Q&A
Questions about life in Japan answered by those who live it
Hot Topic
10 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
On Going
17 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
2 Answers
What is your least favorite household chore in Japan?
Today is "Enjoy Laundry Day". I personally don't mind doing laundry that much, but there are things I don't enjoy so much. There are also chores I don't mind too much, such as hoovering and dusting, BUT I find them more taxing in Japan because they have to be done way more often in Japan than in my home country, because Japan has an inexplicable amount of dust! What household chores do you really dislike? And / or are there any household chores you don't mind doing too much in your home country, but find them more time consuming in Japan?
2 hours ago
1 Answer
Do you go to Karaoke in Japan? Your home country?
I just wrote about Karaoke Culture Day and in September about Family Karaoke Day, so it begs the question: Do you go to Karaoke often in Japan? And while we're at it, some other questions; Do you like it? love it? Only go because somebody makes you!? And how about in your home country - have you ever been to Karaoke in your home country?
on Oct 17
4 Answers
Which prefecture do you think is the most attractive?
I posted this morning about the recently released Prefectural Attractiveness Rankings. Obviously there's an element of subjectivity to this, because what one person deems attractive can be very different to someone else's opinion of it. Hokkaido was ranked the most attractive prefecture in Japan, but the full list can be found below (image source is the article here: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/39c11474715641625a5720b86bc9b72dfe59e4cd). Of the prefectures you've visited, which would you say is the most attractive, and why would you rate it that way?
on Oct 17
3 Answers
What shops online or brick and mortar do you rely on for work wear, ladies?
I get my separates from a mix of online and from brick-and-mortar shops. Which do you find are no-fail, look professional, and don't break the budget?
on Oct 16
2 Answers
What festivals will you go to this Autumn?
I am really going to miss the Kawagoe Festival this weekend. I need to live vicariously through you this Autumn! So tell me, what festivals are you going to this Autumn?
on Oct 14
7 Answers
Your favorite ways to unwind in Japan
A few little stressors have been popping up in my life lately, so I was wondering about your favorite ways to unwind here -- the big and the small. One of mine is definitely onsen when I have the chance to go, but that's not always an "easy to do everyday" thing. Let me know in the comments so I can incorporate some of them into my routine!
on Oct 13
5 Answers
Dark sky near you and easy to access?
Where do you go to see the Milky Way? Is the location easy to get to without a car? I'm thinking about late autumn and winter getaways when the skies are likely to be clear. The last time I had a good view was in the Izu Islands in winter. I got there by overnight ferry and rambled around on a rented bicycle.
on Oct 13
3 Answers
Are you happier in Japan than your home country?
Saw a list today via TimeOut which covered their "Happiest Cities" for 2025. (https://www.timeout.com/news/the-20-happiest-cities-in-the-world-in-2025-according-to-locals-101025) A couple of cities in my home country made the Top 20 (Melbourne and Sydney), but Japan was noticeably absent. It got me thinking. Would you say you're happier here than you were in your country of origin? Would love to hear your arguments for or against, and why that's the case.
on Oct 11
1 Answer
Do you see dekotora in recent years?
I feel like in the last 20 years I see dekotora less and less. The only place I see dekotora regularly now is at two festivals I tend annually where they have a dekotora display. But the number of dekotora participating in those events also seems to be dwindling in recent years. So my question; do you still see dekotora in the wild, so to speak? Or do you only see them at special events?
on Oct 10
4 Answers
If not Japan, where else?
Several of my expat friends here have also lived in other countries outside their passport country -- not just Japan! If you had to pick another country to be an expat in outside your home country (and not including Japan, of course), is there anywhere that sounds appealing? Let me know where and why! I'm personally really interested in Finland! I've heard that the work culture there is very good and there are lots of good social support programs, which I think make the integration process easier!
on Oct 10
3 Answers
All about drones
Do you own a drone? Have you ever used a drone in Japan? Do you know the drone regulations in Japan? My two cents on the future of drones; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/G0oer-living_tokyo
on Oct 8
1 Answer
Foreign exchange
Does your local bank do foreign exchange? If yes, do you have to be a member of the bank to use the service? If no, where do you do foreign exchange for cash?
on Oct 8