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
16 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
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
3 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
6 Answers
If you were the PM of Japan, how would you positively change work-life balance here?
My recent blog about Sanae Takaichi's promise that "I will work, work, work, work and work" sending the wrong message to Japanese society got me thinking. If you were the PM of Japan, how would you positively change work-life balance here?
on Oct 8
4 Answers
Give me all your soup recipes
One thing I love as the weather gets cooler here is SOUP SEASON! Nothing better than a comforting and nourishing bowl of something yummy, and even better if it reheats well for leftovers. Do you have any favorite soup recipes for the colder months? Please feel free to share your recommendations to expand my cooking repertoire!
on Oct 8
5 Answers
How have bears impacted your life?
Further to genkidesu's post about the recent bear attack on a foreigner, it got me thinking about how the increase bear sightings have influenced me. For one, I don't hike on my own anymore, something I used to enjoy doing occasionally. Have the increase in bear sightings and bear attacks influenced you in anyway? The post; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/genkidesu/w5RYe-living
on Oct 7
3 Answers
With Sports Day just around the corner...
What's your favorite way to stay active in Japan? Back in my home country I had a gym membership because I had an office job and lived in suburbia, so it wasn't as easy as it is here in the countryside to just get out and go on long walks or cycle. Those are my two favorite ways to keep my body moving and stay reasonably fit! It's also nice because I have places that are walkable/cyclable for errands (bank, post office, supermarket, multiple convenience stores, a farmer's market, etc.) so it saves a bit on petrol costs. How about you? Would love to get your thoughts in the comments!
on Oct 7
2 Answers
Did you celebrate Tsukimi?
Did you do anything for Tsukimi last night? If so, what - if you want to share. I looked at the moon. It was really was brighter than normal, so beautiful.
on Oct 7
2 Answers
Your favorite autumn leaf viewing resources?
I'm wondering where you all go to find autumn leaf destinations. Are you inspired by blogs here on City-Cost, do you visit prefectural tourism websites, external blogs from people based in Japan, social media networks, or somewhere else? I'd say my main source is prefectural tourism websites, since they seem to cover a lot of the key spots!
on Oct 7
2 Answers
Would you like an event section?
I think I probably asked this about 8 years ago! But would you like to see an event section on City-cost? Also, do you like when people share event information on the site or would you rather they didn't? The photo is just for colour!
on Oct 7