We here at All Japan Relocation have created living guides for foreigners in Japan. On this page we have gathered our daily living articles that will be useful no matter where you are living in Japan. Topics covered include how to open a bank account, Japanese business phrases, Japan's residency management system, and more.
For area specific living information articles and links to each area's municipal offices, please use the navigation links below to visit the destination guides section. At the bottom of each destination page you will find area specific articles for daily living.
As a resident of Japan, you are likely already familiar with the intricacies of the city’s garbage and recycling systems. However, you may be less acquainted with the appropriate way to dispose of large trash like furniture and appliances. This system is called Sodai Gomi. When moving house, redec…
Cycling in Japan reveals a side of the city most never see. Unchanged neighborhoods, hidden temples, quaint family run stores, and parks and museums galore can be visited far easier on two wheels than by train or even car. So, whether you are riding a top of the range imported model or a single-gea…
It is common practice that residential properties in Japan have very strict rules regarding the ownership of pets. These rules are decided and enforced by the building owner and or management. If you would like to have a pet or already have a pet that you would like to live with, starting your sear…
Moving to Japan and bringing your cherished pet with you can’t be that hard, right? The answer to that is, yes and no. On one hand, bringing pets to Japan is a tedious and potentially expensive process. On the other hand, with some planning and enough time to prepare, you can avoid a lot of the mor…
When talking about Japanese cuisine, it is inevitable that noodles will enter the discussion at some point. As one of the staple foods of Japan, noodles have been served for hundreds of years in a variety of different ways. Over time, a range of noodle types have developed along with customs and et…
Summer in Japan can be an exciting time, full of bright summer festivals, fun beach trips, and shaved ice in myriad flavors. However, summer is also a time of high humidity, long sticky days, and mold. Fighting mold in the home is a constant exercise for many who live in Japan. Fortunately, there…
Committing to a sugar-free or low-sugar diet can lead to a number of health benefits in your life including weight loss, improved energy and mental clarity, lower risk of cavities, and an overall healthier lifestyle. However, maintaining a sugar-free diet can be difficult in Japan where labeling of…
Maintaining a gluten-free diet is a useful and, in some cases, essential part of many people’s lifestyles. However, in Japan, gluten-free diets are not broadly known, so there isn’t a widespread understanding of which foods do and don’t include gluten and why people may need to avoid gluten. Becaus…
When learning a language one of the most difficult, yet most interesting aspects is mastering the idioms and expressions that come with the language. From literal meanings that are seemingly completely at odds with metaphorical meanings to confusing colloquialisms, learning idioms can be an uphill…
Furusato Nōzei, or the hometown tax, is a system by which taxpayers can pay their income or residential tax to a regional area, rather than the area in which they actually reside. Why pay tax somewhere else? Because under this system, regional areas will provide “gifts” as a show of thanks. These g…
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