M O N E Y
Money
Credit Card in Japan for Foreigners: From Zero Credit History (2026)
Foreign cards are blocked by Mercari, PayPay, and Mobile Suica. Learn how to build credit from zero (sūpā howaito / 'super white') and compare 5 cards: Rakuten Card, Epos Card, GTN EPOS Card, Wise, and Revolut.
Japan Payment Guide: PayPay, Suica & Cards — What Should You Carry?
PayPay, credit cards, Suica, Apple Pay — what works where, what doesn't, and what foreigners should carry in Tokyo. Cash-only spots and contactless tips.
No Phone, No Bank Account? How to Break Japan's Catch-22
You need a bank account to get a phone, and a phone number to open a bank account. Here's how foreigners in Japan solve this catch-22, step by step.
How to Eat in Tokyo on Less Than ¥2,000 a Day
Matsuya beef bowls for ¥460, Fujisoba noodles for ¥430, supermarket bento for ¥300 after evening markdowns. A practical guide to eating well in Tokyo on a budget, with chain names, prices, and ordering tips.
L I V I N G
Living
How to Cycle in Tokyo
Visitors can start with bike-sharing right away. Compare HELLO CYCLING, Docomo Bike Share, and LUUP prices. For residents: bicycle registration (¥660), mandatory insurance, the new 2026 blue-ticket system, and recommended routes including the Imperial Palace loop and Rainbow Bridge.
Daycare and Kindergarten in Tokyo for Foreign Families
The difference between hoikuen and yochien, how the points system works, what documents foreign families need, and how Tokyo's free childcare policy covers your costs.
How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor in Tokyo
Find English-speaking hospitals via HIMAWARI and AMDA. Covers departments, reception phrases, costs without insurance, and mental health support in Tokyo.
My First Solo Move in Tokyo — From Apartment Hunt to Move-In Day
Apartment hunting in December, free-rent negotiation, provisional reservations, zero key money, and utility setup — a first-hand account of moving out in Tokyo.
Tokyo Garbage Sorting & Collection Rules
A complete guide to sorting garbage in Tokyo's 23 wards: how to find your collection schedule, dispose of bulky items, handle home appliance recycling, and avoid common mistakes that cause neighbor complaints.
![How to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo as a Foreigner [Costs, Guarantor, UR]](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1480796927426-f609979314bd?w=1920&q=80&auto=format)
How to Rent an Apartment in Tokyo as a Foreigner [Costs, Guarantor, UR]
Upfront costs run 4-5 months' rent in Tokyo. Even without a guarantor, a guarantor company gets you a lease. How to find zero-deposit units, UR housing requirements, what to do about 'no foreigners' policies, and the full process from search to move-in in as little as 2 weeks.
How to Find a Local Clinic in Tokyo
A firsthand guide to finding a same-day clinic in Tokyo. Search with Google Maps and EPARK, navigate your visit, and understand referral letters and #7119.
How to Make Friends in Tokyo
Concrete ways for foreign residents to make friends in Tokyo. International exchange associations, Meetup, language exchange, sports clubs, share houses, and more.
How to Receive Packages and Request Redelivery in Tokyo
Scan the QR code on your missed delivery slip to request redelivery in 3 minutes. Compare Japan Post, Yamato, and Sagawa procedures and English support. Yamato's refrigerated packages are returned after just 3 days. Includes okihai, delivery boxes, and convenience store pickup tips.
Where Should You Live in Tokyo? A Local's Guide to All 23 Wards (2026)
Rent from ¥70K to ¥150K, commute times to Shinjuku/Shibuya, foreign resident communities, English-friendly services — all 23 wards compared with official data so you can pick the right neighborhood.
Living in Tokyo's Tama Region — 26 Cities with Lower Rent and More Space
26 cities west of the 23 wards with lower rent and more nature. Rent, childcare, and commute data compared city by city.
E X P L O R E
Explore
7 Free Observation Decks in Tokyo — 202m Views for ¥0, Locals Know These (2026)
TMG Building (202m, 3 min from Shinjuku), Caretta Shiodome (210m), and 5 more — all free, no reservation needed. Best hours to avoid crowds, elevator/stroller access, and sunset timing.
Golden Week in Tokyo: The Complete Guide (2026)
Golden Week 2026 runs April 29 to May 6. Tokyo actually empties out while banks and city offices close for days. Nozomi reserved-only policy, crowd peaks, and how to make the most of it.
Last Trains in Tokyo and What to Do After Midnight
Last trains around 12:15 AM, first trains at 4:30 AM. How to handle the gap — taxis, internet cafes, karaoke, and capsule hotels in Tokyo.
Tokyo Onsen & Sento Guide — Prices, Etiquette & Tattoo Policies
Tokyo sento cost ¥550 flat. This guide covers bathing steps, tattoo policies by venue, and beginner-friendly bathhouses and day-trip onsen — all based on official sources.
8 Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo — A Walking Guide Based on Experience
Meguro River, Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno, and more — walking routes, crowd levels, and picnic tips from firsthand cherry blossom visits in Tokyo.
Tokyo Restaurant Extra Charges Explained
A small dish you didn't order. A service fee on your bill. This guide breaks down the four extra charges at Tokyo restaurants — otoshi, table charge, service fee, and consumption tax — with typical prices and cultural context.
Anime & Subculture DJ Events in Tokyo — Venues, Costs & Beginner Guide
Anime, Vocaloid, and game music DJ events every weekend in Tokyo. Venues like Akihabara MOGRA, entry costs, and tips for first-timers.
A D M I N
Admin
Japan Health Insurance & Pension for Foreigners — Premiums, Coverage & Lump-Sum Withdrawal
Shakai Hoken vs. National Health Insurance, monthly premium estimates, how to claim lump-sum withdrawal when leaving, and the 2027 visa renewal change.
Moving to Tokyo as a Foreigner — Ward Office Checklist (14-Day Deadline)
Residence registration, address change, health insurance, My Number — the full ward office checklist for foreigners with required documents.
W O R K
Work
How I Landed an IT Engineering Job in Japan as a New Grad — International Student's Guide
A graduate's journey through Japan's new-grad IT hiring — summer internships, coding tests, student communities, and the path to a job offer.
Japan's Job Hunting System for Foreigners (Shinsotsu, Visa, SPI)
A practical guide to Japan's unique employment system for foreigners: shinsotsu batch hiring schedule (junior summer to October), rirekisho and ES writing, SPI prep, interview etiquette, and visa status change (apply December to January). Covers the December 2025 new standards.
For Visitors
Just visiting Tokyo?
Transport, sightseeing, food, etiquette — make the most of your trip.
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