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Go! Go! Nihon blog
Tag: living abroad
Life in Japan
Study sustainability and tourism at APU: a degree for the future Do you want a career that opens up the world even more to you? That lets you travel, connect with people from around the...
Life in Japan
This article is part of our Study Spots in Japan series. 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...
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
Studying Japanese in Japan might be your dream but what comes after that? Starting a job hunt can seem daunting but you’ve already taken a step in the right direction by deciding to learn a...
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 train cards to PayPay, and even Apple Pay there are a few easy ways...
How to
The digital nomad visa in Japan is a six-month “specified activities” visa where foreign nationals can work remotely from anywhere in the country without the need to be hired by a company in Japan. The...
Life in Japan
Living in Tokyo and studying abroad can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but learning a new language, navigating a large city, and being away from home can sometimes feel isolating....
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...
Only in Japan
Information updated as of September 2023 When you arrive in Japan, one of the must-haves for a seamless and convenient trip is a prepaid all-in-one IC card such as Suica or Pasmo. IC cards in...
Japanese Culture
Having the opportunity to work full time in Japan is truly a dream come true for some. It offers a glimpse into a dynamic and intricate work culture. From punctuality and team collaboration to professionalism...
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...
How to
If you’ve dreamed of living and studying in Japan for a year but are unsure of where to begin, worry not! We have put together all the essential information needed to guide you through the...
How to
Updated October 2025 Have you ever considered buying an apartment or a holiday home in Japan? Buying property in Japan as a foreigner can seem daunting, but it is an achievable dream and can be...
How to
Ever missed the last train after a party and had to grab a taxi to get home? Knowing how to take a taxi in Japan can be beneficial when going somewhere outside the public transportation...
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...
How to
Preparing for a move is a daunting task regardless of where you live, and the added stressor of being a foreign resident in a country known for its red tape and endless paperwork can make...
How to
Looking to step off trains and subways and explore the country a bit more personally? For those wanting to drive in Japan, foreign residents can get behind the wheel straight away if they meet certain...
Japanese Culture
In Japan, the Western holiday of Valentine’s Day was popularized in the 1950’s. There’s also a follow-up holiday called White Day (ホワイトデー) on March 14, which was invented as a day for men to give gifts and...
News
Christmas in Japan is an experience that is unique and magical in its own way. Although it’s not a traditional holiday in Japan, Christmas has developed its own identity here and there is plenty to...
Life in Japan
As of September 2025, this article has been updated to reflect recent changes in the system. The health insurance scheme is required by the government in Japan for all Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and any...
How to
Whether you’re building strength, working on your cardiovascular health, or wanting to join some group fitness classes, signing up for a gym membership can help you achieve your fitness goals in Japan. Chances are, there...
Only in Japan
Tokyo, Kyoto and Mt Fuji are all famous places in Japan that every visitor wants to tick off their bucket list. But there are many lesser-known places in Japan that are just as exciting, beautiful...
How to
Japan has strict rules in place for many immigration and import-related matters, and medication is no different. Bringing medication to Japan comes with its own set of rules, and failure to observe them can lead to...
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...
How to
It’s easier now to do freelance or remote work than ever before. Therefore, freelancing or working remotely in Japan while studying could be an attractive option for those who want to work while studying. Maybe...
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...
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
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,...
Learn Japanese
Opening a bank account in Japan is essential if you plan on staying long-term. Luckily for newcomers, there are English-friendly options where you don’t need to know much Japanese in order to conduct your banking...
How to
If you have ever tried to send post from Japan to another country, you’ll know it can be a confusing process. This is truer now more than ever after Japan Post changed its requirements around...
Learn Japanese
When you live in Japan, convenience stores will become an integral part of your life. Whether you’re looking for an early morning breakfast on the go, paying your utilities bills, or you need last-minute toiletries,...
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 its unspoiled nature. If you think you want to live in...
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
We have done the research for you and provided some options to order food online in Japan – from groceries to ready-to-eat meals. Read on to find out more! Grocery delivery Rakuten Rakuten is one...
Learn Japanese
Visiting your local ward office is a necessary, but sometimes burdensome, part of living in Japan. Most of the time, you’ll get by with basic Japanese, but it’s always better to go equipped with some...
How to
While living and studying in Japan, you may need to make a bank transfer from your Japanese bank account. If you’ve never done this before, or if you feel your Japanese language skills aren’t quite...
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...
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...
How to
Updated July 2025 When you imagine your future in Japan, what do you see? Study, then work? Language study, then higher education? Running your own business? Whatever your vision is, you need to have a...
How to
Japan’s weather can be variable across the year with its 52 micro seasons. What’s more, with the country stretching from Hokkaido to Okinawa, there’s a range of temperatures from city to city. It’s no surprise...
Food & Drink
Japanese food is delicious! And although eating out in Japan is quite affordable, as a student or someone not residing in Japan it can be a good idea to learn to make Japanese food yourself....
How to
Bringing your pet to Japan is a process that can be both time-consuming and expensive. But, it is absolutely possible to successfully bring your fur friend to Japan, with a bit of patience and a...
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...
How to
While in Japan you’ll probably get some recommendations or instructions to go to a specific place or address. Finding your way there might be a bit tricky if you can’t read a Japanese address, so...
How to
In Japan, millions of commuters board trains and subways everyday, and if you’ve ever been on a train in Japan you know that it’s usually a very orderly and smooth experience. The train etiquette in Japan...
How to
In Japan there’s so much more to do at the post office than you might think. It’s the place to go to send mail and parcels, but also to withdraw money and even get souvenirs! In...
How to
When you’re settling into your new life in Japan you’ll think that you won’t have to worry about some of the basic things like setting the heating or using a Japanese washing machine but if...
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 looked 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 you should apply through...
How to
Coming from the US, redelivery—Fuzaihyou (不在表) in Japan—can be a touchy subject. It’s a common joke over there to hear about our postmen ringing the doorbell and slapping a “We missed you! We’ll try again...
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...
Only in Japan
The 100 yen shop in Japan is the stuff of legends and yes, it lives up to its name. Japan is often mistaken for an expensive country and while in some respects it is, in...
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...
How to
If you don’t already know it, you’ll soon realise that Japan is still a very cash-based society and it’s not unusual to carry large amounts of cash around. Soon after you’ve arrived in Japan you’ll...
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...
How to
It’s hard enough finding an apartment in your own country, let alone searching for a Japanese apartment! On top of the standard criteria to keep in mind, there are a couple uniquely Japanese fees 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...
Food & Drink
It may be harder to eat gluten free in Japan than in other countries, but it is not impossible. As compared to Western countries, East Asians, including the Japanese, are less prone to gluten intolerance,...
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...
Only in Japan
When you first move to Japan, there’s a lot of things that need arranging but the first step is to set up your new home. There’s everything from sorting bills to buying a lot of...
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
The impressive public transportation system in Japan spans across all four of its major islands. Now, it is a privatized system comprising of JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, and JR...
Only in Japan
You may be very familiar with what’s inside Japanese houses or you may have never stepped foot into one. Japanese houses are notorious for being small, but many seem to be filled with many household...
Food & Drink
Called men (麺) in Japanese, noodles are a staple of Japanese cuisine. They are often seen as convenient food and the many types of Japanese noodles are enjoyed chilled with dipping sauces, in soups, stir-fried...
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....
How to
As a student, you might not have a lot of discretionary money to spend. Sure, you want to go out and experience Japan, but you need to be conservative in spending in certain areas so...
Only in Japan
When I first started studying Japanese seriously, Japanese TV programs helped me tremendously in learning. The few national networks in Japan provide a variety of shows, and cable channels don’t seem as popular in Japan...
Life in Japan
Deciding to go to live and study abroad in Japan ten years ago has been the most important decision I have ever made and it really changed my life. There are so many things that...
Life in Japan
I bow on the phone now. I’m not the only one.—And I never feel silly about it, because everyone around me here does the same thing. It’s this slight chin dip that comes with every...
Learn Japanese
In the summer of 2012, I followed behind my supervisor as she walked me around to each department in city hall, allowing me to introduce myself as the city’s new assistant language teacher. I spoke...
How to
The “My Number” system (マイナンバー) was introduced in Japan around the end of 2015 with the aim of providing all residents of Japan with an individual number ID for social security, taxation, and other government...
Life in Japan
In the middle of a scorching heat wave and sweating from both the unbearable temperature and my overwhelmed nerves, I sat next to my supervisor and twiddled my thumbs as my suit stuck to me....
Life in Japan
Whether you’re planning a short-term or long-term stay in Japan, you’ll want to get your hands on a mobile phone as soon as possible after arriving. Tokyo is a bright and bustling city but it...
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.
