Japan Life Guide    by Sio Want to know how much it costs to live in Japan? I live in Osaka — here are my monthly expenses. Stay till the end to see how much I spend in total each month. Rent ¥43,000 20 m² studio near Daikokucho Station — within walking distance to Namba and Tsutenkaku, with super convenient transport access. Water ¥2,500 Electricity ¥2,500-5,500 depending on season Gas ¥1,500-2,500 depending on season WiFi ¥5,000 Mobile ¥2,164 Monthly 20G plan Transport  ≈ ¥

Another Life at 40s    by Sio I left home young to study abroad — changing flights, carrying luggage alone, learning to live with myself. The older I grew, the more I loved being on my own — free, untied, answering to no one. Counting stars in the Sahara, watching sunsets in the Amazon, every breath with the world was mine. I thought ticking my endless bucket list would keep me happy. At 40, the pandemic froze everything. I was grounded in Macao for three years — no flights,

Into The Japanese Mind   by Sio On New Year’s Eve I reached my door and the key was gone. I’m screwed. With holidays, no locksmith for a week. I panicked, ran to the store I’d just visited, and before I spoke the staff handed me the key. I almost cried. Another time after hot springs and dinner, I found my wallet missing. Heart racing, I rushed back. Staff pointed to lost & found, wallet intact. A friend’s case was wilder: he lost his passport in a club. The manager said, “Re