Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. Not only is the city a major cultural center with museums and Japanese gardens, Tokyo has also hosted the Olympics and has one of the world's fastest trains.

Tokyo is located along Tokyo Bay on Honshu Island, the largest of Japan's four main islands. The city was first known as a fishing village called Edo, settled in the 3000s BC. Tokyo has always been known for its population; in the early 18th century, the population was already 1.1 million. The city was officially called Tokyo (meaning "eastern capital") in 1868.

As a Tokyo resident, one will realize the grandeur of its metro system; this is the largest one in the world! It transports several million commuters per day, and services include buses, train lines, and the well-known Shinkansen Bullet Train that travels 320 kilometers (200 miles) per hour. Japanese is the primary language, with English being commonly known among residents. The Japanese Yen is the nation's currency; 1 Yen equals $0.0088 USD.

Location

Job Opportunities

Tourism and manufacturing are two major industries in Tokyo and Japan as a whole. Tokyo is one of the most-visited cities in the world. Tourism jobs range from local transport drivers with taxis, buses, and the 320 kilometer-per-hour Bullet Trains to guiding tourists around museums, working in shopping centers, and maintaining scenic Japanese gardens. Manufacturing is a very popular industry in Tokyo; this ranges from technology to textiles and clothing to automobiles. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Mazda are among well-known car brands manufactured in Japan; Yamaha and Suzuki motorcycles are also manufactured in Japan. Over ten percent of Japan's land is arable, allowing for agricultural opportunities on local farms. One other main industry is the service industry; jobs range from real estate and property management to banking and financial activity. From Japan's tourism sector to working in rural agricultural businesses, both downtown and rural Tokyo offer employment opportunities in a variety of sectors.

Cost of Living

With Tokyo's extensive metro area, prices significantly vary depending on location, occupancy, and public transportation nearby. For one-bedroom apartments, a city center unit will rent for 148,500 Yen ($1,302 USD) per month. Similar units in suburbs may cost 80,400 Yen ($705 USD). For larger units, three-bedroom apartments downtown will average 340,000 Yen ($3,000 USD), while comparable units in the suburbs may near 182,800 Yen ($1,600 USD) per month.

Utility expenses, including electricity, heat, and water, will average 23,500 Yen ($206 USD) per month. For internet use, monthly rates come in around 4,500 Yen ($40 USD) for unlimited internet and other data plans. If owning a car is a must, prices for brand-new small cars will start near 2,150,000 Yen ($18,850 USD); gasoline costs average 540 Yen ($4.75 USD) per gallon. While owning a car is plausible in rural areas, Tokyo's public transportation makes it unnecessary to own a car anywhere near the city.

Transportation

Tokyo has a very strong metro system, including 9 train lines that operate over 175 stops around the city. When travelling in the city, be prepared for overfilled trains and buses. Travel from the northwest suburbs of Tokyo, and reach the Sumida River in the city's eastern end. Some trains conveniently cross paths with others, eliminating the need to transfer buses or trains. The Toei Line is also extensive, covering areas as far as the local airport. Other train lines include the JR (Japan Rail) Lines, going around the city; and the Chiyoda and Shinjuku Subway lines, heading toward the western part of Tokyo.

Prices can vary greatly, as the Metro and Toei Lines package tickets for both tourists and local residents. IC cards, which include the Suica and Pasmo, are straight-line fare cards that can be purchased for 500 Yen ($4.40 USD) and recharged as needed. For more convenient travel outside the city center, buses, subways, and taxis are plentiful. One will likely not have to own a car while living in Tokyo with the abundance of public transportation.

Recreation

While in Tokyo, one will be enriched into the Japanese culture; cultural traditions are seen in local streets, parks, and gardens. One common attraction is the Tokyo Skytree. Standing at 2,080 feet tall, this is the world's tallest tower. Take advantage of Shibuya Crossing, which will exemplify that Tokyo is the most-populated city in the world. There are video screens with advertisements, local markets and restaurants, and getting from one place to another as simple as crossing the street may be a fun challenge. For more recreational opportunities, sumo wrestling is a major sport in Tokyo. This takes place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan which seats roughly 11,000 fans, and Sumo tournaments take approximately two weeks. When Sumo is not occurring here, boxing matches are abundant.

For a different cultural experience, Tokyo offers markets throughout the city. The Tsukiji Market offers local cuisine including tuna, sandwiches, and samples of raw fish. The Oedo Antique Market is a bi-monthly market selling vintage antique pieces. Japanese culture is also seen in its scenic parks and gardens. The Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens include mostly Japanese gardens with some English- and French-style formal gardens. Yoyogi park is well-known for its shady trees and family visits, with many families picnicking and occasional concerts in the park.

Climate

Tokyo's warmer season is Summer, and high temperatures are somewhat pleasant. The warmest months are between June and September, with high temperatures ranging from the mid 70s to mid 80s (25 to 31 degrees Celsius). Winter months are somewhat cooler, with highs between the 50s and low 60s (10 to 20 degrees Celsius), and lows reaching the mid 30s (1 to 4 degrees Celsius). Moving further inland, expect these temperatures to be considerably cooler year-round. Precipitation is at its peak in the Summer and Autumn months, reaching 5 to 8 inches monthly between May and October. The lowest precipitation amounts during the Winter, averaging 2 inches per month between December and February.