Guides
Practical, evergreen guides for foreign residents building a life, career, or business in Japan. RSS
Daily Life
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Moving checklist for your first 90 days in Japan
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
The real deadlines that matter in your first three months - miss these and you risk fines or visa problems, not just inconvenience.
Founders / Freelance
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Starting a small company in Japan
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
KK vs. GK, what each actually costs, and the Business Manager visa requirements that come with running one.
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Freelancing legally in Japan
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
There's no “freelance visa” - here's what visa status freelancing in Japan actually requires.
Housing
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Renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
The realistic options if a landlord wants a guarantor you don't have, plus what to expect in the application process.
Immigration / Visa
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Permanent residency: links and preparation checklist
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
What changed in February 2026, and a practical preparation checklist for a PR application.
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Visa basics for changing jobs in Japan
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
What actually happens to your visa status when you change employers in Japan, and what to check before you resign.
Japanese Language
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Japanese workplace terms foreigners should know
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
The keigo basics and workplace structure terms that come up constantly, even in mostly-English offices.
Jobs
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Foreign engineer's guide to job hunting in Japan
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
How the Japan tech job market actually works for foreign engineers in 2026, and where to actually look.
Money / Tax
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NISA basics for foreign residents
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
Whether you're eligible, how the post-2024 NISA structure works, and what's changing again in 2026-2027.
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Japan money basics: pension and health insurance
Last updated Jun 19, 2026
What you're actually required to enroll in, the deadlines that matter, and what changes in 2027.