COLUMNA Beginner`s Guide to Japan
No matter where you go, the most important good is information. We are reporting on various topics all around Japan, for foreigners interested in Japan. If there is some specific topic or information you would like to hear about, please feel free to request.
- Inspect these areas when previewing a sharehouse
Inspect these areas when previewing a sharehouse
TV shows and a surge of foreign visitors have led to the increase in popularity of sharehouses in Japan. Their... [Read More] - Tenant screening for sharehouse? Here’s what managers are watching for
Tenant screening for sharehouse? Here’s what managers are watching for
So, you’ve gathered every available bit of information, visited the sharehouse, and decided that it was a perfe... [Read More] - The Coldest City in Japan, Rikubetsu – and why you should visit
The Coldest City in Japan, Rikubetsu – and why you should visit
Winters in Hokkaido, the northernmost part of Japan, are the coldest in the whole country. No wonder that it i... [Read More] - National Health Insurance: Procedures to update residential address when moving house
National Health Insurance: Procedures to update residential address when moving house
National Health Insurance is a very important lifeline to protect you from day to day medical costs while stay... [Read More] - Going away from home for a while? Hold mail before you go
Going away from home for a while? Hold mail before you go
2016 is about to end. Year end and New Year’s Day, the biggest holiday season in Japan is coming up soon. You ... [Read More] - Heading north? The three best way to travel between Tokyo and Hokkaido
Heading north? The three best way to travel between Tokyo and Hokkaido
The number of inbound tourists keeps growing steadily in recent years. As expected, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka hav... [Read More] - Still paying bank fees? Learn about innovative money transfer service TransferWise
Still paying bank fees? Learn about innovative money transfer service TransferWise
While living in Japan as a foreign resident, you probably have many occasions to exchange money to transfer to... [Read More] - First tracks on fresh snow! 5 easy access ski resorts around Tokyo
First tracks on fresh snow! 5 easy access ski resorts around Tokyo
It is already late in November. Autumn is about to go and there is a hint of winter in the air. When it comes ... [Read More] - Moving to Tokyo? 6 best Tokyo suburbs for foreign residents
Moving to Tokyo? 6 best Tokyo suburbs for foreign residents
About 400,000 foreign residents reside in Tokyo. The number dropped after the global financial crisis but it r... [Read More] - Japan Post Bank’s online banking: How to make a payment in Yucho Direct
Japan Post Bank’s online banking: How to make a payment in Yucho Direct
Easy to open an account, low transaction fees, Japan Post Bank is widely known for its great services. Perhaps... [Read More] - Japan’s Southernmost Island, Hateruma: Land of the Goats
Japan’s Southernmost Island, Hateruma: Land of the Goats
You would not usually expect goats anywhere else than on a farm, but what if they were to walk around freely? ... [Read More] - Moving house? 6 things you must do when you change address in Japan
Moving house? 6 things you must do when you change address in Japan
Job relocation, changing school or tenancy contract expiry… sometimes you decide to move house and change your ... [Read More]