Japan Life Guide    by Sio Although I work at a real estate firm, my first home search was just like any foreigner’s - I was rejected by landlords. Renting in Japan isn’t as simple as money solves all. Why landlords worried of foreigners: 1️⃣ Limited Japanese, poor communication 2️⃣ Cultural gap, may disturb neighbors 3️⃣ Thin credit history, late/missed rent risk 4️⃣ Sudden departure, early termination 5️⃣ No Japanese guarantor, just too much hassle The most practical route

Japan Life Guide    by Sio I have no plans for exams, I just want train my listening and speaking skills. After a few months of self-study, I’m on N4 and can handle basic talks. Here are the ways I’ve tried, see what suits you 1️⃣ Free Local Classes Each ward offers free classes weekly,  taught by retired volunteers. I attend classes in Abeno, Nishi, and Kita. Content varies—grammar, chatting, or writing. 🔎 Call to book. If full, join the waiting list. 2️⃣ Language Exchanges

Japan Life Guide    by Sio I came to Japan on a work visa. Most people get 1 yr at first; I got 3 yrs. The longer the period, the more trust from immigration, making renewals and PR easier. But I feel it’s fate giving me more time to write my story with Japan. If you’re planning to move to Japan, see which visa below might fit you: 1）Student Visa University, vocational school, language school. Usually 1–4 yrs. After graduation, you must switch to any visa below to qualify for

Japan Life Guide  by Sio There’s a scary little urban legend that every foreigner hears before coming to Japan—and yeah, it freaks people out. “To open a bank account, you need a phone and residence certificate. To get the certificate, you need an address. To rent a place, you need a phone and a bank account. To get a phone, you need a bank account.” Before moving to Japan, I saw many posts about this loop and it really made me worry how I’d handle it. Turns out, there are a

Japan Life Guide   by Sio 1) Make a Personal Seal A seal in Japan is like your signature, so choose carefully. Pitfall: When I arrived, a friend suggested I make a seal with just my surname - NG. I trusted him and did it — only later did I realize he was just trying to save me money. I would’ve preferred using my full name, since the seal stays with me in Japan… 2) Visit the Ward Office Within 14 days of arriving, you have to go to the local ward office to register your addre