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How to Sleep Better During Summer in Japan: Tips for Hot and Humid Nights

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Summer nights in Japan can be surprisingly difficult, especially if you are not used to high humidity. When I first moved to Japan, I expected the hot temperatures. What surprised me much more was how heavy and sticky the air could feel, even late at night. You may find yourself lying awake for a long time, waking up several times during the night, or feeling tired even after spending enough time in bed. If that sounds familiar, you are definitely not alone. Since living in Japan, I have noticed that summer nights often remain uncomfortably warm even after sunset. In Japan, nights when the temperature does not fall below 25°C, or 77°F, are called nettaiya (η†±εΈ―ε€œ), meaning “tropical nights.” For foreigners who are new to Japan, sleeping through these hot and humid nights can take some adjustment. In this article, I would like to share a few practical summer sleep tips based on what I have learned while living in Japan. Why Is It So Hard to Sleep During Summer in Japan? One thing I learne...
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Are Japanese Supermarkets Really Cheaper on Tuesdays? What I’ve Learned from Shopping in Japan

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I used to think grocery shopping in Japan was simple: go to the nearest supermarket, buy what I needed, and come home. For a long time, I never paid much attention to the day of the week. Then I began noticing that eggs were often cheaper on one day, vegetables on another, and bento boxes suddenly had discount stickers in the evening. The same supermarket could feel surprisingly different depending on when I visited. Many Japanese supermarkets have their own weekly sale days, point campaigns, and evening markdown schedules. However, there is no single day when every supermarket in Japan becomes cheaper. Even stores belonging to the same chain may offer different promotions depending on the area and the customers who shop there. Nobody really explains this when you first start living in Japan, but learning the habits of the supermarkets near you can make everyday shopping a little easier. Why Tuesdays Often Stand Out at Japanese Supermarkets Many supermarkets in Japan hold weekday promo...
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Why Is Summer in Japan So Hot? A Foreigner's Guide to Japan's Humid Summers and Heatstroke Prevention

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 Every summer, I find myself thinking the same thing: "Was Japan always this hot?" Many people around the world are feeling the effects of climate change, and average temperatures continue to rise year after year. Japan is no exception. In recent years, Japan has seen more extremely hot days, more tropical nights, and longer periods of intense summer weather. Before moving to Japan, I had experienced hot summers in Korea as well. But after living in Japan, I quickly realized that the biggest difference wasn't the temperature itself. It was the humidity. Even when the temperature is "only" 35°C (95°F), summer in Japan often feels much hotter and more exhausting than the number suggests. After walking outside for just a few minutes, your clothes can be soaked with sweat, and even after sunset, the air often feels heavy and uncomfortable. If you're planning to visit Japan in summer, or if you've recently moved here, understanding Japan's uniqu...
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Will Your Company Find Out About Your Side Income in Japan?

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  I Looked Into How Side Jobs and Resident Tax Work in Japan While researching Japanese tax returns and side income recently, I kept coming across the same phrase: "If you have a side job, your company will find out." To be honest, that sounded a little scary at first. If I eventually start earning money from blogging, YouTube, or affiliate marketing, will my employer really know about it? Curious about how this works in Japan, I decided to do some research. What Happens If Your Company Finds Out About Your Side Income? The good news is that simply having side income is not automatically a problem. The most important factor is whether your company allows side jobs according to its employment rules. If Your Company Allows Side Jobs If your employer permits side work, there is usually nothing to worry about. Examples of side income include: Blogging income YouTube revenue Amazon affiliate commissions TikTok creator income Selling handmade products Many...
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What Are We Buying Today? How I Choose Where to Shop in Japan

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When I first started living in Japan, I did not think much about where I shopped. A supermarket was for food, and a drugstore was for medicine. That was about as far as my understanding went. After living here for many years, my shopping routine looks completely different. We usually go to a supermarket for vegetables and dinner ingredients, a home center for detergent and cat supplies, Gyomu Super for frozen food, and Hanamasa when we want to buy meat in larger quantities. The destination changes with the shopping list. It took me a while to realize that these stores are not simply different versions of the same place. Each one has its own role in everyday life. For anyone who has recently moved to Japan, here is how I have learned to use supermarkets, drugstores, home centers, Gyomu Super, Hanamasa, and other everyday shops. Supermarkets are still the center of everyday shopping For fresh food and daily meals, supermarkets are the stores I visit most often. Vegetables, meat, fish, eg...
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【Narita Travel #2】AEON Mall Narita: The Perfect Last Stop Before Your Flight

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  【Narita Travel #2】AEON Mall Narita: The Perfect Last Stop Before Your Flight In my previous post, I introduced Naritasan Shinshoji Temple . This time, I'd like to introduce one of my favorite shopping spots in Narita— AEON Mall Narita . There are several shopping centers around Narita Airport, but this is the one I recommend the most. I've noticed that many international travelers visit AEON Mall on the last day of their trip. After enjoying everything Japan has to offer, you often end up with a few hours before your flight. If that's the case, AEON Mall is a perfect place to spend your remaining time. You can buy any souvenirs you forgot, pick up Japanese snacks and local foods, and enjoy one last shopping trip before heading to the airport. Getting There from Narita Airport If you've already visited Naritasan Shinshoji Temple , you can take a local bus from Narita Station to AEON Mall Narita. If you're traveling directly from Narita Airport—or returning...
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Thinking About Buying a Home in Japan? Here's What Prices Look Like by Region

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Recently, I’ve been seeing more and more news about rising housing prices in Japan.  Living in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, I’ve also started to feel that change myself. There are more moments now when I think, "A few years ago, this price might have been within reach, but now it feels much harder." Especially in central Tokyo, it is no longer unusual to see condominiums selling for over 100 million yen. On the other hand, if you look outside the major cities, there are still many areas where buying a home remains realistic and affordable. So how much money does it actually take to buy a house in Japan today? This time, I decided to look into Japan's rising housing prices and compare average home prices by region. How Much Have Housing Prices Increased in Japan? Over the past few years, housing prices in Japan have continued to rise nationwide. Several factors are contributing to this trend. Construction materials have become more expensive, labor costs have ...
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Peach and Grape Picking in Japan: Seasons, Best Areas, and Tips

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A Seasonal Experience I Came to Love in Japan When I first moved to Japan, I knew about strawberry picking, but I did not realize that fruit picking was such a popular seasonal activity. As summer approaches, supermarkets, roadside stations, and local markets begin displaying beautiful peaches and grapes. It is also the time when many people start planning weekend trips to orchards. You may be wondering when peach and grape picking seasons begin, where to find fruit farms near Tokyo, and whether a trip to Yamanashi is really worth it. After living in Japan for many years, I can honestly say that fruit picking has become one of my favorite seasonal experiences. There is something special about choosing the fruit yourself, picking it directly from the tree or vine, and taking it home while it is still incredibly fresh. For anyone looking for a summer or early autumn day trip, fruit picking near Tokyo is an easy and memorable way to experience Japan’s seasonal food culture. When Is Peach ...
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Japan's Summer Vacation Isn't the Same Everywhere — Here's Why

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One of the things I enjoy most about summer in Japan is how quickly the atmosphere changes. As soon as school summer vacation begins, shopping malls become busier during the day, tourist attractions fill with families, and train stations are crowded with children carrying backpacks, snacks, and small suitcases. That is usually the moment I realize that summer vacation has officially begun. As a foreigner living in Japan, I used to assume that schools across the country followed roughly the same calendar. However, after living here and learning more about daily life in different regions, I discovered that Japan’s school summer vacation is not exactly the same everywhere. If you are raising children in Japan, planning a family trip, or checking the Japanese school calendar, it helps to understand when elementary, junior high, and high school summer vacations begin. Exact dates vary by municipality and school, so families should always check the official school calendar for the most accur...
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You Haven't Missed Them Yet — 20 Kanto Fireworks Festivals Still Happening This Summer

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One of the things I look forward to most every summer in Japan is the fireworks season. There is something special about watching thousands of fireworks light up the night sky. Every year, when I see the first big fireworks display, I find myself thinking, "Summer has finally arrived in Japan." As a foreigner living in Japan, I have noticed that Japanese fireworks festivals are very different from those in many other countries. They are not just fireworks shows. People wear yukata, enjoy festival food, meet friends and family, and spend the evening together under the summer sky. For many people in Japan, fireworks festivals are an important part of summer memories. By mid-summer, many people assume that the fireworks season is already over. However, that is not actually true. There are still many amazing fireworks festivals taking place across the Kanto region from late July all the way into November. So I decided to put together a list of the Top 20 Kanto fireworks ...
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