Useful Information for Living in Japan

 

Housing

Finding a rental in Japan can be tricky as a foreigner, but it is definitely possible! We summarized the essential information for you below and are happy to answer questions or give advice!

Basic requirements: 

A residence card to prove your VISA

Bank account (not necessarily a Japanese one, but it is recommended)

Phone number (ideally a Japanese one)

Emergency contact (anyone who has residency in Japan)

Apartment hunting: Most rentals go through real estate agencies (不動産屋). Standard contracts last 2 years with the option of renewal in most cases.

English-friendly agencies: Some agencies offer English speaking services (e.g. Minimini), while other specialize in finding apartments specifically for foreigners (e.g. E-Housing).

Initial costs: Expect 3–6 months’ rent upfront:

Deposit: 1 month (refundable, cleaning fees will be deducted).

Key money (“Thank you” money to the landlord): 1 month (non-refundable).

Agency fee: 0.5–1 month.

Guarantor company fee: 0.5–1 month (if you don’t have a Japanese guarantor).

Unfurnished: Most apartments come unfurnished. IKEA and Nitori are popular for furniture, while BicCamera or Nojima sell electric appliances. For household appliances, Nitori or 100-yen stores like Daiso are a great option.

Furnished/short-term: Sharehouses (e.g., Oakhouse, Sakura House) are great for newcomers — furnished, low initial fees, flexible contracts, move-in with just your luggage. They are generally a bit on the smaller and pricier side though.

Utilities: You will have to setup your own utilities. Sometimes, your real estate agency will help you with that.

 

🏙️ Housing Example: Where to Live in Tokyo

Depending on where you live, commute times and convenience definitely differ, but those places usually come with a higher price point. There are many quit and budget-friendly options to explore!

🟢 Cheaper Wards Examples (Outer Tokyo)

Adachi (足立区): From ~¥50,000; suburban feel.

Katsushika (葛飾区): From ~¥50,000; local, community-oriented.

Edogawa (江戸川区): From ~¥55,000; family-friendly, parks, near Chiba.

Nerima (練馬区): From ~¥55,000; suburban, popular with families.

Itabashi (板橋区): From ~¥60,000; decent access to central areas.

⏱️ Commute:

Lower rent but expect 30–60 min commutes to central areas.

 

🟠 Middle-Range Wards Examples

Nakano (中野区): From ~¥90,000; youthful, affordable.

Suginami (杉並区): From ~¥90,000; calm, family-friendly.

Toshima (豊島区): From ~¥90,000; lively, Ikebukuro area.

Setagaya (世田谷区): From ~¥90,000; leafy, family-oriented.

Koto (江東区): From ~¥100,000; redeveloped bay area.

⏱️ Commute:

Averages at about 20min to central areas.

 

🔴 Expensive Wards Examples (Central Tokyo)

Minato (港区): From ~¥120,000; expat hub, embassies, luxury apartments.

Shibuya (渋谷区): From ~¥110,000; trendy, vibrant.

Chiyoda (千代田区): From ~¥130,000; political/financial core.

Chuo (中央区): From ~¥120,000; Ginza, Nihonbashi, Tsukiji area.

⏱️ Commute:

Very short (5-10min) commutes if any, but rents are among the highest in Japan.

 

 

💳 Bank Account

A Japanese bank account is essential for living and working in Japan. Most banks require you to have lived in Japan for 6+ months before you can open an account. The only exception is Japan Post Bank. You can sign up online or go to a branch directly. Accounts generally have no monthly fees.

Requirements: Residence card, phone number, proof of address.

Good first time options:

Japan Post Bank — no 6+ months residency requirement

Shinsei Bank — English support

Rakuten Bank — English support

Other popular options:

MUFG Bank

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Mizuho Bank

SMBC Bank 

 

📱 SIM Cards & Internet

When you first arrive, you can easily buy a travel, non-phone number SIM Card at the airport to get around. An actual phone number is a must though for life in Japan and can be obtained once you have your residence card and address.

Requirements: Residence card, proof of address.

SIM Cards:

Docomo, au, SoftBank etc.: ¥6,000–9,000/month, 

Usually 2-year contracts, that often come with extra benefits, like availability abroad.

Rakuten, IIJmio, LINEMO, UQ, Y!mobile etc.: ¥2,000–4,000/month.

Basic plans with no extras.

Home internet: ¥4,000–6,000/month, usually 1–2 years contracts, installation can take 2–4 weeks.

Pocket Wi-Fi or Travel SIM: ¥3,000–5,000/month; useful temporary option.

 

🏥 Healthcare

Insurance is mandatory for anyone living in Japan for more than 3 months. You have to sign up with either the National Health Insurance or the Employees’ Health Insurance and Pension. Both insurances cover 70% of the medical costs.

Insurance:

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険): For students/self-employed. ¥1,500–20,000/month depending on income.

Employees’ Health Insurance and Pension (社会保険): Through the employer. ~15% of income and split with the employer.

Doctor visits: With insurance ~¥1,000–3,000.

Medicine: Please check if your medicine is sold in Japan. Bring prescriptions if necessary.

Language: In smaller towns, doctors rarely speak English. Bring symptoms written in Japanese if needed. Be aware that some clinics charge an English speaking fee.

 

🚉 Transportation

To easily get around in Japan, buying a IC card is a must. iPhone users can download the virtual SUICA on their phone, or you can buy a physical copy at a designated machine in a train station. 

IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA etc.): ¥500 deposit, rechargeable, usable on trains, buses, and to pay at convenience stores.

Train fares: ¥170–400 per trip; monthly passes are available. Commute costs to work are often reimbursed by the employer.

Bikes: Common, often faster than trains. New ¥15,000–30,000, secondhand ¥5,000–10,000. Registration fee: ~¥500.

 

📑 Bureaucracy

Once you arrive in Japan, register yourself at your local Ward Office immediately (within 14 days) for the following:

Residence card (在留カード): Issued at immigration when staying in Japan for more than 3 months. It must be carried at all times for identification purposes. Also required to sign up for insurance, bank and phone contracts.

City hall registration: After arrival, register your address at the local Ward office within 14 days of coming to Japan or generally, when moving to a different place. 

My Number card: Japan’s social security/tax ID. Increasingly needed for healthcare, banking, and online forms. It is recommended to apply for one.

 

💡 Budget Summary Example (Single person, Tokyo area)

This is an estimate of the budget per month that a single person will need in Tokyo area.

Rent: ~¥80,000

Utilities: ~¥15,000

SIM Card: ~¥3,000

Internet: ~¥5,000

Insurance: ~¥10,000

Groceries/daily life: ¥30,000–50,000

Transport: ~¥10,000 (if not reimbursed)

 

➡️ Total: ¥150,000–180,000/month

 

 

🌟 We can help you with finding suitable services for housing, banking and other required setups, as well as guide you through initial registrations procedures if necessary!