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Pick the keyboard layout first, because it is the only part you cannot change later. And if you live here on a residence card, you do not qualify for tax-free shopping. What to use instead, and how much to actually spend.

A standard Japanese apartment costs 4 to 6 months of rent up front. A share house skips the deposit and guarantor for under 100,000 yen. Oakhouse vs X-House compared, including Nepali and Sinhala phone support.

How foreigners open a bank account in Japan: the 6-month residence rule, Japan Post Bank accepting just 3 months, online banks with no hanko, required documents, and closing the account when you leave.

The second of the five skills: keep a part of what you earn. The biggest wins for foreigners are simple switches — a cheaper SIM, a smarter way to send money home, the right card, the right home internet.

Why foreigners get rejected for credit cards in Japan, and how to get approved the first time. Why the Rakuten Card suits your first card, a pre-application checklist, and the debit-card alternative.

Which SIM in Japan can you get without a credit card? Compare Rakuten Mobile, ahamo, povo and Nihon Tsushin by price, data, coverage and eSIM. Plus the three walls foreigners hit and how to sign up.

Home internet in Japan for foreigners: fibre vs home router vs pocket Wi-Fi. Why a no-installation home router (Rakuten Turbo) suits newcomers, prices, and how to sign up in a rental.

The cheapest way to send money from Japan to Nepal or Sri Lanka. Compare Wise, banks, IME, Prabhu and Western Union: how much arrives on 100,000 yen, choosing by your family, and how to send.