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Family & kids in Japan
Moving to Japan with your family — daycare and schools, pregnancy and childbirth, and bringing your pet.
Family & kids (30)
Children's Lessons in Japan: Swimming, Piano, Soroban and the Narai-goto Habit
Swimming, piano, soroban: how Japan's weekly narai-goto lesson culture works, and how newcomer parents can join in. #PR
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Inviting Your Family to Visit Japan: Invitation Letters and Guarantor Documents
Inviting family to Japan: whether a visa is needed, the invitation letter, schedule of stay, and guarantor documents. #PR
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Applying to Graduate School in Japan: Research Students, Supervisors and Entrance Exams
How graduate admission works in Japan: contacting a supervisor first, the research plan, the kenkyusei stage, exams and realistic timelines. #PR
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Raising Bilingual Children in Japan: Keeping Your Home Language Alive
Family language routines, books and media, weekend classes and grandparent calls to keep your home language alive in Japan. #PR
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Studying at a Vocational School (Senmon Gakko) in Japan: How It Works for International Students
What a senmon gakko is, typical fields, the Japanese level expected, the route from language school and life on the course. #PR
Read the guide →Choosing a Japanese Language School in Japan: What to Check Before You Apply
How to compare Japanese language schools that sponsor a student visa: recognition, intakes, location, housing and timeline. #PR
Read the guide →High School Entrance for Foreign Children in Japan: How Koukou Juken Works
A gentle guide to Japan's high school entrance: public vs private routes, naishinten, and support for newly arrived students. #PR
Read the guide →Finding a Babysitter or Family Support in Japan (Family Support and Sitters)
A warm guide to occasional childcare in Japan: the ward-run Family Support Centre, private sitters, and drop-in care, with how to register. #PR
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Getting a Health Certificate for a Job or School in Japan (Kenko Shindansho)
Miya explains the kenko shindansho health certificate for a new job or school in Japan: tests, clinics, timing, and the form. #PR
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Taking Your Pet to the Vet in Japan: Clinics, Costs and Pet Insurance Basics
Miya's plain guide to vet clinics, routine care and how pet insurance works in Japan. #PR
Read the guide →Choosing a Regular Family Doctor in Japan: The Kakaritsuke-i and Why It Helps
How having a regular local doctor (kakaritsuke-i) in Japan helps continuity, referrals, and repeat prescriptions, and how to find one near home. #PR
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Traveling Around Japan with Young Children: Trains, Facilities and Family-Friendly Stays
How families with babies and small kids get around Japan: stroller access, priority seats, nursing rooms, family stays and packing tips. #PR
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Obon in Japan: The Summer Return, Grave Visits and What Newcomers Should Know
A warm newcomer's guide to Obon in Japan: the summer return home, visiting family graves, Bon Odori, and travel tips. #PR
Read the guide →When a Family Member Dies in Japan: Registration, Procedures and Inheritance Basics
A gentle, step-by-step overview of the death notification, funeral process and inheritance basics in Japan. #PR
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Hosting Family and Friends Visiting You in Japan: Getting Them Connected and Around
Help visiting family and friends get online, plan meetups, and enjoy your home in Japan smoothly. #PR
Read the guide →When Your Child Is Sick: Byoji Hoiku and Emergency Childcare in Japan
What to do when your child is too sick for daycare: byoji hoiku, drop-in care, and ward family-support. #PR
Read the guide →International School or Local Japanese School? How Newcomer Parents Decide
A calm decision guide for newcomer parents weighing an international school against a local Japanese school in Japan. #PR
Read the guide →Japanese School Life for Newcomer Parents: Kyushoku, PTA, Communication Notebook and Events
A warm, practical guide to Japanese school life: kyushoku and allergies, the renrakucho notebook, PTA duties and events. #PR
Read the guide →Bringing Your Spouse or Family to Japan: Dependent Visa Basics
How the dependent (kazoku taizai) status and the Certificate of Eligibility route work when you want family to join you in Japan. #PR
Read the guide →After-School Care in Japan: Gakudo Hoiku for Working Parents
Hi, I'm Miya! A warm, practical guide to Japan's after-school care (gakudo hoiku) for working parents: what it is, how to apply, and the waitlist reality. #PR
Read the guide →Getting a Pet in Japan: Adoption, Shelters and What Ownership Involves
A warm, practical guide to adopting a rescue dog or cat in Japan, screening, dog registration and pet-friendly rentals. #PR
Read the guide →Cram Schools (Juku) in Japan: What They Are and How Newcomer Parents Choose
A calm guide to juku for newcomer parents: exam-prep vs supplementary, group vs individual, trials, and when a child really needs one. #PR
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Getting a Phone for Your Child in Japan: Family Lines and Kids' First Number
A warm, practical guide for parents setting up a child's first phone line in Japan: contracts for minors, family lines, safety features, and why each child needs their own number. #PR
Read the guide →Children's Healthcare in Japan: Pediatric Clinics, Vaccinations and the Free Checkups
A warm guide for newcomer parents: finding a pediatric clinic, the child medical-subsidy card, infant checkups and the vaccination schedule in Japan. #PR
Read the guide →Child Benefits and Allowances in Japan: The Jidou Teate and What Families Can Claim
A newcomer parent's guide to Japan's child allowance (jidou teate): who can claim, when to apply at the ward office, and how notices reach you. #PR
Read the guide →Bringing Your Pet to Japan: Import Rules, Vets and Pet-Friendly Life
Moving with a dog or cat? Research the import and quarantine steps early, then settle in with a vet and pet-friendly home. #PR
Read the guide →Pregnancy and Childbirth in Japan: The Boshi Techo and What Newcomers Do
A warm newcomer guide to reporting your pregnancy, getting the boshi techo, prenatal checkups and birth registration in Japan. #PR
Read the guide →Daycare and Childcare in Japan: Hoikuen, Yochien and Waitlists
A newcomer parent's guide to hoikuen vs yochien, ward-office applications, and the taikijidou waitlist in Japan. #PR
Read the guide →Enrolling Your Child in School in Japan: A Newcomer Parent's Guide
Register your address first, then the education board assigns a local public school. Here are the steps, papers, and April start. #PR
Read the guide →Moving to Japan with Your Family: Setting Everyone Up
Moving to Japan with a partner or kids? How family scale changes residence cards, school apps, family numbers and shared calendars. #PR
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