Planning on living in Tokyo? Learn all of the practical information you need for an easy relocation with this Expat Info Desk Tokyo expatriate guide.
Our guide was written by Jesse Green and last published on Friday 17th September 2010, it's the 2nd edition.
Tokyo became Japan's capital only after the deposition of the Tokugawa shogunate in the late 1860's, but has since grown into a modern metropolis. Straddling the mouth of one of the largest ports in the world, Tokyo serves as the entry point for almost every visitor to Japan. As a world-renowned center for commerce, culture, and creativity, Tokyo represents the pinnacle of the Japanese brand of capitalism.
Reduced to rubble twice by both earthquakes and bombs, it survived to become what many still call the most fascinating city on earth. Be it fashion, finance, technology or manufacturing, business finds its rightful place in Tokyo. Men and women of almost every nationality depend daily on its network of resources. Efficient transport, delicious food, advanced research and all the latest trends grace Tokyo. The Imperial Family, the Prime Minister, and every branch of government all set their center within the capital. But although it stands today as an international symbol of both the new and cutting edge, it expends great effort to preserve the richness of its impressive list of traditions.
While Japan is divided into 47 separate Prefectures (including Hokkaido, Okinawa, the old city of Kyoto, and Osaka), Tokyo is constructed from 23 different wards, in addition to several outlying cities, towns, and villages.
…| Currency | The “Yen” (or En, in Japanese). Introduced in 1872, five years after Japan opened its doors and began importing western ideas of finance, government, law, literature, defense, medecine and language, the yen/dollar rate has undergone a relatively unstable past. Set at 360 following WWII as a result of the implementation of the Bretton Woods System, it remained as a non-floating rate until 1971. The 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 Yen coins, as well as the 1000, 5000, and 10000 paper bills, form the bulk of tender for everyday use. |
|---|---|
| Language | The national language of Japan is Japanese, however it is possible to get around Tokyo with no Japanese skills. Most signs and menus are written in English, and most Japanese people study English in junior and high school. It’s hard to find truly fluent people, but most people can help you out a little bit if you need it. Also, at major department stores or electronics stores there is bound to be at least one individual that can provide you with English support. |
| Dialing code | The dialing code for Japan is 011-81 (phone number). For cellular phones, you should drop off the first 0 (Japanese cellular phones all come with a 080, 090, or 070 prefix) when calling from overseas. |
| Temperature | Humid, subtropical climate zone. Tokyo weathers the annual “Rainy Season” (or Tsuyu) from June to mid-July when an average of 170-190 mm of rainfall occurs. The summer is hot and humid, with temperature ranging between highs of 25-32 Celsius degrees and lows of 19-24 Celsius degrees. September brings the Typhoon season, with rainstorms and high winds occasionally occurring. The fall is brisk and temperate with mostly clear skies, often referred to as the best season in Tokyo. The temperatures reach highs of 10-12 degrees and lows range between 0-4 degrees. |
| Electrics | Japanese outlets run on 100 volts, so you will find that any two-prong US appliances will run normally in Japan. However, finding outlets for 3 prong devices can be difficult, so you will benefit from bringing a few 3 to 2 prong converters with you. European devices require adaptors to match to the size and voltage of Japanese outlets. |
Previous |
Next |
The full guide contains over 25 chapters of information covering all practical aspects of moving overseas; from fulfilling legal obligations through to choosing a home for your family. Written by expats, for expats, we do not give you the “official version”, we give you the “real version” and that’s exactly what you will need to have the best possible start to your new life in Tokyo. You can purchase our Tokyo guide by clicking on the links on the right-hand side of this page.
If you have a discount code you'll be able to enter it before you make your payment.
