SORABYCO | Life in Japan

If you ride a bicycle in Japan, there is an important rule change to know in 2026. From April 1, 2026 , Japan began applying its traffic violation notice system, commonly called the blue ticket system , to bicycle riders aged 16 and older. The most important points are simple: The system applies to bicycle riders aged 16 and over. Dangerous violations such as using a smartphone while riding, ignoring traffic lights, or riding on the wrong side of the road can be subject to blue-ticket enforcement. Not wearing a helmet does not by itself result in a blue ticket. Drunk cycling can be treated as a more serious criminal violation. Police do not automatically issue a blue ticket for every minor mistake. I drive regularly in Japan, and one situation that still makes me nervous is seeing a bicycle coming toward me on the wrong side of the road. From the cyclist's point of view, it may feel like a quick shortcut. From the driver's seat, especially near a narrow intersection, it can bec...

Buying a bicycle in Japan is fairly easy, even if you are a foreign resident. The part that can be confusing is what comes after choosing the bike. In Japan, bicycle users are required to complete anti-theft registration, known as 防犯登録 (bohan toroku) . Depending on where you live, you may also be required to have bicycle liability insurance. If you buy a used bicycle or receive one from someone else, ownership documents are especially important. Before buying a bicycle in Japan, check these points first: Foreign residents can buy bicycles normally. Complete bicycle anti-theft registration after purchase. Check the bicycle insurance rules where you live. Make sure a used bicycle has clear ownership documents. Keep your receipt, warranty, and registration paperwork. If you regularly borrow someone else's bicycle, know who the registered owner is. When I first came to Japan, bicycles reminded me of scenes from Japanese anime: students riding to school with bags in their front baskets ...

When I was a child, laundry detergent meant one thing: a large box of powder with a measuring scoop inside. Later, I started using liquid detergent. These days, as I get closer to 50, I mostly use laundry pods. It made me realize that even something as ordinary as laundry detergent has changed quite a lot during my lifetime. After living in Japan for many years, I have also watched the laundry aisle change. Japanese drugstores and home centers now sell powder detergent, liquid detergent, refill packs, concentrated formulas, and colorful laundry pods. In Japan, laundry pods are usually called “gel balls,” or ジェルボール. I did not move from one type to another because I believed one detergent was perfect. My choice changed gradually, depending on what felt easier in everyday life. Here is what I learned from using powder detergent, liquid detergent, and gel balls in Japan. Why I Stopped Using Powder Detergent Powder detergent is the type I remember most clearly from my childhood. There was a...