Life in Japan
Get the best and latest tips, resources, and hacks for life in Japan. Discover in-depth guides for how to deal with city office, pay bills, and other daily living in Japan topics.
Master Japanese Honorifics: A Business Operator's Guide to Japanese Honorific Suffixes (2026)
Rent in Tokyo: Prices by Area, Apartment Type, and What Foreigners Need to Know (2026)
Life in Japan July 10th, 2026

Rent in Tokyo: Prices by Area, Apartment Type, and What Foreigners Need to Know (2026)

Rent in Tokyo can run ¥60,000 to ¥300,000+ a month depending on where you look. Here's how to figure out what's realistic for you.
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Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Car Loan for Foreigners in Japan: Complete Guide

Car Loan for Foreigners in Japan: Complete Guide

Learn how to get a car loan in Japan as a foreigner. Understand the requirements, process, best loan options, and how to improve your chances of approval.
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Aguri Osada
Aguri Osada ライター
Internet in Japan: A Guide for Tourists and Expats
Life in Japan July 9th, 2026

Internet in Japan: A Guide for Tourists and Expats

Need internet in Japan? Whether you're a tourist or expat, explore the best options, from eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi to fiber-optic home internet.
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Aguri Osada
Aguri Osada ライター
Shipping A Car to Japan: How-to Guide for Expats and Families
Out and About, Life in Japan July 9th, 2026

Shipping A Car to Japan: How-to Guide for Expats and Families

Whether you're shipping a Tesla or a BMW, this guide will illuminate the process and help you plan your next steps.
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Tom Imura
Tom Imura Contributing Writer
Can an American Buy a House in Japan? A Complete Guide for US Buyers (2026)
Life in Japan July 3rd, 2026

Can an American Buy a House in Japan? A Complete Guide for US Buyers (2026)

Can an American Buy a House in Japan? Yes, and there's no visa or residency required. But the real challenges aren't legal. Here's what it actually takes to finance, buy, and own property in Japan as an American, from bank accounts to US tax rules.
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Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Is There a Zillow in Japan? The Best Sites to Find Property as an American (2026)
Life in Japan July 3rd, 2026

Is There a Zillow in Japan? The Best Sites to Find Property as an American (2026)

Zillow doesn't list Japanese properties — and it never will. Here's why, plus the Japanese portals locals actually use and the English-language sites that work for American buyers in 2026.
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Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Leaving Japan Temporarily? Your FAQs Answered
Out and About, Life in Japan July 2nd, 2026

Leaving Japan Temporarily? Your FAQs Answered

What to do with your bills, mail, plants, housekeeping, and other frequently asked questions related to leaving Japan for a couple of months.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
How To Get A Japanese Phone Number: A Guide For Foreigners
Life in Japan July 2nd, 2026

How To Get A Japanese Phone Number: A Guide For Foreigners

Need a Japanese phone number? You’ve come to the right place. Here is your guide on how to get a Japanese phone number guide.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
A Guide to Air Conditioning Installation & Replacement in Japan

A Guide to Air Conditioning Installation & Replacement in Japan

Need help with air conditioning installation and replacement? Learn what you need to know about installing a new AC unit in Japan, including what features to consider, price points, and more.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Japanese Toilet Guide for Akiya Owners: Kumitori, Joukasou, and Costs Explained (2026)
Life in Japan June 26th, 2026

Japanese Toilet Guide for Akiya Owners: Kumitori, Joukasou, and Costs Explained (2026)

Planning to upgrade the toilet in your akiya? Whether your property has a kumitori pit, a joukasou tank, or municipal sewage, this guide explains what it means for your renovation and what you should expect to pay.
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Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Apartments in Tokyo for Foreigners: How to Find, Apply, and Get Settled
Life in Japan June 25th, 2026

Apartments in Tokyo for Foreigners: How to Find, Apply, and Get Settled

Everything foreigners need to know about renting in Tokyo: from key money and guarantors to finding foreigner-friendly apartments and settling in after move-in.
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Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Japanese Neighborhood Associations: A Guide for Expats
Life in Japan June 25th, 2026

Japanese Neighborhood Associations: A Guide for Expats

Should you join one? What will happen if you don’t? We cover what to know as a renter or property owner in Japan.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Finding Good Places To Live in Japan For Any Needs
Life in Japan June 25th, 2026

Finding Good Places To Live in Japan For Any Needs

Explore good places to live in Japan based on your desire.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Japan Post Bank Branch Code: Everything You Need to Know
Business in Japan, Life in Japan June 25th, 2026

Japan Post Bank Branch Code: Everything You Need to Know

Need to send money through Japan Post Bank? Learn everything about branch codes, where to find them, and how to use them correctly to avoid transaction issues!
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MailMate Team
MailMate Team  Executive Updates
An Easy Japanese Air Conditioner Guide: How-To Care & Clean
Life in Japan June 25th, 2026

An Easy Japanese Air Conditioner Guide: How-To Care & Clean

Learn how to clean your Japanese air conditioner for proper care usage so it can run efficiently in the summer and winter.
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Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
The Cost of Living in Japan: Updated 2026
Life in Japan June 25th, 2026

The Cost of Living in Japan: Updated 2026

Discover the latest figures for the cost of living in Japan, based on data from the government of Japan’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Owning a Dog in Japan: A Guide for Expats
Life in Japan June 18th, 2026

Owning a Dog in Japan: A Guide for Expats

Japan's new microchip registration for pets, what to do if your dog has hurt others, dog run etiquette, and more.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Japan's My Number Card and Residence Card Are Merging: What You Need to Do
Life in Japan June 12th, 2026

Japan's My Number Card and Residence Card Are Merging: What You Need to Do

From June 2026, Japan's 4.12 million foreign residents can merge their residence card and My Number Card into one. Here's what you need to know.
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Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
English-Speaking Maid and House Cleaning Services in Tokyo
Life in Japan June 11th, 2026

English-Speaking Maid and House Cleaning Services in Tokyo

Weekly housekeeping can refresh your place and give you one less thing to think about. Take a look at your options for the highest-rated and most reviewed English-speaking maid and house cleaning services in Tokyo. Bookmark this page to assist you in finding a service that fits your needs.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer