Nomad guide · 2026Dedicated nomad visa

Japan for digital nomads

Q: Does Japan have a Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes — Japan Digital Nomad Visa. Passport from one of 49 approved countries + income + insurance proof. Apply at a Japanese consulate.

Q: Is the internet good enough to work remotely in Japan?

300 Mbps–1 Gbps fibre standard in urban apartments. Best in the world. Zero outages, zero drama.

Japan finally has a Digital Nomad Visa — but it's short and picky

Japan launched a 6-month Digital Nomad Visa in March 2024. Perfect for a working sabbatical — not for long-term relocation (no residency track, no path to renewal). Internet, safety, and everyday quality of life are unmatched.

Monthly budget

$2,400–3,800 for a solo nomad in Tokyo. Fukuoka is ~30% cheaper.

Internet

300 Mbps–1 Gbps fibre standard in urban apartments. · Best in the world. Zero outages, zero drama.

Timezone

JST (UTC+9). Rough for European daytime meetings, workable for APAC + US West Coast.

The visa

Japan Digital Nomad Visa

6 months (non-renewable, no residency track).

Income requirement: 10 million yen (~$65,000) annual income, with private health insurance.

Passport from one of 49 approved countries + income + insurance proof. Apply at a Japanese consulate.

See full Japan entry rules

Best cities for nomads

Tokyo

Highest density of coworking + English-friendly meetups (Shibuya, Ebisu, Nakameguro).

Fukuoka

Cheaper, walkable, mild climate. Rising nomad hub.

Osaka

Cheaper than Tokyo, best food scene.

Kyoto

Traditional vibe, more temples than coworking — good for 1–2 month stays.

Coworking hubs to try

WeWork Shibuya (Tokyo)The Hive Jinnan (Tokyo)Fabbit FukuokaKyoto Growth Hub

Cost of living breakdown

Item	Typical price
1BR flat (Tokyo)	¥180,000–280,000/mo (~$1,200–1,900)
Coworking day pass	¥3,000–5,000 (~$20–35)
Convenience-store lunch	¥500–900 (~$3.50–6)
Izakaya dinner + drinks	¥4,000–7,000/pp (~$27–47)

Tax reality check

The Digital Nomad Visa keeps you a non-tax-resident (stay is under 6 months). Foreign income is generally not taxed. Consult a Japanese tax advisor if you want to extend.

Pros