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If you know of any Japan-related sites which you think should be included, I'd love to hear about them. Please send them by email. Many thanks.

Tourist offices & embassies

• Consulate General of Japan in New York - useful info on business, tax and customs regulations. Also details of government scholarships, the JET programme etc.
• Embassies and Consulates - for a list of all foreign embassies and consulates in Japan.
• Embassy of Japan in Canada - informative site with onward links to the Consulates.
• Embassy of Japan in Washington - visa info and links to Japanese consulates in the US.
• Embassy of Japan in the UK - well-organised site carrying details of JET and other ELT opportunities, government scholarships (monbusho), recruitment agencies in Tokyo, and, of course, the low-down on visas.
• Japan National Tourist Office (JNTO) - probably the best single place to start looking for information, though it's recent redesign has made some information harder to find. On the other hand the site now includes timetables and fares for trains and domestic air services. Includes links to Welcome Inn Group and Japan Inn Group.
• JNTO, London - under construction, but clear and easy to use and, as one would expect, lots of practical information, including JR passes.

General travel information

• Accessible Japan - good news for disabled visitors to Japan. The Wakakoma Independent Living Information Center (WILIC), an NGO based in Tokyo, has launched this excellent English-language website giving details of accessible accommodation, sights and transport around Japan.
• Accommodating Asia - nice, thoughtful site with lots of useful information for the first-time visitor, including an array of handy links.
• Beginners' Guide to Japan - as the name says, basic info for the first-time visitor.
• Explore Japan - well-designed site, best for its "survival kit" and "destinations" covering a number out-of-the-way places. Take a browse through Matt Malcomson's articles & short stories while you're there.
• Favorite Getaways in Rural Japan - guide to selected destinations in rural Japan, covering accommodation, transport, historical background etc.
• Global Access - catering to disabled travellers worldwide, this site has useful tips, links and a bulletin board.
• Japan International Student Tourist Assistance Club (JISTAC) - useful for its suggested itineraries and offer to answer questions. Unfortunately, the homestay programme is on hold and the budget accommodation page "in preparation". Worth watching.
• JapanVisitor - excellent, information-rich site, featuring travel tips and a great A-Z of Japanese culture, but still easy to navigate. Check out their "You Ask For It, We Look For It" search service.
• Japan Zone - clean, easy-to-use guide which styles itself "a trusty guide with enough healthy cynicism to make sure you get through the Far East Experience and come back for more". Provides a great overview of Japanese culture, both traditional and modern, sports, history, essential info for newbies, a photo gallery, forum and much more.
• JNTO, London - under construction, but clear and easy to use and, as one would expect, lots of practical information, including JR passes.
• Netcafe Guide - one of the best sources for locating internet cafes.
• Planning A Trip to Japan - nice, simple guide for first-time visitors, covering Tokyo, Kyoto & Ishikawa. (Still under construction.)
• Price Check Tokyo - check out the price of various food items, stamps, telephone calls, taxis, newspapers etc in Tokyo. Will also find prices on request.
• The Quirky Japan Homepage - in the words of its creator, Ed Jacob, this site is "dedicated to digression, kitsch, inessentiality, irreverence, irregularity, deviancy, obscurity, idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, peculiarity, individuality, creativity, and most of all, originality. Conformists, puritans and package tourists not welcome." Check it out.
• Schauwecker's Guide to Japan - packed with info and relevant links. Covers culture, tourism, transport, sport, religion, entertainment, living in Japan and more. Also forums, live chat and an offbeat photo-gallery.
• Traveling Cheaply to and in Japan - basic information on transport, accommodation and phoning home, plus regional info on western Japan.

Specific regions

FUKUOKA

• Fukuoka City Online - rather dry, official introduction to the city.
• Pics of Fukuoka! - an illustrated virtual tour of Fukuoka's top sights.
• Rainbow Cybernet - on-line version of Fukuoka International Association's magazine, Rainbow Newsletter, plus useful information for foreign residents.

  HIROSHIMA

• GetHiroshim.com - nice, clear design and packed with information about what's going on in Hiroshima.
• JapanInYourPalm.com - big, well-organised site aimed at expatriates and business visitors, specifically geared for downloading onto a Palm Pilot or similar.
• Hiroshima City Homepage - Hiroshima's official home page concentrates on the city's history, particulary the A-bomb and the peace movement, but there's not a great deal of practical info.

  KANSAI (incl Osaka)

• Kansai Concierge - post your questions about travel in the Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe areas on this handy English-language bulletin board run by local volunteer guides/interpreters. Also has a list of essential travellers' links.
• Kansai International Airport - flight info, floor plans and the low-down on local access.
• Kansai Time Out - Kansai's foremost English-language magazine, full of useful information, reviews and articles.
• Osaka English House - multinational student house with private rooms and a friendly atmosphere in Hirakata City, on the Keihan line between Osaka and Kyoto.
• Osaka Tourist Guide - directories of hotels, restaurants, events etc., historical info and details of Osaka's 2008 Olympic bid.

  KYOTO

• Ebisu's Kyoto - International group community centre near Kyoto University, offering accommodation (1 month minimum stay) and general info.
• Kyoto City Tourism and Culture Information System - not the snappiest title, but worth a browse for its "Latest Information" page detailing exhibitions, concerts, even daily updates on what flowers are in blossom and where. Unfortunately, the rest of the site is a bit impenetrable since you have to know what you're looking for before you start.
• Kyoto Visitor's Guide - on-line version of the freebie magazine, with listings of this month's festivals, exhibitions and other events.
• Tour Club - new hostel/ryokan near Kyoto station with dorms, tatami rooms, internet access and the works.
• Welcome to Kyoto - not great, but this is the best I've found so far for practical info on access, hotels etc. Run by Kyoto Convention Bureau.

  SHIKOKU

• nanyo.net - bi-lingual portal site covering the area around Uwajima, west Shikoku, with useful local ferry information and flight schedules amongst much else. You can even find out what's showing at the movies.
• Uwajima City English-language home page of Uwajima City, covering history, sightseeing, events and access. Neat and informative.

  TOKYO

• Akihabara - access guide and brief description (advertorial) for the main shops.
• Metropolis - Tokyo's foremost listings magazine (formerly known as Tokyo Classified) is also online, covering movies, art, clubs, bars, restaurants and so forth - plus the classifieds of course.
• Narita Airport - flight info, floor plans and the low-down on local access to Narita (New Tokyo International Airport).
• Picture Tokyo - want to see what's in store when you visit Tokyo? Browse over 300 photos organised by geographcal area, plus sections on trains and people.
• Roger & Marilyn's Photo Tour of Tokyo - photos, music, live cam links - this well-designed site is packed with info and peppered with useful links.
• Sawanoya Ryokan - Sawa-san's home page is as warm and welcoming as his ryokan.
• Taito Ryokan reasonably priced ryokan with 9 rooms in a traditional house in Asakusa. Internet access available.
• Tama Ryokan - budget ryokan centrally located near Takadanobaba Station. It's run by an American/Japanese couple and has just four rooms, so you'll need to book ahead. Internet access available.
• Tokyo Food Page - more than 1000 restaurant reviews, plus recipes and culinary travel tips by the author of What's What in Japanese Restaurants. Don't miss the Sushi Multimedia Page.
• Tokyo Meltdown - pot-pourri of Tokyo pages, combining architecture with restaurants, music and book stores. Onward links to clubs, music and events.
• Tokyo Q - Tokyo's biggest and best site. Weekly round-up of current news and upcoming arts events, restaurant listings, quirky links.
• Tsukiji Market - photos of the market in action, 24hrs in the life of the market, and even current prices - should you ever wish to know.
• WorldRamen.net - the only English-language ramen site, featuring more than you ever wanted to know about the little noodles. Well, nearly, since it's still under construction. In the meantime, it blows a few ramen myths and introduces some top Tokyo ramen restaurants.
• Yoshida House - Affordable, well-run guesthouse with internet access, a garden etc. 25 minutes west of Ikebukuro. Monthly and daily rates available.

  OTHERS

• Ino's Place - backpackers hostel in Sapporo, Hokkaido, with links to other sites giving local information.
• A Guide to Kamakura for International Visitors - easy-to-navigate site packed with information about Kamakura and Enoshima. Lots of historical background and interesting snippets to bring the place alive.
• Nagasaki Regional Information - collection of links posted by Nagasaki University, such as the excellent Crossroads magazine and a virtual tour of the city.
• Okayama International Villa Group - six villas set up to provide affordable, authentic accommodation in rural Okayama-ken. Photos, access info and pro-forma fax booking form.
• Sendai Home Page - basic information on transport and the main sights, though somewhat out of date.
• Virtual Mt Fuji - ever wondered what it's like up there? Read this personal account of the climb. Written with humour plus some good pics.
• Yokohama - brief details of events, sights and transport within the city.

Accommodation (general sites)

• ANA Hotels International - details of ANA hotels in Japan and around the world. No online booking facility.
• Auto Camp Plaza - online maps of campsite locations plus other details, all in Japanese.
• eRyokan - well thought-out site offering online booking for a growing number of ryokan throughout Japan. Lots of photos to help you get a feel for the place.
• Japan Economy Hotels - online reservation service for over 200 economy-class business hotels (all Western-style).
• Japan Youth Hostels - list of JYH hostels giving basic details, plus info on how to book (no online reservation), hostel rules etc.
• Japanese Guest Houses - this well-organised online ryokan reservation service has close to 200 ryokan listed, and they'll find ryokan in other areas if requested. You can also sign up to meet a real Kyoto Geisha!
• Japanese Inn Group - details of JIG members with links to homepages where available for online booking. Rest of site still under construction.
• New Otani Hotels - details of New Otani Hotels and the cheaper New Otani Inns, with online booking facility.
• Nikko Hotels International - details of Nikko Hotels in Japan and around the world, with online booking facility.
• Okayama International Villa Group - six villas set up to provide affordable, authentic accommodation in rural Okayama-ken. Photos, access info and pro-forma fax booking form.
• Prince Hotels - details of selected Prince Hotels, with online booking facility.
• Welcome Inn Reservation Centre - new and much-improved online reservation service for the government-run Welcome Inns (comprising around 700 moderately priced Japanese-style inns, hotels, pensions and youth hostels). You can search by city, prefecture or proximity to certain sights, airports etc.

Transport

• ANA (All Nippon Airways) - check seat availability, international & domestic flight schedules, flight status. Floor plans for Narita, Kansai, Fukuoka and Nagoya airports.
• eki-net - this JR East site allows you to book your shinkansen and Narita Express tickets online.
• JAL Europe - details of Japan Airline's European schedules, but no online booking as yet.
• JAL USA - Japan Airline's US site offers special promotions, flight schedules, online reservations and ticketing through Travelocity.
• Japan Biker FAQ - all you ever wanted to know about biking (of the motor variety) in Japan. Last updated Dec '98, but still a great read.
• Japan Rail (JR) - all you could want to know about JR, including their bus and ferry services. Info on rail passes, schedules and fares. Links to the 6 regional rail cos. Travel glossary.
• Kansai International Airport - flight info, floor plans and the low-down on local access.
• Narita Airport - flight info, floor plans and the low-down on local access to Narita (New Tokyo International Airport).
• Online Odakyu - details of Odakyu Railway Company's tours, discount tickets and service centre in Shinjuku Station (Tokyo). Also sightseeing information around the Odakyu network, which covers Hakone and Kamakura.
• The Subway Page - amazing resource of subway maps from all around the world. In Japan, you'll find maps for Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo and Kyoto, amongst others.
• Travel Expert - gives alternative routes for journeys within Japan by train and plane, showing journey time, fare (one-way) and transfers.

Maps

• Auto Camp Plaza - online maps of campsite locations plus other details, all in Japanese.
• Mapion - incredibly detailed online maps, all in Japanese but easy enough to find your way around.

Arts & culture

• Asahi Japan Collectibles - forgot to buy souvenirs? This US-based online shop (with secure ordering) sells paper, kimono, ukiyo-e, noren, even a choice of Shinto altars. And you can send virtual postcards for free.
• Asia Society - this "Reader's Guide to the Arts of Japan" consists of an academic, annotated bibliography. Good starting point for the serious art enthusiast.
• Ikebana International - the whys and wherefores of ikebana, with descriptions of the different schools and lots of pics, but no online classes.
• images of Japan - take a spin through contemporary Japan via this rich mix of photo essays, street fashion, potted bios ("who's who") and suchlike, courtesy of Kjeld Duits, Dutch photographer/journalist/producer and long-term resident of Japan.
• Japanese Culture - mainly lists of culture-related links (some broken; many in Japanese), plus some feature articles. On the About.com network.
• Japanese Garden Database - descriptions and locations of gardens in and outside Japan for the enthusiast.
• Japanese Garden Journal - online presence of a glossy, bi-monthly English-language journal. "Leaf through" a few interesting sample articles.
• Japanese Literature Webring - 26 member sites at present, covering poetry and contemporary novelists - Banana Yoshimoto features strongly.
• The Japan Page - Kodansha's online catalogue and bookstore.
• Japan Poem - electronic greeting-card service consisting of illustrated poems from Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (100 Poems by 100 Poets), with optional sound-track.
• Japan Shop - nice and simple online shopping mall for people living outside Japan. It consists of links to shops (not all located in Japan) selling Japanese or Japan-related products: books, art, martial arts, anime, gifts and much, much more. An excellent resource.
• Japan Zone - clean, easy-to-use guide which styles itself "a trusty guide with enough healthy cynicism to make sure you get through the Far East Experience and come back for more". Provides a great overview of Japanese culture, both traditional and modern, sports, history, essential info for newbies, a photo gallery, forum and much more.
• JCult - well-designed e-zine aimed at expats and visitors that's best for its offbeat feature articles, food section (with glossary and recipes) and sumo spot (news and gossip). Its links to news and weather services, government ministries and universities should also be useful.
• J!-ENT - not the easiest site to navigate but, hey, this is pop culture! Keep up to date with their translations of entertainment news.
• Kaze Arashi Ryu - martial arts site devoted to a system of armed and unarmed combat derived from the battlefield methods (including combat with a folding war fan) practiced by followers of Shugendo at Dewa Sanzan. The tradition almost died out, but was revived thanks to a chance meeting.
• KnitJapan - knitting is very much part of contemporary Japanese arts and culture. This site is dedicated to promoting Japanese knitting, with a particular focus on exhibitions in the UK.
• Music of Japan & Okinawa - collection of in-depth record reviews from Rootsworld.
• Nihon Sumo Kyokai - Sumo's official home page, with news, tournatment reprots, interviews, tournatment reports, guide to Sumo and Rikishi who's who.
• Nipponia - digital version of quarterly magazine (in English and Japanese). Includes some travel-related articles. Print version available at Japanese Embassies and Consulates.
• Otaku World - for fans of anime and manga. Reviews, freebies, links and much more.
• Real Japan - nice introduction to Japanese pop culture with one or two interesting links.
• Sarah's Kitchen - simple Japanese recipes and links to food related sites.
• Sumo Web - good starting point for anyone interested in Sumo.
• Trends in Japan - keep up to date with the latest crazes.
• WorldRamen.net - the only English-language ramen site, featuring more than you ever wanted to know about the little noodles. Well, nearly, since it's still under construction. In the meantime, it blows a few ramen myths and introduces some top Tokyo ramen restaurants.
• Zipangu - among other things this "transcultural network" aims to provide an alternative viewpoint from that presented in the English-language mass media, and to promote better understanding between different cultures, particularly between Japan and the US.

Language & etiquette

• David's Homepage - amaze (and possibly also amuse) your friends with a few Japanese rib-ticklers.
• Education Japan - focusing on Japanese language schools within Japan, this site provides a welcome independent assessment.
• Gateway to Japanese Language - links to a number of free on-line courses, plus language schools and other related links.
• Japanese Culture Centre - basic etiquette course, covering shoes & slippers, beds & baths, eating & toilets. Backed up with photos and a glossary.
• Japanese Manners & Etiquette - concise tips on how to fit in in Japan.
• Japanese Name Translation - nifty site which transribes your name into katakana and even gives you the pronounciation. Learn more about Japanese language and scripts in the Learning Resources section, or just have fun reading the blog.
• The Japanese Writing Tutor - really neat site with animated GIFs to help you learn the correct stroke order for kanji (sadly, only 45 so far) and kana.
• Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Server - highly rated electronic dictionary. Browser wth a Japanese environment required.
• My Translator - free online machine translation (Japanese-English or vice versa) of web pages etc. or access to a human for a fee. Fonts also available.
• Nihongo: Japanese Language - simple English/Japanese and Japanese/English dictionary.
• Online Japanese Lessons - online classes run by Las Vegas language school. From $9.99 per month.
• The Quick and Dirty Guide to Japanese Grammar - everything you need to know about Japanese grammar boiled down to a few no-nonsense rules, courtesy of Tad Perry. And no, I don't know why it's "dirty" either.
• Shodouka - plug your Japanese-language URL into the location box and hey presto! No need for downloads - and it's free.
• Yes Japan - online courses at five levels (only 3 up at present), including access to sound files, interactive quizzes and online teachers. $2.95 three-day trial; monthly fee for full access.

Japan for kids

• Kids Web Japan - introducing Japan to children 10-14yrs, but some good stuff for adults too. Covers culture (including pop culture), folk tales, food, festivals and games. Fun ideas and nice graphics.
• Tokyo with Kids - excellent resource including info about babysitters, schools and entertainment for kids, not completely restricted to Tokyo.

Weather

• USA Today - current conditions and 5-day forecast for Tokyo, Osaka, Nagano, Sapporo and Okinawa, plus monthly averages for Tokyo, Kobe and Nagasaki.

Currency convertors & ATMs

• Mastercard - search their "Worldwide ATM locator" for machines in the Cirrus network (but note that many ATMs in Japan do not accept cards issued abroad).
• Visa - find the location of ATMs in the PLUS network (but note that many ATMs in Japan do not accept cards issued abroad).
• Yahoo! - find today's Yen exchange rate against a host of currencies.

Travelogues & home pages

• A Glimpse of Japan - nicely designed site with background information on language, festivals, cuisine, sports and so forth.
• Ayse & Jan's Travelspot - part photo-journal, part info resource, Ayse & Jan have put together a great site based on a 2004 trip to Japan.
• Japan in 24 days - Mike Chachich takes a sayonara motorbike ride through Japan. Not only a great read, but lots of helpful information on where to stay, costs and mileage.
• Mark Peters - Australian falls in love with Japan. The engaging story of two trips made in 1998 & 1999.
• 1923 Diary - brief diary extract of an American businessman who had the misfortune to arrive in Tokyo on the eve of the Great Earthquake.
• Randy Johnson's Japan Page - well-organised site, including sushi sampler, gallery of woodblock prints and travel articles, but perhaps most interesting for its Favourite Getaways in Rural Japan.
• ThingsAsian - good selection of articles focusing on Asia by professional writers as well as travelers or expats with a story to tell. You can search by country, author or subject-matter.
• Trip to Hakone and Ito - practical tips on travelling to Hakone.
• Virtual Mt Fuji - ever wondered what it's like up there? Read this personal account of the climb. Written with humour, and some good pics.

Photo Galleries

• Absolute Japan - feast your eyes on Frantisek Staud's wonderful photos. There are nearly 600 images, arranged in 23 thematic categories and available in three resolutions. In addition, his two travelogues (the great outdoors and Zen gardens) offer great tips for budding photographers.
• images of Japan - take a spin through contemporary Japan via this rich mix of photo essays, street fashion, potted bios ("who's who") and suchlike, courtesy of Kjeld Duits, Dutch photographer/journalist/producer and long-term resident of Japan.
• jpassion - lively site from photographer Pat Lyttle covering teen fashion, culture and scenery. Interesting collection of links.
• 100 Select Night Views of Kansai - sunsets, floodlit bridges, fireworks and so forth. Gives locations and access info.
• Picture Tokyo - want to see what's in store when you visit Tokyo? Browse over 300 photos organised by geographcal area, plus sections on trains and people.
• Rob's Japan Photo Gallery - fun site showing annotated pics of everyday sights and a few shots behind the scenes: public phones, fast-food outlets, squat toilets, love hotels and Japan's oft-ignored homeless population.
• Roger & Marilyn's Photo Tour of Tokyo - photos, music, live cam links - this well-designed site is packed with info and peppered with useful links.
• Shibuya River - Japan photo gallery plus much more - music and magazine clips; tributes to Namie Amuro and Buffalo Daughter.
• TrekJapan - community-based photo gallery run by ex-JET Adam Silverman. Features some great food photos - including nattô up real close.
• YHS Webtours - photo essays by Yokata High School students. Topics include castles, sumo, gardens and volcanoes.
• Yoshinori Watabe's Photo Gallery - Japanese landscapes from north to south.

Travel & tour agents

• Alpex - for something a big different, this locally run club offering adventure tours in Japan, such as rafting, scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing and biking.
• Artisans of Leisure - luxury, private and individually tailored tours from this New York-based operator. Tours include such interesting and unusual options as contemporary art of Japan, family tours and culinary tours.
• Baumann Travel - specialist travel company run by a working artist offering fully-escorted tours of Japan with a cultural twist. Sample itineraries include Japanese gardens and cherry-blossom tours.
• InsideJapan Tours - extremely well designed site from this UK-based, Japan-only tour specialist offering flights, packages and customised tours. InsideJapan Tours provides a unique service of the highest standard and caters for everyone from back-packers through to five-star luxury. Their site contains an unusual amount of background cultural information and travel tips. For their ski packages, see JapanSnow!.
• JTB USA - check out their discount air tickets, Sunrise Tour programmes, hotel directory etc. Also rail pass info and online booking (for holders of American and Japanese credit cards only.
• Kintetsu International - details of air fares (with schedule search facility), student discounts, pacakages, and hotels from the US office of Kintetsu. Secure online booking.
• The Oriental Caravan - small group and tailor-made tours to Japan (amongst other places) led by veteran traveller, linguist and ex-Exodus leader Phil Colley, one of the pioneers of Japan "adventure tours".
• QIXO.com - compares airfares from around 20 different travel sites.
• Xassow Tokyo Guided Tour - English-language guide/interpreter services offered in Tokyo and all Japan.

News & media

• Asahi.com - well-designed site with clear headlines and links to the NY Times, CNN.com and Mercury Centre (Knight Ridder).
• Daily Yomiuri On-line - another easy-to-navigate site, categorizing its news by politics, economics, crime/accident, society, culture and science. It also posts features and events listings.
• Japan File - searchable archive of articles from Kansai Time Out. Covers travel, living in Japan, culture, business etc.
• Japan Times - best for its weekly news round up. Also festival listings and techno news.
• Japan Today - news portal from the Tokyo Classified/Metropolitan team covering national and international stories, finance, business, sport, environment and so forth.
• Nikkei Net Interactive - wins hands down for financial and economic info. Carries articles from the Nikkei Weekly, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Nikkei Industrial Daily and the Nikkei Financial Daily.

Living, working & studying in Japan

• Counseling and Support in Japan - bilingual site providing information on qualified counseling, psychotherapy, group therapy, online support, self-help and multicultural support groups and mental health care available to people of all nationalities living in Japan. There's also a forum open to anyone experiencing emotional difficulties.
• Dave's ESL Cafe - extensive list of ELT/ESL jobs in Japan and eslewhere. Plus a forum and lots of links.
• Dial-Abroad.org - a useful review of international long distance phone options both to and from Japan.
• Education Japan - focusing on Japanese language schools within Japan, this site provides a welcome independent assessment.
• EFL in Asia - big collection of EFL links, including job notice boards. A good place to start browsing.
• eol-japan - looking for a job in Japan? See what's on offer on this job-market site or post your own ad. Aimed at international professionals, including ESL/ELT teachers.
• from-hanna.com - portal site run by Sony Marketing for English-speaking foreigners living in Japan. Travel, leisure, jobs, bulletin boards, online shopping - you get the picture.
• Gaijin Net - web space for foreigners living in Tokyo.
• Global Window - basic information for first-time business visitors, including cultural tips and primers on, for example, the Japanese work ethic, women in the workplace etc. Also a bibliography and glossary.
• GoAbroad.com - Great database of study, volunteer and job opportunities around the world, backed up with handy travel information.
• Hozumi Clinic Homepage - Ikebukuro medical and daycare center providing professional and confidential client centered, adult rehabilitation day care services, medical support and psychiatric consultation services for Tokyo area residents.
• Ikebukuro Counseling Center (ICC) - ICC provides professional and confidential counseling in English, German, Japanese and other languages in addition to group and dance therapy services for those living in the Tokyo region.
• Japan FAQ - blow-by-blow account of all those things you should know before you go - getting a visa, finding an appartment, opening a bank account, finding a job (good section on ELT/ESL) and much, much more.
• Japan Job Connections - well-structured site listing mainly teaching and technical jobs. Also good sections on visas, job applications, what to do before you go, even basic language lessons.
• The Japanese Window - practical and up-to-date guide for peope moving to Japan. Contains information about housing, phone, internet, shopping and other basics.
• JET Alumni Association - aimed at past and present JETs, but also useful for anyone thinking of teaching in Japan. Discussion forums, some regional guides and good links, notably the JET AA Job Guide.
• Jobs in Japan - free listings, classified and personal ads, mainly for teaching jobs, but also technology, modelling and entertainment. Potentially useful discussion forum.
• Kimi Information Centre - one-stop service for people moving to Japan, particularly Tokyo. Rentals, jobs, business support and a useful bulletin board, amongst other things.
• Lynne's Home Page - useful tips for anyone thinking of going to teach in Japan. Brought to you by a British JET.
• MixPizza - free service aimed at foreign residents. Best is their coverage of living and working in Japan. Also YellowMap search engine and a Business Finder.
• My Mother is a Tractor - former JET Nicholas Klar has written a book about his experiences. Required reading for anyone contemplating JET-hood.
• Navigating life in Japan - basic information for people moving to Japan, with a focus on Tokyo. Potentially useful bulletin boards.
• Netlinks - index of resources for people wanting to live and work in Japan. Covers language studies, employment opportunities, chat groups etc.
• O-Hayo Sensei - free electronic newsletter listing teaching and related jobs across Japan.
• Studying Japanese: Questions & Answers - useful FAQ on studying Japanese in Japan, posted by former student Ravi Montenegro.
• OrangutanEnglish.com - a teacher-student introduction service for Japan-based teachers and students which allows you to teach where, when and how you want. Teachers decide their own rates. Students view the teacher profiles and contact teachers direct (membership required). The site also contains Grammar Guides, an English Terminology page and Toefl/Toeic resources.
• Teaching English in Japan - good site with practical, up-to-date info on getting a job in Japan.
• Tell Net - wide-ranging and informative site run by Tokyo English Life Line.
• Tokyo Connections - bills itself as the ultimate guide to jobs in Japan. Reviews over 200 job-related resources for people wanting to work in Japan. All major employment areas are covered, from IT job opportunities to grants for postdoctoral research studies, English-language teaching and working holiday programs.
• Tokyo International Club - info on international parties and events.
• Tokyo with Kids - excellent resource including info about babysitters, schools and entertainment for kids, not completely restricted to Tokyo.
• United Front of Japan - despite a rather unfortunate name, this non-profit organisation promotes the welfare and legal rights of non-Japanese residents. Includes unofficial translations of local laws, legal and immigration info (with useful directory of immigration bureaux).
• United for a Multicultural Japan - resource for foreign residents married to Japanese, including legal information, discussion groups and so forth.

Doing business in Japan

• Executive Planet - resource for business travellers interested in raising their level of cultural awareness: customs and protocol, gift-giving, negotiating tactics, cross-cultural communication etc. Primarily aimed at Americans, but there are plenty of useful tips for anyone thinking of doing business in Japan.
• eurotechnology.com - Tokyo-based high-tech consulting boutique offers a few essential tips on Japanese business etiquette.
• Invest Japan! - site created by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) for foreign companies thinking of investing in Japan. Information includes data on regulatory reform, market statistics, regional overviews etc.

Government Ministries

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs - good source for visa info, lists of embassies and consulates (overseas and in Japan), Japanese government ministries and other agencies. Also details of the JET programme and Working Holidays in Japan (for citizens of Canada, Australia and NZ).

Newsgroups & chat forums

• Asia Travel Message Forums - useful round-up of Asia-related travel forums, newsgroups and BBS.
• clari.world.asia.japan - news clippings.
• fj.life.in-japan
• Jan Dodd's Japan Forum
• soc.culture.japan
• soc.culture.japan.moderated
• rec.travel.asia - the (second!) best place to post travel-related questions.

Other online resources

• Anime Web Turnpike - comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to world of anime and manga.
• Daruma - Selective, annotated listings.
• Japan Information Network - extensive lists of links as well as their own content, such as the Virtual Museum of Japanese Arts, Trends in Japan and a useful Japan Directory giving addresses of various government bodies and other organisations.
• Japan Web Guide - 500 sites categorized by topic. Well organised, but last updated 1997.
• Japanese Culture - culture-related links (some broken; many in Japanese), plus some feature articles. On the About.com network.
• Japanese Information - decent selection of links offered by NTT, including universities, a limited selection of museums and various government institutions.
• J Guide - well-structured list of 1370 links maintained by Stanford University.
• Japan Reference Page One of the best web resources I've seen so far. Extremely well designed, clean, informative, well maintained, easy to use and BIG! All power to their elbows.
• Netlinks - index of resources for people wanting to live and work in Japan. Covers language studies, employment, chat groups etc.
• Tom's Japan Web Page - new site that's worth watching.
• Turn Around - an excellent collection of travel-related links for disabled travelers.
• Yahoo! - always a good place to start roaming.