HOW-TO GUIDE
So you’ve just arrived in Japan? Irasshai!
Welcome to a paradise of culture, technology and entertainment. Welcome to the (is)land of the weird and the kawaii. If this is your first time in Japan, you will definitely be surprised, puzzled or dumbfound by pretty much everything. This is a normal side-effect though, so sit back and enjoy the ride.
Not everything is self-explanatory as you will soon discover (slight under-statement). With time, the endless wanders, happy encounters and many internet searches progressively built up into valuable experience. What you will find here are all the tips and learnings from my first two years living in Tokyo.
As you will soon discover, navigating the city streets, the culture codes or the administrative maze can be head-scratching with the language barrier. Whether you’re here for one year, one month or one week, this blog is here is to give you all the helpful shortcuts to adjust smoothly.
My first tip is simple. Read on 🙂
So you’ve just arrived in Japan? Irasshai!
Welcome to a paradise of culture, technology and entertainment. Welcome to the (is)land of the weird and the kawaii.
Not everything is self-explanatory as you will soon discover (slight under-statement). What you will find here are all the tips and learnings from my first two years living in Tokyo.
Whether you’re here for one year, one month or one week, this blog is here is to give you all the helpful shortcuts to adjust smoothly.
My first tip is simple. Read on 🙂
One thing is sure, you won’t need a car in Tokyo.
Public transportation is a very precisely orchestrated ballet of subways, trains and buses always on time. Taxis can be found roaming the city streets, down to the small alleys at any given time of the night. And an ever-expanding service of city bikes lets you enjoy Tokyo at your own pace and helps you rally some destinations quicker than you think.
But traveling the city takes time to get used to. Here are all the tips I wish I had right from the start.
One thing is sure, you won’t need a car in Tokyo.
But traveling the city takes time to get used to. Here are all the tips I wish I had right from the start.
KNOWING WHEN TO GRAB A CAB
All you need to know not to fear the fare.
RIDING THE GRID LIKE A BOSS
Using the Tokyo subway is easier than it seems.
MAKING AN ESCAPE BY BIKE
There is nothing like getting lost in a new city on two wheels.
WHERE TO LIVE
Maybe you’ll decide to live in Shibuya because the famous crossing’s name creates a familiar link, or in Shinjuku because you’ve seen this district in a movie, or in Chiyoda because the Tokyo station looks as central as can be.
Everyone’s first instinct is to start big and aim for central.
In a city made of cities, central holds a different meaning in Tokyo. Rather than aiming big, you’ll find here all the tips to aim right.
Everyone’s first instinct is to start big and aim for central.
In a city made of cities, central holds a different meaning in Tokyo. Rather than aiming big, you’ll find here all the tips to aim right.
CHOOSING A LOCATION
There is a neighborhood for every style and budget. Here is some help to choose.
FINDING A PLACE
Knowing where you want to live is one thing, finding a room or apartment there is another. Between the search, the costs, the language barrier and the paperwork, you’ll find that getting your own place can be challenging.
There are plenty of options though, and with a little help to go at it you’ll soon have a home.
Knowing where you want to live is one thing, finding a room or apartment there is another.
There are plenty of options though, and with a little help to go at it you’ll soon have a home.
HOW TO SEARCH
The search can be overwhelming so I've put together all the things you need to know.
GETTING REGISTERED
Registration is a mandatory step of residing in Japan. You have a limited time to do it, so make sure it’s on your list.
There are a few things to know to make this process painless.
HOW TO DO IT
Time is the essence, here are a couple of tips to fast-track the process.