Tokyo: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to Tokyo in 2026

Tokyo is Japan's capital and one of the world's largest urban areas: a safe, clean city with the best public transport, a huge job market and strong universities. People move here for jobs in technology, finance and manufacturing, to study or to run their own business. The yen remains weak, so for those earning in dollars life in Tokyo is noticeably cheaper than ten years ago.

There are difficulties too: Russian citizens need a visa, residence is granted only for a specific purpose - work, study, business or family - and since 16 October 2025 the visa for managers of their own company has become much harder to get. Without Japanese you can live in the centre and work for an international company, but daily life, renting and paperwork need help.

Cost of living in Tokyo

Prices come from two independent price databases for 2026, converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, about 158.2 yen per dollar. A square metre in the centre costs about $9,290. Moving into a rented apartment requires paying several months upfront, as explained below.

Where to live in Tokyo: neighbourhoods

• Minato - Azabu, Roppongi and Hiroo: embassies, international schools, many foreigners and the highest rents.
• Shibuya and Ebisu - tech company offices, cafés and nightlife, convenient for young professionals.
• Meguro and Nakameguro - quiet riverside streets, small cafés and shops.
• Setagaya - green residential area with parks and schools, popular with families.
• Shinjuku - business and transport hub, convenient but noisy.
• Chuo and Koto - Tsukishima and Toyosu: new high-rises by the water, close to the centre.
• Kichijoji - western suburb with a large park and cheaper rents.

When choosing a district, the key is commuting time by rail: many live half an hour from the centre and pay much less for housing.

Entry and residence

Russian citizens need a visa for Japan, obtained in advance through the visa centre in Moscow; the e-visa is not available to residents of Russia. For long-term living a residence status is granted for a purpose: employment with a Japanese company, the points system for highly skilled professionals, study, marriage or family. The employer or school first obtains a certificate of eligibility from the immigration agency, the visa is issued on that basis, and the residence card is issued at the airport.

Since 16 October 2025 the business manager visa requires capital of at least 30 million yen, about $190,000, at least one full-time employee and upper-intermediate Japanese from the applicant or an employee. The digital nomad visa gives up to six months with income from 10 million yen a year, about $63,300, but Russian citizens are not on the list of eligible countries. More on the page Japan digital nomad visa.

Taxes in Japan

National income tax is progressive, from 5% to 45%, plus a local inhabitant tax of about 10%. Consumption tax, Japan's equivalent of VAT, is 10%, 8% on food. Corporate tax is about 23.2%, lower for small businesses on the first 8 million yen of profit. A foreigner who has lived in Japan for less than five of the last ten years may avoid Japanese tax on foreign income as long as that money is not brought into the country. The costly surprises are social insurance contributions, inheritance tax of up to 55% and the exit tax for holders of large capital. More on the page Taxes in Japan.

Renting and buying property

Foreigners can buy apartments and houses in Japan without restrictions, but a purchase does not grant residence. Renting is harder than buying: leases usually run for two years, a guarantor company is required, and some landlords do not rent to foreigners. On moving in you pay a deposit of one or two months, a non-refundable gift to the landlord of one or two months, an agency fee of about one month and insurance. So moving in costs the equivalent of four to six months' rent. Furnished apartments for foreigners without a guarantor cost more but can be rented faster.

Climate and daily life

Summers are hot and very humid, around 30-35 degrees, June is the rainy season and typhoons come in September. Winters are mild and sunny, around 5-10 degrees. Earthquakes are frequent, but buildings follow strict codes and warnings arrive by phone. All residents, including foreigners with a residence card, join the national health insurance and pay 30% of treatment costs. Public transport runs exactly on schedule, and a car is hardly needed in the city. There are international schools, but tuition is expensive.

Pitfalls

• Russian citizens need a visa, and the e-visa is not available to residents of Russia.
• Since 16 October 2025 the business manager visa requires capital from 30 million yen and an employee.
• Daily life, renting and paperwork are hard without Japanese.
• Moving into a rental costs four to six months' rent.
• High social insurance contributions and inheritance tax up to 55%.
• The double tax treaty with Russia is partly suspended.

Murblz specialists choose the basis for the visa, prepare documents for the immigration agency and help with the company, taxes and renting. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.