This lush and green park offers the grandest panorama of Tokyo’s sky and is also famous for its cherry blossom viewing. The area was first used as a US army housing site and then as the grounds for the Olympic…
The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
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Blog Archives
Immigration
The Immigration Bureau controls all matters regarding entry and residency for foreigners in Japan. Its website contains information on immigration matters, procedures, sample forms and contact information for immigration centers throughout Japan. It should be noted that the immigration system…
Visa and Entry to Japan
Entry Procedures Temporary Visitors If you are from one of the 67 countries and territories with whom Japan has a visa waiver arrangement (check the MOFA website for the full list) and are staying less than three months (15 days…
Residency
Residence Cards All mid- to long-term foreign residents are required to obtain a “Residence Card” (previously: “Alien Registration Card”, see below) , which serves as the primary form of identification in Japan. Foreign nationals residing legally in Japan are subject…
Registering a Personal Seal
Inkan (personal seal) is a seal stamp of an individual or an organization’s name that is used in place of a signature on documents in Japan. Hanko is the physical object pressed on the paper to create the seal. They are made of hard materials such as plastic, wood, or ivory, not rubber.
Museums & Galleries
Tokyo has a wide selection of museums and galleries. Department stores often host temporary exhibitions, which are convenient and economical. Tickets can be bought on site, but there are often long lines for the more popular exhibits. the…
Housing Types and Terminology
Japanese Mansion and Apāto The most common forms of housing in Japan are mansions and apāto. A is typically a concrete apartment/condominium complex of three or more floors. Buildings with at least five floors usually have elevators, and more modern…
Foreigner-Friendly Housing Contracts and Agencies
Serviced Apartments Serviced apartments include all the furniture, linen, cutlery and electrical appliances you need, as well as regular cleaning and concierge services, providing the comfort of home with the convenience of a hotel. Many people stay here with their…
Duplex
Duplex offers stylish and upscale residences in premier locations in the heart of Tokyo. Perfect for both short and extended stay.…
Enplus Inc. | Tokyo Apartments
Tokyo One Stop Housing Solution | Offering a wide selection of premium serviced apartments, and furnished & unfurnished rental apartments. Serviced apartments available from 1 night stay. Tokyo Apartments is one of the very few real estate agencies in Tokyo…
MORI LIVING (Mori Building Co., Ltd.)
Fully furnished residences for 1 month or longer with access to exclusive swimming pool and gym. 4 convenient locations in central Tokyo: Roppongi Hills, Atago Green Hills, ARK Towers and The Prudential Tower.…
Oakwood Tokyo
Oakwood offers the finest serviced apartments for business and leisure travelers for extended stays with three choices of living, Premier, Residence and Apartments. In wanting to offer more luxuriously furnished apartments and greater service quality, Oakwood has taken pride in…
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.
They carry a rich number of apartments in convenient locations in central Tokyo. From unfurnished to fully furnished, their apartments can be arranged accordingly to the resident’s needs.…
Tokyu Stay Service
Tokyu Stay specializes in premium serviced apartments in central Tokyo, perfect for business trips and vacations.…
Renting through a Japanese Agency
If you are planning to stay in Japan for a long time and have enough funds to pay the initial fees, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to get a traditional Japanese-style contract. You may need a…
Arkios K.K.
Arkios’ bilingual agents, specializing in homes for rent in central Tokyo, will support you in every aspect of your relocation.
Century21 SKY Realty, Inc.
Century21 Sky Realty has 25 years of experience finding their valued customers amazing homes at miracle prices.
Winners Planning
Winners Planning covers marvelous houses and apartments for expatriates and expat families. Any inquiry will be welcome so you can get success and comfort for your new life.
Enplus Inc. – Real Estate Agency
From tailor-made accommodation solutions for your company to property management and property investment, they have you covered. Contact their Property Consultants to discuss your specific requirements.
H&R Consultants K.K.
H&R Consultants offers personalized professional service that consistently exceeds client expectations. Whether you are in Japan on a short term or long term assignment, they provide a range of on-going service and support to make your stay more pleasant.…
Moving In, Moving Out
Moving to a new residence takes a lot of time and energy. Whether you are relocating to Japan from abroad, or moving to a new property within Japan, there are many resources available to help you make the transition to…
Crown Relocations
First established in Yokohama in 1965, Crown Japan has been helping people relocate for over 45 years. Today Crown has offices in Tokyo and in Kobe, and 248 other locations around the world. Crown helps transferees and their families move their household goods and get settled into new homes. Their complete selection of services and their “one point of contact” structure function to meet employees’ needs so they can quickly become focused and productive.
Santa Fe Relocation Services
Santa Fe provides full relocation services from visa and immigration, moving, warehouse storage, housing/school searches, area orientation, cross-culture training and more.
Tokyo Orientations
The key to successful relocation: providing home search, settling-in and repatriation packages, visa and immigration assistance.
Asian Tigers Japan
Asian Tigers Mobility is a leading provider of international relocation solutions, providing comprehensive, end-to-end mobility services tailored to our client’s needs – everything from household goods moves to finding and getting settled into a new home. By partnering with Asian…
TWA Inc. – Tokyo Relocation Services
Japan can test the most seasoned travelers. They provide a range of relocation services to help you start your life in Tokyo. They offer a host of services to suit your requirements from “Orientation” to “Settling down” packages.…
Furnishings
Leasing & Buying Furniture Furniture lease companies offer various services such as total coordination of furniture, linen and electrical appliances upon your request. They also offer full support for repair and replacement. Items can be purchased at the end of…
Advance International Inc.
With a dazzling array of furniture, cutting edge electric appliances and fast flexible service, they will have you comfortable in no time.
SMART RENTAL – Tokyo Furniture Rental
Quality furniture and appliances for your apartment. Coordinated apartment packages including curtains, lighting and kitchenware. Available for one year or two year leases. Save time and money when relocating to Tokyo.
Tokyo Lease Corporation
Furniture rental for expats; contemporary large sofas, king-size beds, traditional Asian decors. Their in-house delivery staff will set up your home in a professional manner.…
Other Furniture Lease & Sales Companies
Below is the list of other notable Furniture Lease & Sales Companies.…
Housekeeping & Babysitting
There are a number of housekeeping, babysitting or pick-up dry cleaning services that serve the English speaking community. Housekeeping Babysitting…
Nippon Express
One of Japan’s largest movers with much experience in overseas moving. Provides dedicated service using eco-friendly, safe and strong packing materials.…
Yamatane Corporation
For 30 years, Yamatane has been offering personalized and sincere services to its customers, based on its policy “Trust Above All”. They make efforts not only to provide safe transportation services for your belongings, but also put a lot of…
Internet
Most foreigner-targeted housing companies provide internet as standard, whether as a line connection in your room/apartment, a shared wi-fi network or a portable wi-fi device. If you are renting independently or have specific requirements and want to have your own…
Utilities
Metered utilities include , , and water & sewerage (“suidou” / “水道”). If your landlord has not set them up for you, you will have to do so yourself when you move in by calling each company and providing them…
Garbage
Garbage is separated by type and collected at specific locations on specified days. There are broadly 6 categories: burnable garbage (燃えるごみ / 可燃ごみ, moeru-gomi / kanen-gomi), Kitchen waste, tissues, scrap paper, rubber products, leather products, CDs, videotapes, clothing, disposable diapers,…
Telephones
Mobile Phones Until recently, getting a Japanese mobile phone meant a two-year contract, and penalties for early cancellation. The major smartphone brands were only available with SIMs locked to a particular network. The three main networks (SoftBank, docomo and au)…
Daktari Animal Hospital Tokyo Medical Center
The center can provide care to any kind of animal, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles and more. Other than veterinary services, the center includes a pet hotel, trimming and grooming, and a pet-related goods shop.
Japanese Manners
Japan is well-known for its atmosphere of politeness and respect. Japanese interpersonal manners revolve around elevating the status of others while humbling oneself. There is an entire subsection of the Japanese language, known as keigo (敬語, respectful language) which is…
Media
Television On July 24, 2011 all TV broadcasting in Japan had been switched to Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting. To watch TV, you need to buy a DTV, or a digital terrestrial tuner if you would like to continue using your analog…
Taxes
In Japan, the main types of tax you will have to pay are income tax and residence tax. The consumption tax (Shohi-zei) rate is 10%, except for food stuffs and drink items (excluding alcohol) that rate is 8%. There are…
Keeping Pets
Japan is a pet-loving society, and recent figures indicate that there are now more pets in Japan than there are children. Pet shops have a large variety of pets to choose from, and stock pet toys, equipment, and food. In…
Mail & Courier Services
Mail The postal service in Japan is relatively inexpensive and very dependable. There are post offices all over the country, including many small towns and villages. Within Japan, the cost for a standard size letter (up to 25g) is 84…
Money
Opening a Bank Account You may open accounts at banks by filling out an application form and showing a residence card. Some banks may require a personal seal, but often, just your signature will be sufficient. Shinsei Bank and other…
