Japan

Nobody expects you to be perfect — but a few missteps can leave a lasting impression you didn’t intend. Japanese etiquette isn’t complicated once you know the logic behind it. Here are the rules that actually matter in daily life. Public Spaces On Trains and Subways Silence your phone — calls on trains are considered rude Don’t eat on local trains — shinkansen and long-distance trains are fine Give up priority seats — marked seats near doors for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers Don’t stand in doorways blocking exit Keep voices low — trains are generally quiet No strong perfume or food smells — considerate of others in enclosed spaces On Escalators In Tokyo: stand on the left, walk on the right In Osaka: the opposite — stand on the right, walk on the left Never block the walking side Shoes Off Remove shoes when entering: ...

Japanese workplace culture has clear rules — but most of them are never written down. Hierarchy, after-work drinks, overtime expectations — these operate differently than in Western countries. This guide explains what to expect before your first day. Punctuality Means Something Different Here In most countries, showing up on time is fine. In Japan, showing up on time means you’re almost late. The unwritten rule: arrive 5–10 minutes early. Exactly on time feels slightly disrespectful to many Japanese colleagues. Late without notice is a serious problem. ...

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. ...

A spouse visa in Japan grants significant flexibility — the right to live and work without a separate work visa. But the application requires solid documentation of your relationship, and immigration officers look carefully at the details. Here’s a complete guide to the spouse visa application. Types of Spouse Visas Visa Type For Spouse of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等) Married to a Japanese citizen Spouse of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等) Married to a PR holder in Japan Both visas allow you to: ...

Quick Answer Japan’s Working Holiday Visa is available to citizens of 30+ countries (including Australia, Canada, UK, France, Germany, NZ) aged 18–30 (35 for some). It lets you live and work in Japan for up to 1 year. Apply at the Japanese embassy in your home country before entering Japan — it cannot be applied for once you’re already here. Most countries have no quota limit, but some (e.g. Taiwan) have annual caps. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Exact monthly budgets for Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo (with real 2025 numbers) How much rent, food, transport, utilities, and taxes actually cost as a foreigner Which city gives you the best value for your lifestyle How Japan compares to the US, UK, and Australia in real purchasing power Practical tips to cut costs without sacrificing quality of life Quick Answer Monthly costs in Tokyo start at ¥165,000 for a single person (rent + food + transport). Osaka is roughly 25% cheaper, Fukuoka around 35% cheaper. Yokohama costs 15–20% less than central Tokyo with a 30-minute commute. Foreigner-specific costs to budget for: visa renewal (¥4,000 every 1–3 years), international transfers (save ¥8,000–15,000 per ¥300,000 with Wise), and imported food (2–3× domestic prices). With the weak yen, Japan is now more affordable than most Western countries for mid-range living. ...

Quick Answer Japanese domestic bank transfers (振込, furikomi) require: bank name, branch name (支店, shiten), account type (普通 = savings), and 7-digit account number. Transfers between same-bank accounts are usually free or low cost. Cross-bank transfers cost ¥110–880 depending on amount and whether done online vs. at a counter. Online banking (especially Rakuten Bank and PayPay Bank) makes transfers free or very cheap. ATM transfers work but cost more. International transfers from Japan require a separate process — use Wise for those. ...

Quick Answer Dating in Japan as a foreigner works differently than most expats expect. Japanese dating culture moves slower, communication is more indirect, and early relationship stages involve more ambiguity than in Western relationships. Couples often don’t define the relationship explicitly — you may be in a relationship before anyone says so. Apps like Pairs and Omiai work better for serious relationships; Tinder and Bumble have more English-speaking users. Dating in Japan as a foreigner comes loaded with expectations — from anime, from travel blogs, from other expats — that often collide with reality in confusing ways. The reality is both more ordinary and more complicated than the mythology suggests. ...