Expat Japan

What you'll learn in this guide What a chonaikai (町内会) is and what it does Whether membership is mandatory for foreigners What fees, duties, and events you might be asked to participate in How to handle the chonaikai as a foreigner — politely and practically Garbage collection points: what chonaikai controls that matters most to daily life Quick Answer A chonaikai (町内会) or jichikai (自治会) is a neighborhood association that manages local community tasks: garbage point rules, local festivals, bulletin boards, and community events. Membership is voluntary by law but socially expected in many areas. Annual fees are typically ¥2,000–6,000. The most practical reason to engage: garbage collection points are often controlled by the chonaikai, and non-members sometimes cannot use them. ...

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. ...

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. ...

What you'll learn in this guide How to create and use a Mercari Japan account as a foreigner Buying on Mercari Japan: search tips, condition ratings, and payment Selling on Mercari: photographing, pricing, and shipping as a foreigner Payment methods available to foreigners (including foreign cards) How to navigate the Japanese interface with minimal Japanese Best categories to find deals: furniture, electronics, clothing Quick Answer Mercari Japan is Japan’s dominant second-hand marketplace with 70M+ registered users. Foreigners can use it with a Japanese phone number, email, and payment method. The interface is in Japanese, but Chrome’s auto-translate makes it manageable. It’s the best place to buy affordable furniture and electronics when first arriving in Japan. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Japan’s four seasons: what temperatures to expect in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities The rainy season (梅雨 / tsuyu): when it happens and how to survive it Typhoon season: what to do when one hits What to pack (and buy) for each season How the seasons affect daily life for foreigners Quick Answer Japan has four distinct seasons. Spring (March–May) is mild with cherry blossoms. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid, with a rainy season in June–July. Autumn (September–November) is comfortable with fall foliage. Winter (December–February) is cold but manageable in Tokyo; Hokkaido and the Japan Sea coast get heavy snow. Typhoon season runs July–October. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Rakuten Mobile’s plan structure and pricing for 2025 Who can sign up (foreigner eligibility and required documents) Network coverage: where Rakuten Mobile works well and where it doesn’t How Rakuten Mobile compares to IIJmio, ahamo, and LINEMO How signing up boosts your Rakuten Points (SPU program) Quick Answer Rakuten Mobile offers Japan’s only unlimited data plan at a fixed ¥3,278/month — no throttling, no caps. It’s the best-value option for heavy data users. Coverage is good in urban areas but weaker in rural Japan (uses au network for roaming). Foreigners can sign up with a residence card and Japanese bank account or credit card. ...

What you'll learn in this guide What a share house in Japan is and how it differs from a normal apartment Top share house operators for foreigners: Sakura House, Borderless House, Oak House Real costs including all fees (much lower upfront than regular apartments) The pros and cons of share house life in Japan How to find a share house and what the application process looks like Quick Answer A Japanese share house (シェアハウス) is a fully furnished private room with shared common spaces (kitchen, bathroom, living area). For foreigners, the advantages are major: no guarantor needed, no key money, fully furnished, short minimum stays (1–3 months), and English-speaking management. Costs: ¥35,000–80,000/month for a private room, all-inclusive. ...