Japan
Tokyo
Megacity order — unmatched transit, seasonal beauty, and meticulous schools culture
Family budget at a glance
The all-in range matches the FAQ answer for "How much does a family typically need per month here?" The other cards are single-line benchmarks — they don't add up to that total (school fees and other costs are separate).
All-in / month (family of 4)
~$7,000–$10,500 / month
3-bed family home
~$3,200 / month
Dinner for 2 (mid-range)
~$55
Nanny
~$18 / hr
Tokyo offers safety, amazing transit, and rich cultural education. Working families need employer visa sponsorship; housing is compact and deposit-heavy; Japanese language helps outside expat bubbles.
Action checklist
Concrete steps to make this move happen, in order.
Click any step to jump to that section ↓
- 1Confirm your Japan visa category with HR — long-term work routes need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE — immigration pre-approval) before you relocate
- 2Line up housing 6–10 weeks ahead — pick wards (e.g. Minato, Meguro, Setagaya) around your school commute, not Bangkok-style corridors
- 3Apply to international schools 9–18 months ahead for popular campuses — Tokyo waitlists are real
- 4After you move, enrol in National Health Insurance (NHI — mandatory resident medical scheme) at the ward office and add private cover if you want English-first clinics
- 5Within about 14 days of moving, register your address at the local ward or city office (役所) and update the address on your residence card
- 6Open a yen account (Shinsei Bank, Sony Bank, or a major bank) using your residence card and Japanese phone number — needed for rent autopay and school fees
- 7Register at your local ward (区 — ku) office for hoikuen (保育園 — public nursery and daycare for ages 0–6, heavily subsidised) as soon as you complete your resident registration — Tokyo's most popular wards (Minato, Shibuya, Setagaya) have intense competition for hoikuen places. International and English-language nurseries are available but cost ~$1,500–$3,000/month. Apply through your ward's childcare office (保育課).
- 8Register for earthquake alerts and know your ward's evacuation routes on your first day — Tokyo has regular earthquake drills (September 1 is national Disaster Prevention Day). Install the Safety Tips app (available in English) for real-time earthquake and tsunami alerts. Keep a 72-hour emergency kit at home with water, food, a first aid kit, and copies of your key documents.
Family fit
Great for
- Families prioritising safety, punctual transit, and excellent public services
- Employer-sponsored moves with a clear COE / work-permit path
- Parents comfortable with compact apartments in exchange for neighbourhood quality
- Children who may eventually use Japanese public schools if they speak the language
Watch out for
- Up-front housing costs (deposit, key money, agent fees) — cash-heavy compared with many Western markets
- Earthquake readiness — furniture straps, emergency kits, and insurance deserve real attention
- Humid summers and pollen springs — air quality and allergies can affect young children
- International school fees and central Tokyo rent together push budgets toward global-city levels
Climate & seasons
Monthly normals (2001–2020) · MERRA-2 (NASA POWER)
Rainy-day counts are approximate (from monthly rainfall).
- HottestAug · 35°Cmean daily high
- CoolestFeb · -1.8°Cmean daily low
- WettestOct · 246.1 mmmonth total
- DriestFeb · 73.9 mmmonth total
- Low
- -1.6°C
- Rain
- 80.3 mm
- Wet days
- ~7
- Low
- -1.8°C
- Rain
- 73.9 mm
- Wet days
- ~6
- Low
- -0.3°C
- Rain
- 124 mm
- Wet days
- ~10
- Low
- 2.4°C
- Rain
- 135.3 mm
- Wet days
- ~11
- Low
- 8.7°C
- Rain
- 147.6 mm
- Wet days
- ~12
- Low
- 13.6°C
- Rain
- 185.1 mm
- Wet days
- ~15
- Low
- 18.8°C
- Rain
- 152.5 mm
- Wet days
- ~13
- Low
- 20°C
- Rain
- 134.2 mm
- Wet days
- ~11
- Low
- 14.9°C
- Rain
- 210.6 mm
- Wet days
- ~18
- Low
- 9.1°C
- Rain
- 246.1 mm
- Wet days
- ~21
- Low
- 3.9°C
- Rain
- 119.7 mm
- Wet days
- ~10
- Low
- -0.1°C
- Rain
- 83.4 mm
- Wet days
- ~7
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Rain (total) | Rainy days (~) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14.7°C | -1.6°C | 80.3 mm | 7 |
| Feb | 17.3°C | -1.8°C | 73.9 mm | 6 |
| Mar | 19.5°C | -0.3°C | 124 mm | 10 |
| Apr | 24°C | 2.4°C | 135.3 mm | 11 |
| May | 27.9°C | 8.7°C | 147.6 mm | 12 |
| Jun | 30.8°C | 13.6°C | 185.1 mm | 15 |
| Jul | 34.2°C | 18.8°C | 152.5 mm | 13 |
| Aug | 35°C | 20°C | 134.2 mm | 11 |
| Sep | 32.2°C | 14.9°C | 210.6 mm | 18 |
| Oct | 27.4°C | 9.1°C | 246.1 mm | 21 |
| Nov | 22.3°C | 3.9°C | 119.7 mm | 10 |
| Dec | 18.5°C | -0.1°C | 83.4 mm | 7 |
Family notes
- Warmest month on average: Aug (mean daily high ~35°C); coolest: Feb (mean daily low ~-2°C).
- Most rainfall on average: Oct (~246 mm total); driest: Feb (~74 mm).
- Mean daily highs reach about 32°C or more in Jul, Aug, Sep — plan air-conditioning, shade, and limited midday outdoor time for babies and young children.
- Peak months can average above 35°C for daily highs — schedule playgrounds, walks, and errands for mornings or evenings when possible.
- Winter nights can dip near freezing (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) — reliable home heating and warm layers for school commutes matter for children.
- Very wet months mean waterproofs, covered waiting at school pickup, and extra room to dry uniforms and shoes.
These values are long-term monthly climatologies from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) for the nearest model grid cell to these coordinates — not a single city-centre weather station. Spatial resolution is about 50 km; coastal belts, hills, and dense urban cores can differ. Precipitation is corrected MERRA-2 rainfall; rainy-day counts are approximated from monthly totals.
Grid cell used: 35.690°, 139.692° (WGS84)
Visa options
Reviewed Apr 2026
Reviewed Apr 2026
Tourism visas or visa-free short stays vary by nationality. Work usually requires a Certificate of Eligibility (COE — pre-approval document) and a work-linked residence card after employer sponsorship.
Tap the ? next to a term for a quick definition.
Temporary visitor
Tourism and private visits: travel in Japan, visit neighbourhoods and schools, and handle personal errands during the stay shown on your entry or visa.
Work residence (employer-sponsored)
COE obtained in Japan, visa stamped abroad, residence card on arrival.
Temporary visitor — tourism and short stays
- Many nationalities get 90-day visa-free entry — confirm your passport's status with Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before booking.
- Use a short visit to trial commutes (e.g. Setagaya, Minato, Meguro corridors) and school options before committing to a longer move.
- Working on a tourist entry — including remote work for a foreign employer — is high-risk and not allowed under tourist status.
- Carry passports for every family member, including children, at every check-in — Japanese hotels are required to record passport details for foreign guests.
- Search 'MOFA Japan visa exemption countries' on Google for the official chart.
Work visa — employer-led
- Employer or proxy applies for COE before you fly long-term.
- Housing guarantor companies often require residence card copies.
- Dependants apply with linked documents.
- Search 'Immigration Services Agency Japan work' on Google for updates.
Search 'Japan Immigration work visa COE' on Google for the checklist your HR should follow.
Address registration & residence card
Reviewed Apr 2026
Reviewed Apr 2026
- Mid- to long-stay foreign nationals carry a residence card (在留カード — plastic ID issued at entry) listing visa status and must update the printed address after every move.
- Register (or update) your address at the local city or ward office within about 14 days of moving — bring passport, residence card, and lease.
- Re-entry permits are mostly embedded as stamps on the residence card for standard work visas — confirm before a long summer trip abroad.
- National Health Insurance and ward tax post arrive after registration — budget for mailed invoices even if you do not read Japanese yet.
- This is not Thailand's TM30 landlord filing or 90-day reporting website — follow ISA and your ward's guidance only.
Search 'Tokyo ward office address change foreign resident' on Google for the English PDF each ward publishes — procedures are consistent but office hours differ.
Banking
- You generally need a residence card, Japanese mobile number, and proof of address to open a standard account.
- Cash remains common for small merchants; a transit IC card (Suica / PASMO) doubles as a store wallet in many chains.
- Wise and Revolut help with inbound salary currency conversion — pair them with a yen account for rent withdrawals.
- Credit cards may require a few months of local credit history — start with debit until HR letters satisfy underwriting.
- Automatic rent transfers (口座振替) need bank seals or online signing setups — ask your agent which pattern your landlord expects.
Digital-friendly banks (Shinsei, Sony Bank) and major megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) all work — match your need for English apps versus cash-deposit branches.
Housing
Tokyo is mostly apartments — families cluster near international schools in Meguro, Shibuya, and Minato wards or trade space for yards in western suburbs (Denenchofu, Seijo). Use Japanese listing sites; guarantor companies (保証会社) are common for foreigners.
Where to search
Suumo and LIFULL HOME'S (Homes) are the dominant consumer rental portals — start on the homepage, then filter by ward and train line.
English-friendly agents exist but many landlords still want Japanese paperwork — budget for a guarantor service if you lack a local payroll.
Match housing to school location first — rush-hour JR and metro lines are reliable but painfully crowded; shorter commutes matter for children.
Typical monthly rents
- 1-bedroom mansion apartment, inner wards: ~$1,400–$2,400/month
- 3-bedroom family apartment, Meguro / Setagaya belt: ~$3,200–$6,000/month
- Detached house (一戸建て), outer western wards: ~$4,000–$8,500/month
- Serviced apartments (short bridge while searching): premium over long-term leases
Best areas for families
What you need to rent
- Residence card or visa showing legal stay, passport, and often a Japanese emergency contact or guarantor company contract
- Key money (reikin — non-refundable gratuity to landlord in many leases), deposit (shikikin), and agency fee — confirm totals before signing
- Japanese bank account or ability to pay initial months via international transfer where accepted
- Company HR letter if your employer acts as guarantor
Schools
Tokyo hosts dozens of international schools (IB, British, American, French, German, and more) alongside strong Japanese public schools for fluent speakers. Demand exceeds seats in popular years — apply early and expect interviews.
Public system
Japanese public schools are free for residents and high quality, but instruction is almost entirely in Japanese. Young children sometimes adapt quickly; older students often need international or bilingual programmes unless they already read and write Japanese.
International options
Clusters sit in central Tokyo (Roppongi–Azabu), western wards (Meguro, Setagaya), and Yokohama's Honmoku / Yamate belt for families who accept a cross-harbour commute. Curricula span IB, British, American, and others — fees vary widely, so compare all-in costs including bus and uniform.
Language notes
Japanese is the national language. English works in many expat-facing services but daily life (paediatric clinics, ward offices, landlords) moves faster if someone in the family learns basic Japanese.
Pick housing after short-listing schools — a 20-minute walk beats an hour on three train lines with small children.
Education options
British / IB curriculum international schools
Large IB and British-pattern programmes across central and western Tokyo — waiting lists tighten for primary years.
American / AP international schools
US-curriculum and AP-focused schools serving diplomatic and corporate families — check bus routes before signing a lease.
Bilingual / progressive programmes
Mixed Japanese–English models for families planning long stays — often more affordable but still selective.
Childcare
Licensed hoikuen (保育園 — municipal or private daycare) and company-led nurseries exist but queues are long; international preschools and babysitting agencies fill the gap for expats.
Daycare & nurseries
- Municipal hoikuen is low cost but prioritises working parents with standard schedules — apply through your ward early
- Private nursery schools (幼稚園) and international preschools offer English or bilingual tracks — fees often $800–$2,000/month
- Company on-site childcare appears at larger employers — ask HR before you move
Nanny & au pair
- Live-out babysitters and housekeeping help are arranged via agencies; fully bilingual sitters cost more
- Hourly babysitting commonly runs ~$18–$28 for experienced English-speaking caregivers
- Au pairs are uncommon versus Southeast Asia — budget for agency fees if you need full-time help
Where to find childcare
- Search 'Tokyo bilingual babysitting agency' on Google
- Ward office international desk can explain hoikuen lottery timing
- School parent networks usually share trusted sitter contacts
Healthcare
Reviewed Apr 2026
Reviewed Apr 2026
- Japan mixes excellent public clinics with large university hospitals — St. Luke's International Hospital and Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital are known for English-friendly paediatrics, but any ward clinic can handle vaccines once you speak basic Japanese or bring a translator app.
- NHI premiums are income-based after your first calendar year — keep ward mail about payment schedules.
- Dental and orthodontic care is high quality; cosmetic services are often cash pay.
- International private medical insurance (IPMI) helps if your employer posts you between countries — confirm whether Japan is in-network.
- Pharmacies (薬局) are strict about prescriptions — carry the doctor's paper script; OTC options differ from the US or EU.
Enrol in National Health Insurance (NHI) as soon as you register residence — it covers 70% of standard care; many families add private IPMI for English desks and faster referrals.
Optional insurance option
Some families prefer to have private international medical coverage for the first period abroad. SafetyWing is one option to check if you want a flexible plan while relocating.
Check SafetyWingAlways confirm that any insurance you choose matches your visa, residency, and healthcare needs.
Safety
- Violent crime rates are very low; lost wallets are often returned — still secure bags on crowded Yamanote Line trains
- Pedestrian crossings and cyclists deserve attention — delivery scooters use sidewalks in some wards
- Earthquake apps (NHK, Yurekuru) and home kits matter more than street crime prep
- Children travel independently on trains once families agree on rules — discuss stranger-danger in age-appropriate ways anyway
- Summer heat and typhoon season bring real health risks — hydrate, avoid midday playgrounds, and heed municipal alerts
FAQ
Is Tokyo good for families?
Yes for many — safety, transit, and healthcare are excellent, and international schools are numerous. Trade-offs are high housing costs, earthquake planning, and the language barrier outside expat-heavy wards.
How much does a family typically need per month here?
Expect roughly the guide's ~$7,000–$10,500/month all-in band for a family of four once international school and central rent are included — Tokyo is priced like other top-tier global cities, not like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.
Is housing hard to find here?
Reasonable supply exists but the process is paperwork-heavy. Start 6–10 weeks early, budget for key money and guarantor fees, and prioritise stations on direct lines to your school.
Do children need international school here, or can local schools work?
Japanese public schools work if your child speaks Japanese or enters very young. Most short-term expats choose international or bilingual programmes; tours and waitlists should begin early.
Is healthcare easy to access as a newcomer?
Yes after NHI registration. Large hospitals offer translation help; routine paediatrics may still be Japanese-first. Carry IPMI cards if your employer provides them.
Do you need a car in Tokyo?
Usually no — trains and buses cover school and work commutes. Some suburban families keep one kei car for weekend trips; parking costs deter central car ownership.
How difficult is the paperwork and bureaucracy after moving?
Predictable if you follow ward-office steps: residence card address updates, NHI enrolment, bank KYC, and school letters. None of this mirrors Thailand's TM30 or imm.immigration.go.th reporting.
What usually surprises families after arrival?
How much cash and paper seals still matter, how quiet neighbourhoods feel at night, and how intense pollen and summer humidity can be for kids with allergies.
Considering Tokyo alongside other cities?
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Other guides families considering Tokyo often look at next.
Sources
Official government, institutional, and public sources.
Community
Expat groups and community forums. Use the search buttons below to find them.
Search 'Tokyo Expat Families' on Google — local advice and school recommendations
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