Essential Medicines and Remedies in Japan: A Practical Guide for Travelers 🚑 If you need emergency assistance in Japan 119 — ambulance / fire / sudden illness (language assistance available) 110 — police / crimes / traffic accidents ⚠️ Disclaimer I am not a doctor or pharmacist. This article is based on personal experience and research. If you have serious symptoms or are unsure which medicine is right for you, consult a medical professional in Japan. ⚠️ Important Safety Note Some medicines may contain ingredients that cause allergies or side effects. Always check the ingredient list carefully. If you are unsure, ask a pharmacist before taking any product. Introduction: Overwhelmed in the Aisle I imagine right now that you’re standing in the middle of a Japanese drugstore , staring at a wall of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and thinking, “ What is all of this? ” Between the unfamiliar packaging, the Japanese-only labels, and the fac...

Who this article is for: Photo designed by Freepik This is for anyone who is living in Saitama, Japan, and has bought a kei car from a private seller. And you're looking into how to complete the transfer. Or this is for the future kei car owner who is looking into the process in anticipation of getting a car. If you are buying from a dealer, they'll usually handle the paperwork, but this article will still help you understand the process. Now, coming from the perspective of purchasing a car in the United States, all you really need is a bill of sale, sign the pink slips, and then turn in the paperwork. That's all. No hassles assuming there are no issues tied to the seller or the car. In Japan, it is not simple; it’s a bit more involved with paperwork, and there is a required visit to the responsible office. We will get into all of it. In this article, I will explain what you need, what to sign and stamp, and where to go. I will also go into detail in regard to how to fill...

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Getting Started: Why I Needed a Japanese License (you can skip this) Over the past eight years, I’ve lived blissfully car-free in Japan (pun intended). [Hold for applause.] But after my family began to grow, the need for a set of wheels became clear. On my daughter’s first birthday, she came down with a fever that sent us rushing to the hospital at two in the morning. That night showed me my family could handle anything (alhamdulillah)—but it also made me realize that not driving wasn’t independence anymore; it was selfishness that put unnecessary pressure on them. Fast forward a few months: while researching how to exchange my license for a Japanese one, I discovered a maze of paperwork and conflicting advice. Plenty of guides exist for other prefectures—but when it came to Konosu , the process was a complete mystery. Although the law is the same across Japan, this article focuses on the Konosu Driving Center —my local testing site in Saita...

The Japanese Convenience Store NPR recently reported  that U.S. convenience stores may soon look a lot more like Japan’s konbini—24/7 shops that have become part of the country’s infrastructure. In Japan, these stores aren’t just about snacks. Fresh meals arrive several times a day, but you can also pay utility bills and taxes, buy concert or museum tickets, or even ship a suitcase across the country—all under one roof. That’s what makes them so different. For locals, konbini complement post offices and service counters, giving them more places to handle everyday tasks at all hours. For travelers, they’re lifelines. At first glance, a konbini looks like any corner shop in the U.S.—the kind of place you’d stop for gas, a lotto ticket, or a bag of hot Cheetos. But here’s the real contrast: would you ever expect good food from a gas station? Would you pay your taxes there, or trust them with your luggage? The answer back home is obvious: no. In Japan, the answer is yes to all of the a...

Table of Contents — Click any section to jump ahead. Why I came in the first place. What is it like to live in Japan? Is it a good idea to live in Japan? Is Japan expensive? What are Japanese taxes like? Is living in Japan hard? Can I live in Japan without Japanese? Is it hard finding housing in Japan? What is Japanese work culture like for foreigners? What are the pros and cons of living in Japan? Final Thoughts Why I came in the first place. I was born and raised in Southern California to Syrian immigrant parents. As someone who grew up Arab and Muslim in post-9/11 America, I know what it feels like to live in a constant state of apology for what people who shared my identity did to the U.S. It was never-ending suspicion, and a desperate attempt to prove I was as American as everyone else. After graduating college, I found myself stuck with the question of what to do next. I’d landed a job in tech support for a security camera manufactu...