Travel Tips

Japan can be a lonely place to live. If you’re a student, you may have flashes of social interaction in class or perhaps a once-in-a-while night out with friends. If you’re also working, your schedule’s monotonous routine might cause you to feel like you’re repeating the same day, over and over again, meeting the same people.

Now there’s a more hopeful way to spend your days. ComRezi (or ComRez!), a state-of-the-art residential community conceived by Haseko Livenet Inc., is just an eight-minute walk from Akabane station’s south exit. Its layout offers new tenants the promise of an opportunity to live within an atmosphere of friendship and convenience.

Food and fitness
Photo: Haseko Livenet, Inc.Add a quick workout to your daily routine.
Completed in late February 2022, a student renter, upon entering the facility, will soon appreciate the broad and relaxing community areas located throughout.

Instead of walking a few blocks to buy your third-consecutive warmed-up konbini (convenienc..

teamLab is known for their funky light shows and innovative digital displays. While many of these displays are in Tokyo, they also hold various exhibits in other areas of Japan. This time, teamLab Botanical Garden will be held in Nagai, Osaka.
Nagai Botanical Garden reopened on April 1, 2022, after extensive efforts in replanting and other activities to encourage growth. And teamLab’s permanent exhibition, due to open July 27, 2022, will see the space as a botanical garden by day, and an avant-garde art space by night.
Main image: ©チームラボ/©teamLab
The concept
©チームラボ/©teamLab (image for illustration purposes)
Under the theme of “digitized nature,” the exhibit explores how nature can become art, and how technology can transform natural scenes into art without harming it. Just as natural scenes are changed by the organisms that live in it, including animals and humans, so too is the teamLab exhibit. The space is affected by the wind and the rain, and by the animals and people passing thro..

Tokyo is a city that has what some might call a mature coffee culture. Having a good cup of coffee is part of their daily routine for many of Tokyo’s denizens, whether it’s a workday or a holiday.
As might be expected in a city of its enormity, Tokyo has countless shops hidden throughout ranging from small independent cafes to well known chain stores.
Part of the attraction is not only the hot cups brewing, but also some delicious meals available. Even with the wide variety of coffee shops available across the city, four areas have emerged as major coffee zones. These areas have a high concentration of great coffee shops like Kiyosumi-Shirakawa’s BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE – a brand imported from the U.S. – and Shibuya, where fashion, pop culture, and coffee converge around Yoyogi Park in a satisfying mix of all things hip.
Let’s take a tour of these four coffee hot spots, and check out our top ten can’t-miss Tokyo coffee shops!
First stop on the Tokyo Coffee Map: Kuramae
1. Nui. HOSTEL & B..

The Nasu area of Tochigi Prefecture is a popular destination to enjoy hot springs, outdoor activities like hiking, and winter sports in the colder months. If you're considering a stay in this part of Japan in the future, Towa Pure Cottages is located just two minutes drive from Nasu Highland Ranch and offers a variety of accommodation types including glamping domes. In addition, some of the rooms are pet-friendly, which can often be hard to find in Japan.
The glamping domes are certainly one of the highlights, and part of their appeal lies in their transparency – but never fear, they do have curtains as well to maintain privacy from other guests. The domes are decked out with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a bed, sofa, refrigerator, and air conditioning, making for a nice middle ground between traditional camping and a regular hotel.
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If you would prefer more traditional lodging options, they have you covered there as well. Th..

Whether you’re someone who wants to grow out and donate hair intentionally, or just someone who wants to cut off long hair that’s already grown out, here are some ways to support a good cause with the hair you chop.

Anyone can donate as long as they have at least 31 centimeters of hair they are willing to cut off. So regardless of your hair type, texture or color you can donate as long as you have the required length. You can even donate to certain charities if it’s been artificially colored, permed or bleached just as long as it’s not highly damaged to the point where the hair breaks when lightly tugged.

Some Japanese hair donation charities also accept donations from all over the world, so you technically don’t even need to be in Japan to donate! That being said, here is how you can get involved.

How to donate hair
You need to donate at least 31 centimeters of hair regardless of texture or color.
Donating your hair is as simple as cutting it off and sending it over to the charity ..

In the Tohoku region of northern Japan, Akita Prefecture is famous for its abundant nature, hot springs, and the adorable Akita Inu dog. Akita also boasts a rich cuisine culture, the star of which is the humble “kiritanpo,” a traditional food made from half-mashed steamed rice wrapped on a stick and roasted over a charcoal fire.
Many travelers visit Akita just to try kiritanpo, and eateries are selling it all throughout the prefecture.
Here, we’ll dive into the history of kiritanpo along with how to make it and some highly recommended restaurants serving it!
Top image: PIXTA
What Is Kiritanpo?
(Image: Akita Specialty Hometown Odate Kiritanpo Association)
A “tanpo” is made of coarsely mashed rice wrapped around a stick of cedarwood and roasted. A “kiritanpo” is created when a tanpo is cut, although many people simply call both varieties “kiritanpo,” whether cut or not.
The Japanese kanji for tanpo is “短穂,” which means “short rice plant” named from the obvious resemblance.
Being made..

Sushi is an indispensable part of Japanese cuisine. And while kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi, is both delicious and affordable, this high-class, all-you-can-eat sushi shop is stealing the spotlight.
Here we'll take an insider look at Kaiten Toyama Sushi Ginza, a high-class sushi joint with an all-you-can-eat sushi menu you won't find in other shops!
From what to eat, to how to eat it, to how to place your order, this article will answer all your questions and explain everything you need to know about all-you-can-eat sushi.
And while the restaurant in question is indeed a kaiten-zushi shop, it far exceeds the expectations and quality one would normally expect from one!
Kaiten Toyama Sushi Ginza: Local Toyama Sushi You Won't Find Anywhere Else!
Today we visit Kaiten Toyama Sushi Ginza, a high-class, all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant. As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in ingredients unique to Toyama Prefecture.
Toyama Prefecture is located along the Sea..

If you’re looking to work in Japan, check back here each week as we look through our database of top jobs in Japan posted to GaijinPot and showcase some of the most interesting ones.

You can apply directly to these companies by creating a profile on GaijinPot Jobs!

Client Servicing SupportCompany: Argentum Wealth Management K.K.Salary: ¥250,000 ~ ¥270,000 / MonthLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: FluentJapanese: NoneApplication: Must currently reside in JapanArgentum Wealth Management, an English-speaking financial advisor, located in Tokyo, is looking for a client service support staff.
Your main tasks will be the servicing and support of existing clients, communicating with international investment institutions, and admin support for its wealth management team.
You don't need financial knowledge for this position. Japanese abilities are preferred but not mandatory.
Share this Job Apply Here
Localization & International Marketing (Spain / Germany)Company: CelsysSalary: ¥4.5M / Ye..

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto is a popular attraction known for its spectacular scenery. With gentle breezes rustling the leaves as they blow through the bamboo, it's a great place to escape the heat of summer while taking gorgeous photos as memories of your travels.
You'll also want to visit the nearby Togetsukyo Bridge at the center of Arashiyama, where you can check the tourist map and enjoy an annual light-up event called Arashiyama Hanatoro.
Getting to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Entrance to the Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is very close to Randen Arashiyama Station and JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. From Randen Arashiyama Station, walk in the opposite direction of Togetsukyo Bridge for about 5 minutes. From JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, walk towards the Randen Arashiyama Station for about 15 minutes.
Getting to Arashiyama Station/JR Saga-Arashiyama Station:
・From the Hankyu Omiya Station or Karasuma Station Area: ride the Randen Line from its first stop, S..