News and resources

How to Prevent “Yami Baito” (Black Part-Time Jobs) in Japan

For many international students and foreign residents in Japan, finding a part-time job is almost a rite of passage. It can help cover tuition and living expenses, build valuable work experience, and perhaps most importantly, create opportunities to practice Japanese in real-life situations. But while there are countless safe, legitimate part-time jobs available, there is […]

yami baito

What is The Legal Drinking Age in Japan? Laws and What to Know

While drinking culture is woven into everyday life in Japan, the country’s legal drinking age remains higher than that of many neighboring Asian countries and several European nations. For example, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and Singapore set their legal drinking age to 18 years old. In Germany, somewhat unsurprisingly, minors as young as 14 are allowed […]

women drinking - legal drinking age in Japan

Girls’ Day in Japan: 2026 Guide to Hinamatsuri

Also called Girl’s Day in Japan, Hinamatsuri is an annual celebration held on March 3 dedicated to the health, happiness, and prosperity of young girls. It is also called Peach Festival (Momo no Sekku). Families display ornamental dolls and enjoy seasonal dishes during this time. It is one of the five seasonal festivals (gosekku) that […]

Hinamatsuri

The 2026 FREE Study and Live in Japan Guide

Study and live in Japan is an exciting step—but planning it can quickly feel overwhelming. From choosing the right language school and meeting application deadlines to finding accommodation and understanding part-time work rules, there’s a lot to consider before you arrive. To make the process easier, we created the Coto School Finder Study & Live […]

Japan scenery of Fuji mountain, temple, and red leaves