All guides
How to See a Doctor in Japan as a Foreign Resident (2026): Clinics, Costs, Pharmacies and After-Hours
Enrolled in Japanese health insurance but unsure how to actually see a doctor? Learn the clinic-first flow, how to find English-friendly clinics, the 30% copay, pharmacies, and after-hours options.
Health Insurance & Pension Enrollment in Japan (2026): A Newcomer's First-Weeks Guide
Just moved to Japan? National Health Insurance and pension are mandatory. Here's what to do at the city office in your first weeks, which documents to bring, and why it matters for visa renewal.
Disaster Apps and Multilingual Emergency Info for Foreigners in Japan
What to install before a disaster in Japan: Safety tips, NHK WORLD, Yahoo, Japan Shelter Guide. J-Alert, earthquake warnings, hinanjo vs hinan-basho explained.
Common Scams Targeting Foreigners in Japan and How to Avoid Them
Rental, fake-job, visa, crypto, romance and fake-police phone scams that hit foreigners in Japan — how to spot each one and the official hotlines to call.
Pocket Wi-Fi vs eSIM vs SIM in Japan: Which Should Tourists Choose?
Pocket Wi-Fi, travel eSIM, or a physical SIM for Japan? Compare cost, setup, coverage and data caps, plus which fits solo, family, heavy-data, or older phones.
eSIM vs Pocket WiFi vs SIM Card in Japan (2026): Best Choice for Your First Days
Landing in Japan and need data now? Compare eSIM, pocket WiFi and physical SIM by cost, data and ID needed — including the no-residence-card path and how to activate an eSIM before you land.
My Number Card: The Complete Guide for Foreigners
What the My Number Card does, how to apply and renew it, why its validity follows your residence period, and using it as your health insurance card in Japan.
Japan's High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (高額療養費): The Monthly Cap That Stops a Hospital Bill From Ruining You
How Japan's High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit caps your monthly hospital bill by income, the 限度額適用認定証 / My Number card trick, and how foreign residents claim it.
The Konbini Survival Guide for Foreigners in Japan: Pay Bills, Get Cash & Send Parcels at the Convenience Store
How to use a Japanese convenience store (konbini) as a foreigner: pay bills, withdraw cash with a foreign card, send parcels, and print documents.
How to Legally Register a Marriage in Japan as a Foreigner (2026): The Kon'in Todoke, Step by Step
How foreigners legally marry in Japan: the kon'in todoke, the Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry, required documents, the two-country trap, and what comes after.
Child Vaccinations in Japan: The Schedule, Free Shots & How It Works
Vaccinating your child in Japan? Routine vaccines (teiki) are free. How the schedule works, where to go, the Boshi Techo record, and catch-up from abroad.
Children's Medical Subsidy in Japan: Free or Cheap Healthcare for Kids
Japan's child medical subsidy makes kids' healthcare often free or very cheap. Who qualifies, how to apply, the recipient card (jukyusha-sho), and city differences.