In Japan, a hanko (判子) is a personal seal in red ink representing your signature on most documents, mainly official ones. You’ll often hear hanko and inkan (印鑑) used interchangeably, but technically speaking, the cylindrical object made of wood, plastic, etc. is your hanko, and the inkan is the red seal that you make on […]
Natural disasters happen all year round right across Japan. Although some areas do have it lucky to not experience tsunami due to it’s inland location, other disasters such as earthquakes and flooding will occur no matter where you are. A notable weather event in Japan is the rainy season (梅雨), which starts around June in […]
Last updated: September 2025 For those who are interested in volunteering whilst on the JET Program, here are some opportunities for you! The organisations or initiatives currently listed are friendly for English speaking people, so don’t be afraid to participate! If you would like to feature a particular volunteer initiative in Hyogo/Kansai – please comment […]
Credit to Jason Yang for most of the information. As in much of the world, having a smartphone with data access allows you to keep up with friends locally and back home. It also helps keep track of your finances, stream videos and music, pay for public transit, and with the introduction of the My […]
Last updated: June 2025 Landing in Japan Apart from the Early Departures (arriving in April), you will arrive in Japan around late July or early August. You will land at either Haneda or Narita International Airport, where after immigration and customs, you’ll board a bus that will take you to Keio Plaza Hotel. Although you […]
Lasted updated: June 2018 by Jacinta Astles So you’ve just received your placement and your vegetarian belly has called out to you “But what am I gonna eat there?” Don’t worry! This guide will show you typical Japanese dishes you can order, useful vocabulary, and a few restaurant recommendations. Helpful Vocabulary 肉にく(niku) This is the […]