Japan: Living

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates: The expatriate community in Japan has more than 200,000 members. These sites describe living conditions for expatriates in Japan: ExpatFocus Japan, Transitionabroad Japan, Ministry of Justice, etc.
Blogs For Expats: The Expat's Guide to Japan
Japan Living Guide
An expat's guide to Japan (Aetna International)
Hotel reservation websites: The key elements of Japanese culture on the Japan Guide website
Trends in Japan
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals: Nippon Express
Japan Luggage Express, Ltd.
Contact the Embassy: Contact the Embassy of Japan in the United States.
Contact Your Embassy: Contact the Embassy of the United States in Japan.

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living: According to the latest available edition of the Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings Survey by Mercer, Tokyo is ranked 19th out of 227 cities worldwide in terms of cost of living, counting among the 20 most expensive cities to live in.
Quality of Life: Tokyo and Kobe (both occupying 49th rank out of 231 cities worldwide) offer the highest quality of life in Japan according to the latest available edition Mercer's Quality of Living City Rankings.
Hotel reservation websites: Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)

Renting an Apartment

Average Lease Term: 2 years
Average Rental Costs: Costs of reservation (tetsukekin): equivalent to 1 month’s rent, recoverable if the rental becomes effective.
The deposit (shikikin): equivalent to 7 months rent; recoverable if the apartment has not been damaged.
Money for the hand-over of the keys (reikin:, paid in the case of a private rental; not recoverable; equivalent at most to 7 months’ rent.
Agency fees (chukai tesuryo): between 3 and 10 months’ rent; not recoverable.

The third party guarantor is necessary. The person may be required to be Japanese and have the necessary financial capabilities.
Rental Agency Websites: Expatriates Housing Tokyo
Hotel reservation websites: Japan Guide information about finding an apartment

School System

The Education System: In Japan, education is compulsory at elementary and junior high level, and most Japanese students usually complete more than 16 years of education including preschool, high school and college. The Japanese educational system is extremely competitive, with many students taking extra tuition classes in order to maximize their chances of doing well in examinations.

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture provides further information.
International Schools: There are a large number of international schools in all the main cities. There are relatively few English-language pre-schools. The Expat's Guide to Japan provides a list of international schools in Japan.
Hotel reservation websites: The Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry website provides a 'Study in Japan' article

Health System

The Healthcare System: Healthcare in Japan is of a very high standard, although facilities are more basic in rural areas.
International Hospitals: Japan has only one international hospital: St Luke’s International Hospita However, other establishments are accessible to those who speak English (list found here).
Health System Insurance Body: National Health Insurance
Health Ministry: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

Tourism and Culture

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: While many castles were destroyed en masse during the Meiji era and the Second World War, some remain and are popular tourist destinations. The following castles have been designated national treasures due to their 'especially high historical or artistic value': Matsumoto Castle, Himeji Castle, Hikone Castle, Inuyama Castle and Matsue Castle.
Cultural: Many festivals take place throughout the year, including Festival of the Tombs and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Open air museums located throughout the country offer visits of different Japanese architectural styles. Japan is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites.
Nature: The Konrokuen at Kanazawa and Katsura Villa at Kyoto are two beautiful gardens, which are exemplary of the Japanese style. Japan is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Natural Sites.
Religious: Temples and tombs can be found across Japan. Some of the most well-known temples include Ginkakuji, Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Sanjusangendo at Kyoto, as well as Todaiji and Horyuji at Nara. Among the most well-known tombs are Ise Grand Shrine and Nikko Toshogu at Nikko, as well as Itsukushima at Miyajima.
Thermal: Hot springs flow throughout the country.
Beach: Japan is the home to roaming coastlines and a diverse array of beaches. The Okinawa Prefecture is famous for its white sand beaches and picturesque turquoise water. With its subtropical climate and warm temperatures, the beach is open throughout the year, though the best weather is typically found between May and October. Nearer to Tokyo, the Shonan Coast and Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture have very popular beaches.
This guide provides more information about beach tourism in Japan.
Winter Sports: The 500 national ski resorts have plentiful snow for winter sports, as well as superb countryside and hot water springs to relax in.
Outdoor Activities: Hiking, diving, bicycle touring and golf.
Shopping: Japan is known worldwide for its unique fashion. Japanese designers abound, with European brands also represented. Department stores, such as Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya, have proven to be popular shopping destinations.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
Imperial Palace
Sensoji Temple
Yasukuni Shrine
Meiji Shrine
Tokyo Opera City
Tokyo Tower

Top Highlights of the Country
Azuchi Castle
Omiya Bonsai Village
Bouddha Amitabha de Kamakura
Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
Yakushi-ji Temple
Koyasan (Mountain Koya)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Zenkoji Temple
Mountain Misen

Tourism Organisations: Japanese National Tourism Organisation
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Cultural Organizations: Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture

Individual and Civic Freedoms

Civil Liberty: 1/7
: World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 67/180

Religion

Beliefs: Shintoism and Buddhism are the two most widespread religions (84% of the population). Japanese may follow one or both religions.gion, or both.

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