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How to Get a Juminhyo (Resident Record) in Japan

Life in Japan

July 31st, 2026

How to Get a Juminhyo (Resident Record) in Japan

A detailed guide so you can stop wondering.
Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
School Holidays in Japan: A Quick & Easy Guide

Life in Japan

July 31st, 2026

School Holidays in Japan: A Quick & Easy Guide

Do Japanese school holidays seem confusing?
Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Getting Married in Japan: Easy Guide + Checklist

Life in Japan

July 31st, 2026

Getting Married in Japan: Easy Guide + Checklist

A simple-to-follow guide for tying the knot in Japan. Necessary documents to prepare and precise steps to follow.
Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Shipping from Japan to the UK: Cost Table for Japan Post

Life in Japan Japan Post

July 30th, 2026

Shipping from Japan to the UK: Cost Table for Japan Post

Bookmark this page for Japan Post’s pricing charts for any time you need to know shipping costs from Japan to the UK in a hurry.
MailMate Team
MailMate Team  Executive Updates
The Best Place To Retire In Japan For Foreigners in 2026

Life in Japan

July 30th, 2026

The Best Place To Retire In Japan For Foreigners in 2026

Take a look to find the best place to retire in Japan for your retirement.
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
How To Fill Out A Yamato Form & More: An Easy Waybill Guide

Life in Japan

July 30th, 2026

How To Fill Out A Yamato Form & More: An Easy Waybill Guide

A complete guide on how to fill out a Yamato and Japan Post waybill form with ease.
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Free Houses in Japan: What To Know [+ Checklist]

Free Houses in Japan: What To Know [+ Checklist]

Learn what you need to know about free houses in Japan and akiyas.
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Visa Renewal Japan 2026: New Fees (October 1), Documents & How to Apply

Life in Japan

July 29th, 2026

Visa Renewal Japan 2026: New Fees (October 1), Documents & How to Apply

A visa renewal that costs ¥6,000 today could cost ¥75,000 after October 1. We break down exactly what's changing, what documents you'll need, and how to file before the deadline hits.
Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
The Japanese Salaryman: What It Is, How the Culture Works & What's Changing in 2026

Life in Japan

July 24th, 2026

The Japanese Salaryman: What It Is, How the Culture Works & What's Changing in 2026

What does it actually mean to be a Japanese salaryman in 2026? We break down the pay, the hours, the culture, and what's genuinely changing.
Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Burnable Garbage In Japan and More: How To Sort Your Trash

Life in Japan

July 24th, 2026

Burnable Garbage In Japan and More: How To Sort Your Trash

All your trash sorting needs for burnable garbage in Japan and more here!
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Tenshutsu Todoke: How to Submit a Moving-out Form in Japan

Life in Japan

July 24th, 2026

Tenshutsu Todoke: How to Submit a Moving-out Form in Japan

What is tenshutsu todoke? When should I submit it? Can I use a proxy? We cover 3 methods, give you a step-by-step guide, and answer all your pressing questions.
John Cross
John Cross Expat at Mailmate
Traditional Japanese House Floor Plan: An Easy Guide

Traditional Japanese House Floor Plan: An Easy Guide

Dive into the 6 features of a traditional Japanese house floor plan.
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Half-Width vs. Full-Width: A Tale of Two Characters

Half-Width vs. Full-Width: A Tale of Two Characters

The origin story of Japan’s half-width 半角 and full-width 全角 characters, the current state of affairs, and where to go from here. Hold on for a wild ride. 
Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Tenkyo Todoke: Japan Post's Mail Forwarding Made Easy

Life in Japan

July 23rd, 2026

Tenkyo Todoke: Japan Post's Mail Forwarding Made Easy

Learn how fill out tenkyo todoke form here.
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Solar Panel Installation Japan: Costs and Subsidies 2026

Solar Panel Installation Japan: Costs and Subsidies 2026

Ready to invest in solar panels in Japan?
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
What Is DX in Japan? Meaning, Origins & Examples

Business in Japan

July 23rd, 2026

What Is DX in Japan? Meaning, Origins & Examples

Everything from your morning mail to your retail experience is getting a digital makeover. At least, that’s the promise.
Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
5 Methods Japanese Use for Dealing With Loose Change

Life in Japan Out and About

July 23rd, 2026

5 Methods Japanese Use for Dealing With Loose Change

Discover 5 methods that Japanese use for handling loose change.
Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Managing Editor & Writer
Top 7 Akiya Banks For Foreigners To Use In 2026

Top 7 Akiya Banks For Foreigners To Use In 2026

Use these 7 akiya banks for foreigners, expats, and even when you are abroad.
Tammy Dang
Tammy Dang Staff Writer
Does It Snow in Japan? Regional Snowfall Guide for Visitors and Property Owners

Life in Japan

July 22nd, 2026

Does It Snow in Japan? Regional Snowfall Guide for Visitors and Property Owners

From Sapporo's 6 meters a year to Tokyo's 1-2 snow days, snowfall in Japan swings between extremes depending on where you stand. This guide breaks it down region by region, plus what winter actually means if you're managing a property, driving, or planning a trip through snow country.
Yuriko Matsuoka
Yuriko Matsuoka Staff Writer
Master Japanese Honorifics: A Business Operator's Guide to Japanese Honorific Suffixes (2026)

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