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Of all the cities I can live in as a globetrotting digital nomad, Tokyo, with its eclectic, futuristic neons and lantern-strewn alleys dripping with retro, old-world charm, has become one of my favorite places to stay for a while.
Yep—despite the seeming chaos one might associate with the world’s largest metropolis, Tokyo feels easy to live in.
At least for me, my 2-3 months as a digital nomad in Tokyo only revealed to me that maybe, just maybe, I have a bit of a city girl in me after all.
But what is it really like to be a digital nomad in Tokyo?
Is it crazy expensive, as one might think? Is it too crowded, too enveloping? What about nomad-friendly cafes and meet-ups?
Tokyo has it all for nomads, and while tourists breeze through the city for a week or just one day, I think staying for a while reveals Tokyo’s true spirit.
Read more below to learn why you should consider Tokyo for your next digital nomad stay, what the nomadic lifestyle is like here, and how to integrate as a foreigner and remote worker.
The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo, Japan for Digital Nomads
Before You Go — Tokyo Digital Nomad Essentials
From my experience, these tools and services will help you navigate Japan more effortlessly as a digital nomad!
✈️ Travel insurance: Stay safe in Japan with SafetyWing Nomad Insurance—ideal for travelers and remote workers on the go ($56 per 4 weeks).
📱 Japan eSIM: Get data in Japan without changing your number with an easy-to-install Airalo eSIM.
🗺️ Google Maps: The best way to navigate metro and train lines in Tokyo and major cities.
🚕 GO app: The #1 taxi app in Japan for hailing affordable taxis straight from your phone.
🤝 Meetup: My go-to website for finding social and community events in Tokyo!
Get Travel Medical Insurance for Japan
Don’t go to Japan without coverage for travel mishaps or sudden health scares!
SafetyWing offers travel and medical insurance for remote workers, but all travelers (nomadic or not) can sign up for coverage. I use it to protect my trip everywhere I go, including Japan!
For less than the cost of a sushi dinner for two in Tokyo, enrolling in SafetyWing is definitely worth the peace of mind.
Accidents and illnesses can happen whether you take a weekend trip to go hiking through the Japanese Alps or hang back and explore Tokyo’s busy streets.
And even though Japan is a very safe country to visit, you should never risk your health. (This is a lesson I learned five years ago!)
SafetyWing costs only $56/4 weeks, making it the perfect solution for travelers and digital nomads who want flexibility, affordability, and security.
You’ll be covered for those unexpected doctor visits, hospital stays, and even prescription medications, so you can focus on enjoying all Japan has to offer, including its bizarre foods, wild landscapes, and extreme adventures. 🙌
Best of all, it’s super easy to register (it takes less than five minutes), and I love that coverage rolls over, so I stay insured even as I move countries.
Sign up here & protect your trip for just $56 for 28 days!
Stay Connected with a Japan eSIM & WiFi
Another go-to tool in my Japan travel pack is an eSIM!
WiFi in Tokyo is fast, reliable, and secure, and there are many cafes where you can work remotely.
But as a foreigner, you won’t have cell service when not in your accommodation or cafe, so I highly recommend downloading an eSIM to prep for your trip.
I heavily relied on my Japan eSIM to get data for two reasons:
- using Google Maps for navigating the city’s metro/train lines and
- looking up nearby restaurants and places of interest!
Aside from these two uses, finding and using WiFi in Tokyo is easy. I share more about coworking spots and cafes below!
Book Top-Selling Tours & Experiences in Advance
Choosing when to go and booking your favorite Tokyo attractions/experiences in advance can make or break your trip (and budget).
Here are a few experiences and tickets I recommend booking in advance of your trip:
- Matcha tea ceremonies
- This entertaining Sumo show with hot pot lunch
- Baseball game tickets (read about my experience watching professional baseball in Tokyo!)
- Street food tours
- Tsukiji fish market tasting tour
- teamLab art museum tickets (Borderless & Planets both)
- Go-kart in Shibuya
- Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree observation tickets
- Shibuya Sky
- City bike tours (I really enjoyed this West Tokyo food/cycling tour)
The time of year you visit Tokyo will also significantly impact your experience and the availability of specific tours and experiences.
In winter, for example, the city takes on a magical but often gray and frigid atmosphere.
In summer, days are sunny or rainy, accompanied by the roar of lotuses and the sweltering, humid heat.
In spring and fall, streets and trains overflow with tourists, leaving lots of sold-out hotels, tours, and overflowing restaurants.
For example, Tokyo’s Grand Sumo Tournament occurs every May, whereas summer festivals string out from July to August.
Knowing about these significant events in advance influences crowds and thus limits availability for these experiences.
Join Tokyo’s Digital Nomad Community
There is a growing number of digital nomads based in Tokyo.
I had the opportunity to go to one of the Japan Digital Nomad Association (JDNA)’s monthly meetups in the summer, and it was wonderful!
From that meeting, I met many other nomads from all over.
You can follow JDNA on Instagram for updates or join their discord. They host monthly meetups at S-Tokyo coworking.
Meetup is another excellent resource for digital nomads in Tokyo.
Whether you’re passing through or looking to stay for a while, this website displays all the social and community events happening in the city.
Why Choose Tokyo vs Other Nomad Destinations in Japan?
To be short, Tokyo is not the quaintest city in Japan to be a digital nomad.
Other nomad-friendly destinations in Japan, such as Osaka or Fukuoka, rival Tokyo for being more easy-going, edgy, and dynamic for nomads.
Kyoto, being the country’s cultural heart, also rivals Tokyo for being more charming and traditional.
But I have a soft spot for Tokyo as a digital nomad hub.
For starters, living in Tokyo feels effortless.
Tokyo has the best transportation system compared to other cities. I can go from Asakusa (East Tokyo) to Shinjuku (West Tokyo) in less than 30 minutes without too many changes or getting lost (Osaka is a different story).
Beyond traveling within Tokyo, you can virtually access all sorts of day trips and landscapes from there—beaches, mountains, cities, towns, and even islands!
On that note, Tokyo is so much more than Shibuya or Shinjuku (check out my neighborhood recommendations below).
Tokyo is a city of dynamic, diverse neighborhoods and wards, each like its own mini-city (as I like to call them) with a unique, distinct vibe and character.
As you explore, you’ll find everything from the timeless charm of Edo-era streets to ultra-modern districts buzzing with neon lights and cutting-edge fashion.
Above all, I find it impossible to tire of Tokyo. It has everything.
Some of the world’s best food, activities, events, festivals, museums, parks, etc., belong to Tokyo. It would take a lifetime (or several) to see and do it all.
Where to Stay in Tokyo for Nomads — Tokyo’s Best Neighborhoods
Tokyo is enormous—at least 35+ million people large—so knowing which area to stay in is key.
This answer truly depends on your preferred lifestyle. For example, Shinjuku City is an obvious choice if you enjoy late nights and a bar scene.
But if you’re more like me and wish to experience the more local side of Tokyo, then check out these areas:
- Yanaka: Old Tokyo charm, narrow streets, traditional crafts, and local temples.
- Kuramae: East-side Tokyo, local, riverside.
- Hiroo: Expat community, leafy park, shopping.
- Ebisu: Laid-back, upscale vibe, gourmet dining, craft beer.
- Asakusa: Temples, shitamachi, traditional charm.
- Jingumae: Trendy boutiques, artistic vibe, bookstores.
- Bakurocho: Edo-era vibes, eccentric shops, textiles.
- Koenji: Rock bars, vintage shops, indie music scene.
- Nakameguro: Riverside cherry blossoms, chic cafes, stylish boutiques.
- Daikanyama: Upscale, laid-back, designer shops, trendy eateries.
- Shimokitazawa: Bohemian, thrift stores, live music venues.
- Kagurazaka: Historic, cobblestone streets, French cafes, geisha district.
- Kiyosumi-Shirakawa: Art galleries, coffee culture, peaceful gardens.
- Nezu: Quiet, off-the-beaten-path, traditional shrines, hidden alleys.
- Sangenjaya: Local vibe, cozy cafes, izakayas, and nightlife.
- Ochanomizu: Historic, Edo-era tea culture, student life.
Now, do you see how much there is to discover in Tokyo beyond Shibuya and Shinjuku??
For my first month-long stay in Tokyo, I stayed primarily in East Tokyo, in the wards/neighborhoods of Kuramae (at Nui Hostel) and then in Nihonbashi Bakurochō (at Citan Hostel).
After that, I stayed 2-3 months more doing international house/petsitting (aka living in Tokyo for free in exchange for pet sitting).
Accommodation — Apartments, Hostels, & Co-livings in Tokyo
Other than housesitting, which you can do through TrustedHousesitters, long-term rentals, and nomad-friendly hostels like the two I mentioned above, I recommend staying at a coliving in Tokyo—especially if it’s your first time.
Airbnb is also an option, but you might wish to consider serviced apartments instead, such as through Dash Living, a coliving and housing company that seems much more nomad-friendly.
What’s neat about this option is that you can rent for 3, 6, or 9+ months, even without a contract!
This option would be ideal for slow-traveling nomads who may want to stay in long-term housing on the 6-month Japan digital nomad visa. Expect prices for serviced apartments to average around 200,000 yen per month (roughly $1,500).
Hmlet Japan and Weave Place are two more websites that list apartment-style accommodations around popular neighborhoods in Tokyo.
Remote Working — Tokyo’s WiFi, Co-Working Spaces, & Cafes
Even though WiFi in your accommodation will likely be fast and reliable, it’s nice to get out and work in a cafe or coworking with other nomads.
Blue Bottle Coffee is my favorite coffee shop chain in the city, and it’s ultra laptop-friendly. The one I frequented in my neighborhood of Hiroo was top-notch. The staff there is the cutest and kindest I’ve ever met. 🥹
Besides Blue Bottle (there are about ten locations around Tokyo), I recommend exploring your local neighborhood because there are so many underrated cafes across Tokyo that have yet to be discovered.
Finding somewhere nearby your neighborhood/ward also makes getting out so much easier—you won’t have to cross the entire city!
For something more professional than a coffee shop, check out WeWork, a coworking chain with multiple locations across the city, or the friendly S-Tokyo coworking in Nihonbashi (East Tokyo).
S-Tokyo is where I joined a Tokyo digital nomad meetup and had a great time!
Cost of Living in Tokyo as a Digital Nomad
Surprisingly, Tokyo isn’t as expensive to live in as I expected.
I spent around $1500-2000 USD per month, or less than $500 a week, eating out frequently, traveling by metro often, and booking lots of activities.
The most expensive part of Tokyo was the food—mainly groceries.
Eating out could be as cheap or as costly as you like. A bowl of gourmet ramen in your local neighborhood might cost 1100 yen, or about $8. Good sushi for two might set you back $35-50.
My cheapest meal in Tokyo cost only $4 at this old ma-and-pop hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served hot soba.
Where you choose to eat impacts your budget! My secret tip is to avoid touristy areas, even though you can find hidden gems by just going an alley or two away from the crowds!
Seeing as I spent 70+ nights free with housesitting, I didn’t need to spend on accommodation. However, from the nights I did stay in a hostel, I averaged about $30 USD per night.
Depending on the location, size, and company, you can expect to pay around $1100-1800 for longer-term housing. With Dash Living, cute 1-bedroom apartments cost around $1200. On Airbnb, you can find single rooms per month for half that!
How you spend your time in Tokyo also sways your total monthly cost. If you need to pinch pennies, always go local!
Local food, housing, activities, etc, is always more affordable (and almost always better).
Transport — Getting Around Tokyo for Long Stays
One of Tokyo’s perks is its transportation system. Wherever you stay, you’ll be well connected, but if you look at the map of Tokyo, you’ll see the green JR Yamanote line encircling what makes up the heart of Tokyo.
Traveling within this circle is super easy, and crossing the city from East to West takes only 30 minutes or less.
For example, if your base is further away in neighboring cities such as Chiba or Setagaya, getting into Tokyo may take 45 minutes to 1 hour or more.
Having stayed in Hiroo, I was only a 10-minute bike ride away from Shibuya and a 20-minute metro ride from Ginza. I loved it there!
If you plan to stay longer than 2-3 months, I recommend investing or renting a bike.
I had the luxury of using e-bikes during my homestay, which was one of the highlights of my time there. It made getting around effortless and fun, and I could discover so much of Tokyo by bike!
Activities & Lifestyle — Things to do for Nomads in Tokyo
What I loved about being a digital nomad in Tokyo was that the city felt like whatever I wanted to make of it. I had zero pressure to “go out and do things” but to instead just seep in the atmosphere and enjoy.
For a more local experience of Tokyo, life looks and moves slower.
I spent much of my days just living a “normal” life: picking up truffle bread from my neighborhood bakery, Truffle Bakery (where you can eat the BEST truffle salt bread in the world), exercising at the gym, walking the dog in the park, riding my bike to meet up with friends, working on my laptop at the coffee shop, going out at night to see Tokyo Tower lit up or to cozy up in an izakaya somewhere… you get my drift!
I would spread out the tours and attractions I wanted to do, from visiting teamLab Borderless to watching a pro baseball game at the Tokyo Dome to watching a Sumo show in Asakusa across weeks, not days.
There are endless things to do in Tokyo and ways to experience the city. My best tip is to let go of any pressure to “experience Tokyo” like other tourists do.
Being a digital nomad and spending more time in Tokyo than the average tourist affords immense privilege and opportunities to experience the city deeper—take advantage of that and forget about lining up for Shibuya Sky. There are other places to enjoy the sunset, so to speak!
Ethics & Etiquette — Being a Responsible Nomad in Japan
Gaijins—or foreigners—often get a bad reputation in Japan for being loud and disrespectful.
You should always travel responsibly wherever you go, but Japan’s soft-natured, community-first culture requires that visitors pay even more attention to their behavior and manners.
Here are a few tips for respectfully visiting Japan:
- No eating while walking.
- Take off shoes before entering temples, houses (and even some restaurants).
- No speaking or talking on the phone in metros and trains.
- No littering whatsoever; pack out your trash as there are few public bins.
- Never pass food between your chopsticks and another’s.
- Never stick your chopsticks straight up and down in your food, either!
- When greeting Japanese, bow, don’t fold your hands like namaste.
- Respect local onsen etiquette (bathing naked, following norms, etc).
- If walking a dog, wash away its pee or poo from sidewalks and public places with a water bottle (you can get fined if you don’t!).
- Don’t jay-walk or cross the street when the pedestrian light is still red (even if there are no cars).
- Queue in line respectfully; don’t pass or be obnoxious.
- Don’t chase after Geisha to take their photo.
- Always ask permission to take someone’s photo.
- Obey local rules instead of trying to get a photo.
- Try to learn essential words in Japanese!
We must respect the communities we integrate into.
We are only guests here, but as nomads, we must treat everywhere as if it’s our own home—because, in a way, it is!
Living in Tokyo as a digital nomad is a unique experience and a tremendous opportunity. It was a dream come true for me to spend a while in the best city in the world, and I can’t wait to return!
Do you have any questions about the nomadic lifestyle in Tokyo? If so, please reach out and share your thoughts below!
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