Your Expat Community in Tokyo

Further Information About Expat Life and the Local Economy in Tokyo

Serving as one of the most populous cities, Tokyo is home to over 35 million residents. However, Tokyo is a city unlike any other metropolitan area in the world. Futuristic and absolutely rammed to rafters, it can be a daunting place to live at first but truly rewarding once you ease yourself into the Japanese culture. You could spend a day hanging around in the Harajuku area or Shibuya district exploring the latest fashion trend and immersing yourself in J-pop culture. You could go to the Tsukiji fish market and find a sushi bar to taste the most authentic Japanese food as well. Do not forget to discover some hidden gems in town. From the Ebisu Yokocho food court to Afuri Nakameguro, you will get the real "taste" of Tokyo. In addition, business is big in Tokyo, and many expats come into high-flying jobs in the world of trading, but opportunities are also available for expats of any skill set. For instance, there are a certain number of job opportunities in the automotive industry, medical technology, and healthcare fields, together with the service sector. However, as Japanese business etiquette differs slightly from other Asian countries, it is important to learn basic business etiquette if you would like to work in Tokyo. With regards to education, the city has one of the most prestigious universities in the world — Tokyo University. Besides, the private research institutions such as Waseda University never fail to attract thousands of talented people from around the world to come to study. When it comes to accommodation, the housing options for expats vary. Most expats choose to live in areas with a high concentration of other expats, such as the Hiroo or Roppongi districts. Non-Japanese services such as schools and hospitals are rare, but with the help of the InterNations Tokyo Community you should be able to find the best amenities around town for you and your family. Japanese houses tend to be quite small to maximize space usage, but expat houses are sometimes bigger if you have the budget. There is a wide range of choices in terms of accommodation types such as guest houses, flats, and home stays. But if you would like to improve your Japanese skills and get to know more about local culture or customs, it is better to go for a home stay. You can either go to house hunting websites or ask local real estate agencies for more information.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Khobar (Eastern Prov.) or Amsterdam, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

The Network for Like-Minded Expats in Tokyo

Japanese culture, although unique and interesting, can be quite tough for foreigners to understand at first, with high importance placed upon the concepts of respect, honor, and dignity. Also, the Japanese seldom expose their emotions to others in public since they are very modest and shy, which makes it more difficult to understand their feelings and ideas. On the other hand, the language barrier can also prove a difficult one (although not insurmountable with practice) since expats have to learn a whole new alphabet. Therefore, it is common that most expats suffer culture shock when they come to Japan for the first time. Luckily, InterNations offers a large range of groups and social events in Tokyo that help you stay connected to a diversified and friendly expat community and help you find your feet. From wine tasting or coffee evenings, to professional networking events and music clubs, there's always something for everyone — whether you need like-minded expats to chat with or a companion with whom to enjoy your favorite activity, such as hiking and dancing — InterNations won't let you down.