Getting a credit card in Japan can feel frustrating—especially if you’ve just moved to the country and don’t yet have a credit history. When I first arrived, I struggled to get approved for nearly two years. It wasn’t until I secured full-time employment that I finally succeeded. In this guide, I’ll walk you through: What…
If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, it can feel overwhelming at first. But here’s the truth:You don’t need to know everything to get started. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases can go a long way — whether you’re travelling, meeting Japanese friends, or just want to impress people around you. In this guide, I’ll…
If you’re preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you’ve probably realised one thing: It’s not just about studying — it’s about studying smart. The JLPT is a multiple-choice exam designed to assess your: It does not test writing or speaking. In this guide, I’ll share 5 practical tips that helped me prepare for…
For many people, teaching English in Japan is one of the easiest ways to experience the country. Most start with dispatch companies, but over time, many aim for something better: Becoming a direct-hire ALT (Assistant Language Teacher). Having gone through the process myself, I’ll break down: What Is a Direct-Hire ALT? A direct-hire ALT is…
My love for Japanese cinema started with one man: Akira Kurosawa. Before discovering his films, I was into anime and video games.But once I watched Kurosawa’s work, I began to understand something deeper: Film isn’t just entertainment — it’s art. Who Was Akira Kurosawa? Kurosawa is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in…
If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll know that convenience stores — or combini — are on another level. From hot food to desserts, places like Lawson, 7-Eleven, and FamilyMart offer a surprisingly wide range of options. The other day, I decided to switch things up and head into Lawson to try a mix of…
Learning Japanese can feel intimidating at first. Hiragana, katakana, kanji… it can look like a completely different world. But once you get into it, it becomes one of the most rewarding languages you can learn. To make that process easier, I’ve put together 10 amazing apps to learn Japanese—all of which I’ve personally used and…
If you’ve never been to Japan, here’s something you might not expect: Convenience store food is actually… good. In fact, places like 7-Eleven Japan (7/11) offer some of the best quick meals you’ll find anywhere — with quality that’s far beyond what you’d expect from a typical convenience store. Menus change regularly with the seasons,…
If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll know one thing: Vending machines are everywhere. With over 5 million vending machines across the country, Japan has taken convenience to another level. But these machines don’t just sell drinks —they offer everything from hot meals to some truly unusual items. Here are some of the most strange…
If you’ve ever experienced summer in Japan, you’ll know one thing: It’s intense. Temperatures can hit 40°C, and when you add the humidity, it becomes almost unbearable at times. One of the best ways to cool down?Ice cream — and Japan does it differently. From matcha flavours to mochi-filled bars, here are 6 unique Japanese…