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🇯🇵 Japan

Tokyo

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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.

Everyday life: national rules

Registered-resident health insurance

Registered foreign residents without another public scheme generally enrol in municipal National Health Insurance, subject to status and stay-length exceptions. This does not establish NHI eligibility for Digital Nomads: that route separately requires insurance for the stay.

Public schools for foreign children

Foreign children may attend public elementary and lower-secondary schools tuition-free. Their guardians are not subject to the same compulsory-schooling obligation as Japanese nationals. Coordinate admission and grade placement with the municipal education board, considering previous schooling and Japanese proficiency.

Not every international permit qualifies

Temporary driving recognises an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention. A licence with an authorised Japanese translation works only for specified countries and territories. Driving is generally limited to one year after entry and document validity; conversion is a separate process.

CLIMATE & HOME

What the seasons feel like

Tokyo · long-term climate, not a forecast

Warmest month · daily mean25.8°C
Coldest month · daily mean2.2°C
Winter comfortCheck heating
Jan2.2°C daily mean77% outdoors · NASA model2.1 mm rainfall / day
Housing: questions before signing

There is a cool season here; heating provision varies by home.

  • How is the bedroom heated, and can you control the temperature overnight?
  • What did electricity and heating cost in winter? Request actual bills.
  • Are there drafts, wet walls or a musty smell? Request video of corners and cupboards.
  • When was the boiler or heat pump last serviced, if installed?

Housing and setup costs

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.

Rental conditions above are national. Below is an editable scenario for this city.

Your household budget

Your family and routines

Citizenship and purpose are saved with your profile; this calculator does not determine visa eligibility. Check route conditions separately. Conditions

Who's coming
Adults
2
Children
1
Child 1
Housing & bedrooms
Bedrooms, excluding living room
2

Suggested bedrooms: 2. Adults in pairs; children under 8 can share, older children follow your room preference. A planning suggestion, not a legal rule.

Transport & pets
Cats
0
Dogs
0
National documents, taxes and sources

Other cities

Practical answers before moving

Tokyo: what goes into a family living budget?

Example for two adults and a seven-year-old: a two-bedroom rental, private school and public transport. These are editorial assumptions, not verified prices. Deposits, relocation, vehicle purchase and taxes are excluded.

  • Tokyo: 5,627 USD/month: housing 1,656 USD, groceries 884 USD, utilities 234 USD, education 1,200 USD. The remainder covers transport, insurance, leisure and reserve.

What is different about this city?

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.

  • Nearby water: Tokyo Bay

What should families with children consider in this country?

Foreign children may attend public elementary and lower-secondary schools tuition-free. Their guardians are not subject to the same compulsory-schooling obligation as Japanese nationals. Coordinate admission and grade placement with the municipal education board, considering previous schooling and Japanese proficiency.

Country sources and recorded review dates · Methodology and limitations