Japan averages 1,500 earthquakes a year. Most are minor — but the big ones happen without warning. Having a plan before disaster strikes is the difference between managing it and being helpless. Here’s what every foreigner living in Japan should have prepared right now. What to Expect: Japan’s Earthquake Reality Japan has about 1,500 detectable earthquakes per year You’ll feel small tremors (震度1–2) regularly — they’re normal Shindo (震度) scale measures shaking intensity at your location (different from the Richter scale) Shindo What It Feels Like 1–2 Slight swaying — some people feel it 3 Noticeable indoors; hanging items sway 4 Most people feel it; some items fall 5 weak–strong Difficult to stand; furniture moves 6 weak–strong Hard to stay upright; walls may crack 7 Cannot stand; severe structural damage Essential Apps Install these immediately after arriving in Japan: ...

In an emergency, the last thing you want to be doing is searching for phone numbers. Japan’s emergency services work well — but they operate in Japanese, and the system has quirks foreigners often don’t know about. Bookmark this before you need it. Essential Emergency Numbers Number Service Notes 110 Police (警察) Crime, accidents, lost persons 119 Fire and Ambulance (消防/救急) Fires, medical emergencies 118 Coast Guard (海上保安庁) Maritime emergencies #7119 Medical consultation hotline Available in some regions; advice on whether to go to ER Calling 110 (Police) Call 110 for: ...

What you'll learn in this guide The best food delivery apps in Japan and how they compare Which apps work in English for foreigners Delivery fees, minimums, and subscription options City-by-city availability (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and beyond) Payment methods foreigners can use Food delivery in Japan has exploded since 2020. The market is now competitive and mature — multiple apps fight for market share with promotions, discounts, and expanded coverage. Here’s how to navigate the options as a foreigner. ...

Putting out the garbage wrong in Japan isn’t just embarrassing — it can result in your bags being rejected and left on the street with a note attached. Garbage sorting here is detailed and varies by municipality. Here’s how to get it right without spending a week deciphering Japanese rules. The Basic Categories Japanese English Examples 燃えるごみ / 可燃ごみ Burnable / Combustible Food scraps, paper, tissue, wood, leather 燃えないごみ / 不燃ごみ Non-burnable Small metal, glass, ceramics, umbrellas 資源ごみ Recyclable Bottles, cans, cardboard, newspapers 粗大ごみ Large garbage Furniture, appliances, bicycles 危険ごみ Hazardous Batteries, lighters, spray cans Plastic Rules Plastic sorting is the trickiest part: ...

What you'll learn in this guide Whether your foreign license is valid to drive in Japan and for how long Which countries can convert licenses without taking a practical test The step-by-step process at the license center (運転免許センター) What to do if you need to take the Japanese driving test from scratch Costs and time required for each path Quick Answer Foreigners in Japan can convert a valid foreign license to a Japanese one at the prefectural license center. Citizens of countries with simplified conversion agreements (including most European countries, Australia, Canada, and others) pass a vision test and written knowledge check only — no practical driving test. US license holders must pass a practical driving test. Processing takes 1–2 days; cost is around ¥5,000–8,000 in fees. ...

Japan’s grocery delivery landscape has expanded dramatically — but the best services differ by city, language support, and what you’re actually trying to buy. Some are foreigner-friendly, some are a frustrating ordeal without Japanese skills. Here’s a practical breakdown of the options worth your time. Best Grocery Delivery Services in Japan 1. Amazon Fresh — Best for Convenience Feature Details Coverage Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Osaka, other major areas Minimum order No minimum for Prime members Delivery time 2-hour windows, same day often available App language English (use amazon.co.jp) Price level Competitive, similar to in-store If you already have Amazon Prime Japan (¥600/month), Amazon Fresh is the easiest option. The website works in English, and you can recognize product photos even without reading Japanese. ...

Quick Answer Japan’s guarantor (保証人, hoshounin) system is a major barrier for foreigners who have no Japanese contacts. The good news: rent guarantor companies (家賃保証会社) replace the personal guarantor — you pay 0.5–1 month’s rent upfront (+ annual renewal fee), and they guarantee your rent instead. UR Housing requires no guarantor or deposit. Share houses (like Oak House or Village House) also skip the guarantor system entirely. You found a great apartment in Japan. The landlord said yes. Then the real estate agent asks: “Do you have a Japanese guarantor?” ...

Finding a gym in Japan that fits your budget, location, and English comfort level takes more research than it should. Some chains are genuinely foreigner-friendly; others have sign-up processes that will test your patience. Here’s a clear comparison of your best options. Types of Gyms in Japan 1. Budget Gyms (¥3,000–5,000/month) Anytime Fitness ¥7,000–8,000/month (24/7 access) Present in all major cities English-language materials Card access, no staff needed after setup Good equipment quality JOYFIT24 ¥5,000–6,000/month 24/7 access Decent equipment, widespread locations Fit Easy / FitBase ¥3,000–4,000/month Budget option, basic equipment Good enough for most people 2. Mid-Range Gyms (¥6,000–10,000/month) Renaissance (ルネサンス) Full service: pool, studio classes, gym ¥8,000–12,000/month Good facilities, some English support Konami Sports Club (コナミスポーツ) Pool + gym + classes ¥8,000–12,000/month Widespread in major cities Tipness (ティップネス) Good mix of equipment and classes ¥7,000–10,000/month Strong studio class program 3. Premium Gyms (¥15,000+/month) Equinox Japan (Tokyo only) ¥27,000+/month World-class facilities English-speaking staff Multiple Tokyo locations Gold’s Gym Japan ¥10,000–18,000/month Strong weightlifting focus Popular with bodybuilders How to Join a Gym in Japan Most gyms require: ...

Home internet in Japan is fast — genuinely among the fastest in the world. But setting it up as a foreigner involves navigating Japanese-language contracts, installation windows, and router fees. Here’s how to get connected quickly without overpaying. Your Main Options Type Speed Price Setup Time Best For Fiber optic (光回線) Up to 10Gbps ¥4,000–6,000/month 2–4 weeks Long-term residents Home WiFi router (au/docomo) 100–300 Mbps ¥3,000–5,000/month Same day Short-term or can’t get fiber Pocket WiFi 30–150 Mbps ¥2,000–4,000/month Next day Temporary or mobile use Fiber Optic (光回線) — Best Value for Long-Term Residents NTT Flet’s Hikari + ISP Japan’s fiber runs primarily through NTT’s Flet’s Hikari network. You pair this with an ISP (internet service provider): ...

Housing costs in Japan vary dramatically by city — and the gap is larger than most people moving here expect. Where you choose to live affects your entire financial picture. Here’s an honest, current comparison of rental costs across Japan’s major cities. Tokyo: Rent by Area Tokyo has enormous variation. Central areas cost 2–3x outer areas. Area 1K (studio) 1LDK 2LDK Minato, Shibuya, Shinjuku ¥120,000–200,000 ¥200,000–350,000 ¥300,000+ Shibuya adjacent (Nakameguro, Ebisu) ¥100,000–160,000 ¥180,000–280,000 ¥250,000–400,000 Popular mid-range (Shimokitazawa, Koenji) ¥70,000–110,000 ¥130,000–200,000 ¥180,000–280,000 Outer areas (Tachikawa, Hachioji) ¥50,000–80,000 ¥90,000–140,000 ¥130,000–180,000 Note: 1K = studio with kitchen, 1LDK = 1 bedroom + living/dining/kitchen, 2LDK = 2 bedrooms + LDK ...