Career Why ALTs in Japan Don’t Get Raises
If you have been in Japan for a year or two and your salary looks exactly the same as when you arrived, you are not imag...
TK | Work Japan Expert
Career Housing Japanese Apartment Hunting Beyond Oakhouse: The Honest Guide to Renting on Your Own Terms
At some point, you're going to want a space that's entirely yours.Oakhouse served its purpose. The shared kitchen, the b...
Finance The Honest Guide to ALT Side Hustles: How to Make Extra Money Without Losing Your Visa (Or Your Job)
Yes, you can make extra money in Japan. But the way you do it matters more than how much you make.The ALT salary is low....
Career How to Extend Your Visa as an English Teacher in Japan (Without Making a Costly Mistake)
Your visa doesn't renew itself. And your company isn't going to save you if you get this wrong.Most foreign English teac...
Career How to Negotiate Your ALT Contract (When the System Is Stacked Against You)
The bad news: your salary was decided before you even applied.Not by your qualifications. Not by your teaching experienc...
Finance Japan Pension Refund: How Foreign Teachers Can Claim Back Their Money Before They Leave
Every month, a chunk of your payslip quietly disappears into a column called 厚生年金 (kōsei nenkin). You didn't sign up for...
Finance How to Read Your Japanese Payslip: A Guide for Foreign English Teachers
Your first Japanese payslip will probably arrive as a folded piece of paper, printed in Japanese, with a column of numbe...
Finance How to Save Money as an English Teacher in Japan (The Honest Version)
Every recruiter will tell you that teaching English in Japan is a great way to "experience Japanese culture while saving...
Infrastructure Commuter Pass in Japan: What Nobody Tells Foreign English Teachers
Nobody briefs you on this before you arrive. Your contracting company tells you where to show up on April 1st. They do n...
Housing Best Neighborhoods in Tokyo for Foreign English Teachers
Finding an apartment in Tokyo before you know where you'll be teaching is one of the most common — and most avoidable — ...