Quick answer: Living in Japan is easiest in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, while regional cities offer more space for less money. Expect upfront move-in costs when renting, unfurnished apartments, and a guarantor requirement. Trains cover city life; a rental car helps in rural areas. Check official immigration rules before moving.
Last updated: 22 Oct 2026, by Spiddy Ng
Summary box - Where to live: Tokyo for jobs and convenience; smaller cities and prefectures for lower rent and more space. - Housing: expect upfront move-in costs, small floor plans and often unfurnished flats; check every listing's fees. - Getting around: trains cover most cities; a rental car helps in Hokkaido, Tohoku and the countryside. - Culture: family, weddings and everyday manners differ from the West; it helps to learn the basics early.
Table of contents
- Where is the best place to live in Japan?
- How do you rent an apartment in Tokyo?
- How do you furnish a Japanese apartment?
- How do you rent a car in Japan?
- What should you know about visas, work and health costs?
- How is culture and family life different in Japan?
- What else should you know about daily life in Japan?
- Which guide answers your question?
- Frequently asked questions
1. Where is the best place to live in Japan?
Japan's big cities and quieter prefectures offer very different lifestyles. Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka are popular with newcomers, while regional cities trade nightlife for space and lower living costs. Costs change every year, so compare current rents on listing sites before you decide.
- Best cities to live in Japan
- Popular Japanese cities to live in
- Cheapest cities to live in Japan
- Best Japanese prefectures to live in
2. How do you rent an apartment in Tokyo?
Renting in Japan often involves agency fees, deposits and sometimes "key money", and many landlords ask for a guarantor or guarantor company. Older, cheaper flats may not have a bath, only a shower or access to a local sento.
3. How do you furnish a Japanese apartment?
Most Japanese rentals come empty, sometimes without lights or appliances. Recycle shops, Nitori, IKEA and second-hand marketplaces are common ways to set up cheaply.
4. How do you rent a car in Japan?
You'll need an international driving permit or a Japanese licence. Rental prices vary by season and company, so compare sites before you book.
- Good rent-a-car sites in Japan
- Renting a car in Japan compared with the US
- Where to rent a car in Sendai
- Places to rent a car in Asahikawa
5. What should you know about visas, work and health costs?
Your visa decides what work you can do, and visa rules change, so check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for current requirements. Dental and orthodontic treatment can be priced differently from at home; ask clinics for a written quote.
6. How is culture and family life different in Japan?
Daily life is easier when you understand local customs, from weddings to family roles.
- How weddings are different in Japan
- How to tell Japanese, Chinese and Korean apart
- How Japanese people address their parents
Which Japan Truly guide answers your question?
| Topic | Best for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cities | Choosing a city to move to | Best cities to live in Japan |
| Cities | Popular expat cities | Popular Japanese cities to live in |
| Budget | Keeping living costs low | Cheapest cities to live in Japan |
| Prefectures | Comparing regions | Best Japanese prefectures to live in |
| Renting | First apartment in Tokyo | How to rent an apartment in Tokyo |
| Renting | Setting a Tokyo rent budget | Rent in Tokyo |
| Renting | Low-cost flats without a bath | Apartments with no bath |
| Home | Setting up an empty flat | How to furnish an apartment in Japan |
| Cars | Comparing rental sites | Good rent-a-car sites in Japan |
| Cars | US drivers | Renting a car in Japan vs the US |
| Cars | Tohoku trips | Rent a car in Sendai |
| Cars | Hokkaido trips | Rent a car in Asahikawa |
| Work | Moving without a degree | Live in Japan without a degree |
| Health | Orthodontic treatment | Cost of Invisalign in Japan |
| Culture | Attending a wedding | How weddings differ in Japan |
| Culture | Telling cultures apart | Japanese, Chinese and Korean differences |
| Family | Family terms | How Japanese address their parents |
What else should you know about daily life in Japan?
Cities, prefectures and upscale areas
Around Tokyo, newcomers usually compare Tokyo itself with Yokohama, Kawasaki, Saitama and Chiba. In Kansai, the main choices are Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. Fukuoka, Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Okayama and Naha are popular regional options, and they usually cost less than central Tokyo. If you want upscale areas, look at Tokyo's Minato Ward (Azabu, Roppongi, Aoyama and Hiroo), and at Ashiya and parts of Kobe and Nishinomiya in Hyogo.
Renting: guarantors, UR housing and flats without a bath
- Guarantor: If you don't have a Japanese guarantor, most agencies will offer a paid guarantor company.
- UR housing: The Urban Renaissance Agency is government-backed and rents apartments across Japan. It often doesn't ask for a guarantor.
- Jiko bukken: This means "accident property", a flat where an unnatural death happened. These are discounted because of the stigma.
- No-bath flats: Some cheap older flats in Tokyo have no bath or shower. People who live in them use the local sento (public bathhouse).
Getting around and parking
Get a rechargeable IC card at a station ticket machine. You can use it on trains, subways and buses, and to pay in many shops. If you drive, park only in marked car parks or coin parking. Parking wardens patrol busy cities, and overstaying a meter can get you a fine.
Buying a SIM-free phone
SIM-free phones are sold on Amazon Japan and at electronics stores. You can also find second-hand ones on Yahoo Auctions and in "sayonara sale" groups, where people leaving Japan sell their things. Before you buy, check that the phone works with your carrier.
Health, dentists and clinics
Tokyo has English-speaking dentists and clinics, especially in Minato, Shibuya and Shinjuku. National Health Insurance covers general dental treatment. Cosmetic teeth whitening is not covered, and orthodontics (braces or Invisalign) is usually paid in full by the patient, so ask the clinic for a written quote. For women's health, look for a sanfujinka (産婦人科, obstetrics and gynaecology) clinic and book ahead.
Emergency numbers
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 110 | Police |
| 119 | Fire and ambulance |
| 118 | Japan Coast Guard (emergencies at sea) |
| 171 | Disaster message dial, for leaving and hearing safety messages after an earthquake |
Is tap water safe?
Yes. Tap water in Japan is treated and safe to drink across the country. It is soft water, so it tastes mild.
Work hours, visas and schools
The standard legal working week is 40 hours (8 hours a day), but overtime is common. "Karoshi" means death from overwork. Without a degree, the usual routes are a student visa through a language school or university, a working holiday visa (the age limit, usually 18 to 30, depends on your country), an intra-company transfer, a spouse visa, or a business visa. Check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for the current rules. For teenagers, Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School and private schools such as Kanto International and ICU High School accept foreign students.
Japanese on washing machines and dryers
| Japanese | Rōmaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 洗い / 洗濯 | arai / sentaku | Wash |
| すすぎ | susugi | Rinse |
| 脱水 | dassui | Spin |
| 乾燥 | kansō | Dry |
| 標準 | hyōjun | Standard |
| お急ぎ | oisogi | Quick wash |
| 手洗い | tearai | Gentle / hand wash |
| 予約 | yoyaku | Timer |
| スタート / 一時停止 | sutāto / ichiji teishi | Start / pause |
| 洗剤 / 柔軟剤 | senzai / jūnanzai | Detergent / fabric softener |
7. Frequently asked questions
Is it expensive to live in Japan? It depends on the city. Tokyo rent is high, but many regional cities are much cheaper.
Can foreigners rent an apartment in Japan? Yes, though some landlords require a guarantor company or Japanese-speaking contact.
Do I need a car in Japan? Not in big cities. In rural areas and Hokkaido, a car is very useful.
Do Japanese apartments come furnished? Usually not. Most rentals are unfurnished, and some come without lights or appliances.
Can I live in Japan without a degree? It is possible on some visa types, but options are narrower. Check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for current rules.
What number do you call for an ambulance in Japan? Dial 119 for an ambulance or the fire service, and 110 for the police.
Is tap water safe to drink in Japan? Yes. Japanese tap water is treated and safe to drink nationwide.
About the author – Spiddy Ng, Japan Truly.
Featured image: "Residential district in Tokyo" via Wikimedia Commons (Unsplash), CC0.
