If you’re going to Japan for study or travel, you may want to consider staying with a Japanese host family. Staying with a host family can be a wonderfully immersive way to learn more about Japanese culture and share your own. However, it might not be for everyone. Having lived with three host families before,…
Tiffany Rhodes: All You Need to Know About Being a Recruiter in Japan
With perseverance, determination, and the right credentials, it’s possible to build the career of your dreams in Japan. For Japan’s foreign residents, a career in corporate recruitment is one of the most viable pathways to success. Recruitment isn’t for the faint of heart, but great rewards await those who approach the industry with the right…
Want to Work in a Japanese NGO? Read This.
Are you interested in getting a job or an internship at a Japanese NGO? While there are a lot of similarities with NGO work in other countries, there are also aspects that are very Japanese. I worked for one year at a human rights NGO in Tokyo and am here to share my experience with…
Ben Shearon: Investing and Saving for Retirement as a Foreign Resident in Japan
Investing and saving for retirement is an intimidating prospect, even in your home country. Add in the layers of complexity that come with retiring as a foreign resident abroad, and you may be tempted to give up on the endeavor entirely. That would be a grave mistake, as Ben Shearon, founder of RetireJapan, explains in…
Driving in Japan: Thoughts and Tips
Japan is famous for its comprehensive, efficient, and punctual (for the most part) public transportation system. However, when it comes to reaching more remote areas or experiencing some of the country’s unrivaled scenic locales, you’re going to need a car. Before you get behind the wheel, check out our roundtable discussion for three unique international…
Read the Air to Learn Japanese Language and Culture Anywhere
I vividly remember the moment when I learned the Japanese word for soft-boiled egg: hanjuku tamago. It wasn’t long after I had arrived in Japan in January 2009, with little more than a year of elementary Japanese floating around in my head. I was able to survive most day-to-day interactions in Japanese, but moving from…
The Best 11 Products You Need for Your Flight to Japan
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, odds are that you will be taking a plane at some point. Whether the longest leg of your flight journey is only a few hours or 15, you’ll want to pack smart to be as comfortable as possible. I remember my first intercontinental flight to Taiwan (with a…
Andrew Hankinson: Transporting You to Japan through the Power of Podcasting
Whether you’re curious about culture, eager to start a business, or fascinated by the arts, podcasts are an excellent way to immerse yourself in the contemporary zeitgeist of Japan. One of the rising stars in the ever-growing Japan podcast scene is Now and Zen Japan, produced by Andrew Hankinson, senior managing director at Zwilling J.A….
How to Manage Your Personal Finances in Japan
You may have learned about personal finance in your home country, but how much of that knowledge is applicable to your situation in Japan? As a foreigner living in Japan, it can be confusing to learn about a new economic system, including the banks, payment methods, and finance apps. Whether you are staying in Japan…
How to Reduce Your Cost of Living in Japan and Thrive on a Tight Budget
There’s no beating around the bush: Japan is not a cheap place to live in Asia. Of course, especially compared to many European and North American countries, Japan’s cost of living is not particularly expensive either. Japan is experiencing inflation, but it’s significantly lower than that experienced by other high-income countries. Currently, the yen is…