Q&A
Questions about life in Japan answered by those who live it
Hot Topic
10 Answers
YouTube channels for life in Japan?
Recently ToneToEdo put me on to JapaneseCooking101 on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JapaneseCooking101) where you can find a variety of easy to follow recipe tutorials for a myriad of eats. I was wondering if anyone knew of other useful "life in Japan" style YouTube channels. It doesn't have to be cooking, anything that helps you out with day-to-day stuff here would be great to know about!
on Dec 4
On Going
17 Answers
Any idea for snowboard destination?
What's the best ski resort in Japan that is accessible by bus or train? I have been to Nagano. Any other recommendations?
on Jan 3
Questions [money]
1 Answer
Foreign exchange
Does your local bank do foreign exchange? If yes, do you have to be a member of the bank to use the service? If no, where do you do foreign exchange for cash?
on Oct 8
3 Answers
With Sports Day just around the corner...
What's your favorite way to stay active in Japan? Back in my home country I had a gym membership because I had an office job and lived in suburbia, so it wasn't as easy as it is here in the countryside to just get out and go on long walks or cycle. Those are my two favorite ways to keep my body moving and stay reasonably fit! It's also nice because I have places that are walkable/cyclable for errands (bank, post office, supermarket, multiple convenience stores, a farmer's market, etc.) so it saves a bit on petrol costs. How about you? Would love to get your thoughts in the comments!
on Oct 7
2 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
3 Answers
Is the free school lunches national?
I just wrote a post about how my younger two children's school lunch will be free hereafter. However, I don't know if this is just my town or nationally. Does anyone know if they are doing this throughout Japan? The post about the free lunches for big families: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/GQjEL-living_food_money_education_saitama
on May 17
10 Answers
What are you doing without?
Ever heard of the saying "Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without"? I feel like it's ever-appropriate these days. Are there things that you're trying (or having) to do without, given the cost of living increases? I haven't bought new clothes in quite a while, and I feel like when we first moved here that was something I often did, almost like a hobby. These days I might not be the trendiest, but I use the clothes I have, and I guess I'm more comfortable in my style.
on Mar 12
7 Answers
Family, friends -- how often (if at all) do they visit you here?
I'm from Australia originally, and I'm fortunate that we have budget airline carriers that fly direct to Japan, so it's relatively easy and not too expensive for family and friends to visit me here. How difficult is it for your loved ones from home to visit you here? Have you had many opportunities to show people around, or has it been fairly slim pickings in the visitors stakes for you?
on Feb 26
3 Answers
City-Cost feature posts you recommend reading
When I click on the Blog link, I see four "Pick Up" articles, one of them mine, that are a little stale... Which posts in the last 3 months or so are insightful, current, interesting, or helpful? What would you like to see in the "Pick Up"?
on Jan 18
13 Answers
Fridge recommendations
City Cost thrifty veterans, give me your recommendations! If you read my blogs, you know I cook three meals almost every day. My current fridge, a Daewoo 120 liter model, is starting to give out after 10 years of use. What size would you recommend for a single person who cooks daily? What brands do you swear by? What features are must-haves for home cooks?
on Sep 22
7 Answers
"Pocket money" sites?
With Christmas under 100 days away, it's a time of year where I really try to increase any extra earnings I can make for my household -- obviously there's a lot more outgoing expenses for those of us that celebrate at the tail end of the year. Back when I was a university student in my home country, there were lots of different market research survey sites where you could earn a bit of extra cash and be paid either via direct deposit to your bank account or with gift cards for supermarkets and the like. Does anyone know of any similar sites like that here? Obviously I'm not expecting tons of cash from any of them, but hey -- anything extra helps!
on Sep 19
5 Answers
International travel insurance recommendations
Just booked tickets for the fam and I to go home (for three week stay) and we leave in a week! Any recommendations for international travel insurance? TIA
on Jul 28
2 Answers
Transferring Pension
I'm currently sorting through EVERYTHING I bought back from Japan with me, so you'll get all your new blogs soon. I came across some documents that I actually completed when I came back from Japan, which was to do with pensions. This took me a while to figure out because it was complicated. Would you like to know how to transfer your pension to you from Japan? People say you can't. The things is... you can.
on Dec 8
6 Answers
My FIRST Log! Would You Like to Hear it?
In my last post I asked what you would like to hear from me now I have left. I was digging through some stuff the other day and I found my very FIRST book log that I kept when I toured Japan originally. I was thinking about typing it up and reminding myself of what my younger self thought of Japan. Would you like to hear about what I got up to? I'm not sure if I can even remember! HA!!
on Dec 2