Top Online Resources for Navigating Life in Japan!
Moving to or spending time in Japan is exciting, but it also comes with plenty of questions and with so much information out there it can get overwhelming pretty quickly. Where do you look for jobs? How do you find housing? What’s the best way to keep up with events, travel ideas, or cultural know-how? Luckily, there are online platforms built to answer exactly those kinds of questions.
In this post, we’ve rounded up some of the most useful websites for foreigners in Japan. Each offers something a little different: some focus on careers and housing, others on culture, travel, or everyday tips. And since they’re all written with international readers in mind, these sites will point you in the right direction!
🗾 Everyday Life & Settling In
Adjusting to daily life in Japan doesn't only involve just finding a job or apartment, you’ll also need guidance on visas, cultural expectations, and everyday logistics. Some platforms cover these basics in detail, making them go-to resources for newcomers who want to feel more settled from day one.
- JoynTokyo – An all-in-one platform for expats, newcomers, and long-term residents. It covers the full spectrum of daily life: visas, housing, jobs, language, and culture, all explained through guides written by both locals and foreign residents. Articles range from step-by-step breakdowns of immigration and healthcare to advice on seasonal challenges like staying safe during summer heat or typhoon season. It’s a one-stop site for both formalities and the lighter aspects of daily life.
- GaijinPot – Best known for its job board, but it’s also a hub for housing searches, study programs, and practical guides on life in Japan. The “Japan 101” articles explain everyday topics like paying bills or opening a bank account, and the annual GaijinPot Expo connects foreigners directly with employers, schools, and community networks.
- Tokyo Cheapo – This is the go-to site for anyone who wants to enjoy life in Tokyo without overspending. It covers everything from affordable restaurants and free events to budget travel tips, shopping guides, and everyday hacks. The articles are practical and updated often, making it easy to stretch your yen while still experiencing the city fully.
- Japan Living Guide – Japan Living Guide offers practical advice on everything from healthcare and residency to phone plans, banking, and everyday services. It’s designed with newcomers in mind, breaking down complicated processes into easy-to-follow steps. The site also includes helpful lists of English-speaking services, like hospitals, dentists, and other professionals, making it much easier to navigate daily life without the language barrier.
🏘️ Housing & Accommodation
Securing housing in Japan often feels complicated at first: different rental systems, upfront costs, and the language barrier can all be hurdles. Luckily, several platforms focus on making the process easier for foreigners by offering listings in English, simplified contracts, and options tailored to different needs, from short stays to long-term rentals.
- Real Estate Japan – A go-to resource for foreigners searching for housing across Japan. Listings range from budget apartments to high-end rentals, with detailed descriptions, maps, and English-language support. The platform also publishes guides that break down rental procedures and explain common terms, helping you understand exactly what to expect.
- Best-Estate Japan – A bilingual housing platform aimed at making apartment hunting easier for foreigners. Listings cover Tokyo and other major cities, ranging from compact studios to larger family apartments. Each property comes with English support, and agents familiar with expat needs help guide you through contracts and move-in procedures.
- Leopalace21 – Known for its furnished “ready-to-move-in” apartments, Leopalace is popular among students, interns, and young professionals. Rentals usually come with basic furniture, appliances, and Wi-Fi, making it easy to settle in without buying everything from scratch. With locations all across Japan and flexible short- to long-term contracts, it’s a convenient choice for anyone new to the country or staying for a limited period.
- Oakhouse – One of the largest share house and apartments providers in Japan, offering well-managed properties in Tokyo and beyond. Oakhouse is known for its community vibe: many houses organize events and social activities, which makes it easy to meet people. Rooms usually come furnished, and utilities are often included in the rent.
🎎 Culture & Events
Tokyo never runs out of things to see and do, and if you’re prone to FOMO it can feel impossible to keep up. That’s where these websites come in handy: they round up the city’s festivals, food, arts, and entertainment, while also giving context to Japanese traditions and cultural life. With them, it’s easier to decide what’s worth adding to your calendar!
- Tokyo Weekender – Running since 1970, Tokyo Weekender is one of the city’s oldest English-language publications and a trusted source for culture and lifestyle. It covers restaurant openings, art exhibitions, film releases, neighborhood guides, and opinion pieces on current events.
- Time Out Tokyo – The local edition of the global Time Out brand, Time Out Tokyo curates the “best of” lists the city is famous for. It highlights the hottest restaurants, cafés, concerts, festivals, and museum exhibits, while also publishing “Living in Tokyo” guides. Time Out keeps a curated and up-to-date list of things to do in the city, so you’ll always know what’s coming up and won’t miss a single thing!
- Go Tokyo – Go Tokyo is the official Tokyo tourism website and one of the most comprehensive English-language resources for city events. It has an events calendar with detailed listings of seasonal festivals, exhibitions, and activities across Tokyo’s wards, complete with maps, schedules, and insider tips.
🚅 Transportation & Getting Around
Getting around Japan can mean hopping on the Tokyo Metro for a quick ride, catching a bus to a hidden spot, or zipping across the country on the shinkansen. With so many options, it helps to have a few go-to sites that show you the easiest routes, the right passes, and even ideas for trips along the way.
- Japan Travel by NAVITIME – NAVITIME is one of the most complete English-language route planners available. You can search nationwide for trains, buses, and domestic flights, with detailed fare info and clear routes. Beyond transport, it also lets you book activities and experiences, extra handy if you want to combine your travel planning with things to do along the way.
- Tokyo Metro – For everyday commuting within Tokyo, the Tokyo Metro site is your go-to. It provides subway maps, ticket prices, travel passes, and service updates in multiple languages. Perfect if you’re living in or visiting the city and need clear guidance on using one of the busiest subway networks in the world.
- JR East – JR East operates train services across Tokyo, the surrounding Kanto region, and up into Tohoku and parts of central Japan. The site is perfect for checking timetables, booking tickets, and learning about regional passes and special offers. These are especially useful if you’re planning day trips or weekend escapes from Tokyo.
- Japan Rail Pass – For longer journeys across Japan, the nationwide JR Pass is a game changer. The site explains how the pass works, what areas it covers, and how to buy it before or during your trip. If you’re traveling between multiple cities, it’s often the most affordable and convenient way to explore the country by train.
🗻Travel & Exploration
Japan is full of places to explore, and the hardest part is often deciding where to start. These websites make it easier by pulling together guides on destinations, food, transport, and local customs, so you can spend less time stressing about logistics and more time actually enjoying the trip.
- Live Japan – A multilingual site (available in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and more) that makes planning hassle-free and straightforward. It covers sightseeing spots, restaurants, shopping, seasonal events, and cultural how-tos, all backed with practical details like maps, addresses, and transit info. It’s especially handy if you want both inspiration and step-by-step guidance in one place.
- Japan-Guide – Japan-Guide has been around since 1996 and is still one of the most trusted English-language travel resources. It goes deep into cities, small towns, and seasonal festivals, while also giving practical tips on transportation and etiquette. A standout feature is the “Plan Your Trip” section, which offers ready-made itineraries you can follow or adapt to your own schedule without starting from scratch.
- Japan Travel – Japan Travel is the official tourism website run by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). It’s packed with destination guides, regional highlights, and seasonal updates, plus essentials like transport passes and travel alerts. Because it’s an official source, it’s one of the most reliable and up-to-date resources for planning trips across Japan.
💼 Career Growth & Professional Development
If you’re planning to work in Japan or are already here and looking for your next step, there are several English-friendly sites that connect you with opportunities and share advice on navigating the local job market. These platforms combine listings with career tips, giving you a clearer picture of how professional life works in Japan.
- Daijob – This is one of Japan’s largest job boards for bilingual professionals. It specializes in roles requiring English and Japanese, often with international companies or positions that value global experience. In addition to listings, Daijob runs a career blog where you’ll find advice on topics like interviewing, improving your Japanese for the workplace, and adapting to office culture.
- Jobs in Japan – Jobs in Japan is a flexible job board covering everything from entry-level teaching and part-time work to professional full-time positions. Many listings are accessible to newcomers without advanced Japanese, making it a useful first stop for job seekers. The site also runs a blog that shares practical job-hunting tips, insights into workplace communication, and lifestyle posts about daily life in Japan.
- Zentern Blog – This is a slightly different kind of resource, with a focus on internships and early career growth in Japan. It offers career advice, cultural explainers, and personal stories written for foreigners starting their professional journey. At the same time, it explores everyday culture with posts on Japanese traditions and daily life, giving a more complete picture of what it’s like to live in Japan. The articles are written by people who have gone through the experience of interning or moving to Japan themselves, passing on lessons they picked up along the way.
Finding the Right Resources for Life in Japan
Navigating life in Japan is so much easier when you have the right information at your fingertips. Together, these sites cover both the essentials and the extras, helping you feel more confident as you settle in, avoid wasting a moment of your free time, and discover opportunities that might otherwise pass you by. By tapping into these trustworthy online resources, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy the adventure of Japanese life, work, and culture like a local from day one!
📲 Bring Your Japan Plans to Life!
Reading about life in Japan is the first step, experiencing it for yourself is where the real growth happens! An internship in Japan is one of the best ways to put this knowledge into practice: you’ll build professional skills, expand your network, and discover the culture beyond what you’ve read. If you’re ready to explore that path, join our program or reach out to us to move from planning to living it in Japan!
