During winter, when temperatures drop below freezing, water pipes and water heaters can freeze, which may cause:No hot waterBurst pipes and water leaksUnexpected repair costsTo avoid these problems, please follow the tips below.🔧 Why Do Pipes Freeze?Water begins to freeze at 0°C (32°F).When outdoor temperatures drop, water inside exposed pipes or water heaters can freeze, expand, and damage the...

Many foreign residents in Japan find Japanese addresses confusing—especially when shopping on overseas websites.This guide explains how to correctly enter a Japanese address into international online forms, step by step.Why Japanese Addresses Are ConfusingJapanese addresses are structured differently from those in many other countries.Typical order in Japan (Japanese style):PrefectureCity / WardDistrict...

What to Do After Moving In — and Before Moving OutWhen you move into a new home in Japan, you may receive some mail from the post office that looks official and confusing.This guide explains what that mail is, how to respond, and what procedures you should complete when moving within Japan or overseas.1. Mail You Receive Soon After Moving In“Resident Confirmation” from Japan PostWhat Is This...

Seeing a few ants inside your home can be surprising, but in many cases it can be handled easily.This guide explains what to check, what you can do yourself, and when to contact the management company.1. First: Check the SituationPlease check the following points:How many ants did you see?✅ A few ants (1–10)⚠️ Many ants or a continuous lineWhere did you see them?Kitchen / near foodBathroomEntrance...

Welcome to Japan!Iwakuni City requires all residents to separate household waste carefully. Trash must be placed in Iwakuni’s official paid garbage bags and only on the correct collection day at the designated pickup spot.These rules may be very different from what you know in your country, so please read this carefully. ♻️ 1. Waste Categories in Iwakuni(1) Combustible Waste (Burnable...

If your kitchen sink drains slowly or you notice an unpleasant smell from the drain, here are some simple steps you can try before contacting the management company.Why Japanese Drains Behave Differently Than OverseasMany overseas homes—especially in the U.S.—use larger drainage pipes and stronger chemical cleaners.In Japan, pipes are often narrower, and some heavy-duty foreign cleaners can be too...

Proper bathroom ventilation helps prevent mold, mildew, and condensation—and it's especially important in Japanese homes, where humidity levels can be high. Here’s a clear, user-friendly guide to ventilating your bathroom effectively.1. Why Ventilate After Bathing?Warm, moist air from a hot bath or shower easily condenses on cooler surfaces such as walls, ceilings, or ventilation ducts. This...

While most Japanese residences do not have central heating and air conditioning, they do typically come with at least one wall-mounted air conditioner installed in smaller apartments and multiple wall units positioned throughout larger homes.Air conditioners in Japan generally work via a remote control. For those new to Japan or who are looking to access the full range of typical air conditioner functions,...

Japanese housing complexes are equipped with collective mailboxes.Here are some common ways to unlock them.In this video, it opens by aligning the numbers.right 0 twice, left 5...

Step 1: Ensure the light switch (and remote, if applicable) are turned onEvery light in your home will have a wall switch, and in many cases, a remote control as well (mainly for the living, dining, bedrooms).  Check to make sure BOTH the wall switch and the switch on the remote (if applicable) are turned on.  If either is turned off, you will not be able to turn on the light.  If you are unable to turn...