Living in Japan Guide

A practical guide for foreign residents and newcomers who need help with contracts, subscriptions, bills, defective goods, or other consumer problems in Japan. Learn when to call 188, what advisers can do, call charges, language limits, and how to prepare.

A practical guide for foreign residents applying for city or prefectural public housing in Japan, covering eligibility, income checks, documents, lotteries, costs, and regional differences.

A practical comparison of UR and municipal housing for foreign residents in Japan, covering eligibility, initial costs, income rules, application steps, lotteries, and local differences.

A practical guide to Japan’s official multilingual consultation services for foreign residents, including local government desks, immigration, labor, legal, and human-rights support.

A practical guide for foreign residents who want to join local classes, find community groups, or reserve a room at a kōminkan in Japan. Learn how registration, fees, local rules, and booking deadlines usually work.

A practical guide for foreign residents applying for the December 2026 JLPT in Japan, covering level selection, the ¥7,500 fee, MyJLPT registration, venue limits, and common mistakes.

A practical guide for future students comparing Japanese language schools, including total fees, student support, immigration eligibility, regional costs, and the checks to complete before paying.

A practical guide for foreign residents looking for free or low-cost Japanese classes in Japan, including where to search, what fees and eligibility rules to check, and what to do when local courses are full.

A practical guide for foreign residents moving with, buying, adopting, or transferring a microchipped dog or cat in Japan. Learn which records to update, what documents you need, current fees, and when animal quarantine procedures apply.

A practical guide for foreign residents who need veterinary care in Japan, covering clinic searches, typical fee items, pet insurance, appointments, and after-hours emergencies.