In Japan, first impressions matter. A lot. Put your foot in your mouth and you could end up ruining a potential friendship, having your bosses dislike you, or living next to a neighbor who may be silently plotting your demise because you've annoyed them. See how Devon fairs in Chapter 5 of Forever Foreign.
With the most gorgeous mountains all around, it's no surprise that Nagano also has some of Japan's most scenic onsen. Hot springs steeped in feudal history, healing waters, baths filled with adorable monkeys... Nagano has it all. Learn more about this onsen powerhouse here.
Traditional Japanese bath houses, or sento, are a bit of a rarity in Japan these days, but onsen, or hot springs, are alive and well. When you get down to it, they’re almost the exact same thing. They both involve stripping down in a change area, washing yourself, and letting your troubles melt away. Read up on all the rules you need to know before going here.
The cost of living in Japan is generally lower than countries in North America or Europe. Studio apartment rent can be as low as ¥30,000 ($225 USD) per month in the countryside to ¥90,000 ($670 USD) in the expensive parts of Tokyo. Non-rent related COL factors total roughly ¥160,000 ($1,200 USD) per month on average. Learn how it all breaks down here.