The Global Expat Hub
Japan
Extraordinarily safe, orderly and now surprisingly affordable; the language is the wall to climb.
Your plan for Japan checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Top cities for expats in Japan
Costs and character vary significantly within Japan. Here are the cities our readers compare most.
One of the world's great cities — safe, efficient and surprisingly affordable
Street food capital with a warmer, more outgoing culture than Tokyo
Ancient temples and traditional culture — slower pace and great quality of life
Gateway to Asia — affordable, walkable and growing in expat popularity
Japan by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
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🌤️ Climate
Four distinct seasons; humid summers, cold winters (heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side), cherry-blossom spring and crisp autumn. Okinawa subtropical.
Mean temperatures for Tokyo.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 1,500 mm (59 in) a year.
Snow Heavy in Hokkaido and Tohoku; light in Tokyo.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationJapanese Law Translation (Ministry of Justice) ↗
OverviewLaw of Japan on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the left. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax Fixed Asset Tax 1.4% + City Planning 0.3% of assessed value (assessed low).
Local & regional income tax Resident tax ~10% of income on top of national 5–45%.
🎓 University
Not free; national universities ~$3.5k/yr, private $6–12k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers NTT Docomo, au, SoftBank, Rakuten.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $25/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $18 for 10 GB.
Sponsored
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Digital Nomad visa
- Highly Skilled Professional points visa with fast PR
- J-Skip and J-Find for top talent and graduates
- Akiya: abandoned rural homes from near-free, with renovation grants
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Japan embassies, warnings, law and reference
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Life in Japan faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundSearch for jobs for free, or post a job — free.
Roles open to foreigners in Japan: remote work you can do from Tokyo, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Searching for and posting expat jobs is always free, for job seekers and employers alike. Every listing stays live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
See all jobs in Japan and post a job →
In the meantime, search these trusted remote job boards
Free to use. These are independent sites we like; opening in a new tab. Come back to post your own role here — posting is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Japan safe for expats?
Japan scores 96 out of 100 for safety on The Global Expat Hub, and 70 out of 100 for liveability — #19 of the 52 countries we cover. The full breakdown, including official warnings and regional differences, is on the safety page linked from this page.
What is the cost of living in Japan?
The Global Expat Hub estimates a mid-range lifestyle in Japan from around $2,000 per month. The figures are national averages for planning, not quotes — big cities run higher — and this page breaks costs down by tier and city.
Can I move to Japan?
Yes. The routes and incentives The Global Expat Hub lists for Japan include: Digital Nomad visa; highly Skilled Professional points visa with fast PR; J-Skip and J-Find for top talent and graduates; akiya: abandoned rural homes from near-free, with renovation grants. Step-by-step visa and residency detail is on the visa pages linked from this page.
What is the best city in Japan for expats?
The top cities for expats in Japan profiled on this page are Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Tokyo is the capital. Each city profile includes typical rent and character to help you compare.