Essentials
- City
- Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- Approximately 2.3 million
- Internet Speed
- Average 120 Mbps (Fiber Optic widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- Japanese Yen (JPY). 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY, 1 EUR ≈ 162 JPY
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Nagoya City Waterworks Bureau)
- Power
- 100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Two-flat-pin)
- SIM Card
- Ubigi (eSIM), Sakura Mobile, or Mobal (long-term data plans)
- Banking for Expats
- Sony Bank (English UI), Prestia SMBC, or Wise for local transfers
- Accommodation
- Monthly Mansions (Leopalace21), Oakhouse co-living, or Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Suica/Pasmo cards, PayPay, and credit cards accepted in 85% of venues
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Sakae area), MetroResidences Nagoya
- Budget Accommodation
- Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel (approx. 3,500 JPY/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Sakae (Shopping/Nightlife) or Meieki (Nagoya Station area)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Osu (Eclectic, affordable food) or Chikusa (Quieter, residential but connected)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Tower Lounge CASHIME (Nagoya TV Tower) - Day pass approx. 3,300 JPY
- Best Cafe for Work
- Starbucks Coffee Nagoya JR Gate Tower (15th floor view, power outlets)
- Networking Events
- Nagoya Startup News events or Meetup.com 'Nagoya International Meetup'
- Social Events for Expats
- Small World Nagoya mixers and the Nagoya Players theater group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- GO taxi app or Uber (mostly for licensed taxis)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Charichari (share-cycle service) - 6 JPY per minute
- Best Beach Nearby
- Utsumi Beach (approx. 60 mins via Meitetsu Limited Express)
- Top Regional Airline
- Peach Aviation or Jetstar Japan (flying from Centrair - NGO)
- Top International Airline
- Japan Airlines (JAL) or All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Highway Access
- Tomei Expressway and Meishin Expressway interchange
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Nagoya Station (Shinkansen, JR, Meitetsu, Kintetsu, Subway)
- Public Transport Passes
- Manaca electronic card or the 'Donichi Eco Kippu' weekend day pass (620 JPY)
- Regional Travel
- Shinkansen to Tokyo (1.5 hrs) or Kyoto (35 mins)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Nagoya University Hospital (Showa-ku) - English support available
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Studio Yoggy Nagoya (Meieki) - English-friendly classes
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Anytime Fitness (Multiple locations, 24/7) - Approx. 8,000 JPY/month
- Laundry Services
- Pierrot 24 Coin Laundry (Various locations) or Wash&Fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats or Demae-can
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Hitsumabushi (Grilled eel) at Atsuta Houraiken
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Nagoya Veggie Kitchen or Olu Olu Cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Cafe Gentiane (for the 'Piyorin' chick-shaped cake)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Osu Shopping Arcade (street food and budget second-hand shops)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.jp, Rakuten, or Mercari
- Grocery Delivery
- Aeon Net Super or Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sakae 3-chome and the ID Cafe building area
- Local Brewery
- Y. Market Brewing Kitchen (Near Nagoya Station)
- Wine Bars
- Wine Bar Cave Nagoya (Sakae)
- Street Food Stalls
- Osu Kannon Temple food stalls (Karaage and Taiyaki)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Desperados (Mexican) or Midtown BBQ (Steakhouse)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Nagoya Castle (Golden Shachihoko) and the Mirai Tower
- Museums & Art Venues
- Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
- Historical Sites
- Atsuta Jingu (One of Japan's most important Shinto shrines)
- Religious Sites
- Osu Kannon Temple
- Annual Events
- World Cosplay Summit (August) and Nagoya Festival (October)
- Cultural Districts
- Arimatsu (Traditional tie-dyeing district)
- Theater Venues
- Misono-za (Kabuki performances) and Aichi Arts Center
- Local Markets
- Yanagibashi Central Market (Seafood)
- Music Scene
- Nagoya Blue Note or Zepp Nagoya
- Street Art
- Osu District wall murals
- Cooking Classes
- Miso-making workshops at regional breweries
- Art Galleries
- Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art
- Historic Buildings
- Nagoya City Archives (Neo-baroque style)
- Local Heritage
- Monozukuri (Making things) culture - roots of Toyota/Mitsubishi
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- National Parks Nearby
- Ise-Shima National Park (2 hours south)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Shonai River Cycle Path or Meijo Park
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sky Promenade at Midland Square (247m high)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Fujimae-higata Tidal Flat
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Apple Village Camping Ground (Aichi outskirts)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) or Sagawa
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Nagoya Sakae or Bic Camera Meieki
- Table Tennis Spots
- Nagoya City Sports Center (Various wards)
- Language Classes
- Nagoya International Center (NIC) Japanese Courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Aichi Prefectural Library
- Community Centers
- Nagoya International Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Esports Arena Nagoya
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Pachinko King (Sakae) - Note: Casinos are generally illegal
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 850,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 25 m² = 21,250,000 JPY)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 450,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 25 m² = 11,250,000 JPY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 800,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 32,000,000 JPY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 400,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 16,000,000 JPY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 750,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 65 m² = 48,750,000 JPY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 65 m² = 22,750,000 JPY)
- Corporate Tax
- Effective rate approx. 30.6% (including local inhabitant tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard 20.42% (reduced by treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for permanent residents (>5 years)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus 10% inhabitant tax)
- VAT
- 10% (standard consumption tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to companies in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- 1.4% fixed assets tax plus 0.3% city planning tax per annum
- Property Transaction Tax
- Real estate acquisition tax (approx. 3-4%) and registration tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Newly introduced 6-month Digital Nomad Visa (specific eligibility)