal changes and…
Finding a place to live in Japan can be tricky—not only do you have to pay the usual rent and deposit, but you also may have to find a joint guarantor who is willing to vouch for you should you not make your payments. On top of this, you may…
Convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, local shops—there are several different types of shops where you can buy your everyday goods in Japan. Here are a few tips about the products and services to expect from each. Note: Japan is a cash-based society and you may not be able to use…
Finding your way around Japan can seem disorienting at first—signs are mostly written in Japanese, there are no street names, and there are too many doors on their buses to know what to do with. However, getting clued up about how things work in Japan can make life much easier…
In spite of its reputation as a hi-tech powerhouse, Japan is a country that forgoes emoney in favour of good-old-fashioned cash payments. First-time visitors are often shocked to learn that it’s perfectly normal for Japanese natives to carry around a few ￥10,000 notes in their pockets—a habit that poses very…
It is possible to get by in Japan without any knowledge of Japanese, as signs, (information) booklets etc. in major cities are usually available in English. However, any situations where you require more information or a consultation might pose a problem, as doctors, bank staff, train conductors, police officers and…
Japanese people take illness very seriously and are much more willing to take a trip to the doctors over something as common as a cold or flu compared to other countries. They are also very cautious about contagious illnesses and viruses, which is why you will see many Japanese people…
Whether you’ll be bringing over your family when you move to Japan or you’re just planning to hire Japanese local staff for your business, it can be beneficial to learn a thing or two about Japan’s education system and the standard of education they receive. The Japanese school year runs…
The following numbers are emergency codes and are should not be used for inquiries. It is also possible to call any of these numbers from a public phone for free. All you have to do is pick up the receiver, press the red SOS button, then dial the relevant emergency…
How to make the most out of your life in Japan