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

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…

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,…

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…

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…

Expat Housing in Tokyo

Moving to Tokyo as a foreign expat takes a lot of work to find a house and get settled. Such process involves selecting a property, area orientation, arranging a mover, all sorts of registrations, and necessary changes of all kinds. On top of that, you need to find a school and process enrollment…

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…

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…

English-speaking Movers in Tokyo (Local & International)

Are you moving in or out of Tokyo? Are you relocating to or from Japan? If so, you may need a moving service to assist in helping you relocate your belongings to your new home. If the thought of having to work with a moving company that doesn’t speak your language sounds like a nightmare, let us…

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…

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…