What You Need to Know When Moving to Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is Japan’s largest city and an exciting place to lay down roots. However, moving to Tokyo from the U.S. can be a major culture shock. That’s true even for those who are coming from other major metropolises. But if you’re up for a real adventure, moving to Tokyo is well worth the adjustment period — just be prepared to jump a few hurdles first, as you would have to do any time you make an international move. Read on for some of the specifics you’ll need to know before packing your bags.

Give yourself enough time to get a visa (and get the right one)

Before moving to The Land of the Rising Sun, make sure you have all the right documents. A visa is not required if you are a U.S. citizen, going for tourism or business, and staying under 90 days. You just need to have a valid U.S. passport and a return ticket.

However, moving to Tokyo requires a visa. Unlike in some places (we’re looking at you, United Kingdom), the good news is that it’s not necessarily an impossible-seeming process. You’ll just need to be sure to give yourself enough time to get all your paperwork in order. The Japanese visa process can move fast compared to other countries. But, just to be safe, plan to apply for your visa at least two months before the date you intend to move.

As for specific Japanese visa types, you’ve got a couple of options.

Work visas

If you’ve got a job lined up, you’re in luck. A work visa will allow you to stay in Japan for anywhere from four months to five years. At the end of that period, it will have to be renewed. English teaching jobs abound in Tokyo and are a great place to start if you’re unsure what you want to do. Keep in mind that U.S. citizens cannot work without a work visa; it’s against the law. So unless you’re planning to live off of your savings, you’ll want to talk to your closest Japanese embassy about getting a work visa and making sure you’re good to go for employment.

If you don’t have a job lined up, you could try your luck entering the country for 90 days visa-free. Many people moving to Tokyo do just. They come with the hopes that they can secure a job and a work visa before their initial visa-free period runs out. It’s a bit of a risk, but it’s also one of the easiest avenues you can take if you can make it happen.

General visas

A visa for students, people training in specific fields, and family members of foreign nationals on long-term stays in Japan. If none of these apply to you, go with a different visa option.

Learn more about Japanese visas, including what you need to do to apply, through the U.S. Embassy of Japan. And please check the latest COVID-19 testing and vaccinations requirements for travel to Japan from the U.S. as they may change.

Know the longer-stay requirements

If you stay in Tokyo longer than 90 days with an appropriate visa, you must register your address with your residence’s municipal office and obtain a Resident Card (“Zairyu Card”) from regional immigration offices. If you’re arriving with a visa secured, you can get your resident card upon entry at the airport. For Tokyo arrivals, it will be at either the Narita Airport or the Haneda Airport.

You’re strongly advised to carry your Resident Card with you at all times. The Japanese Police are allowed to stop you and ask to see the card at any time. Not having your Resident Card with you is a violation of local law.

Also, please note that if you move within Tokyo (or anywhere else in Japan), you must report to your current municipal office first and then to your new municipal office within 14 days to register your new address.

If you already have a Japanese visa and plan to leave the country and come back within one year, you are no longer required to obtain a re-entry permit.

You’ll need to sign up for national health insurance.

Once you have registered your address in your local ward office, unless you are employed full-time in Tokyo or are covered by someone else’s insurance, you can sign up for the national health insurance coverage (it requires monthly payments). The insurance covers about 70 percent of your medical costs. The rest will be your responsibility. And check with your local embassy on bringing prescribed medications with you from the U.S.

Be ready for a language barrier

Tokyo can be a difficult place to acclimate to and get around in unless you already speak Japanese. There aren’t a lot of accommodations made for English speakers. And, while you’ll certainly meet Japanese citizens who speak English, you can’t expect that it will be the norm everywhere you go. Start learning the basics before you move and sign up for a Japanese language class once you’ve arrived in Tokyo if you want to learn the language as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The apartment hunt may be a little overwhelming

When moving to Tokyo, you’ll have plenty of apartment options, but securing one is a bit of a process. To start, you’ll need a fair amount of cash on hand. Japanese landlords have a lot of fees for rentals including deposit fees, agency fees, one month’s rent, property insurance, key fee, cleanup fee, and more.

Average rents in Tokyo vary wildly depending on the location and the layout. For example, the rent in the six considered central (Minato, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Bunkyo, Chiyoda, and Chou) will be significantly higher than in the other wards. On average, expect to pay the equivalent of $652 for one room and over $4,000 for a four-room LDK.

What’s LDK, you ask? LDK is an abbreviation frequently used in Japanese real estate to describe apartments. It stands for Living, Dining and Kitchen area and is preceded by the number of rooms. Some examples are 1K = one-room apartment with kitchen. 1DK = one-room apartment with dining and kitchen area. 1LDK = one-room apartment with a living, dining and kitchen area. It helps to know this once you start looking for a place to live in Tokyo.

Apartments in Japan can be rented both short-term (the standard is two years) and long-term. Long-term rental apartments in Japan come unfurnished and do not include a refrigerator and washing machine unless stated otherwise in the listing. Utilities (water, gas, electricity) are also typically not included unless noted in the description. That said, it’s important to budget for these recurring expenses. Other costs may include WiFi setup and move-in costs.

In addition to plenty of yen, you’ll also need to be ready to show your visa and passport and that you have enough money in the bank to cover your rent every month. Speaking of banking, you’re probably going to need a Japanese bank account to make your rent payments. You’ll also need a domestic emergency contact who can vouch for you.

Your best bet? Work with a local agent instead of going it alone, preferably somebody who has experience helping foreigners settle in.

You can get pretty much anywhere on public transport

Japan has a comprehensive public transport system that can usually get you wherever you want to go. Purchase your transit cards — Suica card and/or Pasmo card — early on. And, before embarking on any public transport travel, learn the names of your stops in Japanese. You don’t want to miss them and get lost. There are other so-called IC cards you can use (IC stands for “integrated circuit”), all rechargeable. You can pay for public transportation with them and use them at many vending machines, shops and restaurants.

There are plenty of expats to hang out with

Tokyo is full of people from all over the world, and there’s a strong community of foreigners who live in Japan. If you don’t know anybody — or even if you do and you’re looking to meet more people — use meet-up apps or websites to connect with other expats. Having this community is helpful for the initial adjustment period. This community is also a great way to practice your Japanese with others. Plus, you’ll pick up lots of great tips for navigating life in Tokyo as a newbie.

You should read up on Japanese etiquette

People in Tokyo do things a little bit differently than we do in the states. From what’s considered proper clothing for your job to how you should act as a guest in someone’s home, don’t assume that what counts as polite in America will have the same connotations in Japan. In addition to helping make sure you don’t accidentally come off as impolite, many locals appreciate foreigners who take the time to learn and adapt to their etiquette customs. Here’s a good Japanese etiquette starter guide for picking up the basics, from removing shoes to bowing to eating and drinking and tipping.

Life isn’t always easy in Tokyo for a vegetarian

Tokyo is one of the world’s food capitals, but in general, Japan isn’t a very conducive place for vegetarianism. Even vegetable dishes usually have some sort of fish component, such as bonito flakes. Many Japanese restaurateurs will consider a dish with seafood perfectly suitable for someone who doesn’t eat meat. For that reason, you’ll probably have to do a lot of your own cooking in the beginning while you figure out how to dine out on a fully plant-based diet. (Asking for substitutions isn’t common and could be interpreted as causing problems due to societal norms.) And when you do start to venture to restaurants, it’s a good idea to take a Japanese speaker with you so you can be sure your dishes are fully vegetarian-friendly.

Speaking of cooking, be prepared for grocery shopping

Japan is full of different and wonderful foods that you may have never seen or heard of in the states. Couple that with the fact that labels are in katakana and kanji, and the whole grocery store experience can seem like something out of a fever dream if you’re not prepared. You’ll likely need to take it slow during your first few trips to the store while figuring out how to find what you’re looking for. Once again, having a Japanese speaker or an expat friend is invaluable.

Moving to Tokyo is like jumping into a whole new world in more ways than one. Give yourself time to adjust, and don’t worry if it takes a little bit longer than you expected. Soon enough, the things that seemed overwhelmingly difficult at first will become second nature. You’ll fully get to immerse yourself in all of the amazing cultural experiences that Tokyo has to offer. Ganbare! (That’s Japanese for “Do your best!”)

Moving to Tokyo from the U.S. soon?

Thinking or planning to move to Tokyo from the U.S.? There are many reasons to move abroad, but here’s our guide to what questions you should ask yourself first (like where you’ll live and whether you can afford an international move). Also, check out our guide to How to Move with Pets Internationally and to International Car Shipping. Not sure where to start? Plan your move to Tokyo with our handy Moving Abroad Checklist — International Moving Planner.

Do you need storage in the U.S.? Unless you’re bringing all of your household items and belongings with you, you’ll likely need to rent a self-storage unit in the U.S. To find self-storage in your area, use our Storage Center. Just type in the zip code or your city and state of residence and click the “Find Storage” button.

International moves can be a lot, but choosing the right international moving company can alleviate a lot of stress. Thanks to our network of reputable and reliable international movers, finding the right company to handle your relocation is a cinch. We vet all movers for key certifications, capabilities, and insurance. Our movers are also licensed and bonded with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

In addition, all moving companies based outside of the U.S. must be in good standing with FIDI, the largest global alliance of professional international moving and relocation companies, in order to remain under their banner as an Accredited International Mover. Of course, before hiring an international moving company, we also recommend reviewing a mover’s history with the American Moving and Storage Association, the Household Goods Forwarder Association and the Better Business Bureau. Best of luck and happy moving!