What is the difference between Narita and Haneda airports?

Narita and Haneda are two separate international airports serving Tokyo, and which one a flight uses depends on the airline and route. Haneda sits closer to central Tokyo, while Narita is further out and historically handled more long-haul traffic.

How do you get from Narita Airport to central Tokyo?

Narita Airport connects to central Tokyo by JR East rail lines, a separate private railway, and limousine buses, all departing from the terminal buildings. Rail is generally the fastest option during the day, while buses run more direct routes to specific hotels.

How do you get from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo?

Haneda Airport connects to central Tokyo by the Tokyo Monorail and the Keikyu rail line, both reaching the city in well under an hour. Both lines also connect onward to the wider subway and JR network at their city terminals.

What are Suica and Pasmo, and how do they work?

Suica and Pasmo are rechargeable IC cards that pay for fares on nearly all trains, subways and buses in the Tokyo area, and they also work as electronic money at many shops. Both cards work interchangeably on the same transport network, since they use a shared fare system.

What is the difference between the Tokyo subway and JR lines?

The Tokyo subway is operated by two separate companies, Tokyo Metro and Toei, while JR East runs above-ground and some underground lines such as the Yamanote loop. All of them accept the same IC cards, but they are separate fare systems for the purpose of tickets and passes.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for travel around Tokyo?

The Japan Rail Pass covers long-distance JR travel across Japan, including many shinkansen services, but it does not cover Tokyo Metro, Toei or most private railways used for city travel. Within Tokyo itself, an IC card generally covers daily journeys more simply than the rail pass.

When is typhoon season in Tokyo and what does it mean for travel?

Typhoon season in Japan runs mainly from late summer into autumn, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issues warnings as storms approach. A typhoon can stop flights and rail services in the Tokyo area for a day or more around its closest approach.

What is the weather like in Tokyo through the year?

Tokyo has hot, humid summers, mild winters, a rainy season in early summer and a separate typhoon-prone period in autumn. The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes climate normals describing typical conditions for each month, based on long-term averages.

What entry requirements apply for a short tourist visit to Japan?

Entry rules for a short tourist visit to Japan depend on the visitor's nationality, and some nationalities can enter visa-free for a limited stay while others need a visa arranged in advance. The Japan National Tourism Organization and diplomatic missions publish which category applies to each passport.

Which areas do visitors stay in when they come to Tokyo?

Visitor accommodation in Tokyo clusters around areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Ueno and Tokyo Station, because these sit on major rail and subway lines. The practical question is less which area looks best and more which line reaches the places on a visitor's plan.

What is the difference between a KK and a GK company in Japan?

A kabushiki kaisha, or KK, is a joint-stock company structure with a longer history and wider recognition among Japanese banks and partners. A godo kaisha, or GK, is a limited liability company structure that is generally faster and cheaper to set up but is less familiar to some counterparties.

What are the main steps to incorporate a company in Japan?

Incorporating a company in Japan typically involves preparing articles of incorporation, having them certified where required, depositing capital, and registering the company with the Legal Affairs Bureau. Once registered, the company receives a corporate number and can then complete tax and social insurance registrations.

Should a foreign company open a branch or a subsidiary in Japan?

A branch is a registered extension of the foreign parent company without separate legal personality, while a subsidiary such as a KK or GK is a separate Japanese legal entity. The choice affects liability, tax treatment and how the business is perceived by Japanese banks and clients.

When does a business have to register for Japanese consumption tax?

Consumption tax registration and invoicing under Japan's qualified invoice system are governed by the National Tax Agency, and registration is generally tied to taxable sales thresholds and business choices about the invoice system. A business under the threshold can still register voluntarily to issue qualified invoices.

How does corporate tax work for a company in Japan?

A company incorporated in Japan pays corporate tax on its worldwide taxable income for each accounting period, with rates and local surtaxes published by the National Tax Agency and local authorities. Filing and payment deadlines are tied to the end of the company's fiscal year.

What must an employer set up before hiring staff in Japan?

An employer hiring staff in Japan must register for labour insurance and, for most companies, social insurance covering health and pension coverage, which are jointly administered by the relevant ministries. Employment terms are also subject to labour standards set under Japanese law.

What is Japan's qualified invoice system for consumption tax?

The qualified invoice system is a National Tax Agency framework that sets requirements for invoices used to claim input tax credits for consumption tax. Only businesses registered as qualified invoice issuers can issue invoices meeting the full requirements of the system.

What support exists for foreign companies investing in Japan?

The Japan External Trade Organization provides information and practical support services to foreign companies setting up or expanding in Japan, covering topics such as market research, regulation and business setup procedures. Its services are informational and supportive rather than a substitute for legal or tax advice.

What should a new business know about office space in Tokyo?

Office space in Tokyo varies widely by ward, building age and whether the space is a traditional lease or a serviced office, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government publishes information relevant to businesses locating in the city. A registered business address is a legal requirement for incorporation, separate from any operational office choice.

What business support does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government provide?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government publishes information and runs programmes aimed at supporting businesses, including foreign-affiliated companies, setting up or operating in the city. These cover areas such as consultation services, information on procedures and connections to relevant business support organisations.

What is a status of residence in Japan?

A status of residence is a legal category assigned by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan that defines what activities a foreign national is permitted to carry out in the country, such as work, study or family life. Every foreign national residing in Japan holds one status of residence, which determines the conditions of their stay.

What types of work visa exist for Japan?

Work in Japan is authorised through specific work-related statuses of residence, each tied to a category of occupation such as engineering, specialist skills, business management or highly skilled professional roles. The applicable category depends on the job duties and qualifications of the applicant, not on a single general work visa.

What is a residence card in Japan and who needs one?

A residence card is issued to foreign nationals with a medium to long-term status of residence, and it records the holder's status, period of stay and other conditions. It functions as an identity document within Japan and must generally be carried at all times by those who hold one.

What are the rules for a short-stay entry into Japan?

A short-stay status of residence covers visits for purposes such as tourism, business meetings or visiting family, generally without permission to engage in paid work. Whether a visa is needed in advance, and the maximum length of stay allowed, depends on the visitor's nationality.

What are the customs allowances for arriving in Japan?

Japan Customs sets duty-free allowances for goods such as alcohol, tobacco and other personal items carried by arriving travellers, and amounts above the allowance are subject to declaration and duty. All arriving travellers complete a customs declaration, regardless of whether they are carrying goods above the allowance.

How does changing a status of residence work in Japan?

Changing a status of residence is an application made to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan while the applicant is already in the country, used when a person's activities change, such as moving from study to work. The existing status remains valid until a decision is made, provided the application is filed correctly.

What is the difference between permanent residency and other long-term statuses in Japan?

Permanent residency is a specific status of residence that removes the fixed period of stay and most activity restrictions applying to other statuses, and it is generally granted after meeting residency and conduct requirements over time. Other long-term statuses, such as those linked to work or family, still carry defined activity limits and renewal periods.

How does a dependant status of residence work in Japan?

A dependant status allows the spouse or child of certain status holders, such as those on a work-related status, to reside in Japan alongside them. It generally does not permit full-time work without additional permission, though limited part-time activity may be authorised separately.

What is the highly skilled professional status in Japan?

The highly skilled professional status is a points-based category that offers preferential immigration treatment, such as longer periods of stay and faster access to permanent residency, to applicants who meet a points threshold based on factors including education, income and career history. It is a distinct status from ordinary work-related categories.

What changes must foreign residents report to immigration authorities in Japan?

Foreign residents in Japan are generally required to report certain changes, such as a change of address, employer or marital status, to the relevant authorities within a set period. Reporting requirements differ depending on the type of change and the resident's status of residence.

How do you register an address after moving to Tokyo?

A person moving into a home in Japan generally registers the new address at the local municipal office within a set period after moving in. Registration links the address to the resident record used for the residence card, health insurance and other municipal services.

How does national health insurance work for residents of Tokyo?

Residents of Japan who are not enrolled in employer-based health insurance generally join the National Health Insurance scheme through their local municipal office, which is administered under national rules set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The scheme covers a share of medical costs, with the remainder paid by the insured person at the point of treatment.

What is renting an apartment in Tokyo generally like in practice?

Renting in Tokyo typically involves a lease arranged through a real estate agent, with upfront costs that can include a deposit, key money paid to the landlord, agent fees and sometimes guarantor company fees. Practices vary by landlord and by whether the property uses a traditional lease or a more flexible arrangement.

How does waste sorting work for residents in Tokyo?

Waste sorting rules in Tokyo are set at the ward level, so categories, collection days and required bags or labelling vary between wards rather than following one citywide rule. Common categories generally include burnable waste, non-burnable waste, recyclables and oversized items, each with its own collection schedule.

How does school enrolment work for children living in Tokyo?

Compulsory education in Japan covers elementary and lower secondary school, and enrolment for residents is generally arranged through the local ward or city office linked to the family's registered address. International schools operate separately from the public system and have their own admissions processes.

What is resident tax and who pays it in Tokyo?

Resident tax, sometimes called inhabitant tax, is a local tax paid to the prefecture and municipality where a person is registered as living, and it is generally assessed on income from the prior year. It applies to residents based on their registered address as of a set date each year, in addition to national income tax.

How do you set up utilities when moving into a home in Tokyo?

Electricity, gas and water in Tokyo are generally arranged with separate providers, and a new resident typically contacts each provider to start service around the move-in date. Some apartments include certain utilities in the rent, which is set out in the lease agreement rather than by a general rule.

What is the My Number system and how does it affect residents of Tokyo?

My Number is a twelve-digit individual number assigned to every resident registered in Japan, including foreign residents with a medium to long-term status, used to link tax, social security and disaster relief administration. It is issued automatically once a person is registered as a resident at a municipal office.

What is generally needed to open a personal bank account in Tokyo?

Opening a personal bank account in Japan generally requires proof of identity, a registered address and, for many banks, a period of residence or a residence card showing sufficient remaining stay. Requirements vary between banks, and some accept applications from newly arrived residents more readily than others.

How does the public pension system work for residents of Tokyo?

Japan's public pension system generally requires residents, including many foreign residents, to be enrolled in either the employee pension scheme through their employer or the National Pension scheme through their municipality. Contributions are compulsory for those meeting the enrolment conditions, regardless of nationality.

Tokyo questions, answered from official sources

Forty questions about visiting, working and doing business in Tokyo. Each page gives the short answer first, then how it works in practice, then what it is most often confused with, and links the official source so you can check the current rule yourself.

Travel and visit

Narita and Haneda access, IC cards, rail passes and weather.

Business and finance

Company forms, incorporation, consumption tax and hiring.

Legal, visa and entry

Status of residence, work visas, residence cards and customs.

Big city topics

Address registration, insurance, housing, schools and waste rules.

These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.

Knowledge, Tokyo

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