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Sep 15, 2026

What’s on your City-Cost feature wishlist?

Hi everyone! I’ve been browsing City-Cost a lot lately for articles and info. But it suddenly crossed my mind—if the City-Cost admins were to add some new features to the website, what would actually make our lives as expats in Japan easier? Personally, I’d really love to see: 1. A Direct Message (Chat) Feature: So it's easier to connect, make friends, or ask follow-up questions to members who live nearby. 2. A Member Marketplace (Sayonara Sale): Just for us members! Sometimes it’s such a hassle hunting down cheap second-hand stuff on other apps. What about the rest of you? Do you have any "dream features" you wish existed on this site? (Like maybe a dedicated mobile app, a cost-of-living calculator, or local community groups?). Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Who knows, maybe the admins will read this and actually make it happen.

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achmadz

achmadz

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  • andikurnia

    andikurnia

    2 hours ago

    Live chat between member would be good. AI Chat is also best to have!!!!

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1 Answer

What’s on your City-Cost feature wishlist?

Hi everyone! I’ve been browsing City-Cost a lot lately for articles and info. But it suddenly crossed my mind—if the City-Cost admins were to add some new features to the website, what would actually make our lives as expats in Japan easier? Personally, I’d really love to see: 1. A Direct Message (Chat) Feature: So it's easier to connect, make friends, or ask follow-up questions to members who live nearby. 2. A Member Marketplace (Sayonara Sale): Just for us members! Sometimes it’s such a hassle hunting down cheap second-hand stuff on other apps. What about the rest of you? Do you have any "dream features" you wish existed on this site? (Like maybe a dedicated mobile app, a cost-of-living calculator, or local community groups?). Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Who knows, maybe the admins will read this and actually make it happen.

achmadz

achmadz

2 hours ago

6 Answers

How do you keep track of your product reviews?

I have noticed over time that the search function on City-cost doesn't pick up certain things, particularly the 'fields' in product reviews. So, for example, if I search for a product by its brand or product name it won't come up in the search results, unless it's also written in the body or heading of the post. That is why recently I put the brand or product name in the title of the product review too, so I can find it more easily when I search. Otherwise, I won't know if I have already reviewed a product or not. Its hard to remember every review I've ever written! Have you any other hints on how to find product reviews or how to keep track of the ones you've written? I have thought about a spreadsheet, but its far too much effort!

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Sep 9

2 Answers

2026 songs that turn you on or off?

What Japanese pop, alternative, or novelty songs did you turn up or turn off so far this year? I'm a fan of 打首獄門同好会 - Uchikubi Gokumon Dokokai. The name, loosely translated, is Severed Heads at the Prison Gate. They came out with a novelty song earlier this year, in anticipation of their US tour, "I Wish I Could Speak English", hard rock with AI lyrics. A chill song I like is ブルーアワー "Blue Hour". The song comes from the project adieu headlining Kamishiraishi Moka. How about you? What Japanese songs or musical projects appeal to you in 2026?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Sep 5

13 Answers

"How To" Posts for the pick-up

City-cost are great for taking our recommendations on board. Now that the first thing you see when you click is on to the blog section is "popular" posts, maybe next we can get the "How To" section refreshed! Its been stuck with the same old "How To" posts for more than two years now. Have you any "How To" posts that you would like to see highlighted in that section? Or have you written any "How To" posts recently? I am dreadful for remembering so while I think of it, my most recent post is "How to Turn Your Home Toilet Into an Emergency Toilet" https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/GbeN9-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Sep 1

7 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

With Yayoi Kusama's passing being covered in the media today, I wanted to know about your favorite Japanese artists, past or present. Obviously Kusama is one of mine, but I always like hearing about other artists that I haven't been introduced to before.

genkidesu

genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

4 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

3 Answers

Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs

@Genkidesu posted about the desire for simpler packaging this week. This reminded me of our blog theme about sustainability back in 2022. A little sleuthing turned up the main link: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/search/tag/SustainableLife Have you kept up your good habits? In the last few years, what have you observed about how you use resources or reduced waste? Me? The photo is a takeout bento box I will reuse for lunch!

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Aug 20

5 Answers

Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

Earlier I wrote about how my neighborhood's "summer" festival has been moved to autumn. I also wrote a separate post about a summer festival in Kasukabe that has been moved indoors. I know there is a bittersweetness about these changes, but some would argue that something needs to change in the face of rising temperatures. So, I am curious, what would you vote for: 1) Leaving Summer Festivals exactly as they are - same date, same set up etc. 2) Shifting the time of day the festival is on, say for example, from afternoon until after dark 3) Moving the festival from summer to another season or at least to earlier in summer, such as June 4) Moving summer festivals indoors - not really possible for the larger festivals especially those with large floats etc. but maybe they could shift some elements indoors

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

10 Answers

Favorite Noodles

Chilled noodles because it's summer, hot noodles are also accepted. Is it somen or chukasoba or zarusoba? Reimyun or pasta salad? Chanpon or udon or ramen? Pad Thai or Pho?! This year I made somen for the first time! I'm a soba fan. I used to love ramen and tsukemen but for some reason I'm not as into the rich and oily noodles anymore.

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

11 Answers

What are the pros and cons of Japanese Citizenship for you?

Most of the people I know here are foreign residents, have foreign family members, or have foreign coworkers, friends or employees. A handful of those have become Japanese citizens. We've been chatting about things like ethnic identity and Japanese citizenship. I don't plan to become a citizen, but it made me wonder, what are the pros and cons for changing your citizenship? Is it something you've given any thought to? (What might make you consider it?)

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30