Articles
Plain-language pieces about life and travel in Japan, written from a foreign resident's perspective. New articles every few weeks.
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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