Life in Japan
Wild Roots: A Tour of Japan’s Forests
A guide to Japan’s forests, from Hokkaido’s taiga to Okinawa’s jungle, with ancient beech, sacred cedar and rare wildlife
Tokyo Weather in November: What to Do, Wear & What’s Happening
Temperatures, layering tips and the autumn events filling the calendar this month
Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Menopause Relief in Japan
Over-the-counter remedies for menopause symptoms at Japanese drugstores—and when to see a gynecologist
The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake: A Short Story “The Earth After”
A childhood memory traces what the 2011 earthquake and tsunami took
The Akiya Dream: Life Beyond the Front Door
Can foreign akiya (vacant home) owners become neighbors, not just visitors?
The Agri-Girls Project
Can Aesthetic Farming Fix Japan's Labor Shortage?
English-Friendly Aesthetic Clinics in Tokyo
Where to get Botox, fillers, HIFU and skin boosters in Tokyo, with doctors who consult in English
Where To Pick Autumn Fruit in Japan
Japan’s orchards open to visitors each autumn for fruit picking
Tokyo Weather in October: What to Do, Wear & What’s Happening
Temperatures, rainfall, daily outfits and the seasonal events worth planning around this month
Japan’s Wild Mushrooms
When autumn settles over Japan's mountains, wild mushrooms emerge in abundance across the forests
Japan Drugstore Guide: Best Cough Medicine in Japan
The best over-the-counter cough medicines at Japanese drugstores—and when it’s time to see a doctor
Out of the Bubble: Overcoming the International School Bubble in Japan
Finding an identity in international schools
Free Support for Foreign Residents in Tokyo: Meet the Help Desk Solving Your Biggest Headaches
A government-run service that helps international residents with everything from bank accounts to daycare
English-Speaking Nail Salons in Tokyo
Where to get gel nails, detailed nail art and manicures in Tokyo with English-speaking service
Tokyo Weather in September: What to Do, Wear & What’s Happening
A month-by-month look at temperatures, rainfall, daily outfits, and the events worth planning around
A Guide to Solo Hiking in Japan
Three hiking regions to join Japan’s hiking community
How to Use a Sento or Onsen in Japan
A beginner's guide to Japanese bathhouses
The World’s First: Japan’s Viral Cold-Water Instant Noodles
Inside the Hiyashi cup noodle craze
Guide to HIV Testing, Prevention and Free Clinics in Tokyo and Yokohama
What to know about the virus, warning signs, prevention, PrEP and PEP, and where to get tested for free in Japan—a complete guide for international residents and visitors
Japan Residence Permit Fees Rise From October 1, 2026: Permanent Residency Jumps to ¥200,000
More about the process, eligibility rules, and paperwork
Tokyo Bear Hunting Ban Could End for the First Time in Nearly 20 Years
As bear sightings hit a national record, the capital is reconsidering a policy it hasn't touched since 2008
How to Wear and Style a Summer Yukata
Your guide to styling Japan’s most iconic seasonal garment