Coming soon · launching 2026

Life in Japan,
figured out.

Visas, taxes, that letter you can’t read, what to do in an earthquake, garbage days — ask JPMate and get clear, sourced answers in seconds.

Try:

Be first to know No spam, ever Free to start
I'm visiting Sapporo end of March — will there still be snow?
Likely yes. Daytime highs sit around 4–7 °C, but nights can still dip below freezing, so expect slushy streets and snowbanks rather than fresh deep snow. It usually clears by mid-April. See the Sapporo Weather & Seasons guide.
Helpful?
2 sources
Ask me anything about Japan…
0/700
One app, the whole journey

Everything a newcomer keeps googling

Four tools that cover the moments that actually trip people up — tap through them.

Ask anything, get a real answer

No more piecing together forum threads. JPMate explains the rule, the next step, and where to do it — in plain language.

Won't make things up — if it isn't sure, it says so instead of guessing
Sourced from official guidance you can verify
Personalised to your city, visa and household
Save any answer to read again later

Be ready before it happens

Earthquake, typhoon, flood — personalised prep checklists, what to do in the moment, and the nearest evacuation shelters mapped for you.

A readiness score that nudges you to prepare
Nearest shelters with walking routes — works offline
One-tap safety check-in for the people you trust

That official letter, decoded

Photograph any Japanese letter and get a plain-language explanation — what it is, what you need to do, where, and by when.

Tax, pension, city-hall and utility mail
Clear deadlines so you never miss a payment
Your photo is read securely and never stored

Keep what matters close

Bookmark the answers you’ll need again — your child’s registration steps, your tax checklist — and find them in a tap.

Your personal library of answers
Organised by date, searchable any time
Who needs to file a final tax return (確定申告) in Japan?
You generally need to file if you’re self-employed, earned over ¥200,000 outside your main salary, or want a refund for medical or donation deductions. Most company employees are covered by year-end adjustment and don’t need to.
Helpful?
NTA · Filing requirements
Ask me anything about Japan…
0/700
Emergency Guide
Personalized for Sapporo · Chuo-ku
20

Readiness Score

Complete more checklists to improve

Nearest shelters

Earthquake-rated · near Home

◍ Offline
#1

Shinyou Elementary School

404 m · 6 min walk

Go
#2

Kitayou Elementary School

469 m · 7 min walk

50
Earthquake
5/10 done
75
Tsunami
6/8 done
Mail Decoder
Photograph a Japanese letter and get a plain-language explanation plus what to do, where, and by when.
Take photo
Choose from gallery
Your photo is sent securely for reading and is not stored.
Saved Answers
Your bookmarked AI responses
Jun 2, 2026
The most important thing is whether you meet the conditions for filing a final tax return (確定申告). Here are the key points…
Mar 16, 2026
When your child is born in Japan, there are several steps to ensure they’re properly registered and can…
Mar 1, 2026
As a Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) with more than 80 points, you will be eligible for…
What you can ask

From paperwork to everyday life

Nationwide answers — live local tools (garbage days, transit) currently cover Sapporo & Hokkaido.

Visa & immigration

Renewals, status changes, points, and residence-card steps explained simply.

Tax & pension

Final tax returns, furusato nōzei, pension, and what each city-hall form means.

Healthcare

Insurance, finding clinics, what to say at the counter, and emergency care.

Housing

Leases, key money, moving-in notifications, and decoding rental contracts.

Garbage & daily lifeSapporo & Hokkaido

Your exact collection days, banking, transit, phone plans, and local rules.

Family & childcare

Birth registration, schools, allowances, and the paperwork that comes with kids.

Work, legal & scams

Your rights at work, contracts, consumer protection, and how to avoid common scams.

Disaster & emergency prep

Earthquake and typhoon preparedness checklists, what to do in the moment, and the route to your nearest shelter — works offline too.

Real-time, where you areSapporo & Hokkaido

Know before you go — live JR Hokkaido & Sapporo subway delays, JMA weather warnings, and today's garbage day.

When it matters most

Calm, clear, and ready —
even with no signal

The Emergency Guide turns panic into a checklist. Prep what you need beforehand, follow exact steps in the moment, and walk to the nearest rated shelter — all stored on your phone so it works when the network doesn’t.

8

Disaster guides,
each personalised

3

Nearest shelters,
mapped & offline

1-tap

Safety check-in
for your people

Emergency Guide
Personalized for Sapporo · Chuo-ku
20

Readiness Score

Complete more checklists to improve

Nearest shelters

Earthquake-rated · near Home

◍ Offline
#1

Shinyou Elementary School

404 m · 6 min walk

Go
…and you can ask in your own language
English日本語中文한국어 Tiếng ViệtPortuguêsEspañol
Up and running in a minute

How it works

1

Download & pick your language

Free to start. Choose how you want JPMate to talk to you.

2

Set your quick profile

City, visa, and household — so every answer fits your situation.

3

Ask away

Type a question or snap a letter. Clear, sourced answers in seconds.

Settle into Japan, faster.

Your patient, always-on guide to the parts no one explains.