Your Guide to Life in Japan
Practical advice with a touch of humor for foreigners navigating daily life, culture, and paperwork in Japan.
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Three practical reads to get oriented quickly
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A curated set of frequently referenced guides
Blue Tickets for Bicycles: Japan's New Fine System from April 2026 (Basic Guide)
Comprehensive guide to Japan's "Blue Ticket" system for bicycles starting April 2026. Learn about 113 types of violations, fine amounts, sidewalk riding exceptions, and important points for foreign residents.
How to Report a Stolen Bicycle in Japan: Real Experience at a Koban
Step-by-step guide to filing a bicycle theft report at a Japanese police box (koban). Based on real experience: what documents you need, what happens if the koban is empty, and how to file even without your registration card.
Essential Hot Spring Items for First-Timers | 3 Must-Have Items - Face Towel is All You Need
Essential hot spring items carefully selected for beginners. Learn why a single face towel is sufficient and discover the 3 minimal items you truly need, explained through actual experience.
Hay Fever Survival Guide for Foreigners in Japan — Remedies, Medicine & Hospitals
A practical hay fever survival guide for foreigners in Japan. Prioritized countermeasures, OTC vs. prescription medicine, how to visit a hospital, and a pre-season checklist.
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The newest practical guides published on OhashiJozu
Foreign License Conversion in Japan: What Changed in October 2025
A practical guide to converting your foreign driver's license in Japan after the October 2025 reforms—documents, tests, exemptions by country, and who cannot apply.
Japan's Foreign Residents Hit 4 Million: Who Lives Here and What It Means
ISA statistics show Japan exceeded 4 million foreign residents for the first time at the end of 2025. Nationality, visa status, regional spread, and everyday life impacts explained.
Understanding は and が: Why 象は鼻が長い Works
Learn how 象は鼻が長い explains は as a topic marker and が as the element tied to the predicate—not two rival subject markers. Examples, structure breakdown, and FAQ for learners.
Foreign Residents Are Up, Police Cases Are Down: Reading Japan's 'Foreign Crime' Data Carefully
What police statistics actually show about foreign residents and crime in Japan. A data-first guide to definitions, common misconceptions, and what to watch for.
Why "OhashiJozu"?
If you've lived in Japan as a foreigner, you've probably heard "Ohashi jozu desu ne!" (Your chopstick skills are good!) or "Nihongo jozu desu ne!" (Your Japanese is good!) - even when you've only said "Konnichiwa."
Our name is a playful nod to this common experience—acknowledging the small cultural misunderstandings that make life as a foreigner in Japan both challenging and charming.
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