Daily Life

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. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Why tattoos are restricted in many Japanese facilities (the historical reason) Which types of facilities ban tattoos and which are becoming more flexible How to find tattoo-friendly onsens in Japan Gym and pool policies for tattooed foreigners Japan’s changing attitude toward tattoos in 2025 Practical tips for navigating Japan with visible tattoos Quick Answer Tattoos are not illegal in Japan, but they are banned from many traditional facilities — particularly onsens (hot springs), public pools, and some gyms. The reason is historical association with yakuza (organized crime). Japan’s policies are gradually becoming more flexible for foreigners, but you need to know where restrictions apply before planning activities. ...

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 In Japan, public health insurance covers most basic dental work at 70% — you pay 30%. Routine checkup: ¥1,500–3,000. Simple filling: ¥1,000–2,500. Root canal: ¥5,000–15,000. Covered: cleanings, fillings, X-rays, root canals, extractions, metal crowns. NOT covered: whitening, ceramic crowns, implants, braces. Any foreigner registered at city hall is automatically enrolled in health insurance, which includes dental. Bring your insurance card (保険証) to every appointment. To find an English-speaking dentist: search “英語対応 歯科 [your city]” on Google Maps. ...

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. ...