If you are a resident in Japan planning to renew your visa or change your status of residence anytime soon, there’s a change coming that’s worth noting. On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Japanese government decided to raise fees for foreign nationals who renew or change their status of residence in Japan. The renewal fee […]

If you’ve ever typed your name in katakana into an online form and gotten an error like “must be entered in full-width characters,” don’t panic, it’s not a system error. Japanese websites actually require you to type using full-width katakana (全角, zenkaku) because their backend databases and legacy verification systems are built on fixed-width character […]

As of 2026, Japan has more than 57,000 convenience stores, colloquially called the konbini. Don’t think of them as your regular gas station mini-mart back home. Konbini in Japan play in an entirely different league: you can print documents, get your tax records and proof of residence, pay your bills, and transfer money, all right […]

The next JLPT will be held on December 2022. Ready to apply? Here’s a guide on how to reguster for the JLPT online.

When you find yourself preparing to attend a funeral in Japan, how do you express condolences in Japanese

When getting ready for a Japanese job interview, be prepared to answer these 4 key questions to improve your chances of getting the job.

The first thing you’ll do when you arrive in Japan is get something to eat, but there’s one problem: how do you actually order food in Japanese at a restaurant?

Trying to describe your favorite food in Japanese, from its flavor to texture, but at a loss for words? You can always say something is 美味しい (oishii), or delicious, but that might capture everything. It’s helpful to tell people how something tastes and feels, especially if they are asking why you recommend trying your favorite […]