Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Yokohama is the second-largest city in Japan, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, known for its vibrant waterfront and modern architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 3.8 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.007 USD, 1 USD ≈ 143 JPY (as of April 2025) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A and B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available from providers like NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and AU; prepaid SIMs cost around ¥3,000 |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common options include Shinsei Bank and Japan Post Bank; international cards are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels, serviced apartments to platforms like Airbnb and Spotahome. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted via QR codes and credit cards |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and monthly apartments via Homates are popular options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Village, prices start at ¥2,500 per night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Minato Mirai is a popular choice due to its attractions and views. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Naka Ward is recommended for co-working spaces and a vibrant community. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive Juku is highly rated, with monthly passes around ¥30,000. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de Lune offers a quiet atmosphere and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Yokohama Social Meetup hosts monthly events for expats and remote workers. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Yokohama International Association organizes regular cultural exchange events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Didi and Uber operate in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Yokohama has several bike rental services, including Hello Cycling. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Yuigahama Beach is about 30 minutes away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | ANA (All Nippon Airways) offers domestic flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways connect with major cities globally. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Connected via the National Route 1 and Yokohama Bay Bridge. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Yokohama Station is a major transit hub for local and Shinkansen trains. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Yokohama Value Card offers discounts on local transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Frequent trains to Tokyo (approx. 30 min) and Kamakura (approx. 40 min). |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Keio University Hospital is known for quality international care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yokohama Yoga Center offers classes from ¥2,000. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym has multiple locations, with memberships around ¥9,000 per month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundries like Wash&Fold are widely available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats is popular, with options starting at ¥1,000. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Yokohama-style Chinatown Dumplings. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Green Food Cafe offers a variety of vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweets Paradise, known for their all-you-can-eat dessert buffet. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Yokohama Center Gai offers budget shopping and food stalls. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Rakuten and Amazon Japan have a wide variety of goods. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Seiyu and Lawson deliver groceries to your home. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Nakahara is a popular district for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Yokohama Brewing Company offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine House is a cozy spot with a good selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Chinatown has numerous stalls offering traditional snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Eataly Yokohama serves various international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Landmark Tower and the iconic Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Yokohama Museum of Art showcases contemporary works. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Yokohama's waterfront and the original foreign settlements. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Kanteibyo Temple, a beautifully ornate Chinese temple. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market is highly anticipated. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Chinatown offers a rich blend of culture and food. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Yokohama Performing Arts Center hosts a range of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Yokohama's Chinatown offers a vibrant market experience. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Yokohama Arena hosts concerts and events throughout the year. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Yokohama's waterfront area has frequent art installations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Smart Cooking School provides classes in Japanese cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Yokohama's Art Fish Gallery features works from local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The original customs building is a great example of Meiji architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city celebrates its international past through architecture and culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Sankeien Garden offers beautiful traditional Japanese landscaping. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hakone National Park is easily accessible for day trips. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Yokohama Bay Bridge offers scenic paths for cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Osanbashi Pier provides panoramic views of the harbor. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Yokohama Nature Sanctuary is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Zushi Beach allows bonfires with prior permission. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Japan Post offers reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | GEO and Yamada Denki provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Yokohama Sports Center has ping pong facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Yokohama Language Center offers classes in various languages. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Yokohama City Library has several branches for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Yokohama Minato Mirai Community Center hosts various events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | RAGE gaming lounge offers PCs and consoles for gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Yokohama Bay Casino is a local entertainment spot. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥600,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥18,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥13,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥550,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥33,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥24,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥500,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥40,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥350,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥28,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Japan operates on a worldwide income basis with deductions. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property taxes in Japan are relatively low, based on land value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Tax rates range from 3% to 6% depending on property type. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Tax incentives exist for foreign investors and startups. |