livinginjapan
Living and working in Japan as a foreign resident is an exciting prospect. Yet, it comes with its fair share of challenges, particularly regarding renewing your visa (residence status). Many foreign residents living in Japan find renewing their visas a pain—especially when they have to do it in person. Visa renewal requires extensive paperwork, language barriers, and treading bureaucratic hurdles that feel uniquely Japanese. Recognizing these difficulties, Airvisa is launching a helpful service to assist foreign residents in Japan with their visa renewal applications, making the process easier...
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Japan is a wonderland of conveniences. And yet, there are many Japan life hacks that some foreigners visiting and livinghere—especially for the first time—may not know about. Whether because Japan is a high-context society where things are not always explicitly pointed out or because of the language barrier, plenty of things slip under the radar in our daily existence. That said, here are ten Japan life hacks to improve your time in Japan. While most of these are probably “duh” moments for most, we hope there are at least one or two that will have you smacking yourself and saying, wait, what?!...
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The number of tourists to Japan has been making plenty of headlines this year. However, international students coming to Japan have also been returning close to pre-pandemic levels. According to one study, nearly 280,000 students with foreign passports were in May 2023, up 20% from the previous year. Thus, people need student accommodations in Japan. As an incoming student, one of the first challenges you’ll have to tackle is where to live. Japan has a variety of options to choose from. As you begin to research the best accommodations for you on GaijinPot Apartments or Japan Room Finder, it wo...
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If you are living in Japan, chances are that you receive your monthly electricity bill from Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which services Tokyo and other areas around the Kanto region. The TEPCO electric bill is all in Japanese, but fortunately, figuring out the amount owed and paying it is as simple as looking for the largest amount on the bill and then going to a convenience store. Deciphering the information on your bill can prove helpful, though. You can learn what kind of plan you have, how much you spent the same month last year and most importantly, the payment due date. This art...
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For English teachers moving to Japan, it’s common to look at Tokyo first. However, living in Tokyo can be quite expensive, overcrowded and busy. In contrast, Living in Saitama offers a more affordable alternative while providing convenient access to Tokyo and nearby prefectures. It’s less hectic and offers a good balance of city living, nature spots and historic sights. This post will explore the pros of living in Saitama as an English teacher. From cheaper housing options, ease of access and weekend getaways, here’s why new teachers or seasoned professionals will find Saitama to be the ideal ...
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One of the first things you’ll have to familiarize yourself with when apartment hunting in Japan is the unique terminology used to describe Japanese apartment layouts. On GaijinPot apartments, we offer apartments across Japan to suit your needs. Each unit is listed with numbers and letters to help prospective tenants understand the size. However,the actual apartment size must be understood beyond these numbers and letters using tatami mat (traditional woven straw mat) sizing. This article will review the basics of understanding standard Japanese apartment layouts and types. Japanese Apartments...
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Congratulations! You’ve decided to propose! Now it’s time to go shopping for wedding rings in Japan. Nowadays, Tokyo has a wide variety of engagement ring options, but that hasn’t always been the case. Wedding rings, while not historically a staple of Japanese wedding culture, became increasingly popular from the 1960s on. While only 5% of Japanese brides owned a diamond ring in 1967, over 60% did by 1981. Portraying diamonds and diamond wedding rings as modern, European and fashionable, De Beers, a giant in the diamond industry, and others convinced Japanese consumers to adopt the practice. A...
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Japan is known for its efficient and far-reaching transportation system. With several train lines and a vast network of buses, it’s easy to get around. However, driving is your best bet if you want to take the road less traveled. For this and many other reasons, having a driver’s license can be handy. Applying for a driver’s license in Japan may seem complicated, but it’s all about knowing what to prepare and going through the proper steps. Whether you’re using an international driver’s license, converting your license from your home country or learning how to drive altogether, here’s how to g...
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Japan once had a reputation for having a high cost of living. Previous surveys such as the one by global consulting firm Mercer, have shown that Tokyo has dropped ten spots. Currently, Tokyo holds 19th place, well behind Hong Kong (1), Singapore (2) and Shanghai (12) for the most expensive cities to live in. Despite the lower ranking, the question remains for people who want to move here: “Can I afford to live in Japan?” The answer is still “yes!” Here’s what you need to factor in to understand how much it costs to live in Japan. Calculating the Cost of Living in JapanThe cost of living measur...
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Everyone wants to live in Tokyo, but not everyone can afford a high-rise apartment in Shibuya. Not everyone is willing to commute from the inaka (countryside) either. To help you get the most out of your rent money, let’s go through the average cost for different neighborhoods in Tokyo and some tips for finding the right place to live—for the right price. Is Tokyo expensive?Average cost by wardWhich ward should I live in?Can I afford central Tokyo?Central Tokyo’s border wards are a good middle groundWhat are the cheapest wards in Tokyo?Outside the 23 wardsIs Tokyo expensive?Tokyo is no longer ...
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