Daily Life

Onsen is one of the best things about living in Japan — but first-timers often approach it with anxiety they don’t need to have. The etiquette is simple. The experience is worth it. Here’s everything you need to enjoy onsen with confidence. Types of Onsen Type Description 露天風呂 (Rotenburo) Outdoor bath — often the most scenic 内湯 (Uchiyu) Indoor bath 貸切風呂 (Kashikiri-buro) Private/reserved bath — book in advance 混浴 (Konyoku) Mixed-gender bath — increasingly rare 日帰り温泉 (Higaeri onsen) Day-trip onsen — no overnight stay needed The Basic Rules Before You Enter Pay at the front desk (番台) — usually ¥500–1,500 for day use Separate by gender — men (男/♂) and women (女/♀) use different entrances Remove shoes at the entrance, store in lockers In the Changing Room (脱衣所) Undress completely — swimwear is not allowed in traditional onsen Store clothes and valuables in a locker Bring your small towel (tenugui) into the bath area At the Washing Station (洗い場) Always wash your entire body before entering the bath — this is non-negotiable Sit at a washing station (individual shower station with stool and bucket) Use the soap and shampoo provided (or bring your own) Rinse all soap off completely before entering the hot spring In the Bath Keep your small towel out of the water (fold it on your head or set it aside) No splashing, swimming, or loud talking Don’t drain or dirty the water Rinse off again after soaking if you’ve been sweating heavily Tattoo Policy This is the biggest issue for many foreigners. Most traditional onsen and public baths do not allow tattoos due to historical association with the yakuza. ...

Bringing a pet to Japan or getting one here involves regulations, costs, and apartment rules that catch many foreigners off guard. Done right, it’s entirely manageable. Here’s the full picture on pet ownership in Japan. Can You Have a Pet in Your Apartment? This is the first and most important question. Many Japanese apartments are ペット不可 (pets not allowed). Check your lease carefully. What to look for: ペット可 (petto ka) — pets allowed ペット相談 (petto soudan) — pets negotiable (discuss with landlord) ペット不可 (petto fuka) — no pets Reality: Finding a pet-friendly apartment adds difficulty and usually cost. Pet-friendly apartments often require a larger deposit and sometimes extra monthly fees. ...

Japan’s package delivery system is world-class — precise delivery windows, easy redelivery, and multiple pickup options. But the notes left on your door and the automated phone systems are in Japanese. Here’s how to handle deliveries without missing your packages. Major Delivery Companies Company Logo Color Common For ヤマト運輸 (Yamato / Kuroneko) Black cat Amazon, general parcels 佐川急便 (Sagawa) Red Rakuten, general parcels 日本郵便 (Japan Post) Red/White Letters, government, some Amazon Amazon Delivery Blue Amazon orders Each company has its own tracking system and redelivery process. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Exactly what to bring vs what to buy in Japan Items that are hard to find or expensive in Japan (especially for larger sizes) Documents you must bring — not optional Electronics compatibility in Japan The complete packing checklist for your move to Japan Quick Answer Bring: documents (originals + copies), medications (3-month supply plus prescriptions), clothes in larger sizes, power adapters, and your debit card with no foreign transaction fees. Buy in Japan: most furniture, electronics, and daily goods — Japan has excellent quality at reasonable prices and shipping items from overseas costs far more than buying locally. ...

Pocket WiFi and SIM cards are both solid options for staying connected in Japan — but which one makes sense depends entirely on your situation. Choosing the wrong option means either overpaying or dealing with constant connectivity problems. Here’s how to decide. Your Options at a Glance Option Speed Cost Setup Time Pocket WiFi (rental) Medium ¥3,000–¥5,000/month Immediate Data SIM card Medium ¥1,500–¥4,000/month Same day Home WiFi router (SIM) Medium ¥3,000–¥5,000/month Same day Fiber internet Fast ¥4,000–¥6,000/month 2–4 weeks Pocket WiFi A portable WiFi router that connects multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet) to mobile internet via a SIM card inside. Carry it in your bag and you have WiFi anywhere in Japan. ...

Japan’s second-hand market is enormous, affordable, and full of items in near-perfect condition — because Japanese people take exceptional care of their possessions. Foreigners who discover it early save thousands. Here’s where to shop and what to look for. Why Japan’s Second-Hand Market is Special Items are returned/donated in excellent condition (Japanese cultural standard) Previous owners often include original packaging, manuals, and accessories Competitive market keeps prices fair Massive supply — downsizing, moving, and decluttering are very common Online Platforms Mercari (メルカリ) ⭐ Best Overall Japan’s largest C2C resale app. ...

What you'll learn in this guide What a share house in Japan is and how it differs from a normal apartment Top share house operators for foreigners: Sakura House, Borderless House, Oak House Real costs including all fees (much lower upfront than regular apartments) The pros and cons of share house life in Japan How to find a share house and what the application process looks like Quick Answer A Japanese share house (シェアハウス) is a fully furnished private room with shared common spaces (kitchen, bathroom, living area). For foreigners, the advantages are major: no guarantor needed, no key money, fully furnished, short minimum stays (1–3 months), and English-speaking management. Costs: ¥35,000–80,000/month for a private room, all-inclusive. ...

What you'll learn in this guide How to buy Shinkansen tickets (at the station and online) Reserved vs unreserved seats: when to book which The JR Pass: is it worth it for foreigners in Japan? IC card (Suica/PASMO) and Shinkansen: can you use them? How to save money on Shinkansen travel Key routes and travel times between major cities Quick Answer Shinkansen tickets can be bought at JR station ticket machines (some have English), at ticket windows (みどりの窓口), via the Eki-Net app (Japanese), or EX-IC app (for Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen). IC cards (Suica/PASMO) cannot be used for Shinkansen travel — you need a separate Shinkansen ticket. The JR Pass is worth it if you make 3+ long-distance trips within 7–21 days. ...

Social insurance in Japan isn’t optional — it’s mandatory, and your employer or local ward office will expect you to be enrolled. Many foreigners arrive without understanding how the system works or what they’re paying into. Here’s a clear explanation of what social insurance covers and what it costs. The Two Systems: Shakai Hoken vs. Kokumin Hoken There are two main social insurance tracks in Japan: 1. Employees’ Social Insurance (Shakai Hoken) If you work full-time for a company, you are automatically enrolled in the employees’ social insurance system, which includes: ...

Suica is the single most useful thing you can set up on your first day in Japan. One card handles trains, buses, convenience stores, and vending machines across the country. Here’s how to get one, load it, and use it everywhere. What Is an IC Card? An IC card is a rechargeable contactless card that you tap to pay for: Trains and subways Buses Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) Vending machines Some restaurants and shops You load money onto the card, tap in when you board, tap out when you exit. The fare is deducted automatically. ...