2025-06-02
Concept
To all those who have come to Japan from abroad – “How do I start living in Japan? How should I enjoy my life in Japan?”
Have you ever had such questions?
Japan is a unique country where tradition and cutting-edge technology coexist. With a wealth of sightseeing spots and cultural experiences, you will find plenty of fun and surprises!
In this article, we will provide a list of 30 “lifestyle experiences” that foreigners would like to try when they come to Japan.
We have created this list so that both newcomers and those already living in Japan can find plenty of surprises and new experiences.
From daily life to sightseeing, culture, food, and community interaction, here are 30 tips for enjoying the real Japan. Please bookmark the list and make your life in Japan more exciting!
Contents
IC cards are more convenient than cash when taking trains and buses in Japan. Not only can they be used to get through ticket gates, but they can also be used at convenience stores and vending machines, making travel in Japan much more comfortable!
Japanese stamps and postcards are very cute and abundant in variety. Sending a postcard to yourself as a souvenir of your trip will be a memorable beginning of your life in Japan.
Japanese supermarkets sometimes have 100 yen sections. They have everything from tableware to stationery and storage items, and are inexpensive and convenient. You can enjoy it like a treasure hunt.
In Japan, the culture of soaking in the bath is deeply rooted. Your daily bathtime will become a relaxing moment to relieve the fatigue of the day.
Sharehouse tabicco features a large bath.
Japan is quite strict with garbage sorting, but by learning the rules and practicing them, you can get a feel for the careful way of life of the Japanese people. Each area has its own rules, so please check them.
The sight of sushi moving on a conveyor belt is unique to Japan. You can enjoy a wide variety of sushi at a reasonable price. Try and find your favorite sushi.
From a sharehouse sushi party 🍣
Convenience stores are a treasure trove of Japanese culture. Onigiri in particular have a wide variety of fillings to choose from! Tuna mayonnaise, ume plum, salmon… find your favorite!
Tonkotsu (pork bone), miso (fermented bean paste), shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt) – each region of Japan has its own unique ramen. We recommend a “ramen journey” to find your favorite soup and noodle.
Ramen Work Shop event!
Sometimes the residents even organize their own ramen workshops…!
Teishoku-ya is a place where Japanese food culture is packed. Enjoy Japanese food with a set meal consisting of rice, miso soup, and side dishes. You can also enjoy the seasonal changes in the daily set menus.
Beautiful to look at, wagashi is a delicate treat that can only be found in Japan. They are moderately sweet, and when tasted with matcha green tea, they offer a moment of Japanese flavor.
Shrines are a spiritual center for Japanese people. Put your hands together in the quiet atmosphere, draw an “omikuji”, and read your fortune for the day.
Experiencing the traditional Japanese costume, kimono, will make you more familiar with Japanese culture. It is easy to rent one at tourist spots, so make it a special day.
Some sharehouse members took a trip to Kyoto!
Japan has many unique holidays. Learn about the meaning of “Children’s Day,” “Respect for the Aged Day,” and other unique holidays, and you will discover Japanese values.
Hanami, the custom of eating lunch under cherry blossoms in spring, is deeply rooted in the hearts of the Japanese people. Please come and experience the short cherry blossom season. You can also plan a hanami with the sharehouse members.
New Year’s soba is a dish that is eaten on New Year’s Eve and is associated with the wish to live a “long and thin” life. Soba is a typical Japanese way to end the year. At the sharehouse, people often spend New Year’s Eve together, sometimes even going on a New Year’s visit to a shrine.
Two iconic observation decks in the capital of Japan. The view of Tokyo from high above is breathtaking, and you can enjoy a completely different view during the day and at night.
Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, has a special place in the hearts of many Japanese people. Experience the actual scale of the mountain, which is different from what you see in photographs.
In Kyoto and Nara, which have more than 1,000 years of history, you can experience “good old Japan” with traditional architecture, Buddhist statues, and Japanese gardens. Those living in our Osaka sharehouses sometimes go on trips with other house members, ranging from Kyoto and Nara to Hiroshima and Shikoku!
Kamakura, where the sea and history merge, is a popular tourist destination and day trip from central Tokyo. The retro Enoden train cars and the Great Buddha are a must-see. There are also Kizunaya sharehouses in the Shonan area, so you can also try living near the sea!
Cycling with other sharehouse members
There are traditional seasonal festivals all over Japan. The sound of taiko drums, portable shrines, yukata, food stalls – it’s a special experience to enjoy with the locals.
Kashiwa Matsuri was held again after 4 years!
Cooking is universal communication. Introducing the tastes of your own country will bring you closer together.
From the dining table of HASH196. See the event here
Who you go with is also an important part of spring hanami. Deciding on a place and making a bento together with your Japanese friends will make the experience even more memorable! We encourage you to plan a hanami with your fellow sharehouse members.
It may seem difficult at first, but starting with simple greetings and phrases will greatly expand your life in Japan. Communicating a lot at the sharehouse is also the secret to improving your Japanese.
Although it is easy to feel a language barrier when choosing a beauty parlor, finding your favorite will add a sense of security and enjoyment to your life.
Traveling gives you a chance to get a deeper sense of what a place has to offer. It can expose you to new perspectives and customs.
Through TV, you can learn Japanese while also learning about unique traditions and Japanese humor. Try to find your favorite program.
“Tatami“ and ”Zataku” are relaxing spaces, and many foreigners are captivated by them! Kizunaya houses also have many spaces that incorporate tatami mats and zataku.
The living room of Sharehouse cotowa in Ogikubo, Tokyo.
There are workshops throughout Japan where you can experience traditional crafts. The work you create will become your very own memory of your time in Japan.
The unique Japanese concept cafes are fun spaces where you can enjoy extraordinary experiences. Enjoy the cultural differences with a light heart.
If you write a letter to yourself one year in the future, you will notice how you have grown and changed during your year in Japan. It’s a small present to your future self. At Kizunaya Sharehouse, we offer a service where you can write a letter to yourself when you move in. Please be sure to record the beginning of your life in Japan.
These 30 experiences are a gateway to a richer and more enjoyable life in Japan. If you live in a sharehouse, you may actually be able to enjoy these experiences more easily. Please try out the various experiences with the members you share your daily life with or with your new friends. We will be happy if your life in Japan becomes more fulfilling at Kizunaya Sharehouse.
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