Annual Vehicle Tax (自動車税) in JapanNew!!
This is a tax you pay every year, and it's one of the biggest financial advantages of kei cars. While regular cars are taxed based on engine displacement — ranging from ¥25,000 to ¥110,000 per year — kei cars have a flat rate. Here are the rates as of 2026: Kei cars Type Standard rate […]
Kei Cars — Japan's Beloved Mini VehiclesNew!!
Have you heard of kei cars (軽自動車 / keijidōsha)? They've been getting some attention overseas lately, and I think they deserve it. Let me give you a proper introduction to what they are, who drives them, and why they make so much sense in Japan. What Exactly Is a Kei Car? To officially qualify as […]
Comparing Four Areas I Know Well (as of 2026)
Here's a side-by-side look at the rules in four places that are personally significant to me. Setagaya, Tokyo Categories: burnable waste, non-burnable waste, recyclables, PET bottles, large/bulky waste Burnable: food waste, cooking oil, clothing, rubber/leather, hygiene products, paper, plastics Non-burnable: glass, ceramics, blades, spray cans, gas canisters, lighters Recyclables: used paper, glass bottles, cans Pickup […]
Garbage Sorting in Japan — It's Even More Complicated Than You Think
Today I want to talk about something that trips up almost everyone living in Japan: garbage sorting (ゴミの分別 / gomi no bunbetsu). It's often said that Japan's waste separation rules are incredibly detailed — and I know other countries have their own strict systems too. But let me walk you through what it actually looks […]
How to Make Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine)
Making umeshu at home is really straightforward. Here's everything you need. Homemade Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine) A classic Japanese recipe with just three ingredients. The hardest part is waiting! 【Ingredients】 【step】 Can you swap rock sugar for granulated sugar? Technically yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. Granulated sugar dissolves too quickly, which causes the plum's […]
Making Umeshu — Japanese Plum Wine at Home
Have You Heard of Umeshu? Do you know umeshu (梅酒)? It's a Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume plums in alcohol with sugar. If you've ever seen it on a shelf, the brand you've probably spotted is Choya — they're the most well-known commercial producer. But homemade umeshu is a whole different experience. You can […]
Japanese cheese
Did You Know Japanese Cheese Has Come a Long Way? Processed Cheese Was All We Knew When I was growing up in Japan, "cheese" basically meant processed cheese (プロセスチーズ). That was it. I'm not even sure I knew natural cheese existed back then — it just wasn't part of everyday life. My First Real Encounter […]
Two Types of Japanese Kitchens — And the Cooktops That Go With Them
In Japan, home kitchens generally come in one of two styles: 1. Sectional Kitchens (セクショナルキッチン) The sink, prep counter, and cooktop are all separate, freestanding units that you line up together. Each piece can be replaced or moved on its own. 2. System Kitchens (システムキッチン) Here, everything — the sink, cooktop, and work surface — […]
We Live in Two Places — Life Between Hokkaido and Kanagawa
We Live in Two Places — Life Between Hokkaido and Kanagawa My husband and I split our time between two homes: one in Yokohama, Kanagawa, and one in Hokkaido. From spring through autumn, we go back and forth between these two very different worlds. It's a lifestyle called dual-base living (二拠点生活 / nikkyoten seikatsu) in […]