Working in Tokyo Japan
The capital and largest city in Japan, Tokyo has grown into a thriving metropolis of 2.1 million people in its central city area and more than 13.5 million in its greater metropolitan area. Tokyo is located on the central east coast near the Pacific Ocean coastline.
Tokyo is a thriving metropolis featuring a strong culture, outstanding shopping opportunities and one of the world’s best public transportation systems. The city experiences humid subtropical climate with hot humid summers of temperatures often peaking beyond 30 °C and mild winters with temperatures averaging around 10 °C.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Haneda International Airport
Located about 15km from central Tokyo, Haneda International Airport is the primary facility for travellers to the Japanese capital, Kawasaki and Yokohama. Over the past decade a lot of the load has been removed from Haneda with many international flights now based at Narita International Airport instead. However, Haneda remains a hub for local carriers such as Japan Airlines, along with many international airlines, and caters for more than 60 million passengers a year.
Situated on the island of Honshu, passengers can travel to and from the airport via road, rail and monorail transport links. A train station is dedicated to Haneda International Airport with a link between the two terminals. Monorail stations, which link to central Tokyo, also exist at both terminals.
Tokyo Narita International Airport
Tokyo’s secondary airport is actually located in the city of Narita, which is part of the Chiba prefecture. Despite playing second fiddle to Haneda Airport, Narita International Airport is still one of the top 30 busiest airports in the world. It services about 35 million passengers domestically and to all parts of Asia and the world. The facility is a hub to local carriers Japan Airlines and Air Nippon and consists of two terminals.
Despite being quite a trek from central Tokyo, Narita International Airport offers a variety of options to reach the city. These include by rail from a dedicated airport station, by public and private bus services, or through taxis that have affixed fare option.
Railway Station
Located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo Station is the main intercity rail terminal in Tokyo. More trains pass through Tokyo Station than any other terminal in Japan. Most of Japan’s high speed Shinkansen rail lines start at Tokyo Station, along with many local commuter services and the Tokyo Metro network through links to several underground stops.
Transportation
Tokyo is blessed with a very extensive and efficient public transport system featuring train, subway and bus services. Tokyo’s subway system is the biggest in Japan and is considered one of the most modern and efficient in the world. The comprehensive system covers central Tokyo and can move commuters to suburban areas throughout its greater region with ease. For those areas that aren’t covered by train or subway they will be accessible by bus. Taxis are also readily available in Tokyo, but can be very expensive.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Japan is some of the highest in the world and the average monthly wage is typically about $3550 equivalent.
According to online cost of living database Numbeo (www.numbeo.com), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $10.00 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $55.40 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $5.50 |
| Coke (330mL) | $1.35 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $2.20 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.20 |
| Eggs | $2.60 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $1.80 |
| Monthly pass | $110.80 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $1.65 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $1520 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $3320 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $30 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $300 |
Accommodation
Tokyo has one of the largest ranges of hotel in the world suiting visitors of all types, from budget to high-end. Many of these hotels are in true Japanese styles, while western themed hotels also exist for business travelers.
Be aware the prices for accommodation in Tokyo can be very high. For budget travelers, look at the Taito area where many hostels are found. Tokyo also has a huge range of mid-level hotels, mainly centred on the Ueno or Asakusa areas, for business travelers.
A few options to consider in Tokyo include:
Budget
Quality Hostel K’s House Tokyo Oasis
Anne Hostel
Mid-range
Hotel Sunroute Plaza
Hotel Villa Fontaine
High-end
The Peninsula Tokyo
ANA InterContinental Tokyo
Shopping
Tokyo is regarded as a city that sells everything. This includes fashion, electronics, food goods, antiques, furniture, anima, books, souvenirs, street markets, entertainment and more. For these goods head to the following areas:
Anime: Akihabara
Antiques: Ginza or Omotesando
Books: Jimbocho
Electronics: Akihabara
Fashion: Shibuya or Harajuku
Souvenirs: Asakusa or Nakamise
Street markets: Ameyoko
Emergency
Emergency numbers
Ambulance & fire 119
Police 110
Tokyo English-speaking police 03 3501 0110
Tokyo emergency first-aid 03 5276 0995
Australian Embassy Tokyo
2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku
Tokyo 108 8361
Telephone (81 3) 5232 4111
Facsimile (81 3) 5232 4057
Web: http://www.australia.or.jp/en/consular
Email address: consular.tokyo@dfat.gov.au
Insurance and Healthcare
All residents of Japan are required by law to have health insurance. Fees for medical services are regulated by the government to keep them affordable. They are dependent on the age of the insured and family income, ranging from 10% to 30%, with the government paying the remaining medical fee.
Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system is usually reserved for self-employed people and students. Social insurance in the country is reserved for corporate employees. The system is broken down into two parts:
- National Health Insurance for each city, town and village
- National Health Insurance Union
For people who do not qualify for the NHI service they can take out private insurance and there are plenty of options for this in Japan, or from a global private health perspective. Costs for private health treatment in Japan are comparable to those in Australia.
Despite a very high standard of health facilities in Japan, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.