All guides
Koseki vs Juminhyo: What Foreigners in Japan Need to Know
Koseki (family register) vs juminhyo (resident record) — what each one is, why foreigners are on the juminhyo but not the koseki, and which document you'll actually be asked for.
Health Checkups in Japan: Kenko Shindan, Ningen Dock & Costs
Health checkups in Japan: the employer annual kenko shindan, the comprehensive paid ningen dock, the 40+ tokutei kenshin, costs, and English support — explained.
Dental Care in Japan for Foreigners: Insurance, Costs & English Help
Going to the dentist in Japan? NHI covers basic dental at 30% (fillings, extractions, cleaning). What's not covered, and how to find an English-speaking dentist.
Pharmacies & OTC Medicine in Japan: A Foreigner's Guide
Where to buy medicine in Japan: drugstores vs dispensing pharmacies, OTC medicine classes, what to get for a cold, allergy or pain, and how prescriptions work.
Medical Emergencies in Japan: How to Call 119 & What to Say
Medical emergency in Japan? Dial 119 for a free ambulance (any nationality). What to say, the #7119 advice line, #8000 for kids, and what to do at the ER.
How to Read & Write a Japanese Address: Chome, Banchi & Go Explained
Japanese addresses explained for foreigners: the order (big to small), what chome / banchi / go mean, how to write your address in romaji vs Japanese, postal codes, and filling in forms and deliveries correctly.
Hanko & Inkan Guide for Foreigners in Japan: Jitsuin, Ginko-in & Mitomein Explained
What a hanko (inkan) is, the difference between jitsuin, ginko-in and mitomein, when you really need one in Japan, how to order a seal with a foreign name, and seal registration (inkan toroku).
Japan Dependent Visa (Family Stay): Bring Your Spouse & Children
Bringing family to Japan on your work/student visa? The Dependent (Family Stay) visa: who qualifies, sponsor income, the 28-hour work limit, and the COE process.
Pregnancy in Japan for Foreigners: Boshi Techo, Checkups & What to Do
Pregnant in Japan? How to register, get the Boshi Techo handbook (multilingual) and 14 subsidized checkup vouchers, plus the childbirth lump-sum — step by step.
Private & Expat Health Insurance in Japan: Do You Actually Need It?
Japan's National Health Insurance is mandatory for residents — so who needs private/expat health insurance? When it makes sense, and SafetyWing vs Cigna.
How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor in Japan (and See One)
Need a doctor in Japan but worried about the language? How to find English-speaking clinics (JNTO, AMDA, Himawari), what to bring, costs, and emergency numbers.
Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026? Prices, Break-Even & Cheaper Alternatives
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it after the price hikes? 2026 prices, the break-even (≈ a Tokyo–Hiroshima round trip), Nozomi rules, and cheaper regional passes.