Decades ago, studying Japanese required flipping through heavy paper dictionaries or carrying a denshi jisho (a pocket-sized electronic dictionary) that instantly became the ultimate status symbol for ...

JR East is retiring the iconic Suica Penguin after 25 years. Are the bizarre new mascot candidates really that bad, or is all of Japan just grieving?

Is permanent residency in Japan still worth it? See the new 2026 rules, rising application fees, revocation risks and whether PR fits your goals. For years, permanent residency in Japan (PR) has been ...

Kimi Onoda is currently one of the most talked-about names in Japanese politics. A member of the House of Councillors representing Okayama Prefecture for Prime Minister Takaichi and the ruling Liberal ...

For years, just showing a certificate for 150 hours of Japanese study was enough to prove you had the “A1-level” proficiency required for a visa. However, immigration is raising the bar for those ...

From typhoons to wild boars, train delays in Japan happen. Here’s what they mean and how to navigate them. Japanese trains are legendary. They’re fast, clean and their punctuality makes them famously ...

Japan trends 2025 reshaped everyday life, from retro culture and food to work—plus what these trends mean for 2026. Happy New Year. Will 2026 finally see the end of the craziness of 2025? It was a big ...

If only it were this easy. Before you look at apartments or price out flights, you need to figure out which visa you actually qualify for. Japan does not offer a “move here and figure it out later” ...

Wondering how to meet men in Japan? From apps and meetups to avoiding the wrong guys, here’s how foreign women find dating opportunities. Trying to figure out how to meet men in Japan can feel like a ...

Looking for a Shimoda day trip? Here’s the quick pitch: a no-fuss, high-reward day trip to Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture with pretty stops, good coffee and seafood that actually lives up to the hype. If ...

When I first moved to Japan, my social calendar was packed. Between karaoke, izakaya hopping and endless invitations, I thought I was a pro at making friends. I even assumed it would be easy to make ...

Japan is safe, but not risk-free. From mountain rescues to drug laws and shady bars, here are the most dangerous things you can do in Japan. By most measures, Japan is a very safe country. Japan has a ...