Life in Japan
Having trouble working out which area is best suited to the type of lifestyle you would like to lead in Japan?
See our comprehensive guide for information on the popular expat areas to live in Japan.
No doubt the education needs of your children is at the top of your list of priorities when moving to a foreign country.
See our comprehensive list of the international schooling options available for your children in Japan.
Preschools / Kindergartens
Tokyo and Yokohama
International Schools
Tokyo, Yokohama and Saitama
Preschools / Kindergartens / International Schools
Nagoya
Special Needs Schools
Tokyo and Yokohama
Japanese Language Schools
Tokyo and Yokohama
As you may be aware, Japan ranks among the most expensive countries to live in the world.
Check out our relocation cost survey to gain a better idea of the costs involved with education, shopping, accommodation and more.
International Schools
American School in Japan (ASIJ)
Please see www.asij.ac.jp for further information.
Tuition
Full Academic Year
Nursery–Pre-K
JPY 2,987,000
Kinder–Grade 5
JPY 3,269,000
Grade 6–8
JPY 3,425,000
Grade 9-12
JPY 3,533,000
Application Fee*
JPY 50,000
Registration Fee*
JPY 300,000
Building Maintenance*
JPY 1,525,000
Capital Assessment**
JPY 250,000
Bus (Annual)
JPY 390,000
*Non-refundable one time fee, per student
**Non-refundable annual fee, per student
Updated: 12/19/2025
Summerhill International School
Please see https://summerhill.jp/ for further information.
Tuition
Full Academic Year
Depending on how many days per week and program type (annual totals)
JPY 1,500,400 – JPY 2,710,400
Building Maintenance Fee
JPY 118,800
Building Fund (per child)*
JPY 198,000
Registration (per child)*
JPY 286,000
*Non-refundable, one-time payment for all new students upon registration
Updated: 12/19/2025
Market Basket
The following prices are representative of a Japanese supermarket in central Tokyo. The same items at an international supermarket will be higher on average, and the same items at a supermarket located in the suburbs will be priced lower.
Dairy
Milk (1L)
JPY 198
Eggs (pack of 10)
JPY 188
Butter (200g)
JPY 299
Yogurt (500g)
JPY 260
Cheddar cheese (200g)
JPY 504
Whipped cream (200ml)
JPY 299
Meat, Poultry & Seafood
Beef (100g)
JPY 339
Ham (135g)
JPY 380
Ground beef (100g)
JPY 280
Salmon (100g)
JPY 158
Beef fillet (100g)
JPY 422
Pork loin (100g)
JPY 248
Chicken breast (100g)
JPY 80
Chicken thigh (100g)
JPY 149
Sausages (120g)
JPY 369
Black tiger prawns
JPY 100 each
Fruit & Vegetables
Cucumber
JPY 248 for 3
Tomatoes
JPY 178 each
Potatoes (500g)
JPY 198
Lettuce
JPY 158 each
Broccoli
JPY 298
Pumpkin
JPY 570 each
Apples
JPY 198 each
Oranges
JPY 106 each
Drinks
Apple juice 1L
JPY 198
Soft drink 350ml
JPY 120
Mineral water 2L
JPY 239
Soft drink 1.5L
JPY 312
Table wine 750 ml
JPY 1280~
Beer 350ml
JPY 218
Other Groceries
Sugar 1kg
JPY 244
Bread (loaf of 6 thick slices)
JPY 159~
Coffee 100g
JPY 150~
Tea bags (pack of 25)
JPY 281
Jam 165g
JPY 189
Cookies (packet of 16)
JPY 197~
Cooking oil 1L
JPY 498~
Cereal (330g)
JPY 413~
Potato chips 90g
JPY 145~
Pasta (450g)
JPY 208
Rice 2kg
JPY 1050
Flour (500g)
JPY 134
Ketchup 300g
JPY 207
Mayonnaise (350g)
JPY 380
Toiletries
Shampoo (200ml)
JPY 398~
Mascara
JPY 800~
Lipstick
JPY 1300~
Moisturizer
JPY 700~
Tampons
JPY 294 for 10
Toilet paper (4 rolls)
JPY 289
Kleenex (5 box pack)
JPY 358
Soap (3 bars)
JPY 270
Cleaning Products
Bath cleaner
JPY 310
Glass cleaner
JPY 300
Mould cleaner
JPY 268
Toilet cleaner
JPY 320
Washing powder (1.2kg)
JPY 398
Softener
JPY 378
Cleaning wipes
JPY 270
Dish washing detergent
JPY 258
Car Lease or Purchase
The majority of expat housing includes one parking space, with the exception being the newer high-rise apartment buildings in Tokyo where the cost can be as high as JPY 80,000/month. By law, you must have a registered parking space before leasing or purchasing a car in Japan. While Japan’s public transportation systems are easily accessible and convenient for singles, most expat families coming to Japan benefit from having a car, allowing them to easily take their children to school, go to the supermarket and other day-to-day places. The following is a list of popular vehicles in Japan with approximate costs for purchasing new or leasing over a 36-month period. Short-period leases are also available at higher rates
Car Type
Purchase (New)
Lease (New) - 36 Months
Honda Accord 2.0 E Family Sedan
2,250,000
65,500
Honda Odyssey 2.3 M 7 Seater Family Wagon
2,400,000
70,000
Honda S2000 Sports Car
3,800,000
80,000
Toyota Camry 2.4 Family Sedan
2,500,000
75,000
Toyota Land Cruiser VX Ltd. 4WD
4,500,000
125,000
Mazda MPV 2.3 Sports 7 Seater Family Wagon
2,600,000
75,000
Mazda Atenza Wagon 4WD Station Wagon
2,600,000
75,000
BMW 320i Luxury Sedan
4,500,000
Mercedes E320 Avantgarde Luxury Sedan
8,085,000
181,000
Taxes:
- New car 8% consumption tax and 5% acquisition tax applies at time of purchase
- Used car 8% consumption tax and 5% acquisition tax on present value applies
- Yearly Prefecture tax is due in May approximately 40,000 Yen
- Yearly Light Vehicle tax is due in April about 10,000 Yen (based on the size of the engine)
Shaken:
- Compulsory inspection done after 3 years for new cars and then every two years (75,000 – 200,000 Yen)
Insurance:
- Mandatory Insurance/Compulsory Accident Liability Insurance (CALI) – Usually valid until the Shaken deadline (JPY 30,000). (more information) Coverage is only up to 30,000,000 yen per accident.
- Supplemental Insurance A comprehensive policy may cost 360,000 yen per year for complete coverage.
If interested in leasing or buying a car, we recommend Lease Japan, who offers an extensive selection of new and used cars for sale and lease, as well as car insurance. With Lease Japan you can have your car for exactly the amount of time you need it, with much less upfront cash.
Housing
Rental properties in Japan vary significantly in price based on location, size and date of construction (newer is normally better). There are effectively two parallel markets, the general rental market for Japanese-style properties, which are often small by international standards and do not normally include any movable equipment like appliances, curtains or light fixtures, and the high-end/luxury market where more spacious homes can be found that often come equipped with European or American refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, etc..
Central Location Tokyo (Minato-ku)
Size
Monthly Rent
Availability
1 Bedroom
JPY 250,000 – JPY 600,000
High
2 Bedroom
JPY 400,000 – JPY 750,000
High
3 Bedroom
JPY 600,000 – JPY 1,200,000
Moderate
4 Bedroom
JPY 900,000 – JPY 2,200,000
Moderate
5 Bedroom
JPY 1,600,000 – JPY 2,500,000
Very limited
Central Location Yokohama (Naka-ku)
Size
Monthly Rent
Availability
1 Bedroom
JPY 200,000 – JPY 300,000
Limited
2 Bedroom
JPY 300,000 – JPY 500,000
High
3 Bedroom
JPY 500,000 – JPY 800,000
High
4 Bedroom
JPY 650,000 – JPY 1,000,000
Moderate
5 Bedroom
JPY 750,000 – JPY 1,200,000
Very limited
Central Location Nagoya (Meito-ku)
Size
Monthly Rent
Availability
1 Bedroom
JPY 150,000 – JPY 300,000
Limited
2 Bedroom
JPY 200,000 – JPY 400,000
High
3 Bedroom
JPY 300,000 – JPY 600,000
High
4 Bedroom
JPY 400,000 – JPY 700,000
Limited
5 Bedroom
JPY 500,000 – JPY 800,000
Very limited
Japanese Language Schools
There are numerous Japanese language schools in Tokyo with various types of courses available. The following schools’ costs are intended to provide you with an idea of the range in the standard fees.
Meguro Language Center
Please see www.mlcjapanese.co.jp for further information.
Private Lesson (excluding tax)
Registration Fee
None
Lesson Fee (90 minutes, 8 times)
JPY 54,000
Group Lesson (excluding tax) JPY 300,000 - JPY 600,000
Registration Fee
None
Lesson Fee (90 minutes, 32 times)
JPY 115,200/person
ABC International Preschool
Please see www.abcinternationalschool.com for further information.
Private Lesson (excluding tax)
Registration Fee
JPY 30,000
Lesson Fee (80 minutes, 15 times)
JPY 168,000
Group Lesson (excluding tax) JPY 300,000 - JPY 600,000
Registration Fee
JPY 10,500
Lesson Fee (80 minutes, 20 times)
JPY 75,600/group of 3 – 6 people
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For urgent inquiries during business hours in Japan, please call us directly on one of the telephone numbers listed on the contact page
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