In this page:
Communities of Expatriates |
Ranking of Cities |
Renting an Apartment |
School System |
Health System |
Tourism and Culture |
Individual and Civic Freedoms |
Religion
Ranking of Cities
- Cost of Living
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Tokyo and Osaka continue to have one of the highest costs of living in the world (5th and 22nd out of 209 according to Mercer Index 2016).
- Quality of Life
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Tokyo (47th out of 231) and Kobe (50th) offer the highest quality of life in Japan according to Mercer's 2017 Quality of Living Survey.
- Sanitary Conditions
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Katsuyama, Kobe, Omuta, Tsukuba, Yokohama and Yokkaichi are among the 50 cities in the world with the best sanitary conditions.
- For Further Information
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Mercer Quality of Living World Rankings (Survey)
Mercer Cost of Living World Rankings (Survey)
Renting an Apartment
- Description of apartments
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LDK (Living, Dining and Kitchen) is an abbreviation frequently used in the world of Japanese real estate to describe apartments. It is preceded by the number of rooms.
1K = one room apartment with kitchen
1DK = one room apartment with dining and kitchen area
1LDK = one room apartment with a living, dining and kitchen area
Furnished rentals are rare.
- Normal Lease Term
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2 years
- Rental Costs
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Costs of reservation (tetsukekin): equivalent to 1 month’s rent, recoverable if the rental becomes effective.
The deposit (shikikin): equivalent to 7 months rent; recoverable if the apartment has not been damaged.
Money for the hand-over of the keys (reikin:, paid in the case of a private rental; not recoverable; equivalent at most to 7 months’ rent.
Agency fees (chukai tesuryo): between 3 and 10 months’ rent; not recoverable.
The third party guarantor is necessary. The person may be required to be Japanese and have the necessary financial capabilities.
- Agencies or Private Rentals
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National rental agencies are not particularly friendly to foreigners. Tensions may appear concerning the notice of departure, rental conditions, etc. There are specialized rental agencies for the foreign communities. They offer rental conditions adapted to the needs of expatriates (rental for a shorter time, furnished apartments, inclusion of electricity in the rent) and their fees are less expensive.
Finding directly a private rental is difficult because of the language barrier.
- Rental Agency Websites
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Expatriates Housing Tokyo
- Private Rentals Announcements Online
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Tokyo Apartments
- Other Possibilities For Accommodation
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'Gaijin houses' are guest houses reserved for foreigners. They offer low cost accommodation but are based on a principle of community life similar to that in university halls of residence. Consult apartment rental for weeks or months in this link
- For Further Information
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Japan Guide information about finding an apartment
Tourism and Culture
Different Forms of Tourism
- Historical
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While many castles were destroyed en masse during the Meiji era and the Second World War, some remain and are popular tourist destinations. The following castles have been designated national treasures due to their 'especially high historical or artistic value': Matsumoto Castle, Himeji Castle, Hikone Castle, Inuyama Castle and Matsue Castle.
- Cultural
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Many festivals take place throughout the year, including Festival of the Tombs and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Open air museums located throughout the country offer visits of different Japanese architectural styles. Japan is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites.
- Nature
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The Konrokuen at Kanazawa and Katsura Villa at Kyoto are two beautiful gardens, which are exemplary of the Japanese style. Japan is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Natural Sites.
- Religious
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Temples and tombs can be found across Japan. Some of the most well-known temples include Ginkakuji, Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Sanjusangendo at Kyoto, as well as Todaiji and Horyuji at Nara. Among the most well-known tombs are Ise Grand Shrine and Nikko Toshogu at Nikko, as well as Itsukushima at Miyajima.
- Thermal
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Hot springs flow throughout the country.
- Beach
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Japan is the home to roaming coastlines and a diverse array of beaches. The Okinawa Prefecture is famous for its white sand beaches and picturesque turquoise water. With its subtropical climate and warm temperatures, the beach is open throughout the year, though the best weather is typically found between May and October. Nearer to Tokyo, the Shonan Coast and Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture have very popular beaches.
This guide provides more information about beach tourism in Japan.
- Winter Sports
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The 500 national ski resorts have plentiful snow for winter sports, as well as superb countryside and hot water springs to relax in.
- Outdoor Activities
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Hiking, diving, bicycle touring and golf.
- Shopping
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Japan is known worldwide for its unique fashion. Japanese designers abound, with European brands also represented. Department stores, such as Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya, have proven to be popular shopping destinations.
Individual and Civic Freedoms
- Political Freedom
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Widespread
- Civil Liberty
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1/7
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World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 67/180
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For Further Information, Consult
World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders
- Free Access to the Internet
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Widespread
- Rule of Law
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Widespread arbitrary arrest and imprisonment are not practiced.
- Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights
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Relatively widespread. Minorities or foreigners can suffer from entrenched social discrimination concerning the access to housing and employment opportunities.
- Women's Condition
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Women in Japan have legal equality, but discrimination in employment is particularly widespread.
- For Further Information
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Freedom House
U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report
Religion
- Degree of Freedom
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Widespread
- Beliefs
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Shintoism and Buddhism are the two most widespread religions (84% of the population). Japanese may follow one or both religions.gion, or both.
- Role of Religion in Society
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Japanese religions play an important role in contemporary social life and the world vision of the Japanese. However, they do not influence economic or political life. Religion is practiced through ceremonies that accentuate life (birth, marriage, death, various festivals). The holy places are tombs and temples.
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Latest Update: May 2022