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That really depends on your priorities and what you¡¯re looking for. In our Expat Insider 2024 survey, Tokyo ranked 25th out of 53 cities.

Expats appreciate the high quality of life but struggle with the language barrier and find it challenging to get used to Japanese culture. Especially the work culture can be very demanding. Salaries and benefits, at least, are noteworthy, and the city offers excellent facilities.

Check out our Pros & Cons above and the additional Q&As below for more detailed insights.

It depends on your reason for moving to Tokyo.

Check out the website of the to find the right type of visa for your respective reason for going to Japan ¡ª whether you want to come as a tourist, on business, for your studies, to take up employment, or to join family members.

If you¡¯re planning to work in Japan, you need to apply for a work visa, which . It¡¯s usually valid for one to five years and requires sponsorship from an employer in Japan.

You or your sponsor need to apply for a so-called Certificate of Eligibility with the Regional Immigration Bureau, first. Only once you have this certificate in hand does it make sense to apply for your visa at your respective Japanese embassy or consulate.

Provided everything is in order, it typically takes between a week (short-term stays) and a month (long-term) for a visa application to be processed.

Like in any other city, most expats live in the more international parts of town. And here, two popular districts (called ku) stand out: Minato and Shibuya.

Minato-ku has become a business hub, home to many international companies and embassies. As the neighborhood with the largest expat community, Minato offers convenient facilities for foreign residents such as international schools, English-speaking hospitals, and modern housing suitable for families.

Shibuya-ku is one of the most popular places for young expats, featuring trendy cafes and restaurants, fashion stores, and a vibrant nightlife. Getting around is easy and convenient, with many large stations located here. Like Minato, Shibuya also has excellent facilities for expats, such as international schools, shopping areas, and plenty of green spaces.

As in any other city, your cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle and situation, and especially whether you¡¯re a single individual or have a family to support. But there¡¯s no doubt that Tokyo is the most expensive city in Japan. Especially housing is often pricey considering the comparatively little space you get.

The following table shows a rough overview of the monthly expenses you can expect.

Not listed are health insurance costs, which depend on your salary and additional factors like the size of your household and potential dependents in your care. Even with public insurance, be prepared to pay up to 30% of healthcare costs in co-payments.

It is mandatory for all residents to have health insurance in Japan, including expats intending to live here for more than 3 months.

There are two options based on eligibility: Social Health Insurance (SHI) ¡ª also called Employee¡¯s Health Insurance ¡ª and National Health Insurance (NHI). If you¡¯re employed, it¡¯s easy to get SHI because your employer usually enrolls you after completing a few pieces of paperwork. You just need to contact them or your local Social Insurance Office.

While SHI is limited to certain people, NHI is open to almost everyone in Japan except foreigners staying less than 3 months, people aged 75 or above, and those already enrolled in SHI or receiving public assistance. Part-time and temporary workers can apply for NHI, as they may not be eligible for SHI.

Both SHI and NHI are public healthcare programs, with 70% of costs for medical care covered by the government. You¡¯ll have to pay the remaining 30% with your own money or through additional private insurance that covers co-payments.

There¡¯s an app called , where you can find the most efficient routes for your journeys, including trains, subways, and buses.

The app provides information in several languages, including English. It also lets you purchase online tickets for most forms of public transportation.

As Tokyo¡¯s public system is very convenient, it¡¯s not necessary to get a car unless you have several kids or must travel outside of town on a daily basis. Tokyo is also a very walkable city, and you can get around easily on foot. For longer distances, cycling is an excellent option, too.

In Japan¡¯s big cities like Tokyo, you should have no trouble finding someone who speaks English in public places and restaurants, especially in the city center. While Tokyo only ranked 44th out of 53 cities in our 2024 Expat Insider survey when it comes to the ease of getting by without speaking the local language, English is still sufficient for everyday life ¡ª provided your job doesn¡¯t require Japanese, of course.

But it will be highly beneficial to learn basic Japanese before moving! At some point, you may feel limited by only speaking English and experience language barriers. That¡¯s especially the case when making official appointments, dealing with bureaucracy, or looking for accommodation.

Being able to speak both English and Japanese is an asset for securing better career opportunities ¡ª perhaps a higher-paying job ¡ª and can help you make friends with locals.

Starting with the basics, always take your shoes off before entering someone¡¯s house, avoid being loud in public places like trains, and learn how to use chopsticks properly.

If a local greets you by bowing, it¡¯s customary and polite for you to bow back. There¡¯s also an unspoken rule that is very different from most countries: do not leave a tip in restaurants, as it will offend the staff!

Japanese people are known for their politeness and adherence to rules, so it¡¯s important to know and follow cultural norms and etiquettes as a form of respect.

Tokyo was voted the 3rd friendliest city by readers of , a travel guidebook provider. If you get lost or confused about something, don¡¯t hesitate to ask for help; locals will gladly assist you.

Japanese people will tolerate or forgive you if you commit a faux pas or break unspoken rules. They understand that you may not know the cultural differences and didn¡¯t do it on purpose. But always remember to apologize for any mistakes you make!

Still, in our 2024 Expat Insider survey, only a fifth of respondents in Tokyo (20%) agreed that it¡¯s easy to make Japanese friends (vs. 38%), with some pointing out that the locals can be very reserved.

Luckily, Tokyo also has a sizeable international population. So if you¡¯re still struggling to communicate in Japanese with the locals, making friends with other English-speaking expats is a good first step to take.

Tokyo is a diverse place where finding a community that shares your interests or hobbies is not difficult. A good starting point is, of course, ÓéÀÖ³ÇÓÅ»Ý.

You can connect with other expats from around the world through our events and interest-based groups. The motto at our events is ¡°nobody stands alone,¡± and we genuinely mean it. Arriving solo without knowing anyone is completely normal ¡ª we¡¯ve all experienced it before!

Of course, there are also other ways to meet people in Tokyo besides ÓéÀÖ³ÇÓÅ»Ý.

Meetup offers a variety of groups where you can meet other English speakers, and social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook allow you to connect in a more casual way. Sites like Eventbrite or Go Tokyo are useful for discovering events that match your interests. Or you can try your luck at Japanese cafes or pubs (izakayas) to start conversations with locals or other expats.

Lastly, try to connect with local communities around you. Start with your neighbors or roommates, co-workers, or even running or gym buddies. Don¡¯t be afraid to make the first move. Speaking Japanese helps to make interactions easier, but if you live in an international neighborhood, knowing only English will not be a problem.