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Kanagawa Driver's License Center
Living in Japan

What Nobody Tells You About Renewing a Driver’s License in Japan as a Foreigner

At around 7:45 in the morning, I arrived at the Kanagawa Driver’s License Center in the pouring rain.…

May 2026 · 9 min read
Junkudo bookstore in Ikebukuro
Language

The JLPT Is Not a Language Test

The JLPT touches every corner of life in Japan. Whether it’s through job applications, school applications, or now…

Apr 2026 · 6 min read
Crowds at Osaka station
Living in Japan

The JLPT N2 Is Now Required for Japan’s Most Common Work Visa

The Japanese government recently announced that applicants for the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa will now need to…

Apr 2026 · 4 min read
Tohoku Shinkansen entrance at Tokyo Station.
Transportation

What is the JR Pass and How Does it Work?

If you are planning a trip to Japan and looking into train travel, you have probably seen the…

Apr 2026 · 9 min read
Cherry blossoms of Kamakura
Travel

Nakameguro’s Cherry Blossom Views Are Now Blocked By Screens. Here’s Where To Go Instead (2026)

Everybody knows about the Tokyo cherry blossoms. It is one of the most iconic times to visit the…

Mar 2026 · 4 min read
ajisai flowers in the summer
Travel

When is the Best Time to Visit Japan? (Season by Season)

Any time of year is a good time to visit Japan. If you get the chance to visit,…

Mar 2026 · 8 min read
Travel

Cash, Cards, and IC Cards: Understanding Money in Japan

It was common knowledge that Japan was a mostly cash-only country. Even in major cities like Tokyo and…

Mar 2026 · 4 min read
A couple visits a small lakeside shrine in northern Japan
Travel

The Case for Slowing Down in Japan

Japan is a destination on many people’s bucket lists. For many of us, the desire to go there…

Mar 2026 · 4 min read
The Tengu bath at Kita Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture.
Culture

What Is an Onsen? Japanese Hot Spring Baths Explained

Japan has several types of bathing facilities, and the terminology can be confusing if you’re not familiar with…

Mar 2026 · 3 min read
Night view of a Tokyo train station
Transportation

Japan’s Best Kept Travel Secret: The Night Bus

If you need to get from Tokyo to Osaka, there are countless ways to do so. The Shinkansen…

Mar 2026 · 7 min read
View from a Tokyo apartment, with the Skytree in view
Living in Japan

What Moving to Japan Actually Looks Like (The Hard Parts)

It’s not uncommon for tourists to visit Japan and feel an immediate urge to move there. The experience…

Mar 2026 · 7 min read
Bowl of tonkotsu ramen from a Fukuoka restaurant
Food & Dining

4 Ramen Styles You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

Ramen is one of those iconic foods that every visitor to Japan needs to try at least once.…

Mar 2026 · 5 min read