Expat

What you'll learn in this guide Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa: requirements, how to apply, and limitations Best cities in Japan for digital nomads (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and beyond) Real monthly costs for remote workers in Japan Coworking spaces and internet quality Legal ways to stay in Japan long-term as a remote worker Banking and money management for nomads Japan launched a Digital Nomad Visa in 2024, making it the first time remote workers have had a legal, structured way to stay in Japan beyond 90 days. The visa has specific requirements — and significant limitations — but it opens a door that previously required creative workarounds. Here’s everything you need to know. ...

What you'll learn in this guide The best neighborhoods in Osaka for foreigners — ranked by lifestyle and budget Real 2025 rent prices by area Which neighborhoods have the biggest expat communities Best areas for families, singles, students, and working professionals How Osaka neighborhoods compare to each other (and to Tokyo) Osaka is Japan’s most affordable major city after Fukuoka — and its most underrated for expats. The food culture is legendary, the locals are famously friendly, and rents are 30–40% lower than Tokyo for comparable apartments. But Osaka’s neighborhoods vary enormously. Here’s where to look. ...

What you'll learn in this guide The best neighborhoods in Fukuoka for foreigners — with honest pros and cons Real 2025 rent prices by area Why Fukuoka is Japan’s most recommended city for expats on a budget Best areas for digital nomads, families, singles, and English teachers How to find foreigner-friendly housing in Fukuoka Fukuoka has a well-earned reputation as Japan’s most liveable city for foreigners. It’s Japan’s fastest-growing major city, it’s compact enough to navigate easily, rents are 40–50% lower than Tokyo, and the food scene (ramen, mentaiko, hakata udon) is arguably Japan’s best. Here’s where to live. ...

What you'll learn in this guide How much notice you must give before moving out (and what happens if you don’t) What Japanese landlords can and cannot legally charge you for How to maximize your deposit return Step-by-step move-out checklist for Japan What to do if you’re charged unfairly How to cancel utilities, insurance, and address registration when leaving Moving out of a Japanese apartment involves more steps — and more potential costs — than most foreigners expect. Japan’s move-out process has specific rules around deposit deductions, cleaning fees, and notice periods. Know the rules before you give notice, and you can avoid paying for things you’re not legally responsible for. ...

What you'll learn in this guide How to set up and use Amazon Japan (Amazon.co.jp) as a foreigner Navigating the Japanese interface with and without Japanese skills Amazon Prime Japan benefits vs US/UK Prime What you can and can’t ship internationally from Amazon Japan Best deals, Prime Day, and sale strategies How Amazon Japan compares to Rakuten Ichiba and Yahoo Shopping Amazon Japan (Amazon.co.jp) is one of the most useful tools for foreigners in Japan — it delivers almost anything the next day, accepts foreign credit cards, and has a surprisingly usable English interface. Here’s everything you need to know to use it effectively. ...

What you'll learn in this guide When foreigners in Japan need private health insurance vs national health insurance Japan’s National Health Insurance explained — what it covers and what it doesn’t Top private health insurance providers for foreigners in Japan compared Costs by age, coverage level, and provider What happens if you leave Japan temporarily — travel insurance considerations Japan has one of the world’s best healthcare systems — and mandatory national health insurance for all registered residents. But Japan’s national health insurance doesn’t cover everything, and some foreigners (new arrivals, digital nomads, those between jobs) need additional or alternative coverage. Here’s the complete guide. ...