Q&A
Questions about life in Japan answered by those who live it
Hot Topic
7 Answers
Christmas/New Year travel spots?
I wrote a blog yesterday on how Tokyo was named the top-searched travel destination for Christmas and New Year's travel by Google for this year. I love Tokyo, of course, and it was my home for several years before moving to Niigata – but I wanted to ask the rest of you about your favorite domestic spots for the festive season. Any places that give you the warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings? Perhaps places with great Christmas markets, illuminations, or anything of that nature would be good suggestions. With so much focus on the big three (Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto) it would be great to get some recommendations outside those places if you have any!
on Sep 19
On Going
14 Answers
Any idea for snowboard destination?
What's the best ski resort in Japan that is accessible by bus or train? I have been to Nagano. Any other recommendations?
on Jan 3
All Questions
6 Answers
Expo 2025 – excited or disinterested?
One of the biggest events for Japan next year is the 2025 Expo Osaka-Kansai. Do you have any interest in the event (planning to attend, etc.) or are you fairly disinterested? Curious to hear your thoughts!
on Dec 17
6 Answers
Grocery budget 2024?
How are you managing your grocery budget, for a single or a family? I'm finding my buying power for a single is diminishing, but I'm doing okay, cooking nearly all my meals and dining out infrequently. After going over my receipts, I'm still averaging 30,000 yen a month on groceries. For reference, I'm well outside Tokyo in a Chiba suburb. Have you had to change your grocery budget considering the rising prices?
on Dec 13
4 Answers
Japanese YouTube channels for interesting topics?
Are you listening and watching Japanese YouTubers who present interesting and quality content? I'm hooked on world traveler Bappa Shota, who treats global issues with great sensitivity. Although he appears to speak a few different languages, most of his narration is in Japanese. Which Japanese YouTubers do you recommend for interesting and insightful content?
on Dec 13
3 Answers
YouTube channels for life in Japan?
Recently ToneToEdo put me on to JapaneseCooking101 on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JapaneseCooking101) where you can find a variety of easy to follow recipe tutorials for a myriad of eats. I was wondering if anyone knew of other useful "life in Japan" style YouTube channels. It doesn't have to be cooking, anything that helps you out with day-to-day stuff here would be great to know about!
on Dec 4
3 Answers
Do you have a My Number card?
I never got one - long story, possibly for a blog post! But I am just curious did you get one? From March you can use a My Number card as a driver's license. This interests me so I am now considering getting one. Pros / cons?
on Nov 10
14 Answers
How long does it take to get your PR status?
I am waiting to get permanent status. The official website says it should take about 4 months, but when I called Tokyo Immigration, they said it would take 1 year. What is your experience? :)
on Oct 31
4 Answers
Organizing point cards in an App?
Is there an App where I can save all my point cards (T point, Ponta, GU, D point, Ks Denki etc etc etc)? I like that I can use my smart phone instead of physical cards for cumulating points on point cards, but I don't like the idea of downloading the App for each and every point card I have. Is there an App where I can download / access all my point cards in one place without having to download the App for each and every service / store / company?
on Oct 29
4 Answers
Contributing to your community?
An idea for a grassroots theme: What do you do that contributes to your community, whether it's a tight-knit family endeavor, something you do with a community group, a chamber of commerce, a city project, or a solo initiative? For inspiration and ideas, see my blog - https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/TonetoEdo/GloLq-living_chiba_noda_shi_chiba
on Oct 24
4 Answers
Best App for Autumn leaves live updates in 2024
What's your go-to for live updates of Autumn leaves? The ones I used don't really have live updates for Saitama!
on Oct 15
6 Answers
Which season is your favorite for its food?
One thing I love about autumn is the abundance of tasty treats -- it's probably my favorite time of year for seasonal eating because I love sweet potato, chestnut, and kabocha flavored goodies, and there are so many out there to enjoy. Do you have a favorite time of year for seasonal snacks? Maybe you love the freshness of choc-minty things in summer, the vitamin C packed citruses of winter, or all things sakura in spring. Would love to hear your favorite time of year for eating and why you picked that timeframe!
on Oct 5
3 Answers
What makes your neighborhood great?
I saw recently that Gakugeidaigaku in Tokyo was named one of the world's coolest neighborhoods by TimeOut. It got me thinking though -- what makes your neighborhood in Japan great? Part of why I love my area of rural Niigata is that it really feels like there is community spirit that a lot of places in my home country seem to lack these days. We have neighbors that are like grandparents to our kids, and several neighbors bring us the surplus of their fresh produce that they grow. I also appreciate that even though we're a very small town, we're within walking distance of a shinkansen stop that gets us to Tokyo in 90 minutes. Would love to hear from you as to what makes your neighborhood an enjoyable place to live!
on Sep 29
9 Answers
Adept at chopsticks? Tell us how you learned
A vivid memory from my childhood was my NOT Asian parents pushing me to use chopsticks at the dinner table while eating Chinese and Japanese food. They wanted to prep us for restaurant dining and enjoying meals at the homes of Asian-Canadian coworkers and friends who served food with chopsticks. How did you learn? When?
on Sep 26