Decades ago, studying Japanese required flipping through heavy paper dictionaries or carrying a denshi jisho (a pocket-sized electronic dictionary) that instantly became the ultimate status symbol for ...

JR East is retiring the iconic Suica Penguin after 25 years. Are the bizarre new mascot candidates really that bad, or is all of Japan just grieving?

Computer literacy is basic, nontechnical knowledge about computing and software. However, it should also include digital literacy, such as knowing what websites may be harmful or how to interact with ...

It may surprise you to know there are close to 100 different gestures regularly used by Japanese people to communicate with friends, colleagues and the general public. While most of those used by ...

Japan’s rainy season (梅雨, tsuyu), often regarded as humid and depressing, particularly in June, conjures images of soggy shoes and drizzly days. People who go out during these months experience a ...

An important slip of paper. A Juminhyo is your official residence record in Japan. Managed by your local city office, this document contains vital information about you and your residency. It’s often ...

Anyone who spent enough time in the country knows that Japan loves animals. From animal cafes (which are not exactly nice) to Nara Prefecture’s pushy deer taking over the sidewalk, the nation’s love ...

In August, we asked you, the GaijinPot readers, what items are essential for living in Japan. After pouring through the suggestions, the editor and I have chosen the ten items necessary for life in ...

PokéPark Kanto opens in 2026 as the first Pokemon theme park in Japan. Located in Yomiuriland, it features outdoor zones based on the games. Japan is getting its first Pokémon theme park in 2026, and ...

Let’s be real—life in Japan often means cramming everything you own into what feels like a generously sized closet or hotel room. That’s why more and more people turn to self-storage options in Japan ...

You just moved into you new apartment—do you have everything you need? Here is a list over what you might need, from oven filters to mold killers and more. In Japan, fully furnished apartments are ...

Jinja (shrines) are everywhere in Japan—more than 100,000! They’re not hard to spot. The entryway to a shrine is marked by a large torii (gate). This is in contrast to Buddhist temples that do not ...