A growing collection
Japan,
by the numbers.
Practical calculators and articles about Japan. Verified figures, written from Kanagawa.
01壱
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.
Takuhaibin luggage forwarding cost
Estimate the cost of forwarding your luggage between hotels and cities in Japan.
Cherry blossom timing by city
Enter your travel dates and city. Find out if you'll catch the cherry blossom peak.
Autumn foliage timing by city (momiji)
Enter your travel dates and city. Find out if you'll catch peak autumn foliage (見頃, migoro) in Japan.
02弐
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.
Japan visa fee calculator (Oct 2026 reform)
Calculate your renewal or permanent residency fee before and after the October 2026 reform.
HSP points — fast-track to permanent residency
Calculate your Highly Skilled Professional points. See if you qualify for PR in 1 year (80 pts) or 3 years (70 pts).
03参
Recent articles
Plain-language pieces about life and travel in Japan, written from experience.
-
21 August 2026 · Yen & Zen
Japan etiquette: the rules nobody explains
Not just removing your shoes: the behavioural rules in Japan that tourists break without knowing, from trains to temples, with the context to understand why they exist.
-
19 August 2026 · Yen & Zen
Nagasaki: practical city guide
What to see and do in Nagasaki: the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum, Mt. Inasa with Japan's best night view, the Meganebashi bridge, Chinatown and champon noodles.
-
17 August 2026 · Yen & Zen
Ryokan: how a Japanese inn works
What to expect when staying in a ryokan: check-in, yukata, kaiseki dinner in your room, sleeping on a futon, onsen baths and the etiquette rules nobody explains.