Summer in Kansai is brimming with all sorts of events that will get you out of the house. From evening boat tours to lantern festivals, here are some events to make this a summer to remember. We’ve ...

What happens when you get pulled over in Japan? How do you pay traffic fines? From tickets to demerit points, let's navigate the system. Driving in Japan offers convenience and flexibility, but there ...

For new residents, you've probably heard about needing to pay the NHK fee but how much do you need to pay and what happens if you don't? For new residents who have just moved into their first ...

Back in 2003 during my first Japanese class, one of the first vocabulary words I learned from our textbook at the time was 喫茶店 (kissaten, which the textbook translated to “café”.) Over the past 12 ...

When searching for a new job in Japan, you might wonder how often you see conflict in Japanese companies. Open disagreements between supervisors and subordinates are generally rare in Japan due to the ...

Blending fantastic views with vertigo-inducing heights, Japan’s suspension bridges are a fun way to experience Japan’s nature. One of the best ways to experience Japan’s stunning landscapes is to hike ...

Explore the johatsu phenomenon in Japan, why people choose to vanish, how they disappear and the cultural and societal factors behind it. After being fired from his engineering job, a man hides his ...

It acts as an official record of where you live in Japan. This document officially verifies your place of residence and is required for registering for social services. If you’re new to Japan, this is ...

Japan plans major visa fee hikes in 2026. What’s behind it? Here's how it could impact foreign residents. In late November 2025, Sanae Takaichi and her cabinet revealed a plan to drastically increase ...

Do you need N2 to work in Japan now? Here’s what the new language requirement for the Engineer/Specialist visa actually means. Japan is tightening its most common work visa—the Engineer/Specialist in ...

The cooler season in Japan brings a delightful array of fruits that not only tantalize the taste buds but also reflect autumn’s vibrant colors. Here are some fruits you’ll find during this time. A ...

Ise Grand Shrine is Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine and dates back to the 3rd Century. It is considered to be the spiritual home of the Japanese and its national religion Shinto. Ise Grand Shrine is ...