The Global Expat HubCountries / Japan
Japan
Extraordinarily safe, orderly and now surprisingly affordable; the language is the wall to climb.
RegionEast Asia
CapitalTokyo
CurrencyJapanese yen
LanguageJapanese
Expat saturationLow (2.5% foreign born)
Living cost · Mid-rangefrom $2,000/mo
Drone reel · 4K · muted loop
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🇯🇵 Japan from aboveJapan in 60 secondsAerials of Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka. Replace this slot with the video element; the text stays overlaid.
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MMeridian Relocation
Door to door to Japan.
One quote, one contact, insured all the way. Packing, customs and delivery to Tokyo.
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CCasa Nova Rentals
Month-to-month homes in Tokyo.
Furnished, utilities included, no deposit games. Move in from your phone.
Browse homes →From $900/month
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⚓Anchor Tax Advisors
Two countries. One tax return.
Cross-border tax for Americans and Britons living in Japan. Fixed fees, no surprises.
Book a call →Licensed in the US, UK & EU
Sample creative · fictional advertiserYour moveSets your plan and the listings on flights, hotels, rentals, furnishings, moving and retirement.
Your plan for Japan checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Affordable move$10,300estimated first-year setup · about 33 weeksMid-range move$20,450estimated first-year setup · about 28 weeksLuxury move$58,600estimated first-year setup · about 20 weeksRetirement move$29,700estimated setup incl. visa, insurance and advice · about 48 weeks
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Japan by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
Worth of the dollar$1 ≈ ¥1541 Japanese yen ≈ 0.6494¢ · snapshot, changes daily · Current rate ↗
Utilities · 85 m² flat$180/moElectric, water, sewer & garbage
Home internet$35/moBroadband, typical plan
Wi-Fi & connectivity score90/100Median fixed broadband ≈ 250 Mbps
Internet reliability92/100Very dependable; rare drops or outages
English day-to-dayBasicHow far English gets you
Remote-work time zoneHard for US & EU (Asia hours)Hard for US & EU (Asia hours)
Phone & eSIM$25/moLocal plan · travel eSIM ≈ $18/10 GB
Walkability of cities94/100Car-optional in the main cities
Air quality78/100Good; spring pollen and occasional yellow dust from the mainland
Healthy food & food safety84/100Strict MHLW additive list; low obesity; among the world's healthiest diets
Severe weather & hazards75/100 riskEarthquakes, typhoons Aug–Oct, tsunami, volcanoes and heavy snow; superb preparedness
Drive on theLeftRight-hand-drive cars · Licence & vehicles →
Time zoneJST (UTC+9)JST (UTC+9), no DST; 14 hours ahead of New York in winter
Literacy99%Adult literacy rate
Cost to give birth~$4,000 with a $3,500 government lump-sum covering most of it~$4,000 with a $3,500 government lump-sum covering most of it / private $6,000–12,000
Rural land$5,000–30,000per acre · $5,000–30,000 rural; akiya land near-free in depopulating areas
Beauty of cities92/100Architecture, setting, upkeep and green space
Petrol / fuel$1.15/L≈ $4.35 per US gallon
Doctor visit$40Basic clinic visit, paid privately
Emergency room$200Uninsured visit, before treatment
Dentist$40 / $60Check-up & cleaning / one filling
Life expectancy85 yrsAt birth
Unemployment3%National rate
Remote work & digital nomadsWelcomedDigital Nomad visa 6 months on $68k/yr income (not renewable in-country)
🌤️ Climate
Four distinct seasons; humid summers, cold winters (heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side), cherry-blossom spring and crisp autumn. Okinawa subtropical.
Winter · Jan6°C43°F
Spring · Apr15°C59°F
Summer · Jul27°C81°F
Autumn · Oct19°C66°F
Mean temperatures for Tokyo.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 1,500 mm (59 in) a year.
Snow Heavy in Hokkaido and Tohoku; light in Tokyo.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationJapanese Law Translation (Ministry of Justice) ↗
OverviewLaw of Japan on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the left. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax Fixed Asset Tax 1.4% + City Planning 0.3% of assessed value (assessed low).
Local & regional income tax Resident tax ~10% of income on top of national 5–45%.
🎓 University
Not free; national universities ~$3.5k/yr, private $6–12k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank, Rakuten.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $25/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $18 for 10 GB.
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Digital Nomad visa
- Highly Skilled Professional points visa with fast PR
- J-Skip and J-Find for top talent and graduates
- Akiya: abandoned rural homes from near-free, with renovation grants
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Japan embassies, warnings, law and reference
US Embassy in Japan↗All embassies and consulates in Japan↗US State Department travel advisory↗UK FCDO travel advice↗Japanese Law Translation (Ministry of Justice)↗Law of Japan (Wikipedia)↗Japan on Wikipedia↗Japan National Tourism Organization (official tourism board)↗World Health Organization country profile↗Numbeo cost-of-living data↗
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Visa informationTypes, step-by-step application, where to applyPassport renewalOfficial renewal links and timingLiveability scoreThe rating and what drives itSafety ratingCrime, stability and what the number meansTravel warningsState Department and UN advisories, liveRegional information & cuisineWhere to live and what you'll eatCommunity & meetupsFinding your people
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
FlightsGateways, routes and fares for your research tripHotels & accommodationWhere to stay while you scout, with videoRental propertiesNeighbourhoods, prices and how renting worksFurnishings & home setupFurniture, appliances, utilities and internetMoving & shippingGetting your life across the oceanRetirementVisas, costs and where retirees settle
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Airport taxis & transfersOfficial cabs, apps, rail links and faresTransportationGetting around, driving and licencesTrains, buses & ticketsIntercity travel and where to bookSchoolsInternational, bilingual and local optionsChild care & nanniesNurseries, nannies, au pairs and costsUniversitiesDegrees, fees and student visasPets: vets, boarding & relocationBringing animals, finding a vet and careLanguage classesLearning before and after you landBest restaurantsWhere locals and expats actually eatHospitals & healthcare accessHow to see a doctor, hospitals, insuranceBanking & money transferAccounts, transfers and currencyTax & legal helpResidency, treaties and who to hireJobs boardRoles open to foreigners, updated weeklyCoworking & remote workWork rights, spaces and freelancing
Rated & officialPartners in three tiersOne labelled partner
Life in Japan faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
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Interested in where astrology says you should live?Click here for more info on astrocartography and Japan.
Click here →🕊️ Religious servicesChurches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more🧘 Wellness & spiritualityYoga, retreats, meditation, spas and practitioners🛍️ Retail recommendationsWhere to shop for clothes, tech, homeware and gifts🧺 Groceries & marketsSupermarkets, local markets and what things cost🥾 Recreation & tour guidesOutdoors, sport, day trips and licensed guides📱 Phone & eSIMCarriers, eSIMs, plans and what they cost⛴️ Boats & ferriesFerry routes, marinas, boat rental and ownership🏖️ Beaches, lakes & riversSwimming, water quality and the best spots🚗 Vehicles & driving licenceRent or buy a car, and how to get a local licence🖼️ Art galleries, museums & librariesWhat's free, what costs, and where to start Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning around
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundJobs board · Japan
Search for jobs for free, or post a job for $100 USD.
Roles open to foreigners in Japan: remote work you can do from Tokyo, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Free for job seekers, always. Employers pay a flat $100 per listing, live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
Example · Senior Software Engineer (React / Node)Northwind Labs · Remote, US or EU hours
$95,000–130,000USD
Example · English Teacher (adults & business)International Language Centre · Tokyo · in person
¥340,000–¥490,000/moJPY