A growing collection
Japan,
by the numbers.
Practical calculators and articles about Japan. Verified figures, written from Kanagawa.
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For travelers
Plan smarter, spend less, and skip the small confusions.
Japan trip budget
Daily costs by city and travel style, in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, MXN.
Clothing & shoe sizes (Japan ↔ EU/US)
Convert Japanese clothing, shoe and ring sizes to EU and US.
Is the JR Pass worth it?
Enter your route. We tell you if the pass beats individual tickets.
Tax-free shopping (5,000 ¥ rule)
See if your purchase clears the tax-free threshold and what you save.
Japanese zodiac (eto)
Find your animal of the twelve earthly branches.
Japan jet lag calculator
Flight time, time difference and a practical plan to adapt to Japan time fast.
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For residents
Tools for the paperwork, taxes and life-admin of living in Japan.
Furusato nōzei (ふるさと納税) limit
How much you can donate this year and still get the full tax deduction.
Western ↔ Japanese era
Convert any year between Gregorian and Reiwa, Heisei, Showa, Taisho, Meiji.
Japanese age (kazoedoshi)
Your traditional Japanese age, used for kanreki and certain rituals.
Japan net salary (gross → take-home)
Income tax, resident tax, pension, health insurance—done in one place.
Japan rent cost (move-in + total)
Reikin, shikikin, agency fees, kōshinryō—the real cost of renting in Japan.
Monthly commuter pass — worth it?
Compare IC tickets vs monthly pass for Tokyo and Yokohama routes. 2026 fares.
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Recent articles
Plain-language pieces about life and travel in Japan, written from experience.
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28 June 2026 · Yen & Zen
Climbing Mount Fuji: what you need to know before you attempt it
Practical guide to climbing Mount Fuji in 2026: season, trails, gear, altitude sickness and why you shouldn't do it in the middle of the night without preparation. With personal experience on the Fujinomiya trail.
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26 June 2026 · Yen & Zen
Mobile in Japan: which SIM or plan to choose for your situation
Practical guide to mobile phone plans in Japan for 2026: tourist SIMs, resident plans (ahamo, IIJmio, Rakuten) and what's changed in recent years.
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24 June 2026 · Yen & Zen
Nara in a day: the deer, the Great Buddha and what nobody tells you
Practical guide to visiting Nara from Osaka or Kyoto: how to get there, what to see, how long you need and why the deer will steal your onigiri.