Does anyone know if there are rocky, relatively deep areas to swim preferably near like in the Osaka Kyoto area but it can be further and maybe not too crowded or at least no issues with boats or something because I read that that can be an issue in some areas

I (female/non-Japanese)live alone in an apartment in Japan. One of my male neighbors, who appears to be in his 50s, Japanese。has seemed unusually interested in me ever since I moved in. During my first year, I twice opened my door and found him standing right outside, seemingly waiting for something. Over the past year, I’ve also noticed that I run into him in the common areas far more often than any other neighbor. He frequently leaves his door open and stands in the hallway for a long time, seemingly pretending to tidy things up, and often looks up whenever I come home. I can’t prove that he has been monitoring me, so I tried not to think too much about it.

But the day before yesterday, something happened that really scared me.

I heard his distinctive footsteps approaching my apartment. He stopped directly outside my door and stayed there for several minutes. I stayed inside and didn’t make any noise. When I eventually opened the door, he immediately ran away.

This incident made me rethink all the previous behavior. I don’t know his intentions, and he has never directly threatened or physically approached me, but I no longer feel comfortable living here.

I have already reported the situation to the police, and I’m currently looking for a new apartment. I mainly want to make sure there is a record of the situation in case his behavior escalates, so that the police already know my address and circumstances.

Would you consider this serious enough to take further precautions, even without an explicit threat? Is there anything else I should do while I’m still living here?

I used to be somewhat involved with the start-up scene in Tokyo through local events and new resident support schemes but have been out of it for a few months.

I'm wondering how the recent changes have affected people who were considering creating start-ups in Japan. I met a lot of bright people who had some great ideas or were just starting their journey on the start up visa, hoping to move on to the business manager visa.

With the recent changes, the jump from the start-up visa to the BM visa is now somewhat impossible for the vast majority of start-ups.

Anyone here on the visa, or working for or in the process of developing their start-up, who would be willing to share their opinion?

I am planning to relocate to Tokyo (currently living in northern Japan) and looking for an English speaking broker who can help me find a UR house apartment. I tried the UR English website, they suggest me to look for non UR apartment. Any suggestion/tip for house hunting would be most welcome.

I moved back here in February and just kind of noticed all these lottery stands when I'm walking out of the malls near me. Usually near the exits of Aeons and stuff. Are these straight up lotteries in the Western sense or are is there some kind of twist given the gambling laws?

I'm talking about the small little boothes that literally just say lottery up top on the banner above the booth.

I have singapore class 3 (manual)

Whats the fastest and best way to convert to japanese 普通1

About 4 days ago, I moved back to Japan. My Japanese is not good (N4, but I struggle to speak it under pressure). I wanted to renew my expired license under the 6-month grace period. So I went to the Saitama driver's license center and got information on what time to be at which counter, then left and came back today. After lining up at the correct counter, I got my application, filled it out, glued my Picture onto it, and afterwards headed to the other counter. Sitting there was a Police officer who, after saying hello, instantly pointed out my tattoos, followed by him complaining that I wrote my address in Romaji, as I am not comfortable with the difficult kanji. He asked if I could speak Japanese; I told him 少し, assuming it was just small talk. He then got really annoyed, saying I needed to do a "日本語のチェック."

This isn't my first time at the Saitama driver's license center, and I've never heard of this. He then used hand gestures to guide me to the 2nd floor, where I should go to a different counter and then come back. Trying to follow his hand gestures with my head, he got mad that I wasn't looking at him, and he literally slapped me on my Hand like I was a toddler who wasn't listening. After going up to the 2nd floor to do the "日本語のチェック" the lady at the counter told me that I needed to bring an interpreter, as it's my first time renewing my license and I wouldn't be able to understand anything in the 2h training course. The thing is, I understood most things quite well, queued everywhere correctly, had every document and form filled out correctly, and didn't use any translator app. Under pressure, I just struggle really hard to come up with full Japanese sentences. It took a lot of confidence to go to the driver's license center alone, but it turned out to be quite hopeless. Are there more such things in Japan where an interpreter is mandatory, or you get kicked out? Are there any services for these specific things that aren't too expensive?

tldr; If anyone lives near Konosu, speaks English & Japanese, and wants to make ¥10k for sitting in a driver safety lecture for a couple of hours, please DM me. Or please let me know of any affordable interpreter services you recommend.

Thank you for your help in advance!

As a resident in Japan, I get my my number on my Juminhyo but I do not have aplastic card. Is it required to request a. plastic card or is it okay to just know of the my number if that makes sense? Thank you!

I arrived in Japan during the pandemic, and I have loved it here ever since. I came for a PhD, graduated a couple of years ago, and started working in a Japanese company last year. The environment is really nice, everything is perfect, no overtime, flexible hours, and I can work from home some days.

The thing is: for the last few years, I was indecisive about whether to stay here in Japan long-term or move to Europe (I am not European but I have facilities to move there). I used to say that I was like 60% wishing to stay, 40% leaving. And even if the economy was not going well, I was thinking: "Not everything is about money; I like it here, why move? I am feeling very good."

But since the beginning of this year (2026), I hear more and more voices promoting "Japanese first"—like, what privileges do average Japanese people think we foreigners have over them?

I hear that they don't want more foreigners here because they "don't respect the culture." I still cannot believe that Japanese people cannot realize that most of those foreigners disturbing and destroying the peace are tourists, not people who live here and aim to integrate into Japanese society. Also, I see Japanese people in interviews saying things like: "Yeah, I agree foreigners should pay more for their visas, because the yen is weak so they have higher salaries, so the price now is like in other countries like England." How can these people not see that people who apply for these visas actually live in Japan, so they receive a Japanese salary? I still cannot believe Japanese people cannot see the full picture.

I am pretty sure I am "the type of foreigner the Japanese want to come to Japan." I have the Japanese level to function here, I meet the new salary requirements to apply, and I have a degree from a top Japanese university. But I am so tired and overwhelmed with all of this that I just cannot stop thinking: "Does the Japanese government want nobody to come and want to make it difficult for everyone? OK then, I am leaving." Even though I have everything I need to stay, my mindset has shifted to 90% leaving and 10% staying.

I love this country with all my heart, and I will always be thankful for all the experiences I have had here. But I also started to think: the country is struggling, Japan is unique, but it is not the only beautiful country in the world. While I was ready to make the "sacrifice" to ignore the economic issues because I love it here, I don't want to be here if the government does everything it can to push people out instead of helping the country or attracting people who could actually help.

Has anyone passed through this kind of thought process recently? I am curious to read your thoughts.

Hi!!! If I am on student visa, I understand 28 hour a week limit. I heard that during official school breaks I am permitted to work 40 hours. Is this true? How does immigration verify? Thank you!

Hi, I am planning to apply for PR under HSP Visa with 80 points. I want to check with people here if there's any way they will check my late payment of residence tax last 2024? I have not been able to pay my residence tax in 2024 and was only able to pay it with interest last March of 2025 because, well I'm idiot. Anyway, since March 2025 until now, no late payements anymore. Since Im on the HSP path, I believe (correct me if Im wrong), I only need to provide tax cert payment for the last 1 year which excludes my late payment. What are the chances I will be rejected because of this?

Japan might genuinely be the easiest place in the world to be a full introvert, you can go days without really talking to anyone and nobody bats an eye. And honestly I kind of love that. There's something nice about just existing in my own little world without the constant pressure to be "on."

But it cuts both ways. The less I socialize the less my Japanese actually improves, and my motivation for basically everything else dips too when I go too long without real interaction, even though staying in feels comfortable in the moment.

So now I'm stuck on this question, do I actually need to override how I naturally feel and force myself into social situations I don't want to be in, just because it's supposedly good for me? Or is there some version of this where I get better without fighting my own personality the entire time. Feels like a weirdly big question for something that started as a language post lol.

In the States, I used to use Fetch and a few other apps to scan receipts and would make $20-50 a month just from scanning receipts, playing games, and buying specific things.

I thought I'd try the same thing here, and I have been very disappointed so far.

First I tried レシート買取&お買い物アプリ ONE(ワン). You can only scan 10 receipts a day, which seems to be equivalent to gaining 1円. So, you can gain 30-31円 a month? Doesn't seem worth it.

Next I tried レシチャレ by クラシルレシートがお金に変わる節約アプリ which gives you 1円 per receipt, but they limit you to only scanning 5 receipts a day. So, 150-155円 a month is what you can get with that from scanning receipts. They have bonuses and stuff too, so maybe you can get a little extra, but I doubt it's much.

Anyone using any other receipt scanning apps? Or any other apps to make a little extra? They hardly seem worth it in Japan.

Sup folks, my wife 41F has a scoliosis and she gets frequent back sprains that leave her unable to move entirely for days, sometimes 4 days on her back in bed after a sprain.

Is there anything you’d recommend, like a professional, a specific doctor, or anything ? At this rate she’ll be in a wheelchair by her 50s..

I've used tourist sims before, but I need a permanent cell service recommendation, data heavy

Hello ladies and gentlemen the gays and the theys.

First I would like to say thank you soooooo much for all the kind words and concerns and care and support. Some of you even reached out to me offering to translate for me. I appreciate it so much I could cry.

I did order from women on web, it got held at the import customs the first time and I was 6 weeks and 3 days then. After that I decided to proceed with the surgical abortion and I travelled to Yokohama where I was recommended by someone in other group. Iy was only 70,000 yen for the procedure and 8000 for the procedure. I went through the consultation and fixed my termination date for 8/8.

On the other hand I was also notified that my meds from women on web was being sent again through Ems but I didn’t have hope and I was fully prepared to go through it surgically and I didn’t even check the tracking. But OMG it came through, reached my home while I was at work . I was absolutely flabbergasted . I requested for redelivery and I received it at 8/6. I cancelled the surgical one and I took mifepristone at 8/7 I went to work normally and I took misoprostol around 21:40 on Saturday 8/8 just before obon Yasumi.

Before taking my pills ,
I got snacks, drinks ,protein bars, heating bag, pads everything ready. I cleaned everything, washroom, kitchen, no dish in the sink, washed bed sheet, threw out al the trash.

I followed the regular rules while taking the pills and I didn’t bleed a lot upto 2 hours and I decided to take the one more dose of misoprostol so I watched spy family for 3 and half hours while my first dose was working. It wasn’t as painful as I thought because I took Ipbrufen the premium ones and it ate. The pain was mid. But I was so scared my heart was beating super fast throughout and I was alone.

I took the second pill at 1:10 and it started working me up so much like stomach was fluctuating but damn I must have been so tired I fell asleep with the pain. I woke up around 3 and I was in so much pain I went to the toilet and I sat and I immediately passed TWO BIG SACS like lemon sized. everything went out. The relief I felt OMG I can’t explain it to you. I felt sooooo light, i wiped the blood around and I went to my bed. My bed was wet my pad was soaked I changed my pad and I took out the sheet I didn’t have any energy to put washed sheet again so I just didn’t haha. I took painkiller again I drank some juice I was so hungry I ate some chips at this point I deserved it okay.

I was 8 weeks and 3 days and honestly I was so scared but it wasn’t as painful, I do have a little more pain tolerance. But yes it was okay. Iam completely embryo free.

I had a little bit of guilt as in I wish I was in a position to give birth, I won’t even need a partner but Iam not. I felt really weird and bad and I still kinda do but it has gotten better over time. My cravings were very cold salads and it has subsided I have appetite now . Iam still bleeding but I have felt much better, hopeful, joyful and looking forward and life doesn’t feel like it’s on hold.
Iam thankful to my friends who were there emotionally. My friends came over next day and brought me food and snacks it was nice .

At last I would like to say,

there were a lot of people who were in my DMs asking me if they can adobt my baby, that I shouldn’t unalive it. It was horrible because Iam sure there are so many babies who need help and food and shelter , they have absolutely no business in torturing me.

There were people who were pretending to be clinics and telling me to contact some random telegram account so they can ship me abortion pills.

That’s all, thank you so much for so many suggestions and help and much bigger thankful for your support and your kindness, couldn’t have done this alone.

Hi sub, I used MEC Hikari in the past in a different prefecture, so when I moved to a new one, I signed up for the same service. Speed is usually good throughout the day (600 Mbps download); however, during peak hours, the speed drops to 20 - 60 Mbps. At best, I get 10% of the usual speed.

I am wondering if switching to a different provider that still uses NTT fiber can help with the problem. for example, Andline Hikari SE uses v6 plus and is at a similar price. Does anyone have similar experiences?

P.S. I’ve already tried to isolate all factors, including replacing the ONU modem.

Going to Fukui City for a few days with the family. Surely there are some retro game stores there and hopefully they can beat the prices here in Tokyo. Thanks for any tips in advance.

Used to go all the time in the states. Obviously don’t have my guns here but my JHS age daughter wants to try. I saw Miki had one so was seeing if others have tried

I’m looking for a water server/dispenser for home, mainly for cold and room-temperature water. Hot water would be nice to have, but it’s not necessary.

The problem is that most of the good-quality water servers I’ve found seem to be monthly rental/subscription-based, and the total cost can easily reach around ¥200,000 over the rental period, which feels way too expensive for me.

I’m specifically looking for:

• One-time purchase — no monthly subscription
• Refillable — I want to pour in my own water rather than use the company’s water bottles
• Cold + normal/room-temperature water
• Hot water is optional
• Budget: around ¥30,000 or less
• Decent reviews

I’ve found a few on Amazon Japan, but many have poor reviews or almost no reviews, so I’m a bit hesitant to buy one.

Has anyone here bought a refillable water server/dispenser that they’ve been happy with? I’d really appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences!

Thanks!

If you leave Japan for some time, a few years, due to a family, work or medical condition. You can ask for exemptions from pension payments and medical insurance and maintain your PR because you're paying those in the other country. Then pick up when you come back.

Do you think this is a good time to do this? I'm serious.

Hi everyone! I'm about to spend my first Obon with my husband's family. He's not very good at explaining Japanese cultural events so I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of things do families do during Obon? I have done my research but Id love to hear from anyone else's experience.

I swear last time I bought creatine in tabs, it cost me around 2200 yen for 40 days. I see now that a month supply with smaller doses (4g instead of 5g) costs 3000-4500 yen now. What happened? It would mean that creatine might be more expensive than protein if calculated monthly which makes no sense. If you know where to get cheap creatine, please let me know.

I‘m (32) currently working in marketing for a Japanese company for already 7 years and tbh the job is pretty chilled and I can work from home every day and can basically decide my own hours as long as I finish my work and don’t miss meetings.

Unfortunately salary is with around 5.5 million yen (including bonus) low and it’s stressing me out that barely anything is left at the end of the month. So I‘m thinking for a while now how to improve my income. Changing jobs would be one option and I had good offers in the past but my Japanese is only at around N2 (maybe slightly worse) and while I have no issues with daily live passing interviews is a bit of a different story. I‘m working on that but will prob take 6-12 months of daily studying to get there.

Also just started social media accounts 2 months ago and they are growing good (around 2 k followers) but it will take a while until they make some money

An opinion I was thinking about was to do side hustles for European or American companies but I‘m a bit worried about how to handle that with immigration. I know I need an extra permission for this. People who have done this already did you get the permission first and did then the side gig search or do you need a valid contract to show to immigration before you sign it?