Recent Posts
A Beginner’s Guide to Climbing Mt. Fuji
In honor of this year’s Mountain Day, how about taking on Japan’s most iconic peak?
By Ashley Owen on August 10, 2018
Black Flag: How to Avoid Working for a Shady Japanese Company
It’s important to draw the line between working hard and being deviously overworked by a company that may want to bend the rules by manipulating new or junior employees. Here are some tips.
By Alfie Blincowe on August 8, 2018
Wet Hot Japanese Summer: Keeping Cool in the Classroom
How can we deliver engaging, informative lessons that students will retain, when neither they — nor you — want to be in a sweltering classroom with no AC?
By Liam Carrigan on August 7, 2018
JP Smart Wi-Fi: The Pocket Wi-Fi Helping Foreigners Connect On and Offline
If you’re planning a long visit or looking to study abroad in Japan, JP Smart Wi-Fi has totally got you.
By Lucy Dayman on August 3, 2018
Understanding the Japan Pension System, Pt. 1: What Is It and How Does It Work?
A pension explanation that won’t leave your head spinning.
By Alfie Blincowe on August 2, 2018
4 Cold Ramen Dishes for the Sweltering Japanese Summer
Bowls of Japan’s famous noodle-based soup don’t always have to be served scalding hot. There are several chilled variations that can be enjoyed in the notoriously hot Japanese summer months.
By Frank Striegl on August 1, 2018
Omiyage: How to Fit Right in at Work when Giving Japanese-style Gifts and Souvenirs
Japan’s gifting culture is impressive, but it can create some confusion for those unfamiliar with the concept.
By Liam Carrigan on July 31, 2018
Japanese Words Made for Earthquakes and Other Disasters
Following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that recently hit Kansai, the floods and landslide in western Japan and the current nationwide heatwave, it’s time to look at some words for these terrifying natural occurrences.
By Matthew Coslett on July 28, 2018
5 of the Best Places For Craft Beer in Tokyo
Tap into a new drinking experience with a few of the best spots in the city for craft beer.
By Jacob Stroth on July 27, 2018
All About Ocha: The Wonderful World of Japanese Tea
Whether you drink it hot, cold, bagged, powdered, loose leaf, in jeans or in a kimono — green tea is inextricably linked with Japanese culture. From “matcha” to “houjicha,” here’s our guide to enjoying the many different styles.
By Ashley Owen on July 26, 2018
Forward Together: 5 Ways to Build Bridges Between Teachers and Dispatch Companies
Sometimes, simple steps can make a big difference — like these ideas for helping ALTs and dispatch companies in Japan reach more mutually beneficial relationships.
By Liam Carrigan on July 25, 2018
Teaching Japanese Kindergartners: 4 Reasons It’s Not as Scary as You Think
While most people first start looking for English teaching jobs in Japan that cater to adults and older teens, teaching young children has its benefits, too.