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The Expat's Guide to Japan
Everything you need to know about living and working in Tokyo & Yokohama
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Japanese Schools
Even if the cost of international schools is not an issue, there are still educational and other reasons for non-Japanese families to send their children to a Japanese school for at least part of their stay in Japan. In elementary…
Sports Programs for Kids
Japan offers many unique after school opportunities for children. Internationally popular sports such as soccer, swimming or tennis are readily available. Traditional Japanese sports such as karate and judo can also be an excellent choice. Basketball, Volleyball, Cheer Dancing, Hip-Hop…
Japanese Performing Arts
Kabuki Kabuki’s origins can be traced back to the Edo period (1603-1868). In contrast to older Japanese art forms such as Noh, the realm of the upper class, Kabuki was popular with the common people, and it is said that…
Clubs & Societies
Tokyo and Yokohama have members-only clubs for foreign residents. These clubs offer facilities including conference rooms, banquet halls, restaurants, fitness gyms, sports facilities, libraries and more, and a diverse range of cultural, recreational and business activities. Other Online Resources…
Recreational Activities
A wide variety of groups and events across Tokyo provide a place where foreigners and Japanese alike can come together and share their hobbies or passions. Performing Acts Cooking Art Workshops Event Clubs…
Volunteering
By volunteering for a cause you feel strongly about, you can make a contribution to society while meeting and interacting with Japanese people in the community around you. Besides the organizations listed below, international NGOs such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace,…
Places of Worship
Churches, Mosques, and places of worship around Tokyo have worship services in English and other languages. Tokyo Yokohama…
Hairdressers
Communication is vital when visiting the hairdresser, and not being able to tell exactly what you want can lead to a hairstyle that you are not satisfied with. Since some hairdressers are not used to all hair types and hair…
Beauty & Healing
Tokyo has a wide variety of salons with English-speaking staff specializing in such areas as skin care, waxing, oil/stone massages, and acupuncture. You can also find locations that use organic products, provide services for men, or that offer prenatal massages.…
Fitness Clubs & Tai Chi
Sign up for a membership at one of the gyms or fitness clubs in Tokyo and make a commitment to staying in shape. Many are in locations which can be easily accessed on your way to or from work. …
Sports
There are gyms, pools, golf clubs, baseball and soccer teams where you can enjoy sports activities in and around Tokyo and Yokohama. A number of groups, online forums and websites have also been formed by local fans to help non-Japanese…
Municipal Gyms & Sports Centers
Municipal sports facilities are a great option for keeping fit without breaking the bank. Most local authorities operate a training gym or sports center open to the public with admission prices of less than ¥500 per visit. These facilities usually…
Owning a Car in Japan
Buying & Selling Buying a car involves a lot of paperwork and complicated procedures, but in most cases, for an extra fee, you can have your car dealer do them for you. In order to own a car, you must…
List of Car Dealers
Here are some companies that have full English support. Authorized Car Dealers Car Dealers …
Crime & Personal Safety
General Crime and Safety With one of the lowest crime rates of all developed nations, Japan is an extremely safe country to live and travel in. In comparison to other major world cities, there is a very low chance you…
Emergencies & Disaster Prevention
Although Japan is modern and safe, it is always useful to be prepared. This chapter provides some background information and useful references for essential services and emergencies. In Case of Emergency Call the following numbers in case of an emergency.…
St. Luke’s MediLocus
Located conveniently in the center of Tokyo’s business district, Otemachi. Internal medicine and gynecology consultations are available, as well as advanced medical examinations.…
Takadanobaba Dermatology & Plastic Surgery
Located at Takadanobaba, easily accessible from everywhere in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. The clinic takes full responsibility for the care of your skin problems, from diagnosis to medical and surgical treatment.…
Tokyo Cancer Clinic
Tokyo Cancer Clinic offers cutting-edge cellular immunotherapy designed to target each patient’s specific cancer, with fewer side-effects than traditional treatments. Free consultations are available in English. Click here to know more about this clinic…
Tokyo Chiropractic
Tokyo Chiropractic, located in Aoyama, was originally established as Tokyo Chiropractic Research Center in 1949. This clinic is a certified office by the Japanese Association of Chiropractors, a national member of the World Federation of Chiropractic. Doctors of Chiropractic licensed…
Tokyo International Dental Clinic Roppongi
An international dental clinic treating patients from all over the world. With an approach based on Scandinavian dentistry, the clinic focuses on preventative care to preserve the patient’s own teeth, employing world-class scientifically-based dental treatment. Click here to know more…
Tokyo Midtown Clinic
Tokyo Physio
Tokyo Physio provides physiotherapy / physical therapy within walking distance from Hiroo. They specialize in sports injuries, knees, headaches, women’s health, tendon issues and back and neck pain. On-site free parking, health insurance rebates, and a sports massage and pilates…
Club360 – Physiotherapy & Sports Massage
Club 360 is Tokyo’s premier physiotherapy and multidisciplinary practice. Club 360 seeks to find and correct the root cause of your problem to provide long-term pain relief and a preservation of the lifestyle you enjoy. Their highly qualified therapists liaise with a…
Nakamaru Dental Clinic
A private dental clinic offering a standard of care and treatment not possible under Japanese health insurance. Dr. Nakamaru is a UCLA-certified dentist offering general dentistry and implants, in addition to endodontic, periodontic and prosthodontic care, using a dental microscope…
The Bluff Medical and Dental Clinic
The Bluff Clinic, a non-profit organization continues its mission of providing quality medical care to their community ranging from foreign residents as well as Japanese locals. A unique part of their mission is to provide their services that include medical…
Medical Expenses & Health Insurance
Japan’s Public Health Insurance system ensures that residents will never have to pay more than 30% of the cost of most medical treatment. Find out more about payment procedures and health insurance on this page.
Child Immunization
If you are bringing children to Japan, or have a child here, it is vitally important to ensure they receive the recommended vaccinations. Get more information about vaccinations available in Japan and the childhood vaccination schedule on this page.
Having a Baby in Japan
Pregnant women must register their pregnancy at the local municipal office. They will receive a handbook Boshi-Techo (“母子手帳”, maternity health record book) and Haha-to-Ko-no-Kenko Bag (“母と子の健康バッグ”, health bag for mother and child), filled with all the important detailed information and forms necessary for having a baby in Japan.
In the Event of a Large-scale Earthquake
First Steps When you feel strong tremors, take cover, protecting your head with your arms or belongings such as a bag, cushion, or coat. Tremors can cause doors and windows to warp, so ensure your escape route by opening one…
