🇯🇵 Japan

Choose a city, then explore residence options, documents and housing below.

Digital nomad: six months, not extendable

Annual income of at least ¥10 million; only eligible nationalities and regions qualify.

• This status lasts six months and cannot be extended. Remote activity must fit the designated-activities conditions; it is not ordinary local employment permission.
• Private medical cover of at least ¥10 million for the required expenses is necessary. Spouse and child eligibility is checked separately under the accompanying-family route.

Annual income of at least ¥10 million; only eligible nationalities and regions qualify.

Six months does not mean tax-free

Immigration status and tax residence are separate tests.

• Tax residence can follow domicile or continuous residence of at least one year. Non-residence does not automatically exempt every income item: source and income type matter.
• National marginal rates are 5–45%; reconstruction surtax is 2.1% of calculated income tax, not 2.1% of total income. Local taxes and social payments are separate.

Rent starts with more than one monthly payment

Deposit, key money, agent fee and guarantor company are separate items.

• A lease may involve a deposit, non-refundable key money, agent commission and guarantor or guarantee-company fees. Treat them as setup costs rather than monthly living expenses.
• Check pet permission, heating in each room and move-out restoration charges. Request a written breakdown before transferring funds.

The warning summary above shows retrieval dates and regional scope. It is FCDO advice for British nationals, not a crime ranking.

Earthquakes and typhoons: a family plan

Prepare an address-level hazard map, meeting point and evacuation route.

• Consider earthquakes, tsunami, typhoons, landslides, heat and regional volcanic restrictions. A national card does not describe a specific neighborhood.
• Agree with the school who collects your child if transport stops. Check disaster insurance and essential medicine supplies before disruption, not during an alert.

Income, stay plan and insurance

Passport, application with photo, activity plan, income evidence and insurance.

• Prepare evidence of planned activities and income at or above the threshold, plus the required insurance. A Certificate of Eligibility can replace certain supporting documents as specified in the official checklist.
• Accompanying family needs relationship evidence and a connection to the principal applicant. Check nationality eligibility before paying for translations.

Two cities, two different scenarios. These are starting points, not a finished neighborhood ranking.

Tokyo

Measure the school and work trip including transfers, not just distance. Ask about evacuation areas and building rules; the photo shows Tokyo Tower in Minato.

Osaka

For coastal and low-lying housing, check the local flood map and evacuation route. Compare real listings including initial fees rather than reusing a Tokyo budget.

Reviewed: 2026-09-12

• Japan MOFA · document checklist
• NTA · income tax guide
• NTA · income tax rates
• MLIT · apartment rental guide
• FCDO · Japan safety and natural hazards

Dates and limitations appear with each dataset. This guide is not a substitute for individual legal and tax review.