SELECT LANGUAGES
SELECTLANGUAGES
SELECT LANGUAGES
SELECTAbout This Guide
Life in Tokyo: Your Guide is a lifestyle guidebook published for non-Japanese residents by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs to help them begin their new life in Tokyo. From the moment you enter the country, this guide has all the information you need to live your day-to-day life. You will even discover advice from fellow expats who have been living in the city for some time, providing extra knowledge that is sure to come in useful. Let this guide kickstart your new life in Tokyo!
Please select your preferred language.
There are many places in Tokyo where you can study Japanese.
| Fees | Features | Inquiries | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese language school | Fee required | Large number of class hours and courses that follow a curriculum | The school |
| Japanese language classes | Free or low-cost | Casual classes taught mainly by volunteers |
Local municipal office Local international association |
| Japanese language school | |
|---|---|
| Fees | Fee required |
| Features | Large number of class hours and courses that follow a curriculum |
| Inquiries | The school |
| Japanese language classes | |
|---|---|
| Fees | Free or low-cost |
| Features | Casual classes taught mainly by volunteers |
| Inquiries | Local municipal office Local international association |
Select a district at Life in Tokyo and find a Japanese class near you!
There are many libraries that everyone can use. Books can be borrowed for free. When you go for the first time, bring personal identification (such as a residence card) and make a library card.
Each municipality has its own rules about how to dispose of trash. You should observe these rules so that everyone can live in comfort.
Trash separation and other rules are decided by municipality.
1. Types of trash separation :
Combustible trash, non-combustible trash, recyclables, over-sized trash, etc.
2. Days and times：
You should avoid putting out your trash at night.
3. Place:
Always put out your trash in the designated place.
Depending on the municipality, you may have to pay for trash bags!
There are many stores in Tokyo, which stock all kinds of items.
| Types of stores | Features of products stocked | Opening hours (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets |
Food items and daily necessities. Prices may be cheaper due to items on sale. |
10 am – 9 pm |
| Convenience stores | Mainly food items and daily necessities. List price. | 24 hours |
|
Individual shops (produce, fish stores, etc.) |
Shop while enjoying interaction with the vendors | 10 am – 8 pm |
| Shopping malls | Large centers with various kinds of shops. | 11 am – 8 pm |
| Department stores | Stock a large variety of high-quality, high-priced goods | 11 am – 8 pm |
| Supermarkets | |
|---|---|
| Food items and daily necessities. Prices may be cheaper due to items on sale. | |
| Opening hours (example) | 10 am – 9 pm |
| Convenience stores | |
| Mainly food items and daily necessities. List price. | |
| Opening hours (example) | 24 hours |
| Individual shops (produce, fish stores, etc.) | |
| Shop while enjoying interaction with the vendors | |
| Opening hours (example) | 10 am – 8 pm |
| Shopping malls | |
| Large centers with various kinds of shops. | |
| Opening hours (example) | 11 am – 8 pm |
| Department stores | |
| Stock a large variety of high-quality, high-priced goods | |
| Opening hours (example) | 11 am – 8 pm |
*Opening hours vary by store.
1. Don't take items out of packages without permission.
2. Use of credit cards depends on the store. Check for a credit card logo at the entrance.
If there’s something you don’t understand, ask the clerk!
ColumnThese organizations are created voluntarily by local residents to help each other out and create more livable towns.
| Objective | Activities |
|---|---|
| Living safely and securely |
Emergency drills to prepare for disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and floods Crime prevention and fire prevention activities |
| Interaction among residents | Festivals, fairs, etc. |
| Creating a clean, pleasant town environment | Cleaning the neighborhood, recycling resources, etc. |
| Providing local information | Circulated notices (passed from house to house) |
In Japan, littering on the street is prohibited! It's considered good manners to take your trash home with you. There are very few trashcans around town because everyone takes their trash home!
Japan has a number of public holidays, each with a special meaning.
| Name of Holiday | Date | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | To celebrate the beginning of the new year, the Japanese visit temple and shrines. |
| Coming-of-Age Day | 2nd Monday in January | A day to celebrate becoming an adult (turning 20). A coming-of-age ceremony is held. |
| National Foundation Day | February 11 | A day to celebrate the founding of Japan |
| Spring Equinox Day | Date of spring equinox | The day when the length of day and night is more-or-less the same (in late March). Many people go to visit graves of their ancestors. |
| Showa Day | April 29 | A day to look back on the Showa era. |
| Constitution Memorial Day | May 3 | An anniversary to commemorate the establishment of Japan’s Constitution. |
| Greenery Day | May 4 | A day to appreciate nature. |
| Children's Day | May 5 | A day to wish for children's growth. Homes with boys are decorated with traditional kabuto helmets and carp streamers. |
| Marine Day | 3rd Monday in July | A day to appreciate the sea. |
| Mountain Day | August 11 | A day to appreciate the mountains. |
| Respect for the Aged Day | 3rd Monday in September | A day to respect the elderly. |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | Date of autumnal equinox | A day to respect one’s ancestors. Many people visit their family grave. |
| Sports Day | 2nd Monday in October | The anniversary of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. |
| Culture Day | November 3 | A day to cherish freedom and peace and to promote culture. |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | November 23 | A day to show appreciation for work. |
| Emperor's Birthday | December 23 | A day to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. The Emperor's birthday is a public holiday in Japan. |
| New Year's Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | January 1 |
| Meaning | To celebrate the beginning of the new year, the Japanese visit temple and shrines. |
| Coming-of-Age Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd Monday in January |
| Meaning | A day to celebrate becoming an adult (turning 20). A coming-of-age ceremony is held. |
| National Foundation Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | February 11 |
| Meaning | A day to celebrate the founding of Japan |
| Spring Equinox Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | Date of spring equinox |
| Meaning | The day when the length of day and night is more-or-less the same (in late March). Many people go to visit graves of their ancestors. |
| Showa Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | April 29 |
| Meaning | A day to look back on the Showa era. |
| Constitution Memorial Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3 |
| Meaning | An anniversary to commemorate the establishment of Japan’s Constitution. |
| Greenery Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 4 |
| Meaning | A day to appreciate nature. |
| Children's Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 5 |
| Meaning | A day to wish for children's growth. Homes with boys are decorated with traditional kabuto helmets and carp streamers. |
| Marine Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd Monday in July |
| Meaning | A day to appreciate the sea. |
| Mountain Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | August 11 |
| Meaning | A day to appreciate the mountains. |
| Respect for the Aged Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | 3rd Monday in September |
| Meaning | A day to respect the elderly. |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | Date of autumnal equinox |
| Meaning | A day to respect one’s ancestors. Many people visit their family grave. |
| Sports Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd Monday in October |
| Meaning | The anniversary of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. |
| Culture Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | November 3 |
| Meaning | A day to cherish freedom and peace and to promote culture. |
| Labor Thanksgiving Day | |
|---|---|
| Date | November 23 |
| Meaning | A day to show appreciation for work. |
| Emperor's Birthday | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 23 |
| Meaning | A day to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. The Emperor's birthday is a public holiday in Japan. |
Trash separation in Japan is very detailed because people are very conscious of recycling. We want to cooperate in the effective use of resources.
Sento (public baths) are roomy and comfortable! Tokyo Sento
You don’t need to leave a tip in Japan.
Banks and municipal offices are closed on public holidays.
Communications
Public transit