Q&A
Questions about life in Japan answered by those who live it
Hot Topic
15 Answers
What products do you avoid buying in Japan?
I've just written about how I only use sunscreen from home and never buy sunscreen in Japan - further to trying it here and finding it was not even half as good as at home and four times as expensive! Another example I can think of is over the counter pain killers. I don't find otc pain killers effective here. Do you have any products like that? Products that you find are much better at home than in Japan? Or maybe much cheaper in your home country than in Japan?
on Mar 20
On Going
10 Answers
Which prefecture do you think is the most attractive?
I posted this morning about the recently released Prefectural Attractiveness Rankings. Obviously there's an element of subjectivity to this, because what one person deems attractive can be very different to someone else's opinion of it. Hokkaido was ranked the most attractive prefecture in Japan, but the full list can be found below (image source is the article here: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/39c11474715641625a5720b86bc9b72dfe59e4cd). Of the prefectures you've visited, which would you say is the most attractive, and why would you rate it that way?
on Oct 17
Questions [education]
10 Answers
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.
on Sep 15
11 Answers
AC in the school gym?
I was wondering does your local school (or the school you work at or the school your kids go to or any school that you are personally familiar with) have air conditioning the gym? My four children are all at different schools this year, and not one of them has AC in the gym. They all have AC in the classrooms now, but as you know, that has only been the case in recent years. I presume all schools have AC in the classroom now? For your reference: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/zKnyR-living_medical_education_saitama_tokyo
on Jul 13
4 Answers
Public figures, artists, authors with foreign roots you admire?
One that comes to mind is the late C.W. Nichol. Born in Wales, formerly a Canadian, he became a Japanese citizen. Nichol was a journalist and writer who championed the preservation of Japan's natural environment and wrote fiction and non-fiction books. He was a regular columnist in the Japan Times. I regret that I never met him, though some of my martial arts colleagues did. Which foreign resident (or Japanese citizens with foreign roots) do you respect? What are they noted for?
on Jun 21
12 Answers
Celebrities, artists, authors with Japanese roots in your home country?
There are people with Japanese roots in the Americas, Eurasia, parts of Africa, and Australasia... Tell us about authors, scientists, artists, and celebrities with Japanese roots we should know about from your countries of origin.
on Jun 16
17 Answers
Blogs for the PICK UP?
Have you noticed the PICK UP posts haven't been updated since last year? Which blogs since January this year do you think deserve highlighting?
on Apr 10
13 Answers
How about a challenge?
Reading the daily blogs, product, and place reviews on City Cost makes my day. I love seeing what you find novel and enriching. But what do you think of a challenge week - one week of blogs on a particular interest or location that reveals our insights into our lives as foreign residents and "experts" on the things we nerd on? Some things I do: The periodic TtoE food blogs, regional posts in Chiba Prefecture Charms blogs, and fieldtrips in the Kanto region where I live. Got 5-7 day challenge ideas?
on Jan 21
6 Answers
Your favourite wordplay, pun, or palindrome in Japanese
BigfamJapan blogged about a day for palindromes, and I had a good chuckle. I love wordplay in Japanese! What's your favourite pun, palindrome, or spoonerism (a phrase that gets mangled into another meaning when you switch syllables). For reference, I cracked up when a coworker said "Naiyo ga nai yo" on finding an empty sweets packet.
on Dec 22
8 Answers
What Chiba places, cuisine, events, experiences enrich your Japan life?
The Chiba Prefecture government's international affairs division invites foreign resident volunteers to share the Chiba spots we love. I can't attend because of work obligations, but I can share your faves by email. What in Chiba lit you up - food, shops, nature, festivals, events, and experiences? Conversely, what didn't work out or confounded you? Photo tax - irises at Noda City's Sogo Park.
on Dec 7
4 Answers
Blogs from the summer that ought to be in the pick up?
I've been reading everybody avidly, and have learned about culture and currents thanks to the blogs! The PICK UP selections under the blog tab are from winter/spring 2025. What would you say are some blog contributions that stood out in the last two months or so?
on Sep 16
10 Answers
What is the most effective way to learn the Japanese language for you?
I wanted to learn Japanese what should I do first?
on Apr 1
4 Answers
News outlets specific to your prefecture?
What news outlets provide news specific to your prefecture? Are there news outlets for your prefecture in languages besides Japanese?
on Mar 30
7 Answers
Entrance ceremony clothes
Soon my kid will have his entrance ceremony at school, and I'm looking for those typical Japanese style ceremony clothes for myself. I'm 1.80m, not so skinny woman, which has huge problems to even find normal clothes in Japan. Does anybody have the same problem and might have any advice, where to get those ceremony clothes in a taller size?
on Feb 17