How foreigners choose where to live in Tokyo

First, decide on your “daily destination”

When thinking about where to live in Tokyo, the first thing you want to check is the places you go to work, school, etc. many times a week. Tokyo has a well-developed railway network, but there are areas where you need to transfer frequently, even if they look close on the map. On the other hand, if you can travel by one route even if you are far away, your daily burden may be less.

Don't just think of commuting to work or school as one-way; think about things like morning and evening congestion, walking from the station to your home, and traveling on rainy days. If you mainly work remotely, you may choose to prioritize room size and surrounding environment over station distance.

Check housing costs other than rent

When renting in Japan, you may incur not only monthly rent but also management fees and initial costs at the time of contract. Whether the property is furnished or not, conditions for renewal, conditions for moving out, etc. vary depending on the property. For foreigners, additional confirmation may be required regarding the guarantee company and contract terms.

For families, look at school and medical care first.

For families with children, access to schools has a major impact on housing choices. If you are interested in attending an international school, checking the school bus route and commuting times will make it easier to narrow down your candidate areas. You will also want to check if there is a pediatric or medical institution nearby that you can use on a daily basis.

Don't rely too much on foreign language support

Areas with a large number of foreign residents may feel safe, but Tokyo offers a variety of options. If you learn the Japanese necessary for daily life little by little and consider a wide range of areas that suit your budget and lifestyle, you may be able to find a better living environment.

If a short preview is possible, we recommend walking around the proposed location both on weekdays and weekends, and during the day and night. The atmosphere of the city changes greatly depending on the time of day.

Things to review after actually starting your life in Japan

Things that you didn't understand during the preparation stage will become clear to you once you actually live in Japan for a few days to a few weeks. Write down the time it takes to commute to work or school, ease of shopping, language problems, monthly expenses, etc., and check for any differences from your expectations. It is not necessary to continue with the method you initially decided on, but it is important to adjust communication contracts, travel routes, shopping locations, housing conditions, etc. to suit your lifestyle.

Organize important information in one place

In life in Japan, the number of contacts increases, such as address, contact information for work or school, housing management company, hospital, insurance, bank, telecommunications company, etc. Instead of saving it only on your smartphone, it's a good idea to make a list of the information you need and share it with your family if you have them. Make sure to save contracts, receipts, and important emails in a way that you can check them later.

Check the latest information on systems and professional judgments.

It is necessary to separate general information about daily life from professional judgments such as immigration status, law, taxation, and medical care. As systems and conditions are subject to change, please check the latest information from public institutions and contracting parties before proceeding with the procedure. For work that requires qualifications, it is important to consult with an administrative scrivener, lawyer, tax accountant, or other appropriately qualified professional.