What to Know Before Moving to Tokyo
- atiqahzin1
- May 10
- 4 min read
As one of the world’s largest economies, Japan is also a safe country with high standards of living, making it an attractive place to work, invest or live in. While it isn’t easy to get a Japanese citizenship, short-term stays ranging from a few months to a few years have become increasingly common.
But whether you’re thinking of moving to Tokyo for work, studies or to start a business, here are some things you’ll need to know before doing so.
Main considerations before moving to Tokyo
Tokyo is a popular tourist destination for many reasons. However, it’s important to note that a week-long holiday and actually living in Tokyo are two completely different experiences altogether.
For one, Tokyo may be Japan’s most expensive city, but the average cost of living is still lower than other major cities in the world like New York, London and Sydney. It also has a high population density, so you must be okay with crowds to have an enjoyable time living there!
Secondly, work culture in Japan - of which Tokyo is a microcosm - has long been regarded by foreigners as a double-edged sword. That’s because the Japanese are known for their loyalty and a strong work ethic, but unspoken pressures to work long hours overtime led to a crisis of karoshi (“death from overwork”) in the late 1900s. This has improved drastically over the last few decades, but cultural norms still maintain the importance of being punctual, showing deference to superiors, avoiding direct confrontation and using honorifics where appropriate.
As a global city, Tokyo has stellar infrastructure to support its massive population. For instance, its public transport system is often lauded as one of the best in the world, while healthcare subsidies (where the government pays 70% and you pay only 30% of the bill) are available after living in Japan for 3 months. If you’re planning on relocating there with your family, your children’s education will undoubtedly be a consideration as well. You may apply for a place at a Japanese school, though many foreigners choose to enrol their children in international schools (there are 60 in Tokyo alone!).
Lastly, it’s preferable that you’re able to speak at least basic Japanese, given that only 10% of Japan’s population considers themselves fluent in English. Notwithstanding, this statistic is significantly higher in Tokyo, where day-to-day communication in English wouldn’t prove to be as difficult.
Applying for a Japanese visa
Staying in Tokyo for a period exceeding 90 days will require a visa, which will in turn be determined by the nature of your stay. Examples include:
Digital Nomad Visa: For individuals working remotely in Japan for a period under 6 months
Start-up Visa: For entrepreneurs supported by municipalities in Japan and valid for 6 months; renewal is subject to approval
Work Visa: A general working visa that covers a select list of professions, for a stay of up to 5 years
Working Holiday Visa: For youth from partner countries/regions to participate in employment to support their expenses while travelling in Japan
Student Visa: For students enrolled in local educational institutions; validity is individually designated on a by-case basis
A visa is also required for you to process a Resident Card, which will serve as your identification for the duration of your stay in Tokyo. More information on visa application is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
Getting around Tokyo
Getting around Tokyo is easy, with its dense network of train (Japan Rail) and subway (Tokyo Metro) lines, famous for their efficiency and punctuality. Its bus system is likewise extensive, but can be a little tricky for foreigners to navigate as not all bus stops will have signs in English.
Cumulatively, they make Tokyo’s public transport system one of the most heavily utilised in the world. Prepaid IC cards like Suica cards (purchased from JR stations) and Pasmo cards (purchased at non-JR stations) can be used for all forms of public transport.
Foreigners are also allowed to drive in Tokyo if they have an International Driving Permit, but may only do so for a maximum of one year, regardless of the length of their permit.
Where to live in Tokyo
Despite the convenience of its public transportation system, where you live in Tokyo still matters. Aside from differences in rental costs and time taken to commute each day, different neighbourhoods have distinct atmospheres and range of amenities. Particularly for digital nomads and entrepreneurs, where you live can also affect your access to social/business networking opportunities.
Recommended neighbourhoods to live in Tokyo include:
Ginza is known to tourists primarily as a luxury shopping and dining district. But for a digital nomad or entrepreneur, staying at Ginza East offers excellent access to high-end clients and networking opportunities in a global hub. Meanwhile, the nearby Tsukuda provides a quieter living environment with easy access to the vibrant city centre - the best of both worlds, if you will.
2. Roppongi
As Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife and entertainment hub, Roppongi is also home to many multinational companies with offices in Tokyo, which explains why there’s a large expat community there. Living in Roppongi is thus ideal for networking opportunities, and close proximity to a variety of co-working spaces and business hubs.
Located close to Roppongi, Nishi Azabu and Minami-azabu are great for digital nomads and entrepreneurs who want to be close to Tokyo’s international business scene while enjoying a more residential, high-end living environment.
4. Meguro
Charming and laid-back with a myriad of green spaces and cafes, Meguro is a good place to live in for remote workers who want a peaceful place to work while being just a short commute away from the city centre.
If you’re planning on living in Tokyo for a few years, an option would be to first go for a short-term service apartment rental in one of the aforementioned neighbourhoods. This will give you a good sense of what living in these neighbourhoods would be like and how it fits into your daily routine, before committing to a longer-term rental.
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