If you’re an international student, part-time jobs, or arubaito, can help support your living expenses.

Contrary to popular belief, Japan is nowhere close to the most expensive place to live (ranked around 46th in the world), which is great news for international students. While Japan can be quite affordable for students, some expenses still add up. Major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya can cost a pretty penny, […]

While Japan is known for its vibrant drinking culture, the country’s legal drinking age is higher than that of most of its neighbors and even several European nations. In Japan, the legal drinking age is 20, and it applies to everyone, including foreigners, exchange students, and tourists. Even if you are visiting from a country where […]

Meet Yvette, one of our amazing students who found the perfect Japanese language school through Coto School Finder! After graduating from Waseda University, one of Japan’s top private universities, Yvette took an unconventional step: instead of diving straight into work, she chose to improve her Japanese language skills by joining Toyo Language School. In this […]

For many foreigners, working in Japan has long been the dream, and the road may look simple. A 2025 Nikkei report suggested that around 98% of CEOs in Japan are looking to hire international talent. In fact, there are currently 2.3 million foreign-born workers in Japan, accounting for roughly 3.7% of the workforce, and some […]

Japan is safe and fascinating, but it also has some unusual regulations that surprise visitors. From carrying your residence card to unexpected smoking bans, this guide highlights 12 weird rules in Japan that foreigners should know to avoid fines, confusion, and cultural faux pas.

Unlike drugstores in many other countries, Japanese drugstores (ドラッグストア) sell far more than over-the-counter medicine. They’re a category of their own — part pharmacy, part beauty counter, part snack aisle — packed with affordable skincare, everyday essentials, and snacks you won’t find anywhere else. That makes them a lifesaver, especially if you’re not quite ready […]

Using a bike in Japan is convenient, but getting one a lot more tedious than it sounds — after you buy it, you need to register it.