The 3rd of February is Setsubun, a special day marking the transition of winter into spring. While in reality the cold weather will probably continue well into March, it’s fun to get into the spirit of things by doing some…
The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
Blog Archives
Seasonal Food – Winter
To chase away the cold, warming dishes like nabe and oden are particularly popular in winter in Japan. Both can be made with a wide range of ingredients, with some of the most popular being in season (or “shun” in…
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…
Tokyo Takanawa HospitalRecommended
Recommended
Out and In-patient, Health Care Center, International Assistance Desk Tokyo Takanawa Hospital has a specific team to assist all foreign patients. English, Chinese, and Russian interpreters are available.…
Manjushoji Furnished Apartments
Nicely appointed owner direct furnished apartments located in central Tokyo. Various layouts and furnishing options available tailored to meet client expectations. Ideally suited for the working professional staying in Tokyo from 3 – 12 months or when transitioning to longer…
Coto Japanese Academy
Coto Language Academy offers flexible lessons tailored to individual students’ experience, level and needs. 4-week intensive courses, part-time group lessons and private lessons are all offered at the school, while dispatch teachers can do lessons at your home or workplace.…
au shop
au is one of Japan’s three major mobile networks. The shops listed below have either English-speaking staff available at all times or a video translation service, to allow for hassle-free contract procedures. Application forms are available in English. Residence card,…
Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR
Cancer Institute Hospital is Japan’s first and largest hospital specializing in cancer care. Its Screening Center offers examinations not simply for confirmation of overall health status but focusing on the prevention and the early detection of cancer. The examinations are…
Japanese Red Cross Medical Center
National Center for Global Health and Medicine
The Center Hospital provides the best general healthcare services to overcome diseases and improve health with the aim of contributing to society. As one of the most advanced treatment hospitals in Japan, they provide patients with the best care and…
Laurus International School of Science
Laurus International School of Science is a progressive primary school with a strong focus on STEM based learning. Students engage in both project-based and inquiry-based learning and apply the STEM approach to all facets of their education. Laurus International is…
NTT Medical Center Tokyo
NTT Medical Center has over 40 highly skilled specialist departments complemented by a dedicated Department of International Healthcare. The department of international healthcare is staffed by bilingual medical staff, and aims to provide holistic care and support for international patients.…
Toyosu Shijo (Fish Market)
Toyosu took over as Tokyo’s main fish market in late 2018. Various areas of the facility, including the fish and fruit and vegetable markets have public areas, and there are many shops and restaurants on-site. Access to view part of…
Free labor advisory services for global corporations and start-up companies
About TECC Tokyo Employment Consultation Center (TECC), is a public service sponsored by the Japanese government (Cabinet Office and Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). It provides advice regarding employment rules and labor management in Japan to help global companies…
Asakusa Tatsumiya
Originally a kimono manufacturer and retailer, Tatsumiya, located close to Asakusa’s famous Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) has become famous for souvenir items which use kimono fabric, particularly kimono tumblers. The store has been featured on international TV and the kimono tumblers…
Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital
Knife shop KAMATA
With a legacy spanning four generations, Asakusa-based cutlery maker Kamata Hakensha is a cut above the rest. It sells top-grade handcrafted knives as well as superb factory-made products. Some of the world’s finest chefs are repeat customers thanks to stringent…
Classical Japanese Dance Workshop Oct. 24th-28th
This month there is a rare opportunity for members of the public to participate in a classical Japanese dance lesson with professional dancers from the Onoe-ryu school. This form of dance, known as Nihon-buyo, has origins in kabuki theatre, and…
Shinagawa International School – A New IB School for Shinagawa
Originally founded in 2007 as Jingumae International Exchange School, Shinagawa International School (SIS) moved to its current premises in June 2018. An IB World School for children aged 3-12, SIS offers a holistic and student-centered approach in an environment that…
Workshop: Learning the basics of washoku
How much do you know about Japanese cuisine, or “washoku”? In 2013, traditional Japanese food was granted Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO, bringing about a sudden washoku boom across the world. Despite this surge in popularity, there is a…
5 Reasons to Travel by Air in Japan
With all the available land transport services – express trains, shinkansen and highway buses – you would be forgiven for overlooking air travel in Japan. But flying has its advantages. For one, there is a much wider variety of destinations…
Host Families Wanted for Tokyo Homestay Program
Homestays offer a valuable opportunity for young people to experience everyday life in the context of another culture. However, not everyone who would like do a homestay abroad has the financial background to able to. NPO Chokkura Homestay is an…
Overcoming the Odds: Bilingual Education in Japan
I’m at one of Tokyo’s international preschools, observing the morning session. Two boys around the age of four are playing with toy cars; one is dragging his over a play roadway made of fabric, the other is racing an ambulance…
Active-Ageing Chiropractic Tokyo
Active-Ageing Chiropractic Tokyo is located 4 min. walk from Futako-tamagawa station. Doctors of chiropractic, licensed in the USA and Australia, provide tailor-made care for back pain, neck pain, headache, shoulder stiffness, sciatica and postural problems. This clinic is the first…
Edomae Sushi Hattori
Enjoy a sushi course menu made with seasonal ingredients carefully selected by the head chef.…
Antique Nishikawa Tokyo Shop
Discover the real Japan and Japanese beauty through a world of Japanese antiques you will not find anywhere else.…
Hudson Market Bakers
100% handmade baked goods, from cakes and pies to bars, cookies and granola, by a baker with extensive experience working in New York. Hudson Market’s cornbread, gingerbread and brownies are particularly beloved by the Tokyo expat community for their authentic…
PLAZA HOMES
Founded in 1969, PLAZA HOMES holds updated information on a large number of sale and rental properties. With their vast experience, they will help you find the best property for you from the over 3,000 listings on their website. Their…
Traditional Japanese Craft Workshop at Suntory Museum of Art
For those interested in traditional arts and crafts, Suntory Museum of Art is hosting an English-language workshop focusing on urushi (lacquerware) on October 29th. Held in cooperation with The Japan Kogei Association, the workshop will be led by Murose Kazumi,…
Summerhill International School – An Environment of Beauty and Wonder
Making the decision of where to send your child to school can be a time of stress and uncertainty. There are many options and styles in Tokyo and it is important to choose a school that matches your needs and…
Renting in Japan – A Beginner’s Guide
The system of renting in Japan, while not overly complex, can be daunting due to a lack of foreign language assistance. Employees of international companies dispatched to Japan will usually gain assistance through their employers, who often use large relocation…
Basic Rules of Business in Japan
Working for a Japanese company or doing business in Japan involves a certain degree of ceremony and ritual, so it’s best to know the proper etiquette to avoid potential embarrassment or offense. Continue reading for a basic rundown on approaching…
Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art
Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art was established in 1964 by industrialist Issey Hatakeyama, who was an avid art collector. The museum aims to preserve Japanese, Chinese and Korean art objects and has a particular focus on items related to…
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…
Bread & Coffee IKEDAYAMA
A cafe and bakery at the base of Ikedayama, close to Gotanda Station. A windowed partition lets you see the bakers at work as they produce tasty breads and pastries.…
A Personalized Approach: Tokyo Children’s Garden Preschool
These days, parents in Tokyo have a great deal of choice when it comes to international education. New schools are established each year, keeping pace with a steady increase in both the number of expats in Japan, and in interest…
GOOD LIFE FACTORY
An organic salad specialty restaurant incorporating “superfoods” including hemp seed, chia seed, goji berry and quinoa. Choose from a range of delicious signature salads or create a custom salad choosing a base, toppings and dressing. Enjoy a wide range of…
Genki Mobile
Genki Mobile offers affordable pocket Wi-Fi routers to visitors in Japan. They provide data usage of 1GB/day and full English customer support, making them stand out from their competitors. Genki Mobile uses NTT Docomo, one of the most popular service…
Painting and Weaving Opportunity: Yohji Yamamoto・Yuuka Asakura
A collaboration between acclaimed fashion designer Yamamoto Yohji and artist Asakura Yuuka, Painting and Weaving is an exhibition of artworks and clothing-based installation pieces running at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery until mid-March. The Japanese title is “Ga to Ki”,…
SAKURA -JAPAN IN THE BOX-
Meijiza is a theatre with over 140 years of history, located in the Nihonbashi area of central Tokyo. While the venue has over the years been host to traditional forms of drama including kabuki and shinpa, and more recently to…
Asakusa Disaster Prevention Seminar – Report
On Friday 25th November, Expat’s Guide staff attended a disaster prevention seminar at Taito Kumin Kaikan in Asakusa. The seminar included a lecture and a panel discussion, with an aim to increase awareness of both the dangers faced in the…
Matsumotokiyoshi Ginza 5th Store
A drugstore that also sells a wide range of cosmetics.…
Getting the Best Air Fares in Japan
A basic knowledge of how airline ticket booking works in Japan will help you navigate the various options, and allow you to get the best deals for domestic travel. When tickets go on sale For standard (non-discount) fares, airline tickets…
How to: Karaoke in Japan
Japan is the birthplace of karaoke, and no trip to the country is complete until you’ve thrown your inhibitions aside and stepped up to the mic. Karaoke machines are common staples at “snack” bars, but by far the preferred setting…
