Blog Archives

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

Japanese Red Cross Medical Center

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

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

5 things to do for Setsubun

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

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.

Dr. Passport App Out Now

One of the biggest worries for any foreign traveler is getting sick or injured while abroad. Explaining your condition to accommodation staff or health workers to get the attention you require can be a stressful proposition. From explaining your symptoms

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

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

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

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

Japanese Tax Return Season

Application Acceptance Period: by 15th Mar. 2023 February and March in Japan is tax season, when all residents receive a tax return form from their local tax office. The two main forms of tax are income tax and . The

Star Kids International Preschool

It is Star Kids’ mission to provide every child with a quality, early childhood experience. They work to create a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment which fosters each child’s individual needs. Their inquiry, play and objective based activities make

Hinamatsuri

Celebration Hinamatsuri is celebrated each year on the 3rd of March, and is traditionally a day dedicated to girls, in the way “Kodomo no hi” (5th of May) was originally dedicated to boys. The celebration is marked in homes with

Tokyo Medical University Hospital

Conveniently located right in the very center of the city, Tokyo Medical University Hospital (TMUH) is a large facility providing cutting-edge medical care to many patients. The International Medical Care Department was launched in 2016 with the aim of serving

Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital

Tokyo Takanawa Hospital
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.

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

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

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

Established in 2000, Coto Japanese Academy empowers international residents in Tokyo and Yokohama to achieve fluency in Japanese through conversation-based classes with a maximum of 8 students. This welcoming environment fosters rapid progress and caters to learners with diverse goals,

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,

Aiiku Clinic International Unit

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

KURASHINITY (Pasona Inc.)

Experienced, professional Filipino housekeepers deliver high quality service.

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

Hibiya Clinic

Okuyama

Wamon Okuyama serves quality, seasonal ingredients in course menus.

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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