[SPONSORED]
If you’re planning to move to Japan, already live here, or simply are curious about daily life in the country, Japan Living Guide is an indispensable resource for in-depth information for navigating life in Japan.
The website is owned and operated by Plaza Homes, a bilingual real estate agency with a 50-year-plus track record of helping expats rent, buy and sell property in Tokyo. We are introducing it as part of Real Estate Japan’s long-time partnership with Plaza Homes.
While information about Japan can be found almost anywhere nowadays, it’s not necessarily reliable or even produced by people with hands-on, local knowledge.
Japan Living Guide is a unique resource that is researched and written by writers and local experts, with the purpose of providing useful information for foreign residents, newcomers, and international families in Japan.
The site offers detailed, easy-to-follow guides in English (and Japanese on a sister site) covering nearly every aspect of living in Japan: from housing and visas to childcare, cultural tips, and daily life hacks.
What You’ll Find: Major Sections
Japan Living Guide covers a huge range of topics, divided into a Living Guide (information for expats, navigating your career in Japan, lifestyle tips and an international school guide) and comprehensive guides to each of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
Expat Info
Covers all the practical questions you may have about Japan: from internet and mobile phones to emergency preparedness and banking and taxes.
Career
An overview of business etiquette, finding a job, using Japanese in the workplace and different working styles (from being a digital nomad to finding a part-time job and Japan’s work culture).
Lifestyle
Tips for everything from housekeeping and garbage disposal to shopping and personal care, as well as understanding Japanese foods and travel and entertainment.
Schools in Japan
Practical guides to everything you need to know about education in Japan, from international schools to Japanese public schools, vocational schools and universities.
Apartments in Japan
In-depth guides to topics related to buying, selling and renting property in Japan, including tips for living in a Japanese home.
Prefectural Guides
You will also find detailed guides to each of Japan’s prefectures that explain popular expat areas, neighborhood guides and the attractions and services relevant to foreign residents.
Highlights: Examples of practical guides
Here are just a few examples of the kind of content you can expect to find:
- Finding Language Classes: For foreigners in Tokyo, there are guides to affordable or even free Japanese language classes, including volunteer-run conversation groups and formal courses in several wards including Minato-ku, Shinjuku, Shinagawa and Shibuya.
- Visa and Business Setup Guidance: If you are planning to start a business or work in Japan, there are articles explaining which visa might suit your needs (e.g. Business Manager or Start-Up Visa), current requirements, costs, and useful tips for foreign entrepreneurs.
- Childcare and International Schools: For expat families, the site offers information on international schools, homeschooling, and how childcare — daycare, preschools, kindergartens — works in Japan.
- Cultural and Lifestyle Tips: Articles about Japanese traditions (for example, how to use a kotatsu in winter), how to adapt to Japanese manners and social customs, or how to make small living spaces (common in Tokyo) more manageable and comfortable.
- Daily Life Made Easier: From where to buy SIM-free phones, how to manage waste and recycling, to laundry and dry cleaning services — the site also covers day-to-day practicalities.
Who should use Japan Living Guide
Whether you’re new to Japan or are a long-term resident, the site provides a wealth of up-to-date and relevant information. It’s ideal for:
- Newcomers and Expats: Whether you just arrived or are preparing to move to Japan, the site helps you understand housing, visas, daily life, and adaptation to Japanese culture.
- Families with Children: Guides on international schools, daycare, childcare, and family-friendly activities make it easier to choose the right neighborhood or schooling option.
- Foreign Entrepreneurs and Professionals: If you plan to start a business or work in Japan, the visa guides, business tips, and cultural/business etiquette articles are resources you’ll likely find indispensable.
- Long-term Residents: Even if you’ve lived in Japan for years, the lifestyle and practical tips (housing, laundry, local culture) remain helpful.
- Travelers and Culture Enthusiasts: Not just practical info — the cultural insights, travel suggestions, and explanations of Japanese customs give deeper perspective beyond a tourist’s surface view.
In Summary
If you’re living in — or planning to move to — Japan, or even if you’re simply curious about what life there is really like beyond the tourist view, Japan Living Guide is one of the most comprehensive English-language resources available.
Give it a look! You just might find exactly the information you need to make the move, settle in, and thrive in Japan.
Click here to visit: Japan Living Guide
Plaza Homes
Plaza Homes is one of the leading bilingual real estate brokerages in Tokyo, with over 55 years of experience helping foreigners buy and sell real estate in Japan. If you are considering buying or selling a property in Tokyo or looking for rental accommodation, please contact them below to get started!
English (US) · 