Articles
Pieces in plain language about living and travelling in Japan, written from the perspective of a foreign resident. New articles every few weeks.
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19 August 2026
Nagasaki: practical city guide
What to see and do in Nagasaki: the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, Mt. Inasa with Japan's best night view, the Meganebashi bridge, Chinatown and champon noodles.
By Yen & Zen
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17 August 2026
Ryokan: how a Japanese inn works
What to expect when staying in a ryokan: check-in, yukata, kaiseki dinner in your room, sleeping on a futon, onsen baths and the etiquette rules nobody explains.
By Yen & Zen
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15 August 2026
Izakaya: the complete guide to the Japanese pub
How an izakaya works: the otoshi, how to order, the dishes you shouldn't skip, how drinking works, how to call the server and how the bill is paid. Everything you need to walk in with confidence.
By Yen & Zen
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13 August 2026
Japan permanent residency: the new requirements coming into force in 2026
Japan is tightening the rules for permanent residency from October 2026: a new income threshold, a pension requirement, formal assessment of Japanese language, and a fee that jumps from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000.
By Yen & Zen
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11 August 2026
Sushi in Japan: types, how to order and what to expect
The difference between kaiten-zushi, counter sushi and omakase, what fish names mean, how wasabi and ginger actually work, and how to order without speaking Japanese.
By Yen & Zen
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9 August 2026
Karaoke in Japan: how it works, what it costs and why it's not what you think
Japanese karaoke isn't a bar with a stage: it's private rooms, food and drink service, and you can go alone. A complete guide to understanding the system.
By Yen & Zen
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7 August 2026
Asakusa: Tokyo's most traditional neighbourhood, unfiltered
A practical guide to Asakusa: Sensoji temple, Nakamise street, Kappabashi, Hanayashiki, and how to time your visit to avoid getting stuck in the crowds.
By Yen & Zen
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5 August 2026
Ramen in Japan: a guide to styles, how to order and where to eat
The four main ramen styles (shio, shoyu, miso, tonkotsu), how the ticket machine works, what the toppings are called and which chains are worth trying.
By Yen & Zen
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3 August 2026
Hakone: the perfect escape from Tokyo (and even easier from Yokohama)
How to plan a trip to Hakone: the Free Pass, the Romancecar, Lake Ashi, Owakudani, the Open Air Museum, and when to go to actually see Mount Fuji.
By Yen & Zen
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2 August 2026
What annoys residents in Japan about tourists (and what no one says out loud)
From Mario go-karts in Shibuya to giant suitcases on the Yamanote at rush hour: what tourists do that irritates people who actually live here, explained from the inside.
By Yen & Zen
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31 July 2026
Pokémon in Yokohama: the Pikachu Outbreak, the Pokémon Center and everything else
A complete guide to what Yokohama offers Pokémon fans: the annual Pikachu Outbreak event in August, the Pokémon Center Yokohama, and where to find quality merchandise.
By Yen & Zen
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29 July 2026
Shinjuku Gyoen: the garden that changes with every season
A practical guide to Shinjuku Gyoen: the three garden sections, the greenhouse, the rules, the best times to visit and how to fit it into a day in Tokyo.
By Yen & Zen
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27 July 2026
Shibuya: beyond the world's most famous crossing
A practical guide to Shibuya with what's worth your time and what you can skip: the crossing, Hachiko, Shibuya Sky, where to eat, and the quieter neighbourhoods most people miss.
By Yen & Zen
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25 July 2026
The five supermarkets I actually use in Japan (and what each one is for)
Gyomu Super, Lopia, My Basket, Sotetsu Rosen and Seijo Ishii: the supermarkets I use regularly after fifteen years in Japan, what to buy at each, and when it's worth going to which.
By Yen & Zen
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22 July 2026
Japan in summer: how to survive the heat
Japan's July and August heat isn't just heat. It's extreme humidity, heatstroke alerts and temperatures that feel like 42°C in the cities. A practical guide for travellers and residents.
By Yen & Zen
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20 July 2026
Japan's departure tax triples to ¥3,000 from July 2026
Japan's departure tax has tripled: from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person from 1 July 2026. Who pays it, how it works and what changes for tourists and residents.
By Yen & Zen
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18 July 2026
Obon: Japan's festival for honouring the dead
What Obon is, when it takes place, what happens during the holiday period and how it affects travellers and residents in Japan. The ancestor festival that isn't what it sounds like.
By Yen & Zen
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16 July 2026
The JLPT: Japan's Japanese language exam and what changes for residents in 2026
What the JLPT is, how it works, its levels and how to prepare for it. And why in 2026 the Japanese language exam has become relevant not just for students but for foreign residents in Japan.
By Yen & Zen
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14 July 2026
Kanazawa: a practical guide to one of Japan's best-preserved historic cities
What to see in Kanazawa: the Tsuzumi-mon station gate, the castle, the Nagamachi samurai district and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The alternative to Kyoto with fewer crowds.
By Yen & Zen
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11 July 2026
Hanabi: Japan's summer fireworks festivals
What hanabi are, how Japan's fireworks festivals work, the most important ones and how to see them properly.
By Yen & Zen
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9 July 2026
Kyoto: a practical guide to the city that needs more time than you think
What to see and how to plan a trip to Kyoto: temples, geisha districts, itineraries and the most common tourist mistake.
By Yen & Zen
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7 July 2026
Japan's visa fee hike: what changes in October 2026
Japan is raising residence status renewal fees and permanent residency costs from October 2026. First revision in 48 years. What changes and how much.
By Yen & Zen
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5 July 2026
Osaka: a practical guide to Japan's city of food and contrasts
What to see and do in Osaka: Dotonbori, the castle, Shinsekai, Namba and how to plan the trip. With personal experience from a 3-day, 2-night trip.
By Yen & Zen
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3 July 2026
Tanabata: Japan's star festival and the summer tradition of written wishes
What Tanabata is, when and where to celebrate it, and the biggest festivals in Japan. With personal experience at the Hiratsuka Tanabata.
By Yen & Zen
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1 July 2026
Nikko from Tokyo: temples, waterfalls and Japan's classic school trip
Practical guide to visiting Nikko from Tokyo: Tōshōgū shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chūzenji and how to organise the trip. With personal experience on the Hato Bus tour.
By Yen & Zen
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28 June 2026
Climbing Mount Fuji: what you need to know before you attempt it
Practical guide to climbing Mount Fuji in 2026: season, trails, gear, altitude sickness and why you shouldn't do it in the middle of the night without preparation. With personal experience on the Fujinomiya trail.
By Yen & Zen
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26 June 2026
Mobile in Japan: which SIM or plan to choose for your situation
Practical guide to mobile phone plans in Japan for 2026: tourist SIMs, resident plans (ahamo, IIJmio, Rakuten) and what's changed in recent years.
By Yen & Zen
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24 June 2026
Nara in a day: the deer, the Great Buddha and what nobody tells you
Practical guide to visiting Nara from Osaka or Kyoto: how to get there, what to see, how long you need and why the deer will steal your onigiri.
By Yen & Zen
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21 June 2026
Travelling to Japan with kids: what changes when you bring the little ones
Practical guide for families visiting Japan: getting around with a pushchair, what to see that children will actually enjoy, where to eat, and why Japan is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world.
By Yen & Zen
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20 June 2026
Kinoko no Yama Hokkaido Milk (Meiji): good, but expensive for what it is
Review of Meiji's Kinoko no Yama Hokkaido Milk special edition: taste, price, and whether it's worth buying as a souvenir from Japan.
By Yen & Zen
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19 June 2026
My Number in Japan: what it is, what it's for, and how to get the card
Complete guide to Japan's My Number system for foreign residents in 2026: the difference between the number and the card, how to apply, current uses as a health insurance card, and the procedures you can no longer do without it.
By Yen & Zen
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17 June 2026
Eating in Japan without speaking Japanese: the practical guide
How to navigate Japanese restaurants without speaking the language: ticket vending machines, photo menus, plastic food displays, how to pay without incident, and the apps that actually help.
By Yen & Zen
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15 June 2026
Japan's national football team: thirty years of a project nobody saw coming
From having no professional league to beating Germany and Spain at the same World Cup. The story of how Japan built one of the most interesting national teams in the world in under three decades.
By Yen & Zen
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13 June 2026
Japanese convenience stores: what they're actually useful for (and what they're not)
A practical guide to Japanese konbini for travellers: the ATM that accepts foreign cards, sending luggage to your hotel, what food is worth buying, and what most tourists don't know they can do from the corner shop.
By Yen & Zen
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11 June 2026
Japan's pension system for foreigners: how it works, how much you pay, and what happens when you leave
Complete guide to Japan's pension system for foreign residents in 2026: Kosei Nenkin and Kokumin Nenkin explained, how much you contribute each month, what you'll receive at retirement, how to reclaim contributions if you leave Japan, and how to check your records on Nenkin Net.
By Yen & Zen
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9 June 2026
Onsen in Japan: the guide for first-timers (and people who got it wrong)
How a real onsen works: the etiquette nobody explains, the tattoo question, the difference between onsen and sentō, and the best options near Tokyo for a first Japanese hot spring without surprises.
By Yen & Zen
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7 June 2026
Health insurance in Japan for foreigners: how it works and what it costs
Complete guide to Japan's healthcare system for foreigners: employer insurance vs national insurance, what it costs, what it covers, how to see a doctor, and special coverage for children. With an honest comparison to other Western systems.
By Yen & Zen
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4 June 2026
Suica card in Japan: the complete guide for tourists 2026
Everything you need to know about the Suica card: how to get one, top it up, use it, and get your deposit back. Comparison with PASMO and ICOCA, options for children, and the iPhone version.
By Yen & Zen
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1 June 2026
June 2 in Yokohama: 167 years since the port opened to the world
On June 2, 2026, Yokohama marks 167 years since its port opened in 1859. What happened then, why it's a school holiday in the city, and how locals celebrate the anniversary.
By Yen & Zen
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29 May 2026
Eating in Japan with kids: the family restaurant guide
Japanese family restaurants are a category that doesn't exist in most Western countries: chain restaurants with kids' menus, a toy included, tablet ordering and very reasonable prices. A guide from real experience with three children.
By Yen & Zen
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27 May 2026
Kamakura day trip from Tokyo and Yokohama: the guide your hotel won't give you
How to do Kamakura properly: the Kita-Kamakura walking route, Zeniarai Benten, Sasuke Inari, the Great Buddha, dressing as a samurai, and the tips that actually make a difference.
By Yen & Zen
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25 May 2026
Hydrangea season in Japan 2026: when they bloom and where to see them
Complete guide to ajisai season in Japan: bloom dates by region, the best spots in Kamakura, Hakone, Nara and Kyoto, and how not to miss the Hakone night hydrangea train.
By Yen & Zen
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23 May 2026
JR Pass in 2026: price, routes and whether it's actually worth it
An honest look at the Japan Rail Pass in 2026: updated prices, which itineraries make it worth buying, when to skip it, and what the alternatives are. Written from Japan.
By Yen & Zen
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20 May 2026
How to open a bank account in Japan as a foreigner
A real guide to opening a bank account in Japan: which banks accept foreigners, what documents you need, the six-month rule, and what nobody tells you about having a Spanish double surname.
By Yen & Zen
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18 May 2026
Yokohama day trip from Tokyo: how to actually do it right
A full-day guide to Yokohama written by someone who lives here. Chinatown, Yamate, the port, two stadiums, and the places most travel blogs miss entirely.
By Yen & Zen
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14 May 2026
Traveling to Japan in summer (May-October): the honest reality of heat, humidity, and typhoons
How Japanese summer actually feels month by month, why 30°C in Tokyo isn't the 30°C you know from home, how to prevent heatstroke, and what to plan if your trip lands in these months. Verified JMA data for 2026.
By Yen & Zen
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11 May 2026
Understanding the Japanese pay slip (給与明細) in 2026: a visual guide for foreign residents
How to read a Japanese pay slip concept by concept: payments, deductions, taxes, and why your take-home changes. Realistic annotated example with verified 2026 calculations.
By Yen & Zen
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9 May 2026
Furusato Nōzei explained for foreigners: how it works, what you save, and the mistakes we paid to learn (2026)
Complete guide to Furusato Nōzei for foreign residents in Japan in 2026: how it works, your donation limit, the platforms, the One-Stop Exception, and the real-world mistakes that cost money.
By Yen & Zen
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6 May 2026
Japan Arrival Guide 2026: forms, SUICA, and luggage shipping
Everything you do between boarding the plane and getting to your hotel in Japan: Visit Japan Web QR codes, customs declaration, buying SUICA, and the luggage shipping hack most tourists miss.
By Yen & Zen
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3 May 2026
Japanese era year converter: what year is it in Japan and how to convert any year (2026)
Convert any Japanese era year to the Western (Gregorian) calendar and back. Reiwa, Heisei, Showa, Taisho, Meiji, full reference table, conversion formula, and a free online calculator.
By Yen & Zen
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1 May 2026
Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka in 10 days: real cost breakdown for 2026
What a classic 10-day Japan itinerary actually costs in 2026: real Shinkansen fares, real hotel prices, when the JR Pass actually pays off, and how much tax-free shopping really saves you.
By Yen & Zen
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30 April 2026
The real cost of living in Tokyo for foreigners (2026): three honest budgets
What life in Tokyo actually costs in 2026, broken down through three concrete profiles: single professional, double-income couple, and family with two kids. Real rent, real take-home, real numbers.
By Yen & Zen
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29 April 2026
Japan's Business Manager Visa just got 6× harder: what the October 2025 reform actually changed
The October 2025 reform raised the capital requirement from ¥5M to ¥30M and added five more conditions. What changed, who's affected, and what your options are.
By Yen & Zen