Best Living Japan – Tokyo Expat Family Guide Tokyo with Kids Guide for Globally Minded Families 
Are you new to or relocating to Tokyo? Although your home shipment may not have arrived yet and you might still be in temp housing don’t delay on settling down in Tokyo. Here are our tips on how to reduce the stress a bit and start enjoying this great city sooner. We have gathered tips and info from thousands of Japan expats, so we hope you find it useful. If you have any of your own hard-earned insight, share it with us in the comments section below. Also check out our neighborhood guides under the areas section of Best Living Japan – Harajuku Jingumae, Aoyama Omotesando, Hiroo Azabu, Roppongi, etc., and our TOKYO ONE DAY Itinerary with Kids in Odaiba, Ebisu, Setagaya, with more to come! – Lauren and Sandra
Settling Down in Tokyo – Tips to Reduce Stress
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO YOUR FIRST WEEK IN TOKYO
- Sign up for the the Best Living Japan’s weekly newsletter, Facebook and Instagram Page to access information for families living in Japan.
- Visit your town hall (ward office) to register and also get local living information. Ask about English services, publications, classes and groups. Each ward and ku offers different support services.
- Buy your local mobile phone. The three carriers are NTT Docomo, SoftBank (English speaking staff in the Roppongi and Omotesando stores) and AU.
- Load your phone with Living in Japan apps.
- Buy your Suica or Passmo Cards at your local station. So much easier when traveling – buy train tickets, use in convenience stores and more.
- Set-up a local bank account at Shinsei or Prestia (previously Citibank), both very foreigner friendly.
- Find you local post office and note down open hours (usually 9:00 – 17:00 M-F only).
- Find the nearest convenience store near your home and learn how to use the ATM. Cash is king in Japan so make sure you can access yours.
- Find and learn your triangle path (home, school and work). Get comfortable by practicing the commute with the family. Plan your family’s earthquake emergency plan.
- Take a bus tour of Tokyo – it will give you a good lay of the land.
*** Take time to relax and enjoy a great brunch or walk in a park.
****** Moving to Tokyo *****
Below are curated and categorized posts to help you with various topics and challenges when getting settled in Tokyo.
1. Find answers to your questions – With the internet and social media finding information is much easier but filtering through the information can be a bit cumbersome. Load your phone up with handy apps and join social media groups to meet new people on and offline.
Top 10 Japan Apps – For Expats or Tourists in Japan – Download these APPs today to make everything so much easier.
Tokyo Expat Network – a FB group for expats in Japan. A good place to ask questions and get answers quickly.
2. Get out and make friends – Joining a parenting group, church or temple or volunteering is a great way to make friends and expand your network. Meet as many people as you can the first few months to find a couple of new BFFs.
Best Living Japan Classes – Cooking, Arts and Crafts and Lifestyle classes.
Japan Parenting Groups and Resources
Tokyo Churches, Temples & Synagogues – Feel at Home
Volunteer in Japan – Great Charities to Support
3. Be prepared for an emergency – Print out the three pages below and put in an easy access location.
English Emergency Support for Expats and Tourist in Japan
Earthquake Preparation – Easy Things To Do Today
Himawari Medical Information Service, Tokyo
4. Find a great doctor – Find an English speaking doctor that other expats recommend.
Tokyo English Speaking Pediatricians
Tokyo English Speaking Dentists
English Speaking Tokyo Dermatologists
Tokyo English Speaking Ophthalmologists
Tokyo-based English Speaking OBGYNs
5. Set-up your home and find your favorite foods and necessary services – Here are our go to stores for home and food shopping.
Recommended Stores for Home Furnishings and Antiques
Food Shopping in Japan
How to Purchase Electrically Assisted Bicycles – Tips and FAQs
Top Japanese Antique and Craft Stores
Must Have Top 10 Japanese Laundry Products
Must Have Top 10 Japanese Cleaning Products
Best Japanese Drug Store Sun Screen
Japan Mosquito Repellent and Aid
Donate or Sell Used Clothes in Tokyo
How to Hire a Helper in Japan
Tokyo Birthday and Party Cakes
English Speaking Photographers in Tokyo
Tokyo Baby Guide – Diapers, Wipes, Formula, Strollers and more.
****** Moving to Tokyo *****
Tokyo International Pre-Schools – By Area
Required Japanese Kindergarten Items (Yochien)
Tokyo International School Festivals
Tokyo Area International School Spring 2019 Calendar
7. Weather and Travel Support – Traveling around Tokyo, Japan and near by countries is one of the great benefits of living here. Here are some tips for traveling in Japan and also how to deal with the weather.
To and From Haneda and Narita Airports – Best Transport for Families
Long-term Parking at Narita Airport
Tokyo Grutt Pass 2019 – Free or discounted entrance to Tokyo area activities
Tips for Surviving Japan’s Rainy Season with Kids
Keep Baby Toddler Warm and Healthy
********************Looking for more information about moving to Tokyo, Japan. Here are our most popular information posts for global families living and traveling to Japan. Hope you find this free information helpful.
Settling down in Tokyo! Japan Parenting Groups and Resources
Tokyo Churches, Temples & Synagogues – Feel at Home
English Emergency Support for Expats and Tourist in Japan
Earthquake Preparation – Easy Things To Do Today
Himawari Medical Information Service, TokyoTokyo English Speaking Pediatricians
Tokyo English Speaking Dentists
English Speaking Tokyo Dermatologists
Tokyo English Speaking Ophthalmologists
Tokyo-based English Speaking OBGYNs
Recommended Stores for Home Furnishings and Antiques
Food Shopping in Japan
How to Purchase Electrically Assisted Bicycles – Tips and FAQs
Top Japanese Antique and Craft Stores
Must Have Top 10 Japanese Laundry Products
Must Have Top 10 Japanese Cleaning Products
Best Japanese Drug Store Sun Screen
Japan Mosquito Repellent and Aid
Donate or Sell Used Clothes in Tokyo
How to Hire a Helper in Japan
Tokyo Birthday and Party Cakes
English Speaking Photographers in Tokyo
Tokyo International Pre-Schools – By Area
Required Japanese Kindergarten Items (Yochien)
Top Japanese Drugstore Sunscreen for Kids
To and From Haneda and Narita Airports – Best Transport for Families
Long-term Parking at Narita Airport
Tokyo Grutt Pass
Tips for Surviving Japan’s Rainy Season with Kids
Keep Baby Toddler Warm and Healthy
Settling Down in Tokyo – Tips to Reduce Stress
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