I moved to Tokyo for a design job and expected the paperwork to be painful. The ward office took one visit, my bank account opened within a week, and trains made a car pointless. Rent in the centre is high, so I live two stops outside the Yamanote line and pay much less. The hardest part was making friends outside work, which improved once I joined a weekend cycling group.
Share house via Oakhouse, Tokyo· Tokyo
I booked a room in an Oakhouse share house from France before I arrived and moved in on my second day in Japan. The English contract and low upfront cost were exactly what I needed. My room was small but clean and furnished, and the common fee included utilities and wifi. Common areas were cleaned twice a week by staff. Housemates were a mix of Japanese and foreign residents, which helped my Japanese. The downsides were thin walls, occasional queues for the shower and a kitchen that depended on everyone's habits. For a first six to twelve months, I would recommend it.
Reviewed by
Swedish UX designer, moved to Tokyo in 2024. Happy to answer questions about ward offices, share houses and cycling in the city.
Explore Tokyo, Japan
English contracts
Low upfront cost
Thin walls
Shared bathrooms at busy times
Claire Dubois5 found this helpfulSuica card· Tokyo
I added Suica to my phone on my first day in Tokyo, and it made life so easy. It works on every train, subway and bus in Tokyo, most other big cities, and in convenience stores, vending machines and many cafés. Topping up from the phone is instant. Tapping through gates is fast even at rush hour. The mobile version is easiest on iPhone, while some Android phones are not compatible. Physical cards had a supply shortage for a while, although that has improved. There is no discount compared with paper tickets, but the convenience is worth it.
Works almost everywhere
Instant mobile top ups
Not all Android phones supported
No fare discount
Claire Dubois5 found this helpfulTokyo· Tokyo
Two years in Tokyo were some of the best of my life. It is enormous but feels like a collection of villages: every neighbourhood has its own shopping street, bathhouse and cafés. Trains are punctual to the minute, and I felt safe everywhere at any hour. Food is excellent at every price point, from a 500 yen bowl of soba to a special occasion omakase. The difficult parts are the job market if your Japanese is below N2, small apartments, and a work culture that can be demanding. Loneliness is common, but share houses, language exchanges and clubs make it easier to meet people. I would move back tomorrow.
Very safe
Superb public transport
Japanese needed for many jobs
Small, expensive apartments
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