- Edmund Taylor
Tokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city.
Filipino Expats Moving to Japan: Your Questions, Answered
If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Japan, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Japan. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.
What are the most common nationalities in Japan? As an expat in Japan, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Japan currently are:
- Americans
- British
- Indians
- French
Which cities are most popular among expats in Japan? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Japan:
- Tokyo
- Nagoya
- the Kansai Region
How much rent do expats pay in Japan? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 814 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.525 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Japan.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Japan.
Average rent in Tokyo
- Single expats: 1.240 USD
- Expat families: 1.915 USD
Average rent in Nagoya
- Single expats: 835 USD
- Expat families: 3.425 USD
Average rent in the Kansai Region
- Single expats: 415 USD
- Expat families: 945 USD
How safe is Japan?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Japan as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.
How safe is Japan for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in Japan as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Japan (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.
Meet other Filipinos at our events in Japan
Attend our monthly events and activities for Filipinos expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to meet other Filipinos at our events?
Why Filipino expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Filipino members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other Filipinos in Japan
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Find other Filipinos to share your hobbies with
Tips and Advice on Japan from Your Fellow Filipino Expats
Obviously, expat life in Japan goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow Filipinos is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the Japanese mentality and way of life. Filipinos in Japan are a part of our community, calling cities such as Sapporo, the Kansai Region, Tokyo, and many others home. You can use InterNations to look for fellow Filipinos in Tokyo, for example.
Wondering where to shop for Filipino delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the Japanese InterNations Community!
- Our network is the best place to meet expats from Philippines.
- On the Japan Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get halo-halo in Tokyo, etc.
- The InterNations Places database for Japan has information on the nearest Filipino embassy and many other institutions.
From Shikoku, the smallest island, famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage to the scenic Japanese Alps, you can meet supportive and friendly Filipino expats in Japan on InterNations.
Meet and Mingle with Fellow Filipinos in Japan
Additionally, InterNations hosts regular expat events and activities in Japan. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some Japanese sushi and sashimi, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Tokyo’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover Japan? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see Hokkaido's wide open spaces and snowy frontier and other beautiful landmarks.
Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from Philippines and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your InterNations membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Mabuhay! from our Filipinos living in Japan!
- Edmund Taylor
Tokyo has so much to offer and InterNations made it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city.
- Marina Salgado
In such a huge city, InterNations has created great events for expats to meet in Tokyo.
