Living in Japan, without getting lost
Visas, housing, driver's licenses, taxes, bank accounts — the most troublesome procedures for foreigners new to Japan, all sorted out in one place.
Free AI Visa Check →Residence / Visa AI Assistant
Work visa, student visa, permanent residency, business manager visa, spouse visa — input your situation and get a material checklist and application process.
Free checkHSP Points Calculator
70 points for the Highly Skilled Professional visa, PR in as fast as 1 year. Check your score.
Check my pointsRenting in Japan Guide
Key money, deposit, guarantor, screening process — all explained. Recommendations for foreigner-friendly agents.
View guideDriver's License Conversion Assistant
Convert a foreign license to a Japanese one: material checklist, test process, and common failure reasons all compiled.
View processTax Return (Kakutei Shinkoku)
Have a side job or freelance work in Japan? Organize the required materials and process for filing a tax return.
Start organizingCity Office Procedures
Moving in, moving out, certificate of residence, seal registration, national health insurance — a complete checklist for your errands.
View checklistBank Account + SIM Card
How to open a bank account when you first arrive? Which SIM cards can foreigners get? Recommendations updated regularly.
View recommendationsTake-Home Pay Calculator
Gross → net: social insurance, income tax, resident tax in one estimate (2026 rates)
Estimate nowMore tools coming soon
Cost-of-living calculator, move-in cost estimator… on the way.
📖 Life in Japan Guides
Japan Garbage Sorting Guide
Burnable, non-burnable, recyclables, bulky waste — plus when, where, and how to put garbage out.
Read guide →
2026 Residence Card Renewal Guide
Fees, documents, and the online application process — with a 2026 price-hike warning.
Read guide →
HSP 80 Points Guide
The fastest 1-year track to permanent residency: score profiles, full perks, and J-Skip.
Read guide →
Japan Business Manager Visa Guide
2026 new rules: JPY 30M capital, full-time staff, JLPT N2, experience requirements explained.
Read guide →Why this site?
🤖 Japan's official systems are outdated
Immigration, tax office, and city hall processes still rely on paper and fax.
😵 Information is too scattered
To get one thing done, a foreigner has to check 5 official sites, 3 blogs, and 1 Facebook group.
💸 Agent fees are high
Administrative scriveners, tax accountants, and agents easily charge tens of thousands. Organize it yourself first, then consult someone — save money.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these tools paid?
Basic checks and life guides are completely free. Some AI-generated material packs may be pay-per-use in the future, but currently everything is free.
❓ Can I use the AI-generated materials directly?
The AI generates drafts, but you need to verify the facts and add your personal details. For important applications, we recommend having an administrative scrivener do a final review.
❓ I just arrived in Japan. What should I do first?
In this order: register your address at the city office → get a SIM card → open a bank account → enroll in National Health Insurance. See the City Office page for the full interactive checklist.
❓ Is the information here reliable?
All guides are compiled from official sources (Immigration Services Agency, National Tax Agency, MLIT), with links to the originals on every page. Policies change — always confirm with the latest official announcements before applying.
❓ Do I need to create an account?
No. Everything works instantly in your browser — no sign-up, no login, no personal data collection.
❓ I'm not Chinese — can I still use this site?
Yes. The site is available in Chinese, English, and Japanese, and the guides apply to all foreigners living in Japan.