Tokyo

City Overview

Tokyo is Japan's capital and one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, blending tradition with modernity. An efficient subway network, very low crime rate, and vibrant culture make it a top destination for newcomers from around the world. Cost of living is moderate by global capital standards.

Cost of Living Snapshot

Source: RichBay editorial estimate — indicative, not guaranteed Estimate baseline: 2026-07-20 · Actual costs vary by location, timing, and personal lifestyle.

Getting Around Tokyo

Subway + JR rail covers the entire city. Suica/Pasmo cards work everywhere. Taxis start at ¥500–730. Cycling is growing in popularity.

Main transport

• Tokyo Metro ↗ 9 subway lines covering central Tokyo — the densest part of the network, with trains every 2–5 minutes at peak.
• Toei Subway ↗ 4 lines (Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo) run by the metropolitan government; fully interchangeable with Tokyo Metro using an IC card.
• JR lines The Yamanote loop plus commuter lines (Chuo, Sobu, Keihin-Tohoku) connect the center with the suburbs — most longer commutes ride JR.
• Toei Bus & local buses Flat-fare city buses fill the gaps between rail stations; pay with the same IC card.
• Taxi & cycling Taxis are handy after the last train (roughly midnight–5 am) but expensive for daily commuting; cycling works well within neighborhoods.

Typical costs

Airport access

• Haneda Airport (HND) ↗ Closest to central Tokyo (~30 min): Keikyu Line, Tokyo Monorail, limousine buses and taxis.
• Narita Airport (NRT) ↗ About 60–90 min out: Keisei Skyliner & Access Express, JR Narita Express, and highway buses.

Good to know for newcomers

• Get a Suica or PASMO IC card first — it works on nearly every train, subway and bus, and at convenience stores; mobile versions run on iPhone and Android.
• From the airport, rail into the city is usually faster and cheaper than a taxi.
• Trains stop from around midnight to 5 am — plan late nights around the last train, or budget for a taxi.
• Issuing rules for IC cards and visitor passes change from time to time — check the official pages before you fly.

Commuting & where to live

• Living inside the Yamanote loop means the shortest commutes and the highest rent.
• Western Tokyo (Nakano, Suginami) and Saitama / Chiba / Kanagawa cut rent noticeably in exchange for a 30–60 minute commute.
• Japanese employers commonly reimburse the monthly commuter pass (tsūkin teate) — confirm this before choosing where to live.
• Morning rush (7:30–9:30) is intense on major lines — fewer transfers matters more than shorter distance.

Housing & Neighborhoods

Universities in Tokyo (3)

• Keio University
• University of Tokyo
• Waseda University

Deep Dive Guides

Why Live Here

• Extremely low crime rate, one of the safest cities globally
• Dense subway network, no car needed
• Rich food culture with excellent value for money
• World-class healthcare system