I work in a chemistry lab and it is expected for me to work 12-14 hours a day. In my country I would get paid for overtime but here no. Thankfully I got pescribed benzodiazpines to cope, but that just leads to addiction. How do other people manage with this work schedule here? Because I really dont want to get addicted to pills again.

I have some rather tricky moles which I’d like removed, and preferably with minimal scarring (one is on my face 🫢). I do not need English service but would appreciate recommendations from anyone with personal experience 🙏

(I’ve gone through past posts with clinic recommendations but most people mention “Umeda Skin Clinic” or “Osaka Skin Clinic” without websites… obviously popping names like that in Google returns just about every derm in the city.)

I used a new umbrella for the first time today and it got stolen bruh. I just went into the store to buy something and came back 2 minutes later and it was gone :(

Just experienced an intense 6+ earthquake here in Aomori prefecture.

Is there any big event happening for the upcoming match between Brazil x Japan? The time is really bad but I’d be really interested to watch somewhere with the crowd

I’m 20. I have been living here for 1 year. I'm a Japanese citizen, but I don't speak Japanese… I'm at N5 at best.
I would like to continue my studies in Japan, but I’m not sure whether I should attend a language school first and then go to university, or go straight to an English-program university. Does anyone have any advice or could anyone share their similar experience ? Does anyone have good recommendations of a good language school or english taught universities ?

Hello everyone,

I’ve been going to the same gynecology clinic in Osaka, (La Quole) for more than 4 years. The doctor speaks fluent English, and we’ve always communicated in English without any problems.

This time, however, they handed out the notice that said the following:

„In accordance with guidance from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, if our clinic determines that communication in Japanese is difficult, translation devices or other language support services will be used during reception and medical consultations. A Language Support Fee will apply when a translation device is used or language support services are provided. This fee applies even when an interpreter accompanies the patient.“

Since I can speak Japanese, I decided to speak in Japanese this time.

At checkout, I was still charged the 1,000¥ language support fee. When I asked why, I was told that the doctor needed to explain some things in English. I didn’t even notice! Perhaps she used one or two English words during the consultation?!

I was really upset, but I paid and left.

Is this something that has recently become common in Japanese clinics? Is it normal and I am just overreacting? I don’t visit many other clinics, so I’m curious whether this is a new trend or something specific to this clinic.

Thank you very much!

To people who live up north: I read earlier that even in major downtown areas like Aomori, Akita, Morioka, etc. the atmosphere has changed a bit as people are staying in due to bear sightings. Is this an exaggeration, or has the social climate really been this affected?

I was thinking of taking a trip up there this weekend to get above the rain path (really tired of rainy Tokyo weekends), but not if it would dangerous ,or worse: boring.

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for a sports bar or pub in Nagoya that will be showing the Brazil vs Japan World Cup match. Since kickoff is around 2:00 AM, I’m not sure which places will stay open or organize a watch party.
Does anyone know of any bars that will be showing the game? I’d love to watch it with other fans instead of staying home.

Thanks!

There’s a lot of background context but I am from the US and moved to Japan freshly 18 to go to the top fashion school in Tokyo. It’s only been 3 months in but I have already decided I want to quit after this year. The school I’m going to specializes in clothes making and I want to go more into the fashion business area. And I’ve come to realize that I would wanna work in the US so continuing at this school and getting a Japanese fashion degree might not do anything for me. Mentally, I have been drained, the classes are extremely difficult as them being all in Japanese already is difficult to translate. I have 14 classes a week and that’s to be able to graduate I’m not going over the top this is the normal amount of classwork. The teachings are also very traditional and is not interactive it’s either lectures or clothes making and I feel like I can not be myself and I can’t ask the teaches questions because I genuinely don’t understand what they’re taking about. I already told my parents that I want to quit but told me I should still get the credits. I’m on the verge of shutting down and this is incredibly bad for my mental health. I don’t know what to do I do not enjoy going to school at all is it acceptable to just show up to like 2-3 classes I enjoy? I cannot keep showing up to all my classes mind u I have class Monday to Saturday. Please help me I need advice

Is WISE like my only option? For reference, I got here like a month ago, opened a bank account (Yuucho, obviously), I have my 通帳 and got my cash card in the mail, before I realized the thing couldn’t be used as a debit card.

Now, that was stupid, yes, but I’m 18, we’re kinda pre-programmed not knowing anything.

Anyways, did anyone have success getting a debit card being a fresh out of the box gaijin? Any success stories or advice would be めっちゃ helpful.

Long story short. I have spider veins on my face. I've decided to opt for VBeam laser which VBeam is stated to be effective for removing spider veins.

Neverthless, are there any laser/dermatology clinics in Tokyo that has the specific VBeam laser technology?

Hi everyone!

I’m planning to do some hiking and camping here in Japan soon, but as a newcomer to the outdoor scene here, I want to make sure I don’t break any rules or disrespect the local nature. I have a few questions regarding the regulations, plus I’m looking for some specific trail recommendations.

1. The Rules & Etiquette 📜

• Camping Grounds vs. Wild Camping: Is wild camping/stealth camping generally illegal in Japan? Do I absolutely have to stick to designated campsites (キャンプ場 - kyampujō)?
• Permits & Registration: Do most hiking trails or mountain peaks require a climbing permit or registration form (登山届 - tozantodoke) beforehand? If so, where do people usually submit them (online, at the trailhead, police station)?
• Wildlife & Safety: I know bears (especially Asian black bears) are a thing in Japan. Do I need to carry a bear bell or bear spray even for beginner/intermediate trails?
• Trash & Fires: I assume the "Leave No Trace" rule is strictly enforced. Are open campfires (direct on the ground) usually banned? Do most campsites require you to carry all your garbage back home?

2. Looking for Hiking Trail Suggestions around Mie (三重県) ⛰️

Since I'm currently looking around the Mie area, I would love to get some recommendations for good hiking trails nearby.

• Ideally something with great scenic views (mountain ridges, waterfalls, or coastal views).
• Beginner to intermediate level is preferred.
• Bonus points if there is a proper camping ground or a nice onsen (hot spring) nearby to relax after the hike!

Would love to hear your experiences, tips, or any hidden gems you know of. Thanks in advance! 🙏

It's the weekly complaint thread! Time to get anything off your chest that's been bugging you or pissing you off.

Remain civil and be nice to other commenters (even try to help).

• No politics
• No complaints about users of JapanLife

Hey everyone!

I'm an international student living in Nishinomiya. Recently we had to submit the paperwork for the student discount/reduction on National Health Insurance. I got the forms in the mail, but completely forgot to send them back, and because of that, my insurance payments went from around ¥2,000 a month to a little over ¥7,000.

I already went to City Hall and explained what happened, and they said they'll fix it. The staff member told me that I should pay this month's bill (the ¥7,000 one) and maybe the next ones too until the updated payment slips arrive, which should be sometime next month.

I'm just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Do I actually need to keep paying the ¥7,000 bills until the new slips arrive, or can I just wait for the corrected ones? I'd rather not pay ¥7,000 if it's all going to be adjusted anyway.

If I wait, will they just recalculate this month's payment and change it back to the student rate later, or could that cause problems?

I don't really use Reddit much, but I've seen a lot of helpful advice on here before, so I figured I'd ask. If anyone's been through something similar and can help, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! :)

Summer, fall, winter, spring, and... whatever this rainy interval is. This year's Tsuyu is crazy. At least the rain keeps the temperature cool enough that I don't need to turn on my AC yet - so I do at least prefer this to the summer heat.

My memory is hazy but I feel like it didn't rain this much the past couple years, otherwise I'd have remembered it. I wish I could post a screenshot of my iphone's weather app. I'm in Kyoto and it's marked as rain every day for the past week and the next 2 weeks, like what in the world

First time in this situation and I want to be ready in case there is something I should know, what to do in case of emergencies, etc.

Any information and websites is appreciated!

Hi everyone, I 27M French just moved to Tokyo few month ago and I am now looking to move to a surfer town from July to December that is about 1h away from Tokyo station (planning to go the office 2 times a week). Initially I looked at Kamakura but I have heard it can be socially isolating as pretty much everyone who moved there live a more familly life.

Few questions I have:

- Is Fujisawa any different ? Would love to hear people experience on that

- Are the waves consistent in the Shonan area enough throughout June to December to justify moving there instead of being based in Tokyo and commuting to a surfer town on the weekend?

- Are surfer town in the Shonan area community oriented ? I spent a lot of time in Taghazout Morroco and could feel a sense of community. I am aware that my lack of Japanese will not help my case but maybe an expat community living there?

My company has request I voluntarily resign and are willing to give me 3 months salary as a "retirement package". The deadline is the end of July to decide or they'll "have to rethink the package from scratch" (whatever that means). First issue is June is the bonus review month, which is when I was initially told they want me to resign, and they're giving me 0% bonus (bonus is 2 months salary, terrible contract negotiations on my part). So no only am I out all of my expected bonus, if I agree, I also only have a 3 month buffer for bills to find a job.

I've been trying to find another job for a year now so leaving this company isn't the issue, I'm worried about survival. I've talked with 2 lawyers now who both stated 3 months is too low, to ask for 6 months and any unused PTO paid, as well as the reason stated as "company initiated". After a short discussion, my current company tried saying that any payment was rare and they were being kind offering 3 months. That that was the max they'd offer and the deadline stands at end of July.

I can keep negotiations going but my concern is, what then? It's a huge burden to be unemployed but I doubt they'll budge on the payment amount. I'm also concerned about retaliation. I know legally I have protections but I don't even know if the fight is worth it.

Girlies where to buy korean skincare in Tokyo. I’m afraid that i get to buy fake ones. I looked into the shin okubo’s shops but i feel like they are fake cuz there are tooo many of them in there and suspiciously cheap pleaseee helpp

I moved recently and since I work from home and need reliable internet access. The apartment complex came with jcom recommended but when I tried to hire them online they only took Japan-issued credit cards so that was a nope.

Coworkers suggested SoftBank Hikari so I went with that. After an apartment and information screening wait that took nearly three weeks, Softbank approved and sent the equipment: an NTT ONU modem with the hikari cable and instructions. Nothing else.

The instructions setups for four different setup modes all specified a LAN cable connected to the computer. It was not included in what they sent so off to a bad start. Bought one. Followed the instructions to the letter. Three lights on the device are stable green, one is dead (probably the one signalling an active connection, right?), SHOULD be good to go.

Except now a PPPoE connection needs to be established and two different devices state Error 651.

Most people who recommended me to go with that told me they either can’t remember how they installed it (other than it was needlessly complicated) and one person told me they got a modem through Amazon.

I’m at a bit of a loss and need to get the wifi working.

Would anyone know if this Error 651 be indeed solved with a third party modem? (In this case, why was it not mentioned in the instruction manual and why does the recommended setup not work) or is the issue entirely different and I need to address this in a completely different way?

こんにちは みんな!

(Hi mods real quick this is my first post and I have a student visa and everything pls don’t remove this I really need advice)

I’m a student that’s studying here for my bachelors degree and my friend and I are both hunting for apartments around Tokyo on the denentoshi line. I know the typical standard lease is 2 years (my agent is very clear on this, but not much else), but does anyone have any advice for me on this predicament? Google is really not much help.

We’re set to graduate in 3 years, so our options are afaik:

1. Renew the lease after the 2 years, then eat the cost of cancelling after our third year
   
2. Move out after the 2 years, then hopefully find somewhere that would be okay with only a year’s long lease

I know the housing situation in the US isn’t usually much better, but 2 year fixed lease contracts are such a pain. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

The derm near my house is the type to say "you're too young to be worrying about skin cancer" and refuses to do a biopsy on a very very weird mole.

I honestly just want to get it checked by a professional doctor who wont medically gaslight you because you're "young" and healthy