Daily Life

Whether you want a rental car for road trips or need a Japanese license for long-term life here, the rules are strict and the paperwork matters. This guide covers the three legal routes for foreign drivers, what changed in the conversion process on 1 October 2025, and the traffic rules that catch people out.

A comprehensive breakdown of living costs in Japan for expats in 2026 — housing, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and more. With real numbers from Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond.

A 2026 guide for expats on getting a mobile SIM card in Japan: how the major carriers, their online sub-brands and the MVNOs compare, with current pricing for ahamo, LINEMO, povo 2.0, Rakuten Mobile, UQ mobile, Y!mobile, IIJmio and 日本通信 SIM, plus the identity-verification rules that changed in April 2026.

A complete guide for expats looking for work in Japan: understanding Japan's unique job-hunting culture, recommended foreigner-friendly job platforms, how to write a Japanese resume (履歴書) and work history document (職務経歴書), and job strategies for different Japanese ability levels.

The complete moving-to-Japan checklist for expats in 2026 — from applying for your visa and preparing finances months before departure, to your first week of admin tasks, and settling into life in Japan. Everything in one place.

Everything expats in Japan need to know about My Number and the My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) in 2026 — how to get your number, apply for the card, use it as your health insurance card (マイナ保険証), troubleshoot delivery issues, and what to do when you leave Japan.

How to keep costs low while living in Japan: bulk supermarkets, drugstore discount tactics, loyalty points, and using second-hand shops — a practical money-saving guide for expats living in Japan day to day.

A complete guide to Japan's Residence Card (在留カード) for foreign residents: how to get it for the first time, how to read the information on it, updating your address when you move, renewing before expiry, replacing a lost card, and how it differs from the My Number Card.