Nomae Expats
City Playbooks

The operator's city

Tokyo

The highest-density concentration of economic activity, talent, and infrastructure in Japan. Everything is here — which also means the noise level is higher.

¥400k–800k/mo

Monthly burn rate

14 million (metro: 37M)

Population

—

From Tokyo

Best gym

GOLD'S GYM (Roppongi, Shibuya). Beast Harajuku for strength-specific.

Coworking

Venture Café (Toranomon Hills), WeWork Marunouchi, Spaces Shibuya

Golf access

Excellent. 30+ public courses within 60 minutes. Kasumigaseki CC for members.

Social density

Highest in Japan. International founder community is small but real.

Why Tokyo

Tokyo operates at a scale and density that has no European equivalent and rivals only a handful of Asian cities. Within a 30-minute train ride from central Shinjuku, you can access over 14 million people in the city proper, 300+ Michelin-starred restaurants, the most sophisticated public transit system ever built, and every conceivable service at 3am.

For founders and operators, the case is simple: the talent, the capital, and the customers are here. Japan's startup ecosystem is Tokyo-centric. The vast majority of Japanese venture capital is Tokyo-based. The decision-makers at Japan's largest companies are in Tokyo.

The Real Burn Rate

Tokyo is expensive — but not uniformly. The range is wide and depends almost entirely on where you choose to live.

  • Rent in Azabu-Juban: ¥200,000–400,000 for a decent 1LDK (45–65 sqm)
  • Rent in Sangenjaya: ¥90,000–150,000 for similar square footage

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The strategy, sequencing, and optimization details below are available to members.

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The Real Burn Rate

Tokyo is expensive — but not uniformly. The range is wide and depends almost entirely on where you choose to live.

  • Rent in Azabu-Juban: ¥200,000–400,000 for a decent 1LDK (45–65 sqm)
  • Rent in Sangenjaya: ¥90,000–150,000 for similar square footage
  • Food: ¥80,000–200,000/month depending heavily on how often you eat out and where
  • Transit: ¥10,000–20,000/month (Suica card + occasional taxi). Extremely affordable relative to other global cities.
  • Coworking: ¥30,000–80,000/month
  • Gym: ¥8,000–15,000/month
  • Total realistic range for single professional: ¥350,000–700,000/month

The Transit Advantage

Tokyo's transit system eliminates the car ownership question entirely. 40+ train and subway lines, 24-hour taxi availability, and Uber (limited but functional) mean you are never more than 15 minutes from a station. Most commute times within central Tokyo: under 25 minutes.

This transit density also means neighborhood matters less than in car-dependent cities. Living in Sangenjaya (cheaper) and working in Marunouchi (business district) is 20 minutes and two transfers.

The Noise Problem

Tokyo's primary challenge is stimulation load. The city is relentlessly active, always loud enough, always requiring decisions. For people who need extended periods of deep focus, Tokyo's apartment sizes (typically 40–60 sqm for a reasonably priced 1LDK in good neighborhoods) and ambient sensory density can be draining over time.

The countermeasure is deliberate: structured quiet time, parks (Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi, Meiji Jingu are genuinely excellent), Hakone day trips, and a monthly rotation out of the city if you are doing creative or strategic work.

Apartment sizing reality

Japanese apartments are measured in tatami units or sqm. A "1LDK" is typically 35–55 sqm — one bedroom plus a living/dining/kitchen area. A "2LDK" gives you a dedicated office and is the minimum for comfortable work-from-home. Budget ¥20,000–50,000/month more for the second room.

Startup Ecosystem

Tokyo's startup scene is real but concentrated. The English-language founder community is small — probably 2,000–4,000 active people. It is navigable.

  • Toranomon Hills: the most intentional startup-friendly development in Tokyo. Venture Café every Thursday. Google, Microsoft, and startup offices in one complex.
  • Shibuya QWS: creative and startup co-creation space within Shibuya Scramble Square. Strong events calendar.
  • Startup district emerging in Akihabara / Kandai area: lower rent, infrastructure improving
  • Marunouchi: Japan's primary business district — where enterprise clients and investors are headquartered

Neighborhoods

Azabu-Juban / Hiroo

International density, embassies, English services

¥200k–500k / 1LDK–2LDK

Daikanyama / Nakameguro

Creative class, boutiques, walkable

¥150k–300k / 1LDK

Members only

The strategy, sequencing, and optimization details below are available to members.

Get access

Azabu-Juban / Hiroo

International density, embassies, English services

¥200k–500k / 1LDK–2LDK

Daikanyama / Nakameguro

Creative class, boutiques, walkable

¥150k–300k / 1LDK

Shibuya / Yoyogi

Startup ecosystem, tech scene, transit hub

¥130k–250k / 1LDK

Shinjuku

Dense, central, everything accessible

¥120k–220k / 1LDK

Sangenjaya

Residential, quieter, young professional

¥90k–160k / 1LDK

Best for

  • Founders building Japan-market products
  • Professionals with Japan corporate employers
  • People who need maximum network access
  • Those optimizing for density of opportunity

Not for

  • People who need quiet to think
  • Those with significant space requirements on a limited budget
  • Families preferring suburban Japanese lifestyle

Other cities

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