Travel Tips

If you’re an aspiring novelist, freelance writer or just looking to study, finding a quiet spot to write in the world’s biggest city can seem… Read More »Tokyo’s Best Book Cafes for Writers and Studying

Heidi goes over the kanji to know when commuting with the train system in Japan. See more videos on our Gaijinpot Youtube Channel—and don’t forget to… Read More »Japanese Train Kanji to Know When Commuting

Japanese people love abbreviations. No sooner has a word become popular than an abbreviated equivalent comes out. That is how air conditioning became eakon (エアコン) and… Read More »Decoding Japanese Net-Speak: Unveiling Online Abbreviations

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… Read More »2023 Top Jobs in Japan Week 20

The Japanese language is full of gairaigo, or foreign loan words. Many of these originally came from English, like aidoru (idol), panku (flat tire) or… Read More »Language Crossroads: 5 Japanese Words That Made Their Way into English

Want to switch careers? We break down several factors as to why you’re salary might be lower than you expected. From searchable resumes to opportunities… Read More »Why Your Salary in Japan is Lower Than Expected

Sado is a mountainous, sparsely populated island in the moody Sea of Japan. One spring morning, my partner and I boarded a ferry in Niigata… Read More »Hitchhiking in Japan: Sado Island and The Kindness of Strangers

Kabuki is one of Japan’s three major classical theater arts and is often compared to Shakespearean works in terms of cultural significance. Sporting heavily stylized… Read More »Izumo no Okuni: The Woman Who Created Kabuki

Light festivals over the Christmas period have become huge events in Japan. Every year the spectacular displays become even more extravagant and breathtaking. They typically… Read More »Best Winter Illuminations in Japan in 2022/2023

Holidays in Japan are unique, spectacular occasions which visitors, as well as locals, can enjoy. However, they are also very busy times of the year… Read More »Public holidays in Japan: 2023 dates and meaning