As winter fades and cherry blossoms begin to bloom, spring in Japan brings a sense of renewal, beauty, and tradition. One important date that marks this seasonal shift is Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日 / しゅんぶんのひ), celebrated each year around March 20th.
But beyond being a public holiday, it’s also a perfect opportunity to learn some beautiful Japanese spring vocabulary.
Studying in Japan is exciting, but many cultural rules aren’t written anywhere. From silent trains to strict queue etiquette, here are the unwritten rules international students often discover only after arriving.
Japan offers many different types of visas, officially called statuses of residence (在留資格, zairyū shikaku). Each visa lets you stay in Japan for a specific purpose, such as tourism, study, work, job hunting, or long-term residency. Many people planning to come to Japan for the first time or already here on a tourist visa often wonder: Which visa should I choose? How do I switch visas? What are the requirements? This guide explains everything you need to know.