Japan for nomads

[Updated July 2026] From the pink-hued countryside in cherry blossom season to snow-capped Mount Fuji to the flickering neon signs of Tokyo, Japan is a mesmerizing country.

Japan is for foodies, nature and outdoor lovers, culturally interested travelers, tech enthusiasts, and those seeking a place where history and modernity coexist.

The constitutional monarchy consists of nearly 4,000 islands, which are covered by mountains and lush forests, and are home to diverse wildlife. It is home to giant world-class technology and celebrated innovations.

Did you know that the first geishas were men?

🌱 Travel health insurance for Japan

🇯🇵 Entry requirements for Japan

• Valid visa: Japan has visa-exemption agreements with 74 countries and regions (including the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, and Australia), allowing a visa-free stay of up to 90 days. If your country isn't on that list, you need to apply for a visa before arrival — this includes, but isn't limited to, passport holders of China, Russia, the CIS countries, Ukraine, Georgia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Check the official list of visa-exempt countries to confirm your status.
• Travel health insurance: The government highly recommends having international travel insurance before entering Japan.

✈️ How to get to Japan

• Plane: Japan serves several international airports. The most important airports are Tokyo and Osaka. Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo is the largest international airport, located 60 kilometers east of the city. Southwest of Osaka, there is Kansai International Airport (KIX). Kansai International Airport is your best option when traveling to Kyoto.
• Airport transfer: Get the Japan Rail Pass and hop on an express train. Tokyo and Osaka are around 45 to 55 minutes away from their airports.

🏡 How to find a place

• Dash: The site offers furnished apartments, rooms, and coliving options, currently only in Tokyo, but worth checking.
• Airbnb: Plenty of availability is found on Airbnb, and it is very common to book a stay through Airbnb. If you are looking for Airbnb deals, sign up for RemoteBase to receive discounted Airbnb stays twice a month.

🚌 Public transport in Japan

• Train: Purchase the Japan Rail Pass, a multi-use ticket valid on all trains, including Shinkansen and Narita Express. You can select passes for 7, 14, and 21 days.
• Metro: Most major cities in Japan have an extensive metro network, such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. A 24-hour Tokyo Metro & Toei subway pass costs ¥1,000 (about €5.40). In Kyoto, a subway-only day pass is ¥800 (about €4.30), or ¥1,100 (about €5.90) if you want subway and bus combined. Osaka's Enjoy Eco Card day pass is ¥820 on weekdays (about €4.40).
• Bus: City buses are a good and reliable way to get around. Many cities offer buses that drive along a sightseeing route.
• Taxi: For some hidden spots, you can take a taxi, which is mainly available in front of all train stations and airports, and at major junctions. For non-Japanese speakers, it is advisable to have the Japanese address of your destination on paper or marked on a map. Japanese generally will not take advantage of their clients; however, English-speaking taxi drivers are not very common. It costs around €3 (¥400) to €5 (¥700) for a 1-2 km distance. Every additional 500 meters costs €0.70.
• Bicycles: Biking is a fun, healthy, and affordable way to explore Japanese cities. Many hotels and hostels provide free bikes for their guests or rent them for €7- €10 per day.

🏘 Where to stay in Tokyo

• Shibuya: The famous Shibuya district is a popular, centrally located area to stay. You have all the facilities you need within walking distance. As space is scarce and expensive in Japan, monthly rents can reach €3,500 for a single room.
• Nippori: The district is popular among students. Lower prices mean lower living standards and lower building quality. The monthly rent is reasonable, around €1,500.
• Meguro: Meguro is a great mix of residential, commercial, and cultural neighborhoods. You can find art galleries, museums, and parks along the Meguro River.

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Tokyo

Coworking spaces

• Blink Smart Co Work Space: A go-to coworking space in Tokyo is Blink Smart Co Work at Roppongi. Based in the heart of Tokyo, the community-driven space focuses on its international community, fresh coffee, and delicious food. A monthly membership is available for €211.
• .andwork Shibuya: A creative coworking space in Jinnan, a 6-minute walk from Shibuya Station, with an open coworking floor, a lounge with free evening beer, a shared kitchen, and private phone booths. Drop-in starts at ¥1,100/hour (about €6) or ¥3,300/day (about €18), with monthly plans from ¥16,000 for night-and-weekend access up to ¥34,000 for unlimited (about €86-€184).
• Creative Lounge MOV: A member-based work lounge on the 8th floor of Shibuya Hikarie, directly connected to Shibuya Station, with a roughly 150-seat open coworking area, bookable meeting rooms, and a rotating gallery space. Drop-in access to the Open Lounge starts around ¥1,100/hour (about €6).

Coffee shops

• Cafe Salvador: The mix of café and coworking space offers comfortable seating, tasty food, and refreshing drinks. A day pass is €13. The prices include drinks and fast wifi.
• Streamer Coffee Company (Nakameguro): A stylish coffee shop along the Meguro River with floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of laptop-friendly seating, and known latte art. Open daily 8:30 am–7 pm.
• Good Sound Coffee (Nakameguro): A design-forward café built around a 60-speaker sound system, with indoor and outdoor seating, plenty of outlets, and reliable wifi, a 5-minute walk from Nakameguro Station. Open daily 8 am–11 pm.
• Lattest: A quiet, laptop-friendly espresso bar in Shibuya's Jingumae/Omotesando district, a sister café to Streamer Coffee, with free wifi and usually plenty of seating outside peak hours.

🏘 Where to stay in Osaka

• Tennoji: Tennoji has a rich residential history and is home to Shitennoji, Osaka's oldest temple. If you are looking for budget-friendly accommodation and an authentic Japanese lifestyle, with trendy cafés nearby, consider Tennoji.
• Kita: The northern district is renowned for being the business hub, characterized by tall, modern skyscrapers and luxurious office buildings. You can find shopping malls, retail, restaurants, and entertainment here. The area is pedestrian-friendly and well connected to public transportation.

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Osaka

Coworking spaces

• Osakan Space: The community-focused coworking space is located in Osaka's bustling business district, next to the central Honmachi station. The team fosters a growing community, with community lunches and social activities such as potluck parties, creative workshops, and IT sessions. You can purchase a monthly pass for €115.
• The Deck: The coworking space, directly connected to Sakaisuji Honcho Station, is a modern two-floor coworking space with an open working area, a DIY space featuring a 3D printer or laser cutter, and lounge areas for napping or simply relaxing. A monthly membership costs €100.

Coffee shops

• &Island: The industrial-style café has sandwiches and coffee specialties on its menu, which you can enjoy on its terrace or inside. The view is amazing, and you will also have plenty of seating options, power sockets, and fast Wi-Fi.
• YARD Coffee & Craft Chocolate: A quiet specialty coffee shop and chocolate roaster in Tennoji/Chausuyama, popular with remote workers for its calm atmosphere and quality brews. Open 10 am-6 pm, closed Tuesdays.
• WIRED CAFÉ (LUCUA Osaka): A spacious, 112-seat café on the 7th floor of LUCUA 1100, directly connected to Osaka Station, with free Wi-Fi and even tablet rentals available. A reliable, central option right in the heart of Kita.
• Hayama Coffee (Umeda): A two-floor, light-filled independent café in Umeda popular for working and studying. Check their Instagram (@hayama_umeda) and the Tabelog link above are the best sources for current hours.

🏘 Where to stay in Kyoto

• Nakagyo (Kawaramachi-Sanjo): Kyoto's central downtown core, with two subway lines crossing here, dense shopping and nightlife around Nishiki Market, and a low-rise skyline that keeps the classic Kyoto feel. Very walkable, but expect heavy tourist foot traffic.
• Demachiyanagi: A laid-back riverside neighborhood where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, locals hang out on the grassy riverbank, and the covered Demachi Masugata arcade has indie bookshops and cafes. Quieter and more local than downtown.
• Nishijin: Kyoto's historic textile-weaving district, full of narrow alleys and machiya townhouses converted into cafes and galleries. More residential and affordable than downtown, and home to Impact Hub Kyoto (below).

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Kyoto

Coworking spaces

• .andwork Kyoto: A hotel-hybrid coworking space in Nakagyo (inside The Millennials Kyoto, 5 minutes from Kawaramachi/Sanjo), explicitly built around a global community of hotel guests and coworkers. Free coffee, evening happy hour, showers. Drop-in from ¥700/hour or ¥2,000/day; monthly plans from ¥15,000 (about €81) plus a one-time ¥5,000 membership fee.
• Impact Hub Kyoto: Part of the global Impact Hub network (60+ cities worldwide), based in a renovated former telephone exchange in Nishijin with tatami rooms and a garden. Runs on an hour-bank system: ¥3,000/month for 30 hours, up to ¥25,000/month for unlimited hours. Open Mon–Fri, 10:00–20:00.

Coffee shops

• FabCafe Kyoto: Part of the global FabCafe creative community network, located in Shimogyo near downtown. Coworking-style desks, power outlets, and fast wifi, plus on-site laser cutters and 3D printers for maker projects. Open Tue–Sat, 11:00–18:00.
• Cafe Bibliotic Hello!: A converted machiya in Nakagyo packed with books and greenery, widely known as a laptop-friendly spot to settle in for hours. Open daily, 11:30–23:00.
• Sarasa Nishijin (Tabelog): A former 1930s public bathhouse in Nishijin, its original tilework still intact, with around 49 seats and free wifi — people linger here to work.

🏘 Where to stay in Fukuoka

• Tenjin: Fukuoka's commercial and business heart, dense with shopping, transit, and increasingly coworking spaces. Very central and convenient, though it can feel touristy for longer stays.
• Daimyo: The trendy district next to Tenjin, full of boutiques, galleries, and cocktail bars. Home to Fukuoka Growth Next, the city's startup incubator, giving it a genuine creative/startup identity rather than just aesthetics.
• Hakata: The station and transit hub district, more practical than hip, with direct Shinkansen and airport access via Hakata Station, and Canal City mall nearby.

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Fukuoka

Coworking spaces

• CIC Fukuoka: The Fukuoka outpost of Cambridge Innovation Center, a global startup-campus operator with locations in Boston, Tokyo, Rotterdam, and Berlin. Opened in 2025 in Tenjin, directly connected to Tenjin Station — 3,500m² with 40 coworking seats and strong international-founder programming. Open coworking desks run around ¥74,800/month.
• The Company (Mina Tenjin): Fukuoka's biggest coworking operator, with 4 Fukuoka locations covered under one pass and a dedicated Digital Nomad Pass offering 24-hour access, multilingual staff (English/Korean/French/German), and a nomad community channel. Pass pricing from ¥8,000/week.
• Engineer Cafe: A public-private tech hub in a restored 1909 red-brick building near Tenjin, part of Fukuoka's official "Engineer Friendly City" push. Drop-in coworking is free. Open daily, 9:00–22:00.

Coffee shops

• Excelsior Caffe (Tenjin Watanabedori): A reliable chain cafe a minute from Tenjin Station with wifi and outlets. Open daily, 7:00–22:00 — note some locations cap seating at 90 minutes when busy.
• Lamp Light Books Hotel: A book-themed hotel in Daimyo with a 24-hour ground-floor cafe/bookstore that welcomes non-guests — a good option for odd-hours work, with a notably international crowd.
• Coffee Sarute: A quiet, old-school kissaten in the basement of the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce building in Hakata, with an English menu. Open Mon–Fri 7:30–18:00, Sat 8:30–17:00.

🏘 Where to stay in Nagasaki

Worth knowing before you pick a base: Nagasaki Prefecture runs Digital Nomad Nagasaki, Japan's first prefecture-backed nomad residency program. The 2026 round opens applications July 1, selecting 20 participants for a month-long, contribution-based residency (Oct–Nov) with accommodation, local transport, and coworking access covered.

• Nagasaki Station / Stadium City: The newly redeveloped transit hub, with the Shinkansen terminal, Amu Plaza mall, and Nagasaki Stadium City (home to the city's biggest coworking space, below) all within walking distance. The most convenient, if least "old Nagasaki," base.
• Hamamachi / Shianbashi: The historic downtown core, Hamamachi's covered arcade for shopping and castella sweets, and Shianbashi just south for izakayas and nightlife. Central and walkable to everything.
• Dejima / Chinatown / harbor: A slower-paced, scenic waterfront area around the reconstructed Dejima trading post and Shinchi Chinatown, with harbor-view cafes at Dejima Wharf. Also home to Nagasaki's startup-community hub, CO-DEJIMA.

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Nagasaki

Coworking spaces

• WORK@NAGASAKI: Nagasaki's largest coworking space, inside Nagasaki Stadium City, with 1,330 m² and 320 seats, offering panoramic city views. Day pass ¥1,980, monthly from ¥10,000 (about €54). Open daily, 7:30–22:30.
• CO-DEJIMA: A prefecture-backed startup hub in the Dejima harbor area, part of an international open-innovation network alongside SALT Fukuoka and Shibuya QWS Tokyo. Working space and events are free with membership registration.
• Diagonal Run Nagasaki: A general coworking space right at the entrance to Shianbashi, with street-view seating over the tram line. Drop-in around ¥550/hour or ¥1,650/day; monthly desks from ¥15,000–20,000.

Coffee shops

• Starbucks (Amu Plaza Nagasaki): A reliable option by the station, with free Wi-Fi via the Starbucks Japan network. Open daily, 7:30–22:00 — outlets aren't guaranteed at every seat.
• PRONTO Hamamachi: A café-by-day, bar-by-night spot right in the Hamamachi arcade — unusually laptop-friendly for Japan, with power outlets at all 87 seats plus free wifi.
• ATTIC Coffee and Dining (Dejima Wharf): A specialty coffee roaster with harbor views, tied to Nagasaki's history as the birthplace of coffee in Japan. Worth knowing: I couldn't confirm wifi/outlet availability, so treat this as a great coffee stop that may or may not suit a long work session — worth a quick check on arrival.

🚊 How to travel around

Japanese transportation standards are famous worldwide. Public transport is on time and provides high standards of cleanliness and professional service.

• Plane: Domestic Air travel in Japan is dominated by Japan Airlines, which serves over fifty national airports.
• Train: Japan's four major islands have an extensive and reliable railway network. You might have heard of Japan's high-speed Shinkansen trains, running up to 320 km/h. In general, trains are a convenient way for visitors to travel around Japan, especially when using the Japan Rail Pass.

🎖Must see

• Nezu Shrine: Located near Ueno Park in Tokyo, it is one of Japan’s oldest shrines. Nestled in lush greenery, you can walk inside the wooden structure, and if you visit in spring, you might witness marriage ceremonies between the colorful azalea blossoms.
• Senso-ji: Tokyo's oldest and most popular temple is located at the end of a shopping street called Nakamise-dōri. Lush gardens and colorful small halls surround the multi-level pagoda. The entrance is free.
• Memory Lane: Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) in Tokyo, also known as Piss Alley for the lack of toilets during the Second World War, is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, tiny Japanese-style restaurants, and small bars. Nowadays, public restrooms are available.
• Sumo: Sumo tournaments take place over 15 days in January, May, and September each year. Between the tournaments, you can attend training sessions. During one session (1-2  hours), you have to be absolutely quiet. It's definitely worth a visit.
• Osaka Castle: The historic castle was built in 1583 with the help of more than 100,000 workers. After it was destroyed, the building was renovated in 1931 and remains one of the most impressive structures in Osaka. When visiting the castle, you can explore a historical collection of weapons and traditional artwork. The castle is surrounded by citadels, over 600 cherry trees, impressive stone walls, and moats. The closest metro station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokoen Station. The admission fee is 600 yen (€4.24) for the tower and 200 yen (€1.41) for Nishinomaru Garden.
• Dotonbori: Dotonbori is located along the river and is a popular spot for drinks and a night out in Osaka. You will find many cafés and restaurants with roof terraces, as well as venues offering live music or karaoke.
• Onsen: The natural hot springs are very popular among locals and tourists. You can book a full retreat in one of the thousands of resorts throughout Japan.

💡Good to know

• Internet: The average internet speed for fixed broadband in Japan is now around 210-220 Mbps download, among the fastest in the world thanks to widespread fiber-optic coverage.
• SIM card: Recommended prepaid options are available from Japan Wireless or Mobal. Japan Wireless costs around €40 per month. Mobal offers similar prices for a 5 GB package.

• Climate: Japan has four seasons, ranging from subarctic in the north to subtropical in the south. In the north, summers are warm and winters are cold, with temperatures down to 0°C.
• Safety: According to the 2026 Global Peace Index, Japan ranks 10th among the safest countries worldwide.
• Digital nomad community: Tokyo is a good starting point for digital nomads. Easy transport, a largely English-speaking local population, and yet a multicultural population, combined with many coworking options. Osaka is becoming a bigger hub for expats and digital nomads alike.

• Currency: The official currency of Japan is the Yen. As of July 2026, €1 is approximately ¥185 (exchange rates fluctuate, so check a live converter before you travel).

🚧 What to avoid

• Don't mess with chopsticks: When eating the Asian way, remember it's rude to rub chopsticks together before eating. Also, placing chopsticks vertically in your bowl or pointing with them is considered rude.
• Shoes inside: As in many other cultures, too, Japanese homes should be entered without shoes. Usually, slippers will be available.
• Blowing your nose in public: Even before the pandemic hit, it was considered uncouth. People would wear facemasks if they had a cold and blow their noses only in bathrooms or private places.
• Tipping: Japan does not have a tipping culture, as service is typically included in the prices. It can even be considered an insult.
• Pointing with your finger: Pointing at people in Japan is also considered rude, as the Japanese gently wave their hands to indicate directions.
• Using one hand only: Avoid using one hand only when receiving or giving things. The Japanese would always use both hands as a gesture of politeness.

🚴🏻‍♀️ How to stay healthy

Stay active

• Hiking: Japan is an extremely mountainous country, and hiking is a very popular activity. Check out Mount Takao, an easy one-hour hike, only one hour's drive outside Tokyo. Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view of Tokyo and Mount Fuji.
• Relax at a tea garden: What else could be more relaxing after a day of hustle and bustle in Tokyo than a traditional Japanese tea ceremony?
• Onsen: Onsen are natural hot springs popular throughout Japan for relaxation and stress relief. Depending on the mineral composition of the onsen, it is supposed to be helpful for everything from eye disease to assuaging lower back pain.

Health Risks

• Water Quality: Yes, generally you can drink tap water in Japan.
• Air Quality: The air quality in Japan is good.

⚓️ Long stay

If you intend to stay longer in Japan, consider the following options.

• Stay legally for up to 6 months (compared to 90 days on a typical tourist entry)
• Work remotely for overseas companies while enjoying life in Japan
• No Japanese income tax if income is earned abroad and stay is under 183 days
• Get required health insurance with Genki