The more central part of Japan's capital offers many options for luxury living. Not only due to the city's size and stunning night skyline, those of us “who carry money” (the literal translation of the Japanese word for “wealthy” and “affluent”) often choose to live...

Having a cat or a dog is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, whether in your home country or Japan. But some things are different so let us consider the challenges and expenses of keeping a pet in Japan first. This article explores some of the...

Let us be honest at the start: Foreigners encounter some challenges when trying to get a local credit card in Japan. The main reason is that credit card companies prefer customers with a stable income and a long-term visa because they are afraid of foreigners...

If you're a foreigner looking to work in Japan, you'll be happy to know that the job market for international workers has been expanding rapidly in recent years. While finding a job in Japan can be challenging, especially if you don't speak the language, there...

Whew, boy, Tokyo is in the grip of a punishing heatwave and it's only June! The average high for this time of year is only 24°C (75°F), but the news is predicting temps close to 40°C (104°F) for the next couple of days. Luckily, Japan has lots of little gadgets, gizmos, and doohickies to help people survive these sticky conditions. Grab a glass of water, pull up a seat by the air con, and let us tell you about our favorite items for beating the summer heat.
If you are planning to move to Japan in the near future, you may be wondering what kind of visa you need to rent an apartment. Read on to find out the details and some workarounds if your visa isn't eligible.