Tokyo General

Basic Information of Tokyo for Expats

For those visiting or staying in Tokyo for the first time, things might seem more difficult than they actually are. Questions many people have such as "How do I meet people?", "How do I throw away garbage?", and "What is the weather like?" are all valid concerns.

We created guides to provide basic information necessary for expats staying or living in Tokyo such as how safe is Tokyo, expat residential areas, facilities catering to expats, transportation guides, and more.

Introduction to Tokyo’s Expat AreasWhere is the best place to live in Tokyo?

International Schools in Tokyo & YokohamaList of International Schools, Pre-schools, Kindergarten, elementary/junior high/high schools for non-Japanese

Expat Community in Tokyo: Meetup Opportunities for Foreigners

If you’ve recently moved to Tokyo, you may not have yet gotten the chance to make friends or acquaintances. If you don’t speak Japanese on top of that, this can feel like a daunting task. Or, maybe you’re getting ready to move to Tokyo and are concerned about coming to a new country where you don’t…

Tokyo Summer Survival Guide: How to Avoid Heatstroke

Climate change is becoming a huge reality for many citizens across the world, and Tokyo is no exception. Every year seems hotter than the last, with last year setting records for scorching temperatures–and for subsequent heat-related deaths. In this article, we’ll help you recognize the health dang…

History of Tokyo - From Edo to the Present

Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of about 14 million people. Tokyo was once called Edo, and in the late 12th century, the Edo clan created the village of Edo (the Edo clan took its name from the area called Edo.). The following is a summary of the history of Tokyo,…

Where to Volunteer in Tokyo

Volunteering is a good thing to do the world over and Tokyo is no exception. Volunteerism has been rising in popularity in Japan in recent years following the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster and resulting Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, and there are numerous nonprofit organization…

Exploring Tokyo’s Largest Ethnic Neighborhoods

Over the last few decades, the number of foreigners living, studying, and working in Japan has dramatically increased. There are now foreigners living throughout Japan, from the north of Hokkaido to the southern islands of Okinawa. However, there are a number of areas that have developed as interna…

Here's Why Tokyo is one of the Safest Cities in the World to Live

Tokyo is one of the largest, most densely populated cities in the world. As of December 2021, it was estimated that the metropolitan area of Tokyo had 14 million residents with over 6,400 persons per square kilometer–that’s a lot of people living in a relatively small area. One would think that it…

Climate & Weather Averages in Tokyo

Tokyo, like most of the rest of the world, has a fair amount of seasonal variation in its weather patterns. For the most part, the weather is fairly mild and generally quite pleasant though there is a typhoon (also known as a hurricane or tropical cyclone) season that runs from July to September wh…

Separation and Disposal of Garbage and Recyclables in Tokyo

Getting your garbage collected in Japan may be very different from your home country. Below are the common ways to sort garbage, prepare it for collection, and the collection schedules in Tokyo’s 23 wards. It may seem complicated at first, but most apartment buildings have large communal bins and o…

Residential area for commuting to International Schools in Tokyo

Many international schools are located in Tokyo and Yokohama. Curriculums, teaching philosophies, tuition, and size, are all contributing factors when deciding on the right international school for your child. Location is just as important a factor to consider. In order to find a property from whic…

Expat Housing in Tokyo

Moving to Tokyo as a foreign expat involves finding a house and settling in, which can be complex. Securing long-term rental housing in Tokyo requires tackling various tasks, such as property selection, area orientation, coordinating with movers, completing registrations, and handling administrati…