{"id":14,"date":"2026-05-02T08:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T08:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/?page_id=14"},"modified":"2026-05-14T12:11:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T12:11:21","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/","title":{"rendered":"HOME"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News &amp; Information<\/h2>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__list has-dates wp-block-latest-posts\"><li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/annual-vehicle-tax-in-japan\/\" aria-label=\"Annual Vehicle Tax (\u81ea\u52d5\u8eca\u7a0e) in Japan\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Japan Car Tax\" style=\"\" \/><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/annual-vehicle-tax-in-japan\/\">Annual Vehicle Tax (\u81ea\u52d5\u8eca\u7a0e) in Japan<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-06-25T13:20:22+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">June 25, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">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 \u2014 ranging from \u00a525,000 to \u00a5110,000 per year \u2014 kei cars have a flat rate. Here are the rates as of 2026: Kei cars Type Standard rate\u2026 <a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/annual-vehicle-tax-in-japan\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Annual Vehicle Tax (\u81ea\u52d5\u8eca\u7a0e) in Japan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/kei-cars-japans-beloved-mini-vehicles\/\" aria-label=\"Kei Cars \u2014 Japan&#039;s Beloved Mini Vehicles\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/my-specia-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"My specia\" style=\"\" \/><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/kei-cars-japans-beloved-mini-vehicles\/\">Kei Cars \u2014 Japan's Beloved Mini Vehicles<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-06-25T13:18:19+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">June 25, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">Have you heard of kei cars (\u8efd\u81ea\u52d5\u8eca \/ keijid\u014dsha)? 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\u2026 <a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/kei-cars-japans-beloved-mini-vehicles\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Kei Cars \u2014 Japan&#039;s Beloved Mini Vehicles<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/comparing-four-areas-as-of-2026\/\" aria-label=\"Comparing Four Areas I Know Well (as of 2026)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rural-garbage-collection-point-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Rural garbage collection point\" style=\"\" \/><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/comparing-four-areas-as-of-2026\/\">Comparing Four Areas I Know Well (as of 2026)<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-06-15T14:09:00+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">June 15, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">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\u2026 <a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/comparing-four-areas-as-of-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Comparing Four Areas I Know Well (as of 2026)<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/garbage-sorting-in-japan\/\" aria-label=\"Garbage Sorting in Japan \u2014 It&#039;s Even More Complicated Than You Think\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_2270-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"IMG\" style=\"\" \/><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/garbage-sorting-in-japan\/\">Garbage Sorting in Japan \u2014 It's Even More Complicated Than You Think<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-06-15T13:14:16+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">June 15, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">Today I want to talk about something that trips up almost everyone living in Japan: garbage sorting (\u30b4\u30df\u306e\u5206\u5225 \/ gomi no bunbetsu). It's often said that Japan's waste separation rules are incredibly detailed \u2014 and I know other countries have their own strict systems too. But let me walk you through what it actually looks\u2026 <a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/15\/garbage-sorting-in-japan\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Garbage Sorting in Japan \u2014 It&#039;s Even More Complicated Than You Think<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__featured-image alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/how-to-make-umeshu\/\" aria-label=\"How to Make Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Umeshu 1 year later\" style=\"\" \/><\/a><\/div><a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/how-to-make-umeshu\/\">How to Make Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine)<\/a><time datetime=\"2026-06-03T12:12:38+00:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-date\">June 3, 2026<\/time><div class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__post-excerpt\">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! \u3010Ingredients\u3011 \u3010step\u3011 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\u2026 <a class=\"wp-block-latest-posts__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/how-to-make-umeshu\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: How to Make Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine)<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-79832dff wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food&amp;Cooking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-376 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-cooking\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-320x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Umeshu 1 year later\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Umeshu-1-year-later.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">How to Make Umeshu (Japanese Plum Wine)<\/h4>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">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! \u3010Ingredients\u3011 \u3010step\u3011 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<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-text\"><a class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/how-to-make-umeshu\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Home&amp;Living<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-92 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-home-appliances\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/system-kitchen-and-gass-cooktop-320x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"System kitchen and gas cooktop\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Two Types of Japanese Kitchens \u2014 And the Cooktops That Go With Them<\/h4>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">In Japan, home kitchens generally come in one of two styles: 1. Sectional Kitchens (\u30bb\u30af\u30b7\u30e7\u30ca\u30eb\u30ad\u30c3\u30c1\u30f3) 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 (\u30b7\u30b9\u30c6\u30e0\u30ad\u30c3\u30c1\u30f3) Here, everything \u2014 the sink, cooktop, and work surface \u2014<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-text\"><a class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/this-is-a-gadget-in-japan\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Daily Life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-430 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-daily-life tag-kei-cars tag-tax tag-16\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-320x180.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Japan Car Tax\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-1024x572.png 1024w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-1536x857.png 1536w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Japan-Car-Tax-2048x1143.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Annual Vehicle Tax (\u81ea\u52d5\u8eca\u7a0e) in Japan<\/h4>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">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 \u2014 ranging from \u00a525,000 to \u00a5110,000 per year \u2014 kei cars have a flat rate. Here are the rates as of 2026: Kei cars Type Standard rate<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-text\"><a class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/annual-vehicle-tax-in-japan\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Profile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-id=\"58\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile.png\" alt=\"Profile\" class=\"wp-image-58\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile.png 1920w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/profile-320x180.png 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hi, I\u2019m Keiko, a woman in my 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/profile\/\" style=\"border-radius:0px;padding-top:0.5em;padding-right:1em;padding-bottom:0.5em;padding-left:1em\">Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);min-height:250px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#f3f3f3\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-cbe57604 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/wp-content\/themes\/lightning\/_g3\/assets\/images\/logo_Lightning.png\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color\">Layout Control<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Lightning has column control function that you can specific column number from \"Appearance &gt; Customize &gt; Lightning Layout Setting\" and specific post edit screen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>News &amp; Information Food&amp;Cooking Home&amp;Living Daily Life Profile Hi, I\u2019m Keiko, a woman in my 50s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"A Japanese Life - My Real Routines, Cooking, and Chores","description":"News &amp; Information Food&amp;Cooking Home&amp;Living Daily Life Profile Hi, I\u2019m Keiko, a woman in my 50s."},"sns_share_botton_hide":"","vkExUnit_sns_title":"","_vk_print_noindex":"","sitemap_hide":"","vkExUnit_sitemap":"","_veu_custom_css":"","veu_display_promotion_alert":"","_exclude_from_list_pages":"","vkexunit_cta_each_option":"","vkExUnit_childPageIndex":"","vkExUnit_pageList_ancestor":"","vkExUnit_contact_enable":"","_lightning_design_setting":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"veu_head_title_object":{"title":"","add_site_title":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":201,"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions\/201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.bita-d.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}