Top
Useful links and sharp discussion for foreign residents building a life, career, or business in Japan.
Curated, not algorithmic
Weekly digest
Strongly moderated
Mar 4, 2026 · Complete guide to Japan's National Pension for foreigners: how to enroll, monthly premiums, exemptions, lump-sum withdrawal when leaving Japan, and social security agreements explained.
Mar 25, 2026 · Japan Health Insurance for Foreigners: NHI Enrollment, Costs & What Expats Need to Know (2026) Do foreigners need health insurance in Japan? Yes — all residents must enroll in either employer-provided health insurance (shakai hoken).
Oct 2, 2026 · Permanent residency in Japan normally requires 10 years of continuous residence, including at least five years in a work or status-based status. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals and permanent residents, Highly Skilled.
Aug 5, 2026 · This guide breaks down the entire overseas recruitment process for Japan jobs, step by step, covering everything from initial research and agency selection through skills testing, documentation, visa processing, and final pre-departure.
Discover useful smartphone apps for foreigners living in Japan. Learn about PayPay, Mercari, LINE, Google Maps, transit apps, translation apps, and more for daily life in Japan.
Mar 30, 2026 · In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down all 10 major IC card types in Japan, help you understand which one is right for you, and explain the key differences between Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and the others.
Everything foreigners need to know about driving in Japan: IDP rules, license conversion (gaimen kirikae), Japanese road rules, speed limits, buying a car, and more. Updated for 2025.
Aug 5, 2026 · A plain-English guide to registering your address at the ward or city office in Japan, the documents you need, and how to survive the counter without Japanese.
Mar 4, 2026 · Step-by-step guide to registering your address at city hall in Japan as a foreigner. Learn the 14-day deadline, required documents, My Number process, and tips for a smooth registration.
May 25, 2026 · A complete guide to social insurance in Japan for foreign residents in 2026. Covers health insurance, pension, unemployment benefits, enrollment, and premium costs.
Understand income tax in Japan for 2025. Learn tax rates, filing steps, and tips for foreign residents to avoid double taxation.
5 days ago · Japan permanent residency requirements from the Immigration Services Agency's guidelines: 10 years of residence and the shorter routes, the 200,000 yen fee since October 2026, processing time, and the stricter rules for applications.
To live in Japan as a foreign national, you need a status of residence. Each one defines what work you can do, how long you can stay, and whether you can bring family. Here’s a friendly guide to the main ones.
Renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner is possible but comes with a steep learning curve: expect key money, strict guarantor requirements, and upfront costs of several months' rent. This guide covers accommodation types, search strategies.
Complete guide to living and working in Japan in 2025. Engineer visa, HSP points system, Tokyo vs Osaka cost of living, healthcare, language tips, and more.
Dec 29, 2025 · Learn all about opening a bank account in Japan as an American, including costs, requirements, and alternatives.
How to use trains, subways and buses in Japan as a foreign resident: getting a Suica or PASMO IC card, boarding trains, using buses, taking the Shinkansen, and useful transit apps.
Oct 7, 2026 · This is a comprehensive guide to converting a foreign driver's license to a Japanese one.
Mar 4, 2026 · Complete guide to applying for a Japan spouse visa. Learn about required documents, processing times, eligibility requirements, and tips for international couples moving to Japan.
Jul 10, 2026 · Register your new address at your ward office within 14 days of moving in. This creates your jūminhyō (resident record), which almost everything else depends on. Mid- to long-term residents (people with a residence card, 在留カード) and.