In Japan, digital nomads are less common than in some of the mainstays such as Bali and Thailand, but that doesn’t mean there are none at all.
In fact, since the pandemic forced us all to work from home, the number of remote workers and location-independent freelancers have slowly increased over time, as well as the need for more flexible coworking spaces in Japan.
Here, we will take a look at the current digital nomad scene in Japan, and what facilities are available to make the lives of digital nomads more comfortable and easy within the country.
What is a digital nomad?
Before getting into the specifics of digital nomads within Japan, let’s first go over what exactly a digital nomad is. You may have heard the term in various situations, but what does it mean?
A digital nomad is someone who is not dependent on location and typically earns a living working online.
You do not have to be a world traveler to be considered a digital nomad. But, as digital nomads do not rely on one fixed location to earn their wage, many of them do travel the world.
A digital nomad staying within their home country may take the opportunity to go on workations not too far from home, simply to get a change of scenery or find inspiration. They might also make use of nearby coworking spaces or flexible offices, where they can go to focus instead of a traditional fixed office space.
A digital nomad that travels may have a home base, and travel to different countries as they choose, or they may not have a home base at all, and simply move from country to country every few months or years. This type of digital nomad tends to work in a more creative field such as travel writing or photography, or they may be an entrepreneur with an international client base that requires frequent traveling.
Acceleration of remote work in Japan
Although Japan is not the fastest to respond to global change, since the beginning of the pandemic there has been a clear increase in the number of companies allowing remote work. Not many Japanese companies allow full remote, but rather implement a hybrid approach or flexible hours. Some Japanese companies and many international companies went fully remote at the height of pandemic restrictions, but are now starting to move to hybrid or low-capacity work environments.
According to a survey taken in 2021 in Japan, 32.3% were still working full-time in the office, whereas 59% worked on a hybrid system of remote and office work. The number of those working fully remote was much lower, at just 8.5%.
These numbers might not seem that large, especially with the fully remote percentage being under 10%, but before the pandemic, remote work or working from home was largely unheard of in Japan. Although the word “telework” (テレワーク) was introduced to Japan in the 2000s, and was growing in use in the late 2010s, before the pandemic, using the word telework or remote work (リモートワーク) may have got you some questioning looks. Now the usage is so popular you’ll get questioning looks if you don’t know what it is.
Before then, you were unlikely to come across a Japanese national who was working from home as their main form of work. Most digital nomads in Japan would have been international residents or visitors, mainly earning their wage from a country outside of Japan.
Now, with the borders still most closed, digital nomads in Japan are becoming more normal from within the country, and there has even been an increase in the number of freelancers working in Japan.
Somewhat surprisingly, given their preference for traditions and systems that have been tried and tested over many years, a number of high-status Japanese firms have begun to welcome remote work.
In fact, Yahoo! Japan, one of the largest domestic companies in the country, has recently announced that they will allow their employees to work from anywhere in Japan from April 2022. The system, which Yahoo! is calling the “doko demo office” (anywhere office), aims to allow more flexibility and a focus on remote work. In their press release they stated that they hoped to improve the wellbeing of their 8000 employees. Many of the employees noted that their productivity was unaffected or, in fact, increased from working at home during the pandemic.
Yahoo!’s announcement comes after restrictions and remote work has been the norm for about two years, and the “doko demo office” largely reflects an acceptance of this style of working. Many offices around Tokyo and the rest of Japan saw drastic changes at the start of the pandemic that are still in place, and do not have much intention of changing. For example, a well-known restaurant listing website, Gurunavi, announced in 2020 that it reduced its office size by 40%. Other companies doing the same have likely realized the benefits of downsizing and saving on office rental costs, too.
Services and Accommodation Options for Digital Nomads in Japan
If you’re intending to work in Japan as a digital nomad yourself, there is a wide variety of accommodation options available to you.
However, if you are not yet in Japan, make sure to keep up to date with the latest visa information published by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the time of writing, it is not possible to newly enter Japan without a certificate of eligibility provided by a company or education establishment, or in extenuating circumstances. Tourists are currently not allowed into the country.
Overall, there are four main accommodation options for digital nomads in Japan:
- Long term rental (e.g. renting an apartment)
- Coliving services
- “Monthly mansions”
- Short term rentals
Each of these have different benefits and drawbacks, so let’s take a further look.
Long term rental
This is the standard option for most foreigners living in Japan, however, it is most suited to digital nomads who wish to stay in Japan for a long time, as most apartments require a two-year contract.
Pros
- Own space
- Truly living in Japan
- No concerns about sharing kitchens and bathrooms
- No concerns about prices changing within the contract
Cons
- Pricey
- Two-year contracts are common, with hefty early-exit fees
- Tied to one location
- Can be difficult to find an apartment as a foreigner, particularly with no Japanese skills
- Usually requires a fixed full-time job
- Usually does not come furnished
- Often requires hefty upfront costs, such as “key money” (non-refundable deposit)
Useful websites
GaijinPot Apartments – A comprehensive rental service helpful to overseas customers
Leopalace21 – An apartment hunting website that offers overseas applications and fully furnished apartments
Coliving (Shared Houses)
In Japan, coliving spaces are often referred to as “share houses”. These are more flexible than rental apartments, and usually have shorter contracts. They usually come fully or mostly furnished, and you will have your own space but share the kitchen, bathroom, and living areas. Depending on where you are in Japan, these are mostly populated by foreign residents. These are great options for digital nomads in Japan, because you have the flexibility of a shorter contract, and the opportunity to meet new people. Sometimes, the share house company might also allow you to move to another share house within their group for minimal moving fees.
Pros
- Shorter contracts, meaning more flexibility
- Lower rent
- Often fully furnished
- Opportunities to meet new people
- Sometimes host events and gatherings
- Usually welcoming to non-Japanese residents
Cons
- Not entirely your own space
- Some share houses may have thin walls
- Usually the rooms are much smaller than an apartment
- Not sure who you will be living with
Useful websites
ADDress – (Japanese only) a service offering many homes all around Japan, and the ability to move freely between them with a membership
Coliving.com – A coliving website offering accommodation around the globe
Sakura House – A Japan-based service catering to foreigners looking to live in Japan
“Monthly Mansions” and Short term rentals
The last option available to digital nomads in Japan also has the widest range; short term rentals. Short term rentals come in all shapes and sizes, from Airbnb to the Japan-specific “monthly mansions”. However, “monthly mansions” is a bit misleading. It might conjure up images of celebrities swapping large mansions, but in fact “mansion” in Japan refers to an apartment building.
Pros
- Flexible and short term contracts
- Minimal or no upfront costs
- Fully furnished
- Option to live alone or with others
- Wide range of available spots
Cons
- Can be pricey
- May not feel like home
- Often strict living rules (no parties etc.)
- May not be available for the entirety of your stay
Useful websites
Kanguaroo – Apartments around Japan with 7 day and 30 day rental packages
Tokyo Monthly 21 – Monthly apartments in Tokyo
GaijinPot Apartments (“short term” filter) – A comprehensive rental service helpful to overseas customers
Airbnb – global company with a variety of different houses and accommodation options
Coworking Spaces in Japan
With the rise of digital nomads and location-independent workers in Japan, the number of coworking spaces around the country have also started to increase. These coworking spaces, or “flexible offices”, offer a number of different packages, and are most common within Tokyo. The price plans can range from a single hour to a recurring monthly or annual membership. You can use them simply as a space to put down your laptop and get some work done, or choose to use the space as your own office. If you choose to use it as your office, many coworking spaces allow you to register your company address there, and to send and receive mail, as well as all the usual services you might expect at a business office.
Take a look at our article about coworking spaces in Tokyo here for recommendations.
What’s it Like Being a Digital Nomad in Japan
Japan makes for an amazing destination for digital nomads and travelers alike. Although the current border restrictions make things difficult, this may well ease up by the end of the year, allowing more freedom of movement.
With its rich history and deep culture alongside its high-rise buildings and funky contemporary fashion, there is so much to gain from a visit to Japan. But there are also some things to be aware of before you make you travel arrangements.
Advantages to being a digital nomad in Japan
Low cost of living
Japan is not as expensive as many think. Although the initial flight costs can be quite steep, if you don’t spend much time on the bullet trains, or shopping for big-name brands in Ginza, you’ll be able to get along just fine. It’s not hard to find share houses (coliving space) in central Tokyo costing as little as 50,000 yen (400 USD) per month.
Convenient
Japan’s transport is known for its efficiency, and it’s also incredibly convenient. You can get virtually anywhere by public transport (even if that does mean 5 different buses to get to that shrine by the mountain). There are also a lot of convenience stores all around the country, even in places you least expect. So you’ll never be without a bottle of water.
Full of attractions
There are so many gorgeous gardens, parks, and historic sites to explore in Japan. Even within Tokyo’s city center, it’s not long before you come across one. Explore further outside of Tokyo and so much adventure awaits.
Things to keep in mind as a digital nomad in Japan
Language barrier
In Tokyo, most establishments will offer some kind of English, even if it’s quite broken. However, outside of Tokyo and the major cities like Kyoto and Osaka, you’ll find less and less English available.
Wi-Fi Connectivity outside of big cities
Although the more rural areas outside of the major cities in Japan are beautiful and definitely worth visiting, you’ll be hard pressed to find good wi-fi and connectivity in these areas, making work for digital nomads quite difficult. Make sure to bring a pocket wi-fi if you venture to these areas.
In Conclusion
The number of remote workers, and subsequently services for those remote workers, is constantly increasing in Japan. While the digital nomad scene is still not as advanced as some other countries, it’s certainly a good option if you plan in advance.