Relocating to Japan
Understand the country before you commit to the move.
44% verifiedJapan is an East Asian island nation and parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with immigration governed by a purpose-specific 'status of residence' system administered by the Immigration Services Agency.
Ask about moving to Japan
Answered only from Atlas's verified Japan guides — if it's not covered yet, we'll say so rather than guess.
Life in Japan
What will life actually be like?
Where should I live?
Living: Major Cities
What will daily life cost?
Living: Cost of Living
What is healthcare like?
Healthcare: Average Medical Costs
What about schools?
Living: Education
How will I bank?
Banking: Best Banks
How will I get around?
Living: Transportation
Cities
Where should I live?
Tokyo is Japan's dominant expat hub, home to an estimated 600,000+ foreign residents, offering the largest job market, international schools, and infrastructure, at the highest cost. Osaka offers big-city energy at roughly 30% lower cost than Tokyo with a more relaxed cultural vibe. Fukuoka, the largest city on Kyushu and a government-designated 'startup city' with special incentives, is frequently ranked among Japan's most livable cities, combining affordability with strong quality of life and serving as a gateway to the rest of Asia. Nagoya (population ~2.3 million) is Japan's third-largest economic hub, offering affordable housing, excellent transportation, and a calmer, more stable lifestyle. Fukuoka, Sendai, and similar mid-sized cities offer rents 20-40% cheaper than central Tokyo.
Read the cities guide →Residency
Find your residency route
Your best route depends on how you plan to live, work and invest. These are the guides Atlas currently holds for Japan.
How do you plan to support yourself in Japan?
Residency: Citizenship
Japanese nationality is governed by the Nationality Act. Eligible foreign nationals may apply for naturalisation after satisfying the applicable residence, l…
Residency: Digital Nomad Visa
Japan has introduced a Digital Nomad visa framework for eligible remote professionals from qualifying countries who meet the applicable income and eligibilit…
Residency: Permanent Residency
Japan provides a pathway to permanent residence for eligible foreign nationals who satisfy the applicable residence, legal and immigration requirements. Elig…
Residency: Processing Times
Processing times for Japanese immigration applications vary depending on the residence status requested, supporting documentation and the complexity of the a…
Residency: Required Documents
Documentation requirements vary depending on the residence status being requested and the applicant's individual circumstances. Immigration authorities may r…
Residency: Retirement Visa
Japan does not currently operate a dedicated retirement visa programme for foreign nationals. Individuals wishing to retire in Japan generally need to qualif…
Residency: Visa Overview
Japan offers a range of residence statuses for foreign nationals seeking employment, study, business, family reunification or long-term residence. Eligibilit…
Residency: Work Visa
Japan provides multiple employment-related statuses of residence for foreign nationals depending on their occupation, qualifications and intended activities.…
Property
A home is a relocation decision
Taxes
Understand the cost of your move
Banking
Banking
Healthcare
Healthcare
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Business
Business
Business: Accounting
Verified guideBusiness: Annual Compliance
Verified guideBusiness: Company Formation
Verified guideBusiness: Hiring Employees
Verified guideBusiness: Limited Company (KK vs GK)
Verified guideBusiness: Payroll
Verified guideBusiness: Social Security
Verified guideBusiness: Sole Proprietorship
Verified guideFrom the Journal
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