Daily Life

A bicycle changes everything about daily life in Japan — shorter commutes, less crowded trains, lower costs. But there are rules, registration requirements, and parking laws most foreigners don’t know about until they get a fine. Here’s how to cycle in Japan the right way. Why Cycling Works in Japan Flat terrain in most urban areas Extensive bike parking (jitensha chūshajō) at train stations, shopping centers, and city offices Low theft rate compared to many countries (though it still happens) No helmet required for adults by law (though recommended, and required for children under 13 from 2023) Cheap maintenance — parts and repairs are available everywhere Buying a Bicycle in Japan New Bikes Bike shops (jitensha-ya) and home improvement stores like Cainz, Konan, or DCM sell new bikes starting from around ¥12,000 for a basic mamachari (city bike). Higher quality commuter bikes range from ¥30,000–¥80,000. ...

Cycling in Japan is one of the great daily pleasures — until you get your bike impounded or fined for parking it in the wrong spot. The rules here are specific and enforced. This guide covers everything you need to ride freely and legally. Where to Buy a Bicycle New Bicycles Asahi (あさひ) — largest bicycle chain in Japan; good selection, reliable service Y’s Road — sports and commuter bikes Cycle Base DEPOT — budget-friendly Donki (Don Quijote) — very cheap basic bikes (¥10,000–18,000), decent for short term Ito Yokado, AEON — basic city bikes at reasonable prices Basic mamachari (city bike): ¥15,000–30,000 new Sports/road bike: ¥30,000–200,000+ ...

Japan drives on the left, the road signs mix Japanese and symbols, and the rules around parking are stricter than most foreigners expect. Drive unprepared and you’ll face fines, confusion, or worse. This guide covers the practical essentials for foreigners getting behind the wheel in Japan. Can Foreigners Drive in Japan? Yes. Foreigners can drive in Japan with either: An International Driving Permit (IDP) + your home country license (for short stays) A Japanese driver’s license (converted from your home license, or from scratch) Option 1: International Driving Permit (IDP) An IDP is a translation of your home country license into multiple languages. Japan accepts IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. ...

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: ...

Eye care in Japan is fast, affordable, and technically impressive — glasses are often ready in an hour and contact lenses are widely available. But the system has some quirks that foreigners consistently find surprising. Here’s what you need to know. Eye Exams At an Eye Clinic (眼科, Ganka) For a proper comprehensive eye exam, visit an 眼科 (ophthalmologist) — not just an optician. Cost with Japanese health insurance: ¥1,000–2,000 for a standard exam Japanese public health insurance (国保 or 社保) covers most eye exams Bring your insurance card (保険証) and My Number card Finding an English-speaking eye clinic: ...

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. ...

Garbage rules in Japan are strict, detailed, and vary by municipality. Get it wrong and your bag gets left behind with a red sticker on it — and your neighbors will know it was yours. Here’s how to navigate the system without embarrassing yourself. Why Garbage Rules Exist Japan has limited landfill space and a strong community culture. Garbage disposal is handled by local government (city/ward/town), which means rules differ slightly by area. When you register your address at city hall, you should receive a garbage guide — but it’s almost always in Japanese only. ...

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. ...