Looking for American Expats in Tokyo?

Thinking about moving to Tokyo as an American? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what US American expats in Tokyo wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• Safety is unmatched. It's the most common pro by far, and 98% of expats in Tokyo rate personal safety positively, among the highest scores anywhere, against 81% globally.

• Healthcare and transport are superb. 85% rate healthcare affordability positively and 90% the quality of medical care, while 92% rate the availability of public transportation.

• The food and culture are a joy. Tokyo scores 90% for culinary variety and 87% for culture and nightlife, with a clean, orderly rhythm to daily life.

• It's greener and more livable than expected. 96% rate the natural environment positively, and living costs feel reasonable (50% rate the general cost of living positively).

• The language is a steep wall. Just 22% of expats in Tokyo say it's easy to learn the local language, and only 24% find it easy to get by without it.

• Belonging takes years. Only 26% say making local friends is easy and 46% feel welcome (vs. 64% globally).

• Work culture is demanding. Long hours are a common complaint, and 52% are happy with their work-life balance, below the global average of 62%.

• Crowding and humidity take adjusting. Packed trains, expensive domestic travel, and a muggy rainy season come up often.

For Americans, Tokyo is safe, seamless, and endlessly interesting, with healthcare and transport few cities match. The trade-offs are the language wall, a demanding work culture, and how long it takes to feel you belong. It rewards the curious and the patient.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.

• Browse our network of members to get to know American expats in Tokyo and connect with others.
• Take part in our expat forums to get firsthand tips and information from fellow Americans in Tokyo.
• Meet other American expats and global minds at 600 monthly official events and share your interests at more than 4,600 monthly activities in Tokyo and across the globe.

InterNations provides an easy, casual way to get to know expats from the USA and further afield in your local community. Sound good? Then let us welcome you into our Tokyo Community today!

Our community in Tokyo is also very active offline. Our InterNations Ambassadors organize regular events and various expat activities, e.g. a dinner in Tokyo’s hippest restaurant or an outing with other American expats to explore Shikoku, the smallest island, famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage. These activities are a casual way to get to know expats from the USA in your local community as well as Americans in Japan nationwide. Interested? Simply become a member and we’ll be happy to welcome you among our Americans living in Tokyo!