GoConnect Japan Expat Life & Business

01/06/2026

Tokyo real estate is often misunderstood by international buyers.

From foreign ownership rules to upfront costs, remote purchases and property valuations, the reality is more nuanced than many assume.

Our latest GoConnect article separates common misconceptions from practical market insight for those considering property in Tokyo.

Read more:
https://goconnect.jp/2026/06/01/tokyo-real-estate-myths-debunked/

Do foreigners need permanent residency to buy property in Japan? We debunk Tokyo's biggest real estate myths about visas, financing and hidden costs.

27/05/2026

The Hibiya Music Festival is back for 2026! 

Inspired by the communal magic of New York’s Central Park SummerStage, founder Seiji Kameda has created a truly "borderless" festival in central Tokyo. No ticket prices filtering by income, no genre filtering by taste: just free, incredible live music in the park. 

Hibiya Music Festival 2026 🌸

Dates: May 30-31, 2026

Venues: Hibiya Park, Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, Tokyo International Forum (Hall A)

Admission: Free (outdoor performances); some indoor programs require advance booking

More info: https://goconnect.jp/event/hibiya-music-festival-2026/ 

23/05/2026

Asakusa’s Sanja Matsuri kicked off festival season with a resounding “Wasshoi!” as mikoshi filled the busy streets and the city geared up for summer.

Here are a few more upcoming festivals worth saving for your calendar.

🏮 Sanno Matsuri
Hie Shrine, Akasaka & central Tokyo ｜ June 7–17

🏮 Torigoe Matsuri
Torigoe Shrine, Taito-ku ｜ June 6, 7 & 9

🏮 Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri
Namiyoke Shrine, Tsukiji ｜ June 10–14

🎋 Sh*tamachi Tanabata Matsuri
Kappabashi Hondori, Ueno–Asakusa area ｜ July 3–7

🌺 Iriya Asagao Matsuri
Iriya Kishimojin area, Taito-ku ｜ July 6–8

🏮 Shiman-rokusen-nichi & Hozuki Market
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa ｜ July 9–10

🎶 Narita Gion Festival
Naritasan Shinsho-ji & Omotesando, Chiba ｜ July 10–12

🏮 Mitama Matsuri
Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku ｜ July 13–16

🎶 Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri
Kumagaya, Saitama ｜ July 20–22

🌊 Chigasaki Hamaori-sai
Chigasaki Nishihama Beach, Kanagawa ｜ July 20

🎆 Sumida River Fireworks Festival
Asakusa & Ryogoku area ｜ July 25

🏮 Ebisu Bon Odori
JR Ebisu Station West Exit area ｜ 2026 date TBA

🏮 Marunouchi Summer Festival
Tokyo Station / Marunouchi area ｜ 2026 date TBA

Dates, times and event details may change. Please check the official festival websites before making plans.

21/05/2026

It’s natural for parents to worry about how AI will affect their child’s future. But the real issue is how they use it: mindlessly or collaboratively. 

In our latest GoConnect feature, Felipe Arango Pineros, Co-Founder and CEO of Pharos Education, explains why technical skills alone are no longer sufficient for students in the AI age, and what they need beyond them . We also highlight Rugby School Japan's MIT RAISE FutureBuilders Programme, which helps students become active builders and problem-solvers, cultivating those skills.  

👉 Check the link in bio to read more

15/05/2026

Discover the most costly mistakes foreign investors make in Japanese real estate, from complex tax laws to tenants’ rights, and learn how Axios protects your ROI.

Read the full guide on GoConnect.jp

👉 Link in bio

08/05/2026

Japan offers a uniquely structured, immersive environment where students don’t just study — they evolve.

For parents and students considering Japan, understanding the full journey matters more than the brochure version.

Read the full story on GoConnect.jp

👉 Link in bio

04/05/2026

A year in Japan as an international student is not what most people expect.

It’s not just classes and campus life. It’s learning how to navigate systems, adapt to cultural nuance and build independence in a completely new environment.

From mastering complex transport networks to overcoming language barriers and loneliness, the experience goes far beyond academics. But that’s exactly where the real growth happens.

Japan offers a uniquely structured, immersive environment where students don’t just study — they evolve.

For parents and students considering Japan, understanding the full journey matters more than the brochure version.

Read the full story:
https://goconnect.jp/2026/05/04/a-year-in-the-life-of-an-international-student-in-japan/

Discover top international school extracurricular programs, STEM academies and summer camps for your child in Tokyo and Yokohama.