M O N E Y
Money
Credit Card in Japan for Foreigners: Step-by-Step From Zero Credit History (2026)
Mercari, PayPay, Mobile Suica all reject foreign cards. Here's exactly how to get approved for a Japanese credit card — even with zero credit history.
Japan Payment Guide: PayPay, Suica & Cards — What Should You Carry?
PayPay, credit cards, Suica, Apple Pay — what works where, what doesn't, and what foreigners should carry in Tokyo. Cash-only spots and contactless tips.
No Phone, No Bank Account? How to Break Japan's Catch-22
You need a bank account to get a phone, and a phone number to open a bank account. Here's how foreigners in Japan solve this catch-22, step by step.
L I V I N G
Living
Daycare and Kindergarten in Tokyo for Foreign Families
The difference between hoikuen and yochien, how the points system works, what documents foreign families need, and how Tokyo's free childcare policy covers your costs.
How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor in Tokyo
Find English-speaking hospitals via HIMAWARI and AMDA. Covers departments, reception phrases, costs without insurance, and mental health support in Tokyo.
My First Solo Move in Tokyo — From Apartment Hunt to Move-In Day
Apartment hunting in December, free-rent negotiation, provisional reservations, zero key money, and utility setup — a first-hand account of moving out in Tokyo.
Tokyo Garbage Sorting & Collection Rules
A complete guide to sorting garbage in Tokyo's 23 wards: how to find your collection schedule, dispose of bulky items, handle home appliance recycling, and avoid common mistakes that cause neighbor complaints.
How to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo as a Foreigner — Costs, Documents & Step-by-Step
Initial costs run 4–5 months' rent — key money, deposit, agent fees explained. No guarantor? No problem. UR housing, guarantor companies, and foreigner-friendly real estate agencies.
How to Find a Local Clinic in Tokyo
A firsthand guide to finding a same-day clinic in Tokyo. Search with Google Maps and EPARK, navigate your visit, and understand referral letters and #7119.
How to Make Friends in Tokyo
Concrete ways for foreign residents to make friends in Tokyo. International exchange associations, Meetup, language exchange, sports clubs, share houses, and more.
Tokyo's 23 Wards Ranked: Where to Live Based on Rent, Safety & Commute (2026)
Rent from ¥55k to ¥170k, wait-listed daycares, 10-min vs 50-min commutes — we compared all 23 Tokyo wards so you don't have to. Find your best fit.
Living in Tokyo's Tama Region — 26 Cities with Lower Rent and More Space
26 cities west of the 23 wards with lower rent and more nature. Rent, childcare, and commute data compared city by city.
E X P L O R E
Explore
7 Free Observation Decks in Tokyo — Views Above 200m for ¥0
7 free observation decks above 150m, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (202m). Hours, access, best views, and how to skip the crowds.
Last Trains in Tokyo and What to Do After Midnight
Last trains around 12:15 AM, first trains at 4:30 AM. How to handle the gap — taxis, internet cafes, karaoke, and capsule hotels in Tokyo.
8 Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo — A Walking Guide Based on Experience
Meguro River, Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno, and more — walking routes, crowd levels, and picnic tips from firsthand cherry blossom visits in Tokyo.
Anime & Subculture DJ Events in Tokyo — Venues, Costs & Beginner Guide
Anime, Vocaloid, and game music DJ events every weekend in Tokyo. Venues like Akihabara MOGRA, entry costs, and tips for first-timers.
A D M I N
Admin
Japan Health Insurance & Pension for Foreigners — Premiums, Coverage & Lump-Sum Withdrawal
Shakai Hoken vs. National Health Insurance, monthly premium estimates, how to claim lump-sum withdrawal when leaving, and the 2027 visa renewal change.
Moving to Tokyo as a Foreigner — Ward Office Checklist (14-Day Deadline)
Residence registration, address change, health insurance, My Number — the full ward office checklist for foreigners with required documents.
W O R K
Work
How I Landed an IT Engineering Job in Japan as a New Grad — International Student's Guide
A graduate's journey through Japan's new-grad IT hiring — summer internships, coding tests, student communities, and the path to a job offer.
Japan's Job Hunting System Explained — What Foreigners Need to Know
Shinsotsu batch hiring, rirekisho, interview etiquette, visa changes — a foreigner's guide to Japan's unique employment system with official data.
For Visitors
Just visiting Tokyo?
Transport, sightseeing, food, etiquette — make the most of your trip.
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