Disaster readiness
Earthquakes, typhoons, shelters, alerts, and emergency kits.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
Practical Guides
Cross-channel checklists for common problems, written as steps you can act on. 36 quick guides
14 checklists
5 key scenarios
CHANNEL PICKS
Channel Picks
Start with one anchor story, then scan the newest entries in this channel.
Summer · Travel
Summer Travel in Japan: Extreme Heat, Sun, Medical Care, and Obon
Record heat in 2026, how to read the two heat alerts, drugstore sun protection, what uninsured medical care costs, and the August travel crunch. 01 Hospitals That Take English Speakers: Tokyo, Kansai, and Beyond Healthcare 02 Furano and Biei: The Lavender Window and Getting to the Blue Pond Furano 03 Heatstroke in Japan: Alert Levels, Symptoms, and First Aid Summer 04 Buying Sun Protection at a Japanese Drugstore Summer 05 Karuizawa and Kamikochi: Two Escapes at 940 m and 1,500 m Karuizawa 06 Kyoto in Summer: Early Mornings, Indoor Afternoons, Riverside Nights Kyoto 07 Obon, 7-16 August: Fully Reserved Nozomi and How to Get a Seat Obon 08 Osaka in Summer: Three Underground Malls and No Surface Walking Osaka
TOPIC MAP
Topic Index
Start from traceable topic nodes instead of scattered posts. 01 05 06
Before arrival
Flights, housing, phone, cash, insurance, and documents.
02First week
Resident registration, insurance, bank, mobile, and transit.
03Long-term life
Rent, healthcare, disaster prep, taxes, community rules.
04Study and work
School applications, job hunting, visas, workplace etiquette.
Document folder
Organize passport, residence card, insurance, school, and work papers.
QUICK START
Quick Guides
Use these when you need an answer first, then read deeper.Transit basics
Subway, JR, Shinkansen, buses, IC cards, passes.
Read guideRenting flow
Search, viewing, contract, move-in, and hidden costs.
Read guideMobile plan choice
Carriers, plans, signup, and monthly fees.
Read guideDisaster checklist
Supplies, evacuation routes, official alerts, and multilingual information.
Read guideREADING PATH
Suggested Reading Path
- Choose your current scenario
- Read the step list
- Prepare documents
- Return to the matching channel
- Add updates to your personal calendar
MORE ENTRIES
More Entries
Keep browsing the remaining articles, guides, and features in this channel.What to Wear and Carry in a Japanese Summer
Tokyo averages 31.3C and 74 percent humidity in August. Fabric labels, the jacket you will need indoors, shoes for 20,000 steps, sweat products, repellent rules, and luggage storage.
Tokyo in Summer: Early Shrines, Underground Days, Waterfront Evenings
August normals of 31.3C and 74 percent humidity, a record 261 heatstroke ambulance calls on 21 July. Free mornings, the underground network, Sumida Aquarium at ¥2,700, Skytree from ¥3,000, and day trips to the coast.
Falling Ill on a Short Trip to Japan
Clinic or hospital, what uninsured care actually costs, cashless versus reimbursement insurance, the visit flow, and the 2026 rule on buying cold medicine.
Typhoons and Heavy Rain: Planned Suspensions and Free Rebooking
The 2026 warning rename, the wind speeds that stop trains, when suspensions are announced, how airlines let you move a flight early, and what to do on a washed-out day.
Shinjuku Station Complete Guide: Many Lines, 200+ Exits, JR-Anchored Transfers
JR / Odakyū / Keiō / Keiō New / Toei Shinjuku / Toei Ōedo / Marunouchi / Seibu Shinjuku / Shinjuku-sanchōme positions, transfer routes, exit choices, *Basuta Shinjuku*, and peak-hour avoidance.
Yakitori Specialty Shops: Tiers, 14 Cuts, Ordering, Salt vs Sauce
Four price tiers from chain to ¥15,000 course, the 14 standard cuts, ordering rhythm in groups of 3–5, *shio* vs *tare*, reservation channels, and pitfalls.