Moving to Tokyo

The very definition of glitz and glamour, Tokyo is an ultramodern, densely populated megacity set against a picturesque backdrop of the magnificent Mount Fuji. Expats moving to Tokyo will have to keep up with the city's frenetic energy as a seemingly endless array of opportunities and activities abound. One thing is for sure – life is never dull in this Japanese giant.

Living in Tokyo as an expat

The greater Tokyo area is the largest metropolitan area in the world and is home to nearly 38 million inhabitants. Expats will find it hard to escape the crowds, with traffic and long queues everywhere.

Since Tokyo was razed during the fire bombings of World War II, the small, traditional Japanese façades have almost entirely been replaced by a modern concrete jungle. Still, despite the fast pace of this cosmopolitan hub, there are backstreets even in the heart of the city that can be quite tranquil. These areas provide charming accommodation.

Tokyo's public transport system is ultra-efficient and is considered one of the world's best. The well-integrated system includes underground trains (subways), over-ground trains, buses and trams, with plenty of taxis available to supplement. As a result, the city is extraordinarily accessible, even to newly arrived expats.

Cost of living in Tokyo

In 2024, Tokyo ranked 49th out of 226 expat cities evaluated in Mercer's Cost of Living City Ranking. Shopping is a primary Japanese pastime, and there's no better place to indulge in this than Tokyo. While the constantly evolving consumer culture that permeates the city makes it an exciting place to live, the cost of this lifestyle is high. In fact, Tokyo regularly tops lists of the world's most expensive cities. Those with limited funds may find it challenging to stick to their budget, although avoiding the pricier entertainment options and opting for free activities instead can save a significant amount of money.

Still, even standard living costs like accommodation, food, and (for expats with kids) schooling can be eye-wateringly high. For this reason, expats moving to Tokyo will need to ensure that they will be earning enough to sustain themselves comfortably in the city.

Expat families and children

Despite Tokyo's fast-moving lifestyle, the city is a fantastic place to raise children. With some of the world's most exciting family attractions (such as Legoland and Tokyo Disneyland), finding something to keep the kids entertained is never hard.

Expat parents moving to Tokyo with children of school-going age are often nervous about Japanese education's negative reputation. While these concerns have some validity in the public system, plenty of private international schools employ the curricula, teaching style and language of countries such as the UK and the US. Though these schools are often pricey, expat parents find they tend to smooth the difficult transition of starting at a new school in a new country. It's also a great way to meet fellow expat families.

Climate in Tokyo

While the weather in Tokyo isn't much to write home about, it's not especially unpleasant either. Winters are mostly sunny and mild, while summers are hot and humid. The main weather event expats will need to look out for is typhoons, which are most likely to occur between June and October. In the event of a typhoon, it's best to head home, sit tight and await instructions from the authorities.

It's often said that the people make the city, and Tokyo is no exception. Most Japanese locals are welcoming and proud of their city and are invested in helping newcomers have a positive experience. Expats who reciprocate the locals' kindness and attempt to converse in Japanese will surely find themselves making local friends in no time.