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?

In 2026, Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) closed enrollment to non-residents in Japan, with very few exceptions, such as holders of provisional stay permits. In other words, if you do ...

Discover the vibrant world of street art in Osaka. Explore world-class murals across local neighborhoods on this self-guided walking tour. You can spend entire days exploring Japan’s big cities, going ...

Japan is home to hundreds of thousands of shrines (jinja), each with its own history, legends and local traditions. In Kanazawa, one of the country’s most celebrated cultural destinations, a small ...

Using only local trains and buses, I spent 48 hours uncovering a side of Izu shaped by volcanoes, ocean views and quiet coastal towns. Just a few hours south of the capital, the Izu Peninsula makes an ...

With comparatively affordable tuition fees, internationally recognized universities and growing opportunities for international graduates, Japan attract students looking to pursue higher education and ...

In 2026, a bunch of legal and system changes kick in that will affect how you work, commute, get medical care, buy property and generally exist without getting yelled at by a kiosk. Some of these are ...

Learn how to be an influencer in Japan legally. What counts as paid work, which visas allow it and when you need permission. Traveling across prefectures, staying in onsen hotels for free and dining ...

If only it were this easy. Before you look at apartments or price out flights, you need to figure out which visa you actually qualify for. Japan does not offer a “move here and figure it out later” ...

Starting June 2027, foreign residents in Japan who haven’t been paying into the country’s National Health Insurance (NHI) or pension system may find themselves unable to renew their visa. The ...

Wondering how to meet men in Japan? From apps and meetups to avoiding the wrong guys, here’s how foreign women find dating opportunities. Trying to figure out how to meet men in Japan can feel like a ...