Deposit-free IC card: tourist in Japan

On February 15th, JR (Japan Railways) announced the release of a new IC card called “Welcome Suica” designed specifically for foreign visitors to Japan who use public transportation for a short period of time. The card features a design that showcases Japanese sakura and offers a benefit of prepaid public transportation services without requiring a ... Read More

My rent contracts in Japan

One of my colleagues recently moved into a new apartment in Japan and mentioned that she had to spend an hour reviewing the contract with the owner. This is typical for Japanese apartment contracts. It’s worth noting that Japan is a highly bureaucratic country, with a strong preference for putting everything in writing. While this ... Read More