Daily Life

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. ...

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?” ...