51ԹϺ

Edmund Taylor

Edmund Taylor

Tokyo has so much to offer and 51ԹϺmade it much easier to become acclimated to life in this bustling city.

Marina Salgado

Marina Salgado

In such a huge city, 51ԹϺhas created great events for expats to meet in Tokyo.

Italians Moving to Japan: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Japan, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Japan. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Japan? As an expat in Japan, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an 51ԹϺmember!) The top nationalities in the 51ԹϺCommunities in Japan currently are:

  • Americans
  • British
  • Indians
  • French

Which cities are most popular among expats in Japan? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Japan:

  • Tokyo
  • Nagoya
  • the Kansai Region

How much rent do expats pay in Japan? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 814 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.525 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Japan.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Japan.

Average rent in Tokyo

  • Single expats: 1.240 USD
  • Expat families: 1.915 USD

Average rent in Nagoya

  • Single expats: 835 USD
  • Expat families: 3.425 USD

Average rent in the Kansai Region

  • Single expats: 415 USD
  • Expat families: 945 USD

How safe is Japan?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Japan as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.

How safe is Japan for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in Japan as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Japan (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

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An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

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Meet other Italians at our events in Japan

Attend our monthly events and activities for Italians expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.

Coffee Social in Jiyugaoka
Coffee Social in Jiyugaoka
RESERVED SEATS | PLEASE SIGN UP ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE VENUE: We will have coffee/lunch at one of the most famous places in Jiyugaoka, (...) Protected content (...) Australian-themed, this coffee shop/restaurant offers Melbourne-style coffee. That’s right, they have flat whites! (...
RESERVED SEATS | PLEASE SIGN UP ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE VENUE: We will have coffee/lunch at one of the most famous places in Jiyugaoka, (...) Protected content (...) Australian-themed, this coffee shop/restaurant offers Melbourne-style coffee. That’s right, they have flat whites! (...
Kyoto Friday Jazz Night With Tasting Sake
Kyoto Friday Jazz Night With Tasting Sake
Enjoy delicious local sake and flute and violin live while enjoying international exchange
 Date and time: Friday, March 20, 2026, 18:30-20:00
 Location: Kyoto Blue books Cafe
 http://bluebookscafe.jp/kyoto/ Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto, 1st floor
https://www.resol-hotel.jp/trinity-kyoto/
Participatio
Enjoy delicious local sake and flute and violin live while enjoying international exchange
 Date and time: Friday, March 20, 2026, 18:30-20:00
 Location: Kyoto Blue books Cafe
 http://bluebookscafe.jp/kyoto/ Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto, 1st floor
https://www.resol-hotel.jp/trinity-kyoto/
Participatio
51ԹϺOsaka March Event
51ԹϺOsaka March Event
Let’s meet at this amazing building in Nakanoshima. Festival Hall and adjacent Conrad Hotel building. We will meet at the British style bar HUB. If we can we will also climb the tower building to be able to see the night view of Osaka city. Bar HUB is easy to find. It’s on B1 floor but you can
Let’s meet at this amazing building in Nakanoshima. Festival Hall and adjacent Conrad Hotel building. We will meet at the British style bar HUB. If we can we will also climb the tower building to be able to see the night view of Osaka city. Bar HUB is easy to find. It’s on B1 floor but you can
Sumida Park Sakura Picnic
Sumida Park Sakura Picnic
Let’s celebrate the arrival of spring under the blossoms! We’re heading to Sumida Park for a relaxed afternoon of hanami (flower viewing). With the Tokyo Skytree in the background and hundreds of cherry trees lining the Sumida River, it’s the perfect spot to soak in the season. What to Bring To ke
Let’s celebrate the arrival of spring under the blossoms! We’re heading to Sumida Park for a relaxed afternoon of hanami (flower viewing). With the Tokyo Skytree in the background and hundreds of cherry trees lining the Sumida River, it’s the perfect spot to soak in the season. What to Bring To ke

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Why Italian expats move abroad (& how they like it)

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Italian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

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Our Global Partners

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Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends

Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of 51ԹϺGroups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.

Professional Networking Group
Professional Networking Group
DinnerNations Group
DinnerNations Group
Yokohama Meetings Group
Yokohama Meetings Group
Museums & Exhibitions Group
Museums & Exhibitions Group

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Find Tips and Advice on Japan from Italian Expats

Of course, expat living in Japan is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Italians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Japanese way of life and mentality. 51ԹϺhelps you connect and meet up with other Italians in Japan, residing in Tokyo, Sapporo, the Kansai Region and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Italians in Tokyo or Italians in Osaka.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Italian food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Japanese 51ԹϺCommunity:

  • Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Italy in Japan.
  • Obtain and share insider tips in our Japan Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get minestrone in Sapporo.
  • Search the 51ԹϺPlaces database for Japan to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Italian embassy.

From Shikoku, the smallest island, famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage to the scenic Japanese Alps, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Italian expats in Japan.

Join Our Expat Activities and Mingle with Fellow Italians in Japan

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Japan. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Tokyo’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the semi-tropical southern island of Okinawa as well as other beautiful landmarks in Japan.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Italy and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Buongiorno from our Italians living in Japan!

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