The citys transit system is the envy of the world: dozens of private metro and public rail lines run impeccable service across nearly the entirety of the metropolitan region. Japanese people are very loyal and taught to honor and respect their elders.
Living in Tokyo: How to Avoid Culture Shock - Transitions Abroad To find why we started this site, check out the Tokyo Cheapo Manifesto. Additionally, content such as tours and tickets, hotels and apartments are commercial content.
Tokyo's Crowded Living Conditions | Nippon.com As you can see, the pros surely outweigh the cons, and even though there are some more challenging things to accept, they arent unbearable. We think you wont regret it! There is no pocket theft, no guns (or stringent laws enforced), just a society that works together and places the needs of others above their own. Please try again later. Become our local expat expert for your area! You instantly have become illiterate in this country. This is similar to health insurance in that employers often pay half if you are in full-time employment, and it can be taken automatically from your pay each month, or bills can be mailed to you. There is no such thing as being overly prepared in this country. And that high rent is for a tiny flat. Also, a few years back, the government finally acknowledged the overtime problem and has, by law, demanded companies reduce the amount of overtime. Most retirees in Tokyo live on 150,000 to 250,000 a month and have no problems. We cannot change this one, but it makes it so painful to learn the language. Most expats find that the standard of facilities in Tokyo apartments and houses are high. By filling in a form, youll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. Urban planning makes use of space to tackle problems and provide solutions. Plus, Japan has come a long way, and with many of the younger generation traveling overseas, they have accepted and loved a more diverse Tokyo. Armed withthe aforementionedresidence card, passport and a copy of your new permanent address, head to your local ward office to register as a resident. Cycle-share systems havent made huge inroads into Tokyo, but only because so many people already have bikes of their own, which can be parked in large automated lots at most key stations, solving the vaunted last-mile problem between home and public transport that bedevils many cities. Also, Japanese people are very generous and typically are more than happy to help you out! As you walk the streets of downtown, you might notice there is NO LITTER! You will become known as the `egojin`, the one who speaks English (even if you dont) and known as someone who does things differently. Living on a fault line means that Japan is always ready to party like it's 1999. You do lose a few things though, the main one being privacy. Let's start with the positives. The Tokyo Sayonara Sale page also has plenty of great items, but not all freehowever, as people get increasingly desperate (as their moving date approaches) you can bargain with them. If you have one, greatit speeds things along; if not, be prepared to say no eightmillion times until they have a small managerial meeting and finally relent. Where else will you find school kids taking trains by themself to school each day? If money is a stretch, or youre not a big-city person 24/7, consider living in the outlying areas of Chiba or Kanagawamany places are still within 30 minutes of central stations in Tokyo, and offer much more affordable rent. 1.The silence: When you walk around the busy streets of Tokyo (unless you're at Shibuya crossing or a very touristy area), you will be shocked by how quiet it is. There int quite the same competition you might be used to when it comes to gas and electricity companies here, but since the energy market was opened in 2016 theres certainly a lot more than there was. Although few demographers are willing to say so, it is hard to imagine the factors sufficient to end this decline., One clear benefit of this peak is that housing prices have levelled out, more than two decades after the burst of the asset bubble in 1991. Sometimes my apartment shakes so violently that it wakes me up in the middle of the night when I'm sleeping . Ten percent of households in Tokyo are not able to adequately feed themselves because of the level of poverty in which they are living. Pinterest LinkedIn On approaching the two-month mark (and the end of my time) of living in Japan (near Tokyo), I've experienced a full range of emotions here. Is that what happens in a peak city?. No one wants to hear the bad news before the good news, am I right?! LESS CONCERNED WITH UNNECESSARY AMOUNTS OF PAPERWORK. For your own space, with no one wandering into your kitchen and making toast at 3am or taking a shower shortly after, a private place is the answer. Both have a wide range of basic to fancy and both do delivery. If youre shopping in Japan for the first time and feeling a bit apprehensive/confused, have a quick read of our general guide to shopping for beginners. Well, yes, Japan also has its challenging parts, but is it really all that bad? Room is limited for the government to take the lead; issues can only be resolved by owners of spaces making appropriate changes to the small urban spaces that they hold. I have read and agreed to terms of use and privacy policy. Sites that advertise in English are often a safe betfor accepting foreigners, and many now offer no key money, which is a massive savingjust be sure to ask them to outline any other costs before you sign. With everything from sofa sets to kitchen appliances, youll be able to furnish your place pretty fast, although you may need a friend with a van or a very willing pair of hands if you live nearby. The first company will offer the type of internet, like Hikari-fibre (fibre-optic) or ADSL, with some still offering cable. Can't speak Japanese? Free Online Casual Japanese Conversational Class, Go-Karting in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know, Your Prepaid SIM Card Options for Travel in Japan, Renting a Pocket Wifi Router in Japan: Best Options, Everything You Need to Know about teamLab Planets. This is the only optional one, and is often included in shared houses or some apartment buildings. As vacant houses and vacant lots are small and appear at random locations at random times, green spaces created in this way will not form cohesive forests or grounds where people can play soccer and baseball; rather, they will pop up around neighborhoods as small bits of greenery.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Tokyo With monthly rental agreements, no additional fees, fully furnished rooms and utilities included, it can make your move to Tokyo that much simpler. Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. As bathrooms and kitchens are shared, you need to be somewhat of a people person, but it can be a great way to settle in before looking for your permanent home. Also, Japanese people are very generous and typically are more than happy to help you out! There is even a formal vocabulary for talking to someone older than you, called Keigo. Mistake 1: "Gaijin Smashing" The "Gaijin Smash", a phrase allegedly first coined by an American working on the JET Program, means to exert your will over a Japanese person using your foreign-ness as leverage. With an area of 2,190 square kilometers Tokyo is the third smallest of Japans 47 prefectures (after Kagawa and Osaka). Transport in Tokyo is efficient, wide reaching and well integrated. When landlords often find out you are a `foreigner` (we prefer the term Expat but unfortunately, the term foreigners are what we are called here), and deny you the place solely based on that. It is also now used as your visa, rather than the one in your passport which will no longer be updated if you change status (only the card will)so keep it on you and keep it safe. The rate of home ownership in the city is less than 50%, ranking 46th nationwide. Once youve seen something you like, have a read of our transport guide so you know how to get there fast and cheap. Eating Insects in Japan, Understanding the New Shinkansen Luggage Rules, Onsen in Japan: Your Guide to Rules and Etiquette, The Tokyo Partnership Oath System Explained, Huge Price Rise Announced for Japan Rail Pass from October 2023. With mega-fests like Sanja Matsuri and the Golden Week holiday, you're spoiled for choice! Another aspect unique to Tokyo is that it is a major city with a population that will irreversibly decline. Even a stay in the ICU is a fraction of what it would cost you in the States. Craigslist is also a decent option, but as with all resale sites, be careful when arranging to meet people you dont knowstick to public places and take a friend. The cost of living in Japan has long been one of the highest in the world, and although the country has become more affordable in recent years, it's still not a cheap place to call home.
Dealing with the High Cost of Living in JapanHimanshu Jain Far from being crammed with people, Tokyo is in fact averagely dense more crowded than some cities, less so than others. Copyright (C) 2022 Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In Japan, education is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 15. that is why we, Apts.jp, exist. Imagine walking the streets of somewhere such as Spain, you see a sign that says `el cafe,` and you can take a pretty good guess at what it means. Sponsored posts are clearly labeled with a "Sponsored" tag. Set-up costs can be unusually high due to the (ridiculous) fees added on to rental agreements, for example: key money, cleaning fees, maintenance fees, contract fees and agency feesall on top of a deposit, which means you can end up paying aboutsix times your rent when you first move in to a place. Tokyo is often described as crowded, mushrooming, figuratively bursting at the seams. As Japan's capital enters a year in the spotlight, from the Rugby World up to the 2020 Olympics, Guardian Cities is spending a week reporting live from the largest megacity on Earth. The latter is easier if youre going to be managing your money closely, as you can control when to pay (bills are often sent out pretty early, often withtwo weeks until payment is required). That said, living spaces are typically smaller than what most expats may beused to, andnew arrivals may need to compromise either on their rent or property size. Whether its their piping hot bowl of pork broth ramen, the sizzling and perfect crunch to their tempura, or the art of sushi and sashimi, they have mastered it. This is very important, and must be kept on you at all times (there are tales of $1000 fines if youre stopped without it). A vibrant city with many shops, and bars.