SPOTLIGHT ON

WELCOME TO TOKYO,

Tokyo, Japan's capital city, was known as Edo until 1868. Greater Tokyo is the world's most populous and is the of Japanese culture, finance, and government. A bustling cosmopolitan city, Tokyo is also a major transportation hub and a world economic and industrial center. The city boasts a large number of world-class institutions of higher education, the highest concentration of universities in Japan. Tokyo mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers and trendy fashions to historic temples and beautiful public gardens.

Contents

Climate and Geography 02

Cost of Living and Transportation 03

Visa, Passport, Language, and Currency Information 04

Lifestyle, Sports, and Attractions 05

Culture, Shopping, and Dining 06

Schools and Education 07

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CLIMATE

Mainland Tokyo lies in the humid subtropical climate zone with warm humid summers and generally cool winters with cold spells. The region, like much of Japan, experiences a one-month Tokyo Climate Graph seasonal lag, with the warmest month being o 120 F 48.9oc 12 in. 304.8 mm August, and the coolest month being January.

o Annual rainfall averages nearly 60 inches (1,530 100 F 37.8oc 10 in. 254.0 mm mm), with wetter summers and drier winters.

o Snowfall is sporadic, but does occur almost 80 F 27.7oc 8 in. 203.2 mm annually. Tokyo's offshore territories' climates vary

o significantly from the city. Many have a tropical 60 F 15.6oc 6 in. 152.4 mm savanna climate and experience more typhoons

o than Mainland Tokyo. 40 F 4.4oc 4 in. 101.6 mm

Average High/Low Temperatures o 20 F -6.7oc 2 in. 50.8 mm Low / High

o o o o January 34 F (1 C) / 49 F (10 C) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

July 71oF (22oC) / 85oF (29oC) High Temp Low Temp Precipitation

Average Precipitation 60 in. (1,529 mm)

Snow 4 in. (110 mm)

GEOGRAPHY

Tokyo is the largest city in Japan in terms of population and area. Tokyo is located roughly in the middle of the Japanese archipelago facing the Pacific Ocean. Tokyo is on the Kanto plain. On its eastern border is . The far western portion of Tokyo is mountainous and unsuitable for urbanization. The highest mountain in Tokyo, Mount Kumotori, is 6,617 ft. (2,017 m) high. Tokyo also has numerous outlying islands, many of which are volcanic, that extend as far as 1,150 mi. (1,850 km) from the center of the city.

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COST OF LIVING

Just like any large city, Tokyo has an array of different neighborhoods that range from very poor to very expensive. The "downtown" area of Tokyo is very expensive, and has very few detached homes. As with most cities in the United States, generally, the further one moves from the city center, the more affordable property becomes. Most single-family, detached dwellings can be found in the far western wards. Living costs in Tokyo do depend on your location, employment, and other circumstances. Below are the median home purchase price and median monthly rent for the city of Tokyo.

Real Estate Costs*

Median Detached Home Price Median Condo Price (650 ft2) Median Monthly Rent (3 BDRM) ¥33,700,000 ¥99,465,526 ¥292,200 Approx. $299,391 USD* Approx. $909,224 USD* Approx. $2,671 USD*

*Based on exchange rate at the time of publishing. Sources: www.numbeo.com, www.globalpropertyguide.com, both accessed 06/07/2017

TRANSPORTATION

Tokyo, as the center of the , is Japan's largest domestic and international hub for rail, ground, and air transportation. Public transportation within Tokyo is dominated by an extensive network of clean and efficient trains and subways run by a variety of operators, with buses, and playing a secondary feeder role.

Airports Haneda (aka Tokyo International) Airport (HND) Narita International Airport (NRT)

Rails and Roads Rail is the primary mode of transportation in Tokyo, which has the most extensive urban railway network in the world and an equally extensive network of surface lines. JR East operates Tokyo's largest railway network, including the loop that circles the center of downtown Tokyo. Expressways link the capital to other points in the Greater Tokyo area, the Kantō region, and the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.

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VISA AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS

BUSINESS VISITOR Permitted Activities – Business visitors must generally limit their activities to the following: • Market research • Business liaison or consultation • Signing a contract • Providing after-sale service for imported machinery • Inspecting or visiting plants, trade fairs, etc. • Explanatory meetings

Type of Business Visas – Certain nationals may enter Japan without need of a business visa (visa-exempt nationals). All other nationals require a temporary visit visa (business). Basic Requirements 1. Intention of a genuine visit for business and not for paid employment 2. Valid passport 3. Evidence that there are no restrictions on his or her traveling to Japan 4. No intention to permanently reside in Japan 5. A ticket for onward travel from Japan 6. Proof of funds

EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION Basic Requirements – The principle visa category for temporary employment in Japan is the Work Visa. This is a category for employers to sponsor approved skilled workers to work in Japan TOKYO NO JIJITSU (TOKYO FACTS) on a temporary basis. Language Process Overview – The process for obtaining a Work Visa is as follows: There is only one official language in Japan – Japanese 1. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) – filed with the Immigration (nihongo). Japan is the only country in the world to have Bureau in Japan Japanese as its official working language for its Japanese 2. Entry Visa application – filed at the Japanese Consulate companies. Many Japanese are able to understand English, General abroad as English is taught in schools as part of Japan's compulsory 3. Landing Permission & Issuance of Zairyu – immediately upon arrival in Japan the employee and accompanying education. Despite this, many foreigners will discover that the dependents will be required to present their passports Japanese are seldom motivated to speak English outside the and COEs. They will be granted Landing Permissions, which business context. will serve as their work and residence visas. In addition, depending on their point of entry, some employees and Currency dependents will receive their Zairyu Card immediately upon The currency in use in Tokyo is the Yen. The usual methods of arrival and some will receive their Zairyu Cards within 5-7 days from the Immigration Bureau payment in Tokyo are cash and EC-cards (bank cards). Payment 4. Registration of Residence – must be completed within 14 with EC cards or credit cards may require an additional form of days of arrival in Japan identification. The exchange rate (at time of publishing) is $1 *This summary is intended for informational purposes only and is USD = $109.99 Yen. not an authorized guide on how to obtain work authorization

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Tokyo is a sprawling, densely populated city packed full of nightlife spots, restaurants, museums, entertainment venues, shopping malls and many other attractions. The city offers a vibrant, unique and sociable lifestyle, with plenty of annual events and festivals. When going out at night, bring your best singing voice because karaoke is almost like a religion. In the daytime, Tokyo's many parks, blooming with cherry blossoms and other beautiful flowers, offer a peaceful retreat from the fast pace of the city.

SPORTS

Pro Teams F.C. Tokyo (Soccer) SunRockers () Japan Sumo Association (Wrestling) Tokyo Excellence (Basketball) 1969 (Soccer) () Alvark Tokyo (Basketball) (Baseball)

Major Venues Stadium Meiji-Jingu Stadium National (Olympic ) Stadium Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena

OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE

Parks and Gardens Fun Things to Do Wildlife Attractions Beautiful Temples

Hamarikyu Gardens Fuji-Q Highlands Epson Aqua Stadium Meiji Jingu Shrine Rinshi No Mori Park Namco Namjatown Inokashira Park Zoo Nezu Shrine Shiba Park One Piece Tower Sunshine Aquarium Sensoji Temple Shinjuko Gyoen Gardens Tokyo Disneyland Tama Zoo Tennoji Temple Ueno Onshi Park Tokyo Dome City Tokyo Sea Life Park Yushima Seido Temple Yoyogi Park Tokyo Joypolis Ueno Zoo

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SHOPPING & DINING

Tastes of Tokyo Not Just the World's Largest Fish Market

What do you get when you combine access to an ocean There is a reason that Tokyo is known as one of the world's of fresh seafood with Japanese flair for perfect, yet exotic, shopping meccas. From vendor carts to street side boutiques presentation? Some of the best dining in the world! Cuisine to massive shopping centers, Tokyo is a shopper's paradise. in Tokyo is internationally acclaimed. When Michelin The city offers numerous vibrant and trendsetting districts released their first guide for fine dining in Tokyo, the city was in which you can find everything including high-end to the awarded 191 stars in total, or about as many as Tokyo's offbeat, as well as subculture favorites to traditional crafts nearest competitor, . Of the eight top-rated restaurants, and vintage wares. The district is Tokyo's most upscale three offer traditional Japanese fine dining, two are sushi shopping area, while Harajuku offers the hottest fads in houses and three serve French cuisine. fashion and is the center for Japanese youth culture.

ART & CULTURE

Tokyo is a city of culture and style both traditional Japanese culture, epitomized by haiku poetry, kimono, ukiyo-e wood-block prints, Kabuki theater, Noh drama, tea ceremony and Zen stone gardens, as well as more modern cultural trends represented by anime, cosplay, manga, and video games.

Museums & Galleries Theaters l Asakura Sculpture Museum l Kabuki-za Theater l Edo-Tokyo Museum l National Noh Theater l Hara Museum of Contemporary Art l National Theatre of Japan l Mori Art Museum l New National Theatre Tokyo l National Art Center l Enbujo Theater l National Museum of Modern Art l Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre l National Museum of Nature and Science l Tokyo Theatre Orb l Samurai Museum l Sumo Museum l Tokyo National Museum

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EDUCATION IN TOKYO

Parents of very young expat children might consider sending their children to local Japanese schools, which are free even for foreign Notable Colleges & Universities children. The advantages of these schools are that children will learn Japanese and will integrate into local society more easily. Still, this is usually only an option for consideration if one is planning on moving to Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan Japan for an extended period of time.

The Japanese school system has a well-deserved reputation for being strenuous, and expat parents might find the performance pressure placed on young children a bit daunting. If factoring in after-school Minato, Tokyo, Japan activities and near-obligatory lessons at jukus (cram schools) children could face a 12-hour day, with homework still waiting to be done later.

Most expats send their children to international schools in Tokyo, which is a more expensive option than Japanese schools. This is mostly due Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan to the fact that international schools are better equipped to deal with the needs of foreign students and allow them to continue studying the same curriculum as they did back home, which subsequently eases the transition into life in a new country. Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan The majority of schools cater specifically to kindergarten, elementary and middle grades, as high school is considered optional in Japan, but a few schools do go up to Grade 12. Many schools use an American-based curriculum, while some utilize the British or Canadian system and are taught in English or other non-Japanese languages like French, German, , Tokyo, Japan or Chinese.

CONNECT WITH GMS

Founded in 1987, Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) is a global corporate relocation services company that specializes in workforce mobility. The company’s corporate relocation services include global assignment management, domestic relocation management, and a range of pre-decision solutions. GMS is a perennial winner of the HRO Today “Baker’s Dozen” customer satisfaction surveys, being named a top relocation provider for the last four years in a row. Baker’s Dozen Online Resources Phone & Email Customer Satisfaction Ratings www.gmsmobility.com 1-800-617-1904 RELOCATION LinkedIn: Global Mobility Solutions [email protected] 2017 Winner

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