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Useful Daily Living Information
Information on everyday life for foreign residents in Tokyo
If you are not familiar with the local community rules and systems where you are living, you may become overwhelmed by unfamiliar menial tasks in your daily life. By knowing and understanding the ins and outs beforehand, you will be able to navigate daily life in Japan more effectively and comfortably.
Below, we have gathered and assortment of information related to daily life in Japan, in English, covering such topics as how to discard garbage, or how to pay the bills.
Pick the right fish for your dish - How to read seafood labels in Japan
Expats in Japan often shop at local supermarkets. But unfortunately, the food labels are not in English. Seafood labels are especially difficult to understand and select for your particular dish. You often see the lables of "生食用" (for raw food), "刺身用" (for sashimi), "加熱用" (for heating), "焼き魚用" (for…
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Opening a Bank Account in Japan
You may find it difficult to open a bank account in Japan if you do not speak Japanese however, an increasing number of banks are now offering English-language services and options to open an account online. Most Japanese banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public h…
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Separation and Disposal of Garbage and Recyclables in Tokyo
Getting your garbage collected in Japan may be very different from your home country. Below are the common ways to sort garbage, prepare it for collection, and the collection schedules in Tokyo’s 23 wards. It may seem complicated at first, but most apartment buildings have large communal bins and…
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Japanese Streaming, Cable and More: Get English TV in Japan
Whether you’re craving nostalgic British dramas, your favorite American talk shows, or Japanese programming in English, look no further than these 9 ways to access English TV in Japan through Japanese streaming, satellite, and cable services. TV Streaming Services in Japan In the last few years,…
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English-Speaking Maid and House Cleaning Services Guide
Between overtime and post-work drinks, being a professional in Tokyo can leave you with precious little time to spare for other tasks like keeping your home in the best possible condition. Of course, when you do have free time, you probably want to explore the city or take a day trip to the mounta…
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Chopstick Etiquette: A Simple Guide from Do's to Taboos
Most people around the world are familiar with chopsticks these days, whether from eating out in a favourite Asian-cuisine restaurant or chowing down on cup noodles at home. But whether you think you've mastered the skill or you've resorted to the two-handed approach, you'll find there's more to lea…
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