Coin laundries in Japan are clean, cheap, and efficient — but the machines, signs, and etiquette are all in Japanese. First-time users waste money pressing the wrong buttons. Here’s a clear walkthrough so you get it right from the start. Types of Machines Washer-Dryer Combo (洗濯乾燥機) Wash and dry in one cycle Most convenient option Cost: ¥600–1,200 for a full wash+dry cycle depending on drum size Washing Machine Only (洗濯機) Cheaper wash cycle only You’ll need to use a separate dryer or hang clothes at home Cost: ¥200–400 per wash Dryer Only (乾燥機) For items washed at home that need machine drying Very useful for duvets, futons, and heavy items that take days to air dry Cost: ¥100 per 10–12 minutes Large-Capacity Machine (大型) For duvets, blankets, curtains, sleeping bags 10kg–25kg capacity Cost: ¥1,000–2,500 depending on size and cycle time How to Use the Machines Choose a machine — check it’s empty and the drum is clean Load your laundry — don’t overfill (fill to 70–80%) Select your cycle — standard wash is fine for most items Insert coins — most machines accept ¥100 coins; some newer ones accept IC cards or QR code payment Add detergent — many machines dispense detergent automatically (included in price), or have a slot for your own Start the machine — it will display the remaining time Cycle time: Typically 30–40 minutes for washing, 40–60 minutes for drying. ...

My Number is Japan’s national identification system, and if you live in Japan, you have one whether you’ve used it or not. The physical card unlocks a growing range of services that make life significantly easier. Here’s what it is, how to get the card, and when you’ll actually need it. What Is My Number? My Number (マイナンバー) is Japan’s national ID system. Every person living in Japan — including foreigners — gets a unique 12-digit number. ...

Quick Answer Japanese apartment noise norms are stricter than most foreigners expect. General rule: no audible noise in your neighbors’ units after 10pm, and significant sound reduction starts at 8pm. Vacuum cleaners are typically off-limits before 8am and after 8–9pm. Music, TV, and phone calls must be inaudible through walls. Common complaints foreigners generate: late-night showers, walking heavily (heels on hardwood), talking loudly on phone calls, and running washing machines at night. Warning notices come from the building manager; repeated violations can end a lease. ...

Quick Answer The most foreigner-friendly Tokyo neighborhoods are Shinjuku, Minato, and Shibuya for central living, and Nakameguro or Shimokitazawa for a quieter feel. Budget-conscious expats often choose Koenji or Kichijoji — lower rents with strong community vibes. Choosing where to live in Tokyo is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make as a new resident — and the advice you’ll get is often useless. “Shinjuku is central” tells you nothing about whether you’ll feel comfortable there, afford it, or actually enjoy it at 11pm on a Tuesday. Neighborhood in Tokyo means everything: it shapes your commute, your social life, the kind of foreigner community around you, and how much month is left at the end of your salary. ...

Quick Answer Japan experiences over 1,000 earthquakes per year — most minor, some significant. As a foreign resident, the three most important preparations: (1) download the NHK World or Safety tips app for English earthquake alerts, (2) assemble a basic emergency kit (3 days of food/water, medications, cash, documents), and (3) know your local evacuation shelter (避難所) — register at your ward office to receive local emergency broadcasts. If a major earthquake hits: drop, cover, hold on. Don’t run outside during shaking. ...

Quick Answer Hikkoshi aisatsu (引越し挨拶, moving-in greeting) is the Japanese custom of visiting your immediate neighbors on moving day or within the first 3 days to introduce yourself and give a small gift. Standard gift: a consumable item (towels, detergent, sweets) worth ¥500–1,500, wrapped. Knock on the 2 units above, 2 below, and 2 beside you (the “two-above, two-below, left-right” rule). If nobody’s home, leave the gift with a note. Skipping it is noticed and sets a negative social tone for your tenancy. ...

Quick Answer Best banks for new foreign residents in Japan: Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ) accepts foreigners from day one with just a residence card and passport. Rakuten Bank is 100% online with English support. Sony Bank offers foreign currency accounts and fee-free Visa debit. Avoid the major megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) until you have 6+ months of residence — they frequently reject new arrivals. You need a Japanese bank account to get paid, pay rent, and handle almost every part of daily life here — and you need one fast. The problem is that banks in Japan are notoriously picky: wrong visa type, wrong documents, or not enough residency history, and you walk out empty-handed. This guide tells you exactly which banks accept foreigners with minimal fuss, what documents to bring, and how to have an account open within a week of landing. ...

Quick Answer Foreigners can rent apartments in Japan privately, but you need a guarantor company (保証会社), valid visa, and upfront costs of 4–6x monthly rent. Use foreigner-friendly agencies like Sakura House, Able, or Suumo’s foreigner support services to simplify the process. Apartment hunting in Japan is stressful for everyone — but as a foreigner, you’re starting with a stack of extra obstacles. Some landlords will say no simply because of your nationality. The paperwork is in Japanese. The upfront costs are genuinely significant. And the “guarantor” requirement traditionally assumed you knew a Japanese person willing to vouch for you financially. ...

Quick Answer Japan’s convenience stores (コンビニ, konbini) are open 24/7 and do far more than sell food. At any 7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart you can: pay electricity/gas/water bills in cash at the register, withdraw money from an ATM that accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard cards (7-Eleven is most reliable), print or scan documents (¥10–30/page), send a package nationwide, receive online deliveries, buy concert and event tickets, and fax documents. The food — onigiri, hot fried chicken, bento boxes — is genuinely good quality and cheap (¥130–400/item). ...

Quick Answer Japan is one of the most cash-dependent developed countries in the world, though this is changing quickly. Many small restaurants, local shops, temples, and some clinics are cash-only. Always carry ¥5,000–10,000 in cash. Best ATM for foreign cards: 7-Bank (inside 7-Eleven), available 24/7. For residents, a Japan Post Bank or Rakuten Bank account with a Visa debit eliminates most daily cash friction. PayPay (QR code payment app) is increasingly accepted where cards are not. ...