What this site is
Moving to Japan means facing a lot of things that are in Japanese only — apartment contracts, city hall forms, appliance manuals, garbage rules. Even simple tasks can take hours when you don't know what you're looking at.
Japan First Steps is built to close that gap. The guides are written specifically for people from the US, Vietnam, and Indonesia — not generic expat content, but content that explains what's different from what you're used to, and why.
The step-by-step section walks you through the first week in order. The topic guides work as a reference index you can return to whenever you need. The product guides help you navigate Japanese-only product pages.
Disclaimer
The information on this site is provided for general reference purposes only. While we aim to keep content accurate and up to date, rules, procedures, and conditions in Japan can change. Always verify important information with official sources such as your local city hall, the relevant government ministry, or a qualified professional.
This site contains affiliate links to Amazon Japan. If you purchase a product through one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the site.
We are not responsible for any loss, inconvenience, or damage arising from use of the information on this site.
Contact
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