Go! Go! Nihon blog

Category: Life in Japan

Life in Japan
Convenience stores, or conbini (コンビニ), in Japan truly live up to their name. From buying food and drinks to paying your bills, the services available at convenience stores in Japan are guaranteed to make your...
Life in Japan
The spirit of Halloween in Japan is alive and well, but things are done a bit differently than you might expect. The holiday is less about trick or treating and setting up spooky decorations and...
Life in Japan
A lot of magic happens during the spring in Japan, think cherry blossoms in full bloom and a fresh start to the school year in April – that is the kind of backdrop we’re talking...
Life in Japan
Once the capital of Japan and now more of a laid-back city with lots of temples and shrines, living in Kyoto is for those of you with a spiritual side. It could be described as...
Life in Japan
Lake Biwa (琵琶湖, Biwa-ko) is Japan’s largest lake, located right next to Kyoto in Shiga Prefecture. With crystal-clear freshwater beaches, outstanding nature, and lots of outdoor activities like camping and cycling, Lake Biwa is the...
Life in Japan
The month of July in Japan is notoriously hot and humid. But there are many great things to see, do, and add to your Japan summer itinerary. From ancient festivals, delicious food, and rare opportunities...
Life in Japan
Each year, Japan attracts thousands of international students to its tertiary institutes. According to the most recent figures, Japanese universities and graduate schools took on more than 126,000 students from abroad in 2021. So what...
Life in Japan
Golden Week holidays in Japan are one of the most anticipated and busiest holiday seasons of the year. Japanese workers typically don’t get many paid vacation days and many don’t take those days, even when...
Life in Japan
The cost of living in Japan can be incredibly affordable depending on your location, accommodation type, and your lifestyle. While it’s often higher than the rest of Asia in some parts of the country, you...
Life in Japan
Usually when thinking of spring in Japan you probably imagine people gathering in parks, watching the cherry blossom trees. That is indeed part of spring in Japan, but there is so much more to experience...
Life in Japan
Have you ever wanted to study Japanese in Japan? We often receive questions about the different options to study in Japan and live in the country.  We created this article about the different options to...
Life in Japan
Traveling with accessibility needs involves lots of planning and research, especially if you’re visiting an unfamiliar place – but it’s completely doable and worth it in the end! If you’re traveling, or moving, to Japan...
Life in Japan
Ancient temples woven into bamboo forests, festivals with old incantations of long lost dialects spilling onto the streets, and open air hot springs daringly embedded in active volcanoes. It’s no wonder nearly 20 million people...
Life in Japan
It can be a maze navigating a job search in your own home country, which can make finding part-time jobs in Japan even more intimidating. Go! Go! Nihon helps students to get a student visa...
Life in Japan
Snowboarding and skiing in Japan are popular winter pastimes, for good reason. The country is recognised as a world-class destination for winter sports lovers, providing high-quality snow, good conditions, breathtaking scenery, and relaxing après-ski activities....
Life in Japan
Japan is a country that loves celebrations and in the course of one year in Japan, there is certainly no shortage of events and festivals. Read on to find out about some of our favorites!...
Life in Japan
Japan in winter often gets overlooked, but it’s a magical time of year for a lot of reasons. From delicious warming oden 御田 (various stewed ingredients) to relaxing in an onsen 温泉, or getting your...
Life in Japan
The health insurance scheme is required by the government in Japan for all Japanese citizens, permanent residents and any non-Japanese residing in Japan with a visa for three months or more, including students. Kokumin kenkou...
Life in Japan
Hiroshima 広島 City is a travel destination loved not only by tourists, but also locals. It’s a city with a deep history, awe-inspiring nature, and insanely delicious cuisine. If you want to know what to...
Life in Japan
Clear, turquoise waters and white sandy beaches aren’t typically the first images that come to mind when you think of Japan. But located south-west of the biggest of Japan’s islands lies the tropical and picturesque,...
Life in Japan
Sports are a huge part of life in Japan. It’s so important that there’s even a public holiday each year to promote sports and an active lifestyle. From centuries-old traditional sports to modern sports exploding...
Life in Japan
After a long day spent pounding pavement and taking in the sights, you find a secluded spot to sit – stone steps along a canal that weaves in and out of the city proper. You...
Life in Japan
Living and studying in Japan can be an overwhelming experience. On top of an intense study schedule, you’re also adapting to a new way of life, a different culture, and an unfamiliar language. This can...
Life in Japan
When looking at options for schools in Japan, you may automatically be looking at Tokyo – but it’s not for everyone. It’s busy and heavily populated, a sensory overload for some. With the rest of...
Life in Japan
Having to make friends in Japan – or any unfamiliar environment – can be daunting. Add language and cultural barriers in the mix and it can be a recipe for a lonely start to life...
Life in Japan
Imagine this: you make your way through a throng of people scattered about a busy street. Neon lights wash the asphalt a kaleidoscopic spectrum of colour. Hawkers shout as you pass, beckoning you to some...
Life in Japan
As an archipelago, Japan has close cultural and economic ties with the ocean – you only need to look to Japanese cuisine to see how important the sea is to Japan! It’ll come as no...
Life in Japan
You’ve done your research, picked a city you think you’d love, and even started hunting online for good schools or jobs in the land of the rising sun. There’s just one question burning in the...
Life in Japan
Updated September 2023After a foreign national successfully applies for their Japan visa, they will receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Japan (COE) if their application is approved by the local immigration authority. The COE serves...
Life in Japan
If you want to come study in Japan, you are going to need to obtain a visa. The most obvious one is the student visa, however there are other types of visas that allow you...
Life in Japan
It is a fact that Japan is one of the most developed countries in the world. The punctuality of its public transport, clean streets, public safety, and high life expectancy are well known outside the...
Life in Japan
There is a lot to organise when you study abroad, from finding accommodation and setting up internet, to registering at your local ward office and signing up for health insurance. It can be extremely daunting...
Life in Japan
Famous for its folklore history, delicious fruit and beautiful landscape garden, Okayama is an important city located on the western part of Japan’s Honshu island. The smaller size and relaxed pace of the city makes...
Life in Japan
Nagoya 名古屋 is the capital city of Aichi Prefecture (Aichi-ken 愛知県) and is Japan’s fourth most-populated city with more than two million people who call it home. Today, it’s known as Japan’s transport and industrial hub....
How to
Moving to Japan for the first time will probably be one of the most exciting moments of your life. It might also be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with all the things you...
Life in Japan
You’ve made your decision and you’re ready to move to Japan: awesome! Out of all the countries in the world, you have concluded that Japan is the place you want to be. But what about...
Life in Japan
When first arriving to Japan, there are plenty of things to do. One of the questions you will likely encounter has to do with pension: these slips are similar to the health insurance ones, coming...
Life in Japan
If you have been through the process of moving to Japan already, you’ll know that there’s a lot to prepare in advance and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. From ensuring you have a valid visa,...
Life in Japan
Student life abroad can be tough to manage.  You’ve got a new language to learn that your future success depends on, social needs that demand attention, and perhaps a bank account barely in the black...
Life in Japan
Oita prefecture (Ōita-ken 大分県) is located on the island of Kyūshū 九州 and is famous for its thousands of hot springs (onsen 温泉) and it’s unspoiled nature. If you think you want to live in...
Life in Japan
Like so many others hoping to study in Japan in 2020, Jose Moreno was forced to delay his plans as COVID-19 spread across the world. But with patience and Go! Go! Nihon’s help, Jose was...
Life in Japan
Depending on where you live in the world you may or may not be familiar with the seasonal sniffles of hay fever, but hay fever in Japan is very common. With distinct seasons comes strong...
Life in Japan
Marco is one of our students from Italy, who was meant to start Japanese language school from April 2020. But then the global pandemic hit, the world went into lockdown and Marco was faced with...
Life in Japan
Hear “Nagano” and you might think: snow, Winter Olympics, snow monkeys. And while Nagano is all of those things, it is also so much more. If you’re thinking about whether to live in Nagano, read...
Life in Japan
Working part-time while you study is a great way to earn some extra money. As a Japanese language student, there’s the added benefit of being able to practise your Japanese at your part-time job too....
Life in Japan
For many people, a self-isolation period was part and parcel of arriving in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. You couldn’t leave your accommodation at any point during this period, which made getting fresh and healthy...
Life in Japan
Excited about the idea of studying in Japan? That’s great! Living and studying in Japan is a life-changing and fulfilling experience. And now that the borders are opening up again, you’ll probably be starting to...
Life in Japan
With so many historical, cultural, and awe-inspiring places to go, it’s no surprise that Japan is on so many travel bucket lists. You may want to plan your next adventure around some of the best...
Life in Japan
Long hours, unpaid overtime, traditional working culture and hierarchical structures – these are some of the things that often come to mind when people think about working in Japan. And while this may be true...
Life in Japan
Tokyo is known to have some of the highest living costs in the world and the cost to live in Tokyo as a student might seem impossibly expensive. But, it is actually totally possible to...
Life in Japan
This article was last updated August 2022. Want to study in Japan for 6 months, but you don’t know how or when to start? Don’t worry, we’ve made this helpful study-in-Japan guide for you, including...
Life in Japan
Just a little to the southwest of Kyoto and west of Osaka, Kobe is a beautiful port town bordered by some mountains to the north and west and the sea to the south. As for...
How to
Among the many things that Japan is known for, the prevalence of earthquakes is perhaps one of the least pleasant. Earthquakes in Japan have been incredibly destructive, but at the same time, they have been...
Life in Japan
Along with the intense humidity and heat, summer in Japan brings with it something that most people hate: cockroaches. It’s highly likely that during your time in Japan you will come across a cockroach or...
Life in Japan
With its cute penguin mascot and unmistakable theme song, Don Quijote, or Donki (ドンキ) for short, is a store that you’ll be sure to come across while you’re in Japan. But what actually is it...
Life in Japan
Sometimes known as the “second city” of Japan, living in Osaka is very different from Tokyo. It’s often described as “gritty”, but Osaka is also a lot of fun and has arguably some of the...
Learn Japanese
Finding a place to live is a significant step in your move to Japan. If you want to tackle this in Japanese, you will need to know a few specific words in order to successfully...
Life in Japan
It’s still pretty hard to get by in Japan without cash, but the cashless payment trend is slowly catching on. From LINE Pay to train cards, there are a few popular ways to use cashless...
Life in Japan
Just like convenience stores, it seems as if there are drugstores everywhere in Japan. And rather than just sell medicine, they offer you so much more. Read on to find out what you can buy...
Life in Japan
Fukuoka was rated one of the most livable cities in the world for several years in a row. It is Japan’s 4th largest urban area in Japan with a population of 1.5 million. Tokyo, on...
Life in Japan
If you’re moving to Japan to study long-term, then you’ll want a comfortable place to stay that won’t break the bank. But finding affordable accommodation in Japan as a foreigner can often be tricky. That’s...
Life in Japan
In recent years, general interest for traveling to Japan has been growing steadily. And more and more people are considering moving there in the medium or long term. But visiting Japan for two weeks or...
Life in Japan
You may already know that working in Japan without a university degree is essentially impossible unless you have at least 10 years of work experience in a specific field. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way to...
Life in Japan
Living in Kofu is a unique experience compared to the other major cities in Japan. Of course, this city, the capital of Yamanashi, is a busy place but it’s a lot quieter and more relaxed...
Life in Japan
Education has the power to change your life, but without a high level of Japanese it might seem impossible to study at a higher level in Japan.   But, for those who are serious about higher...
Life in Japan
Living in Japan isn’t all Tokyo centric. There are some amazing places outside of the capital. One of our favourites is Sapporo in Hokkaido. You may be familiar with it from the Snow festival but...
Life in Japan
Japan is at the top of many people’s bucket lists – and for good reason. It’s a beautiful country with kind people, delicious food and a remarkable culture. If you’re looking for a memorable study...
Life in Japan
You’ve settled into your new home in Japan and your Japanese language lessons have started, so it’s time to get down to business and start studying hard. Of course your school and your home are...
Life in Japan
At Go! Go! Nihon, we love hearing from Japanese students and their experience: we hope you do too! Talking to them offers us the unique opportunity to see and share things from their point of...
Life in Japan
For some, Japan can seem like a costly country but as with many cities around the world, you just need to know the tricks to living cheaply. We love Japan and don’t want you to...
Life in Japan
Teaching English in Japan is often seen as a way to live and work in Japan without necessarily knowing a lot of Japanese. But actually knowing the language will dramatically improve your quality of life...
Life in Japan
When living in Japan, you’ll likely find that whether you’re in a share house or your own apartment you’ll have somewhat limited space. This is pretty common for a densely populated country so you’ve got...
Life in Japan
You’ve finished your Japanese language course, you’ve got the right qualifications or work experience and you want to find employment in Japan. The job-hunting process in Japan is probably quite different to your home country,...
Life in Japan
The student life may be all about frugal living, but did you know you can actually work part-time while on a student visa in Japan? Read on to find out how you can get a...
Life in Japan
It’s no secret to anyone that Japan loves paperwork. And the Japanese student visa application process is certainly no exception! So, when is the right time to apply? In this article, we give more information...
Life in Japan
You’ve chosen your school, completed the application, now you just need to book your flights and sort out somewhere to live. But what are your accommodation options in Japan, how do you make a choice...
Life in Japan
Understanding what your embassy in Japan can do for you is important, if you get in trouble or just need some support then it can be incredibly useful to know what support is available. It’s...
Life in Japan
When the time has come for you to leave Japan, there are quite a few steps to take before boarding the plane to go back home. The procedure of leaving Japan might differ a lot...
Life in Japan
If you’ve had a chance to look around our site you may already know a few things about us. But here’s a little background in case we’ve not met you yet and you’re wondering if...
Life in Japan
When imagining what life looks like in Japan, everyone has their own idea of how things are, but what about reality? We are taking some time to interview one of Go! Go! Nihon’s students, Matthew, who...
Life in Japan
Visiting Japan during spring hopefully means you will be able to experience the bloom of the famous Japanese cherry blossoms (桜 sakura). In Tokyo these pink and white beauties typically bloom between late March and...
Life in Japan
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a language student living in Osaka? Lee, a Go! Go! Nihon student, has taken the time to answer a few of our questions about his experience. Hi Lee, tell...
Life in Japan
Do you know how Go! Go! Nihon was born? How was it for its founder, Davide Rossi, to live and study in Japan? We ask him directly in this interview about the Go! Go! Nihon...
Life in Japan
When looking to study a new language there are a few options to help you reach your goal. With Japanese, this is no different and we think that the benefits of studying Japanese in Japan...
Life in Japan
Modified: December 3, 2023 Japan during the winter is a magical place for many reasons. Whether you like winter sports or relaxing in an onsen in the mountains, there’s a lot to choose from. But...
Life in Japan
You’ve arrived in Japan, you’ve moved into your new home, you’re starting to make friends but you’ve got one more, rather large hurdle to face, a trip to the ward office in Japan. This is...
Life in Japan
Is there anything simpler or more mundane than going to the supermarket? When you’re well-acquainted with the local supermarket, going for the peanut butter in aisle four, next to the home cooked-style jams doesn’t even...
Life in Japan
It used to be quite difficult finding wifi in Japan, but recently there are more and more locations with internet access. When you arrive to a new country, one of the first things you look...
Life in Japan
There are many accommodation choices available when moving to Japan but one of the most immersive experiences is to stay with a Japanese host family, generally known as a homestay. It’s an excellent alternative to...
Life in Japan
When moving to Japan, you have a few choices to make about your life there and one of these is where you want to live. One of the more popular options that gives you a...
Life in Japan
Yes, Japan has an excellent transport system. But, one of the best ways to get around is by bike. Because it’s such a popular way to get around and because it’s Japan, there are a...
Life in Japan
You’ve moved to Japan, you’re having a great time but you’re missing home and have asked your friends and family to send you some treats to cheer yourself up. You need to get them prepared...
Life in Japan
Although not so hidden anymore, Golden Gai is one of the gems of Tokyo set in amongst the skyscrapers and chaos. While it’s got its own brand of chaos, it’s a bit more organised than...
Life in Japan
Do you like grilled meats, cheap drinks, and Japanese pop music from the 60s? That was a rhetorical question – of course you do. While there are plenty of izakaya serving these items in Tokyo,...
Life in Japan
The impressive public transportation system in Japan spans across all four of its major islands. It is a now privatized system comprising of JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, and JR...
Life in Japan
Going to the hospital is never fun, but the added pressure of doing it in a foreign country – especially if there is a language barrier – can make the task that much more intimidating....
Life in Japan
Tokyo is an amazing city but it can all seem a bit much sometimes. One of the most popular ways to escape is with a Kamakura day trip. Just an hour from the city, all...
Life in Japan
The Otaku Experience in Japan course hosted by Go! Go! Nihon Study Trips was a joyful time full of surprises for students. One of them, Robert, decided to share his experience with us about his...
Life in Japan
One of the most remarkable aspects of Tokyo is the way centuries-old tradition and architecture seem to blend in perfectly with the city’s modern urban landscape. It is one of the few cities on earth...
Life in Japan
While looking back into one of the best months in his life, Zachary decided to share with us his eventful month on Go! Go! Nihon’s Summer Course in Japan. (Go! Go! Nihon staff): Could you tell me...
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Who we are

Go! Go! Nihon Live and Study in Japan!

In 2009, after meeting and studying at a Japanese language school together, Davide and John start working on a project that will make the process of living and studying in Japan much easier. The idea for Go! Go! Nihon is born. The service and website is launched with Italian, Swedish, and English language support. There is an immediate positive reception to the service and the first long-term students start the October session that year.