foreign residents– tag –

A practical guide for foreign residents, workers, students, and visitors explaining what closes on Japanese public holidays, what usually stays open, and how to prepare for work, travel, banking, medical care, and local services.

A practical guide for foreign renters in Japan on consent, planned inspections, necessary repairs, emergency entry, spare keys, and what to do after an unexplained visit.

A practical guide for foreign residents comparing Japanese mortgages, including permanent-residence rules, non-PR routes, income checks, documents, property screening, and common application mistakes.

A practical guide for foreign residents using an apartment balcony in Japan. Learn how building rules affect laundry, storage, smoking, emergency partitions, and escape hatches.

A practical guide for foreign residents buying a home in Japan, covering ownership rules, mortgages, taxes, closing costs, due diligence, and the registration duties in effect from 2026.

A practical guide for foreign residents and families who want to attend, dance, volunteer, or take an organized role in a local Japanese festival. Learn where to find events, what to ask, possible costs, registration steps, and important local differences.

A practical guide for foreign residents who want to understand when gifts are expected in Japan, how much to spend, and when no gift is necessary. Learn the differences between omiyage, temiyage, and oseibo without overthinking the etiquette.

A practical guide for foreign residents and families using municipal gyms, pools, and courts in Japan. Learn how walk-in access, registration, fees, lotteries, and local eligibility rules work.

A practical guide for foreign residents using Japanese post offices for domestic mail, parcels, international shipping, missed deliveries, and Japan Post Bank procedures. Learn which counter, service, documents, and forms you need before you go.

A practical guide for foreign residents, families, and visitors who want to use an onsen in Japan with tattoos. Learn how to verify entry rules, compare communal and private baths, ask the right questions, and avoid booking mistakes.