Health and Wellness
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Anytime Fitness (Ubiquitous, ¥8,000/mo) or Gold's Gym (Harajuku/Shibuya).
- Laundry Services
- WASH&FOLD (Locations in Nakameguro/Yoyogi). Pricing starts at ¥1,500 per bag.
- Best Hospital
- St. Luke's International Hospital (Akashi-cho) or Japan Red Cross Medical Center (Hiroo). Excellent English support.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Under the Light Yoga School (Yoyogi) or Yoga Tree (Hiroo). Classes approx. ¥3,000.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats Japan or Wolt (Better customer service).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Monjayaki (Tsukishima district) or Edomae Sushi (Tsukiji Outer Market).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- T's TanTan (Tokyo Station - Vegan Ramen) or Ain Soph. Journey (Shinjuku).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Suzukien Asakusa (World's most intense Matcha gelato) or Hidemi Sugino (Kyobashi).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Ameya Yokocho (Ueno) or OK Supermarket for groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.jp or Rakuten Ichiba.
- Grocery Delivery
- Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper or Aeon Net Super.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Golden Gai (Tiny themed bars) or Roppongi (Clubs/International crowds).
- Local Brewery
- Spring Valley Brewery Tokyo (Daikanyama) or Baird Taproom (Harajuku).
- Wine Bars
- Caveman (Nihonbashi) or Ahiru Store (Tomigaya).
- Street Food Stalls
- Togoshi Ginza Shotengai (Longest shopping street) or Sunamachi Ginza.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizza Strada (Azabu Juban) or Savoy (Neapolitan Pizza).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, and Tokyo Skytree.
- Museums & Art Venues
- teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) and Tokyo National Museum (Ueno).
- Historical Sites
- Imperial Palace East Garden and Meiji Jingu Shrine.
- Religious Sites
- Zojoji Temple (Next to Tokyo Tower) and Kanda Myojin.
- Annual Events
- Cherry Blossom Season (Late March), Kanda Matsuri (May), Sumida River Fireworks (July).
- Cultural Districts
- Yanaka Ginza (Old Tokyo vibes) and Akihabara (Otaku culture).
- Theater Venues
- Kabuki-za Theatre (Ginza) for traditional performances.
- Local Markets
- Toyosu Market (Tuna auctions) and Farmer's Market @ UNU (Aoyama).
- Music Scene
- Blue Note Tokyo (Jazz) or Liquidroom (Ebisu - Indie/Alternative).
- Street Art
- Tennozu Isle (Bond Street) or Harajuku backstreets.
- Cooking Classes
- Chagohan Tokyo (Kappabashi) for Sushi and Wagyu classes.
- Art Galleries
- SCAI The Bathhouse (Yanaka) or Mori Art Museum (Roppongi Hills).
- Historic Buildings
- Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building (Brick architecture).
- Local Heritage
- Washi (paper making) and traditional tea ceremonies (Urasenke school).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Takao (50 mins by train) or Todoroki Valley (Unique urban ravine).
- National Parks Nearby
- Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Tama River Cycling Road or Arakawa River Trail.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Shibuya Sky (Observation deck) or Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Free).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Kasai Rinkai Park or Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Wakasu Seaside Park (Koto City) - designated BBQ and camping areas.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) - widespread and reliable.
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Store (Ginza/Shibuya) or Bic Camera/Yodobashi Camera repair desks.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Shibuya Yesterday’s Table Tennis (Est) or local ward gymnasiums.
- Language Classes
- Coto Academy (Iidabashi) or Kai Japanese Language School (Shinjuku).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Tokyo Metropolitan Library (Arisugawa Park) - silent and extensive.
- Community Centers
- Minato City International Association (Minit) for cultural exchange.
- Gaming Lounges
- Red Tokyo Tower (Esports park) or LFS Ikebukuro Esports Arena.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Pachinko Parlors (Maruhan) or Joypolis (Sega Indoor Theme Park).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥1,600,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥40,000,000 in Minato/Shibuya).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥850,000 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = ¥21,250,000 in Edogawa/Nerima).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥1,450,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = ¥65,250,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥750,000 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = ¥33,750,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥1,300,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥91,000,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥680,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = ¥47,600,000).
- Corporate Tax
- Effective rate approx. 30.6% (including local taxes).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% (Standard) or 15% (under certain treaties).
- Tax System
- Residency-based: Non-permanent residents pay tax on Japan-sourced income and remitted funds.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus 10% inhabitant tax).
- VAT
- 10% (standard consumption tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to 'Anti-Tax Haven' rules if tax rate is below 27%.
- Property Tax
- Fixed Assets Tax: 1.4% of assessed value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration/License tax (approx. 2%) + Real Estate Acquisition tax (3-4%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Japan Digital Nomad Visa (6 months): Requires ¥10 million annual income; taxes generally applicable if staying >183 days.
Essentials
- City
- Tokyo, Kanto Region, Japan
- Population
- 13,960,000 (Metropolitan area approx. 37 million)
- Internet Speed
- Average 160 Mbps (Fiber optic is standard; 5G widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 150 JPY, 1 EUR ≈ 162 JPY (March 2026 rates). Primarily Japanese Yen (¥).
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable; among the cleanest in the world.
- Power
- 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Flat two-pin typical of North America).
- SIM Card
- Sakura Mobile (Traveler-friendly), Mobal (Long-term numbers), or Ubigi (eSIM). Approx. ¥4,500/month for 20GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Sony Bank (English app), Prestia (SMBC), or Wise for low-fee transfers. Revolut is widely used.
- Accommodation
- Monthly mansions like Sakura House or Fontana (Kimi Information Center). Prices range ¥80,000–¥150,000/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly improved; Suica/Pasca cards, PayPay, and Credit Cards accepted except at small shrines or old ramen shops.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, MetroResidences, and Oyo Life. Average ¥6,000–¥12,000 per night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Unplan Shinjuku or Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge (Kuramae). Beds from ¥3,500/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Shinjuku (Nightlife/Transit) or Asakusa (Traditional/Sightseeing).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Shimokitazawa (Bohemian/Cafes) or Ebisu (Central/Upscale/Social).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WeWork Iceberg (Shibuya) or Yahoo! Lodge (Kioicho - Free/Low cost). Day pass approx. ¥3,000.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Streamer Coffee Company (Shibuya) or Starbucks Reserve Roastery (Nakameguro). Strong Wi-Fi and outlets.
- Networking Events
- Tokyo Tech Startups (Meetup.com) or Venture Café Tokyo (Thursday Gatherings at Toranomon Hills).
- Social Events for Expats
- Tokyo Expat Network (Facebook Group) or events at Oakwood residence lounges.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- GO (Local favorite), S.Ride, or Uber (Mostly premium/taxis).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Docomo Bike Share or Luup (Electric scooters/bikes). Approx. ¥200 per 30 mins.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Yuigahama Beach, Kamakura (approx. 60 mins via JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line).
- Top Regional Airline
- Peach Aviation or Jetstar Japan (Narita Terminal 3).
- Top International Airline
- Japan Airlines (JAL) or All Nippon Airways (ANA).
- Highway Access
- Shuto Expressway (Metropolitan Expressway) connects all central wards.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Tokyo Station (Shinkansen hub) and Shinjuku Station (Busiest in the world).
- Public Transport Passes
- Welcome Suica (IC Card) or Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 hours for ¥800–¥1,500).
- Regional Travel
- JR East Pass or Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Kyoto/Osaka (¥14,000 one way).