The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
More results...
Blog Archives
Snowscapes of Japan
The Japanese archipelago is rich in geographical diversity and allows different regions to enjoy different winter sights. Due to the westerlies hitting the rugged, tall mountain ranges cutting through the country like a spine, the western side of the country…
Tokyo Flowers in Spring
The smell of spring is in the air, and it seems like everyone is looking forward to the cherry blossoms and making plans for hanami…but what are the other flowers that blossom in the city? Here are some flowers that…
Atami
Got a free weekend? Hawaii and Guam are too far away, and Okinawa’s too expensive? Shizuoka might just be the place for you then. To be precise, the small and cozy seaside town of Atami. Located just 100km south of…
Izu Peninsula
Izu Peninsula is a resort area famous for hot springs, coastlines, and scenic views. The eastern side is home to the cities of Atami, Ito and Shimoda. Its proximity and train connection to Tokyo makes it a popular weekend getaway.…
Ski Resorts near Tokyo
Every winter, Japan’s mountainous region is transformed into a snow-filled landscape providing great opportunities for winter sports. Known worldwide for its characteristic dry and powdery snow, the Japanese and internationals alike flock to the slopes of Japan’s numerous ski resorts.…
Autumn Leaves in Tokyo
(original photo by Dick Thomas Johnson; CC BY 2.0)
Though Tokyo is often viewed as a concrete jungle, there are plenty of places where the effects of the changing seasons on nature can be seen and appreciated. This guide contains some of the best locations, both in the city…
Shrines and Temples of Nikko
Nikko’s Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮), Futarasan shrine (日光二荒山神社), the 103 buildings of the Rinno-ji (輪王寺) and the ruins that surround it, have all been designated as World Heritage Sites. The most famous of Nikko’s many sights, the Tōshō-gū is a shrine dedicated…
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
(original photo by bryan...; CC BY 2.0)
Serving as a monument to remind of the powerful and disastrous force of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, this site is also referred to as a “negative heritage”. Until the bombing on the August 6th 1945, the building had been…
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
Serving as a monument to remind of the powerful and disastrous force of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, this site is also referred to as a “negative heritage”. Until the bombing on the August 6th 1945, the building had been…
5 Tokyo Stations for Anime Fans
Sound effects and jingles are a big part of everyday life in Tokyo. Among the sounds heard most often in the city are so-called , the tunes played on station platforms when a train is about to leave. In the…
Kichijoji: A Hopping Suburb Outside of the City
Far enough away from central Tokyo to escape the shadow of endless sky-rises, but well-positioned on the Chuo Line for a relatively quick commute into the business district– Kichijoji floats somewhere on the border between big-city Tokyo and quiet suburb.…
Ikedayama – A suburban oasis in central Tokyo
Get off the train at Gotanda and walk north from the station about five minutes and you’ll come to this surprisingly serene Tokyo neighborhood. Ikedayama is named after the Ikeda family of Okayama Castle, whose residence was located here during…
Why you should overnight in Hayama
An hour from Tokyo by car, or 30 minutes from Kamakura, Hayama is a peaceful town in Kanagawa Prefecture, bounded by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. While the area has become popular in recent years…
Map of Tokyo & Yokohama
Popular area’s map of Tokyo and Yokohama, published in the booklet version. Click to enlarge.…
“SHINJUKU” Did you know?
This time we will introduce you a very popular city in Tokyo, “Shinjuku” along with characteristic figures and pictures. Viewing the city with figures paves the way to see the unique side of the city, which you won’t be able…
Inside the State Guest House
Visiting Akasaka Palace on one of its open days, you can take a tour through a series of lavishly decorated rooms on the second floor. Signage is in English and Japanese, and audio guides in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean…
Akasaka Palace – The State Guest House
Wander south of Yotsuya station at the south-east corner of Shinjuku ward and you will find the road widens as it splits, towards Akasaka to the left and Meiji Jingu Gaien to the right. In between, behind tall gates of…
Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution
This addition to Japan’s World Heritage List from July 2015 comprises 23 locations, mainly concentrated along the coast of Kyūshū, which capture the history of Japan’s industrial revolution during the Meiji Era. Japan developed quickly during this period and was…
Machiawase: Tokyo’s Famous Rendezvous Spots
Tokyo is the biggest city in the world, and if you haven’t gotten lost here at least once, you’re not trying hard enough. Even if you manage to keep a track of where you are, arranging to meet someone in…
Shima Onsen
A four-hour bus ride away from Tokyo, overflows with nostalgic charm as well as healing spring waters. The unique hot spring experience found here continues to draw visitors to this isolated spot, deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture. The…
