🇯🇵 Childbirth Money & Maternity Leave in Japan — A Simple Guide Easy, plain-English explainer + a built-in calculator you can use right now. Having a baby in Japan? This page explains two big topics in calm, simple language: ① Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant (money that helps pay the hospital bill) and ② Maternity Leave (time off before and after birth). There’s also a quick calculator that shows your grant amount, who to apply to, your deadline, and notes about payment timing. 1) “Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant” (出産育児一時金) “` What it is: a one-time payment families can use to cover the birth bill. How much: ¥500,000 per baby […]

🍼 Did You Know? Pregnancy Food Rules Vary Around the World When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I became much more conscious of what I was eating. But as I started researching, I discovered something surprising: Pregnancy food rules actually vary a lot depending on the country. In Japan, certain foods are avoided based on tradition or caution, while in Western countries, the guidance tends to be based more on scientific evidence. This led me to explore the differences—and decide what felt right for me. ☕ Caffeine In Japan, it’s often said that one or two cups of coffee a day are acceptable during pregnancy. […]

Thoughtful packing and planning for a stress-free satogaeri shussan experience 1. Choosing What to Bring We were lucky to receive many baby items from my sister’s family, who had already experienced childbirth. However, selecting only the essentials for the return home was unexpectedly challenging. Since we planned to stay at my parents’ home for at least a month after the birth, we had to consider both prenatal and postnatal periods when packing. 2. Plan Based on Your Routine at Your Parents’ House Unlike staying at a hotel, returning to your childhood home involves adjusting to daily life again—this time with a newborn. We discussed with my mother how we would […]

Satogaeri Shussan: Giving Birth Back Home in Japan 🌸 Introduction In Japan, there’s a unique cultural practice called “Satogaeri Shussan”, or returning home for childbirth. It means a pregnant woman returns to her parents’ home before delivery and stays there during and after childbirth. As a working couple living near Tokyo, we chose this traditional method for the birth of our first child. In this article, we’ll share why we made that decision, how we prepared, and what we experienced along the way. Traveling to her hometown in the late stage of pregnancy 🏡 What is “Satogaeri Shussan”? “Satogaeri Shussan” refers to the practice of a pregnant woman moving to […]