Advice from Current ALTs

We asked current JETs for the recommendations for newcomers and to complete the phrase “I wish I’d known…”  Below, you can read their responses and recommendations.  Please keep in mind…

Frequently Asked Questions for New JETs

It's only natural to have a few questions when you're moving across the world! Here's 10 frequently asked questions from new JETs arriving in Gunma to put your mind at…

Packing Guide

While you are certainly moving your life to Japan, it’s important to determine what is truly necessary and what you can do without.  Not only does Gunma have a many…

Image from Wikimedia Commons
Gunma Guide to Omiyage

What are Omiyage? Omiyage is often defined as “souvenir,” but in Japan omiyage are not something you only give when you come back from vacation.  There are many customs surrounding omiyage,…

Cover photo by Sam Lee on Unsplash
Getting Around in Gunma

Public Transport Gunma has several public transportation options available.  However, as isn’t a large metropolitan area, not all areas are serviced and many of Gunma’s residents, both foreigners and Japanese…

Money in Japan

Japan is a country of contradictions; a robot will deliver food to your table, but you can't pay by credit card at the register?! We'll try and break down some…

Photo by Kishor on Unsplash
Gunma Transportation Guide

There's so many great things to explore in Gunma's countryside, and so many great ways to do that. Here's a breakdown of some of the many ways to get around…

Furikomi (Electronic Funds Transfer) Guide

At first glance, trying to pay your rent or your gas bill seems like a nearly insurmountable task, but once you get the hang of it, paying via bank transfer…

Driving in Gunma

Beep beep! So you decided to retire that janky 15-year-old mamachari and buy a car, but then you realized there are suddenly a lot of other things to consider. Oops.…

Getting Your Japanese Driver’s License

Some of the information in this article is a few years old. We're working on updating it. [Initial D theme intensifies] Picture this: you’re a new ALT fresh out of…