12 Tips for Living in Tokyo, Japan

By jsbray8

Expat Life in Tokyo

Foreigners move to Tokyo to experience the big, foreign city. In Tokyo, there is never a lack of things to do. It is always bustling and full of surprises.

Cost of Living in Tokyo, Japan

Living here is expensive, but doable. It is easy to spend your money going out and doing things, so if have to find a balance of saving money and experiencing the culture. Produce is more expensive than American, but eating out can be very cheap and affordable.

Local Clubs and Organizations

There are tons of clubs on Facebook and more. There are so many that I am sure that I am not aware of them all. Again, with Tokyo being a massive city, there are plenty of clubs and activities to get involved with.

International Schools in Tokyo

There are too many international schools to list. Again, Tokyo is huge, and so the list of international schools is long.

Shopping in Tokyo

There are grocery stores everywhere. Finding a good grocery store within walking distance of your home is important. Also, people like to get food at convenience stores and those are on every corner.

Public Transportation

The public transportation in Tokyo is famous for being on-time and reliable. You can get almost anywhere with it. It might overwhelming at first trying to navigate it all.

Climate

It has four seasons. Winter is cold, but not cold enough to snow a lot. Fall and Spring are fantastic. Summer is the worst. Summer is hot and humid and you are constantly sweating. It is awful.

Restaurants and Nightlife

This really depends on what area of Tokyo you are in, My residential neighborhood does not have much of a nightlife. But, I could take a twenty minute train ride to a famous nightlife area and go to all the clubs I could want.

What are local hospitals and emergency services like?

There is a hospital about 15 minutes from my home. Hospitals are everywhere and are accessible. Every hospital I have been to has been of good quality and if it is public or private varies by case.

Recreational Activities in Tokyo

Again, Tokyo is huge. There is every kind of recreational activity is available. The trouble is going out and finding it in the big city. Some popular ones are Golf ranges, Swimming pools, hiking, baseball, and soccer.

Residency and Visa Requirements

It varies on where you are from. If you are from America, you need a spouse visa (married to someone with a visa or a citizenship), working visa, or student visa. For working visa, find a job first and then move to Japan. Your employer will help with the visa process.

Crime in Tokyo, Japan

There is not much crime at all. If there is crime, it is usually sexual assault or domestic abuse. If you are a woman, be careful about leaving your laundry outside and locking your doors. There are perverts and it is better to be safe than sorry. But again, crime is not prominent in Japan.