Places · Japan

Living in Tokyo

Japan · temperate

🌍

Tokyo is a big city of roughly 14,000,000 people right by the sea in Japan. The climate is temperate. It has a lively, popular feel and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $2,050. Healthcare is strong, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for food and eating out, art and culture, nightlife.

By 2031 something concrete is due to change here: Haneda Airport Access Line, direct link to Tokyo Station. Living off-grid does not work here: connecting to the networks is compulsory in practice.

Tokyo at a glance: cost, climate, safety

👥
People
~14,000,000
💵
Cost / mo
~$2,100
🌡️
Climate
temperate
🛡️
Safety
5/5
🏥
Healthcare
4/5
📶
Internet
5/5
🚶
Walkable
5/5
🍽️
Food
5/5
🌫️
Air
4/5Good
🚰
Water
4/5Tap water drinkable

Who tends to love living in Tokyo

All parameters

🛡️ Safety5/5
🏥 Healthcare4/5
🏛️ Public healthcare5/5
💳 Private healthcare5/5
📶 Internet5/5
🚶 Walkable5/5
🚌 Transit5/5
🍽️ Food5/5
📚 LibraryA proper library system
🥗 Veg options5/5
🌫️ Air4/5 · 10 µg/m³
🚰 Water4/5 · Tap water drinkable
📈 PopularityGrowing
🏠 Rent, 5 yrs+30%
👶 For kids4/5
🛂 Immigration2/5
🏛️ Stability4/5
💸 Tax friendly2/5
🧑‍💻 Business2/5
🕵️ Privacy4/5
🏦 State digital currencyIn development
🗣️ Free expressionReasonable
₿ Bitcoin3/5
🌈 LGBTQ+3/5
🦂 Dangerous animals1/5
🌱 Fertile soil2/5
🔌 Living off-grid1/5
📸 Tourism5/5
👥 Crowding5/5
✈️ Airport5/5
🛰️ StarlinkYes
⚕️ AbortionLegal

💉 Childhood vaccines: Recommended, never required

Japan dropped compulsory vaccination in 1994. The schedule is now a duty to make an effort, with no penalty attached.

If you skip them: Nothing.

Exemptions: Not needed.

Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024

📈 Popularity & prices: Growing

Accommodation prices have moved about +30% in the last 5 years.

Estimates, for orientation only.

🔭 Where this place is heading

Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.

What to know before moving to Tokyo

⚠️ The downsides of living in Tokyo

Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.

Where is Tokyo?

₿ Spend Bitcoin around Tokyo

Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.

₿ …

Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.

Questions, answered

How much does it cost to live in Tokyo, Japan?

A typical month in Tokyo costs around $2,050, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.

Is Tokyo, Japan safe?

Arcadia rates personal safety in Tokyo at 5 out of 5, which is excellent. Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.

What is the internet like in Tokyo?

Internet in Tokyo is rated 5 out of 5 for remote work, which is excellent. Starlink is available in this country.

What is the weather like in Tokyo?

Tokyo has a temperate climate. It is on the coast.

Is healthcare good in Tokyo?

Healthcare in Tokyo is rated 4 out of 5 overall, which is good. Public healthcare is 5/5 and private healthcare 5/5.

How easy is it to move to Japan?

Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Japan at 2 out of 5, which is limited. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.

Is Tokyo actually right for you?

Tokyo is one of 3,500+ places we compare. Answer a few honest questions and we will tell you the handful that truly fit your life, ranked and explained.

Find my place →

⏱️ ~5 min · one payment · no newsletter

Places similar to Tokyo