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🎓 Japan Student Visa 2025–2026: Requirements, Costs & Real Experiences

When I first came to Japan in 2020, I thought studying here would be simple: apply, get accepted, fly over, start learning. But the reality? It’s a maze of documents, costs, and small but critical details that schools never fully explain. This 2025 guide isn’t just the basics — it’s everything I wish someone told […]

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🧴 Why Japanese Bathrooms Are the Most Advanced (and Surprisingly Humble)

The author reflects on their experience with Japanese bathrooms, highlighting the blend of technology and mindfulness. They appreciate features like heated seats and cleanliness, noting that these innovations embody cultural values of comfort and respect. Ultimately, Japanese bathrooms symbolize empathy and intention, showcasing how design can reflect societal principles.

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💴 The Culture of Cash in Japan: Why It Still Matters in 2025

When I first moved to Japan, I was shocked to see people paying for everything in cash — from rent to ramen.Coming from a country where Apple Pay and credit cards ruled, it felt… old-fashioned.But after living here for five years, I’ve realized Japan’s love of cash isn’t about technology — it’s about trust, culture,

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🏙️ Forget Tokyo: 5 Underrated Japanese Cities Offering Better Quality of Life (And Cheaper Rent)

The Tokyo Trap: Why Your Japanese Dream Might Be Too Expensive When people first dream of moving to Japan, the scene is almost always the same: neon-lit Shibuya crossing, the electric energy of Shinjuku, and the endless history of Kyoto. I get it. Tokyo is incredible. I’ve lived near it, worked in it, and traveled

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🇯🇵 Don’t Get Ripped Off: The Best Way to Transfer Your Life Savings to Japan (Wise vs. Banks)

The Transfer Trap: How Traditional Banks Steal Your Money When Moving to Japan I remember my first year in Japan vividly—the cherry blossoms, the polite service, and the sheer terror of realizing I had just lost thousands of dollars to my home country’s bank for a single wire transfer. Trust me, as someone who has

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🚅 The Unspoken Rules of Riding Trains in Japan (From a Foreigner Who Learned the Hard Way)

When I first arrived in Japan, I thought I understood public transportation. I had lived in big cities before — New York, London — and figured trains were trains everywhere.Then, I took my first morning ride on the JR Kyoto Line during rush hour. Within minutes, I realized: Japan’s train system isn’t just transport —

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