Driving
Buying a car in Japan as a foreigner: parking certificate, seal, insurance and loans
Buying a car in Japan as a foreigner: you need a 住民票, a parking space within 2 km and, for a regular car, a seal certificate. Kei cars need less paperwork.
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Money
Credit cards for foreigners in Japan: what you can realistically get
Yes, foreigners in Japan can get a credit card. What issuers require, 8 no-fee cards scored for newcomers, and debit cards if you're declined.
Driving
Driving in Japan on an international driving permit: validity, the 3-month rule and translations
An international driving permit lets you drive in Japan for 1 year from landing. Only 1949 Geneva IDPs count; Germany, France and Taiwan use a translation.
Driving
English driving schools in Japan compared: costs, courses and camps (2026)
Driving school in Japan in English: verified courses cost ¥367,280 to ¥572,000 for an AT license in Tokyo and Saitama. Camps from ¥231,000, mostly in Japanese.
Housing
Fire insurance for your apartment in Japan: what it covers and whether you can choose your own
Fire insurance for an apartment in Japan covers your belongings and damage you cause the landlord. Cover, cost and how to pick your own policy.
Housing
Foreigner-friendly real estate agents in Japan: how to find one
How to find foreigner-friendly real estate in Japan: JPM's list of about 441 multilingual agencies, UR housing with no guarantor, portals and share houses.
Money
Furusato nozei for foreigners: who can use it, limits and leaving Japan
Furusato nozei for foreigners works the same as for Japanese residents: pay tax in Japan, donate, pay ¥2,000 net. Limits, one-stop rules and leaving Japan.
Driving
Gasshuku menkyo for foreigners: how a Japanese driving camp works, and how much English you get
Gasshuku menkyo in English is rare: camps take about 14 days for AT and include lodging and meals, but lectures are in Japanese. What foreigners need to know.
Housing
Guarantor companies in Japan (保証会社) for foreign tenants, compared
A guarantor company in Japan stands in for a personal guarantor on your lease. Fees, emergency contact rules and languages at GTN, Casa, Nihon Safety and JID.
Phone & internet
Home internet in Japan with English support: fiber and 5G routers compared
Home internet in Japan with English support: Sakura Fiber, GTN and Asahi Net vs SoftBank Hikari, NURO and 5G routers. Prices, install waits, cancel fees.
Driving
How to convert a foreign driver's license in Japan (外免切替) after the 2025 changes
To convert a foreign driver's license in Japan you need 3+ months in the issuing country, a 住民票 and, since Oct 2025, a 50-question test with a 90% pass mark.
Money
How to send money from Japan: providers, costs and rules for foreign residents
Send money from Japan for under 1.8% of ¥100,000 with registered apps, versus ¥3,000+ at banks. Costs, My Number rules and limits, October 2026.
Money
Japan pension refund (脱退一時金): who qualifies, how much and how to claim
Japan pension refund (脱退一時金) for foreigners: claim within 2 years of leaving, up to 60 months count. How to apply and get the 20.42% tax back.
Visa & residency
Japanese naturalization (帰化): requirements and step-by-step process
The Japanese naturalization process runs through your Legal Affairs Bureau. Since April 2026 it expects 10 years in Japan in principle. Steps, documents, time.
Phone & internet
MNP in Japan: switch carrier and keep your number
MNP in Japan lets you switch carrier and keep your number for free online. One-stop switching, reservation numbers, fees and keeping your number when you leave.
Housing
Mortgage in Japan without permanent residency: which lenders say yes
A mortgage in Japan without permanent residency is hard: Flat 35 and most banks require PR. PRESTIA lends to foreign residents earning over ¥10 million.
Money
NISA for foreigners: who can open one and what happens when you leave Japan
NISA for foreigners: any resident of Japan aged 18+ can open one, up to ¥3.6M a year. Leave for your own reasons and the account closes. What to know first.
Visa & residency
Permanent residency in Japan: requirements, fee and the 2027 changes
Japan permanent residency requirements: usually 10 years of stay, clean tax and pension records, and a ¥200,000 fee from October 2026. Plus 2027 changes.
Visa & residency
Permanent residency vs naturalization in Japan: which one fits you?
Permanent residency vs naturalization in Japan: PR keeps your nationality but can be canceled; citizenship adds the vote but means giving up your nationality.
Phone & internet
Phone contract in Japan as a foreigner: documents, payment and installments
A phone contract in Japan as a foreigner needs a residence card, usually a passport and enough time left on your stay. Payment and installment rules by carrier.
Housing
Renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner: steps, documents and up-front costs
Renting an apartment in Japan as a foreigner: the steps from search to keys, the documents for screening, and up-front costs of about 4 to 7 months' rent.
Money
Send money from Japan to India: providers, fees and rates compared
To send money from Japan to India, Remitly gave the most on our ¥100,000 sample (INR 59,636). Wise, SBI Remit and Western Union compared, October 2026.
Money
Send money from Japan to Nepal: providers, fees and eSewa compared
To send money from Japan to Nepal, Remitly gave NPR 95,478 and SBI Remit NPR 95,189 on our ¥100,000 sample. Fees, rates, eSewa and cash, October 2026.
Money
Send money from Japan to Pakistan: providers, fees and rates compared
To send money from Japan to Pakistan, Remitly gave the most rupees on our ¥100,000 sample (PKR 175,430). Fees, rates, JazzCash and cash pickup, October 2026.
Money
Send money from Japan to the Philippines: GCash, banks and cash pickup compared
To send money from Japan to the Philippines, Remitly and SBI Remit gave about PHP 39,400 on our ¥100,000 sample. GCash, cash pickup and fees, October 2026.
Money
Send money from Japan to Vietnam: providers, fees and MoMo compared
To send money from Japan to Vietnam, Remitly gave the most dong on our ¥100,000 sample (VND 16,238,458). Fees, rates, MoMo and cash, October 2026.
Phone & internet
SIM card in Japan for foreigners: 10 resident plans compared
Best SIM card in Japan for foreigners without a Japanese credit card: Sakura Mobile, Mobal and GTN take foreign cards or cash. Prices, ID rules and scores.
Visa & residency
Spouse visa in Japan: eligibility, documents, work and divorce rules
Japan's spouse visa (日本人の配偶者等) lets you live and work without limits. Documents, periods of stay, renewal fees and the 14-day divorce rule.
Visa & residency
Visa renewal in Japan: when to apply, new fees and the online system
Visa renewal in Japan: apply from 3 months before expiry. From October 1, 2026 the fee is ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 at the counter, less online.
Money
Which Japanese banks open accounts for foreigners? 10 banks compared
How to open a bank account in Japan as a foreigner: residence-card rules, the 6-month rule, English and overseas transfers at 10 banks (October 2026).
