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.
Whether you’re a Japanese language, university, or vocational school student, coming to Japan as a student often means that you will eventually need to head to the immigration office and extend your visa to continue your studies, as this specific visa is often only valid for a certain period — even before your expected graduation […]
For a lot of foreigners from certain nationalities, Japan’s working holiday visa program allows them to live, work, and experience Japan for a specified length of time without needing to get sponsorship from an institution, such as an employer or school. But what happens if your visa expires and you’re not ready to leave? Or […]
Japan may be known for its cutting-edge technology, but when it comes to official paperwork, many procedures still require an in-person visit to your local Japanese city hall, or shiyakusho (市役所). For newly arrived international residents — whether you’re a student or a working professional — that first trip to a government office can seem […]
There has been a major change that might affect your residence ard when you arrive in Japan: Immigration Services Agency (ISA), the official body responsible for immigration affairs, declared that the Residence and My Number card can be combined into a single card, called the 特定在留カード (tokutei zairyu kaado), as of June 15, 2026. This […]
Health insurance and pension in Japan are mandatory for residents in Japan including international students, but they can be expensive. Luckily, you can apply for exemptions and reductions.
