After traveling around for a while, I found my home in Tokyo. Now working in Shinjuku and discovering something new about Japan every day.
Looking for a place? Depending on your preferences and budget there are plenty of accommodation options. If you want to live on your own, you will likely look for a マンション (mansion) or an アパート...
At first glance, this topic sounds rather straightforward – until it is not. In Japan leaving your bike on the side of the street or in front of a store can get you in quite...
How do you job hunt in Japan as a soon-to-be university graduate? This question can cause a lot of confusion. All sorts of rules and schedule guidelines make it hard to keep track of things....
You want to get a job in Japan, but can’t start looking one year in advance, like Japanese university students? This article introduces some alternative timelines for job hunting in Japan as a foreigner. At...
The SPI test is Japan’s most widely used aptitude test. It tests job applicants for general math and language skills as well as personality. Foreign job seekers tend to struggle with the test because it’s...
Japanese business culture places high importance on teamwork. And for effective teamwork, communication is essential. Hourensou is the Japanese recipe for ensuring fluent communication between team members. It’s also the key to gain trust from...
Simply put, an entry sheet (short ES) is an “application form” and resembles a cover letter in contents and purpose. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end, and the issues begin. Read on to learn what...
No faceless emails, Japanese companies get in touch with their candidates in person and as early as possible. Even online applications are bound to lead to prompt invitations to a company seminar. A company seminar...
That Japanese people are polite is common knowledge. What some may not be aware of is that while most Japanese will forgive a few slurs in your keigo, not being conscious of what is considered...
You want a shortcut to learning more Japanese business vocabulary? Then this list is for you – Katakana Japanese English. When struggling with expressing my thoughts at work, I started replacing unknown words with English...
When job-hunting in Japan, there might be a couple of things that surprise you, be it facing a row of serious looking interviewers, going through company seminars with large numbers of attendees, or the uniform...
Finally moving to Japan – but what to bring and what to leave behind? Even for a two-week trip, making due with one suitcase can be a daunting task. Let alone if you plan to...
When working in Japan, fluency in the language is a desirable skill. Especially if you don’t want to step on anyone’s toes with awkward Keigo. To help you fake it until you make it, here...
The first steps everyone has to go through when entering Japan – immigration and customs. Being prepared by knowing what documents you will need and what questions you have to answer, will make the whole...
Moving in Japan is not cheap. When I looked for my apartment in Tokyo, I felt overwhelmed by the various fees I was asked to pay. It felt like my bill just kept blowing up....