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.
It’s easy to feel lonely when you just came to Japan. How do you make friends and meet new people? We will explore some strategies for building relationships and connecting with others whilst in Japan.
If you’ve been planning to take the JLPT in Japan, there’s an important update that could completely change your plans. For years, many learners used Japan as a backup testing location — especially when seats in their home countries filled up. Some even planned entire trips around taking the exam. But as of 2026, the […]
When you arrive in Japan to study Japanese, one of the first things you will notice is how common mobile payments have become. While cash is still widely used, many stores now accept QR code payments via smartphone apps. The most widely used mobile payment app in Japan is PayPay. Millions of stores across the […]
