Have you looked to live in Japan? Well, that’s probably the best time. Japan has announced the launch of a digital nomad visa for remote staff from 49 countries and territories, and Time Out has placed Tokyo and Osaka among its top 50 cities by 2024. If you’re used to costs in New York, Japan may seem less expensive to you.
In its sixth annual list of the world’s most productive cities, Time Out ranks Tokyo eighth, after New York, Cape Town, Berlin, London, Madrid, Mexico City and Liverpool. The authors cite the teamLab Borderless virtual art museum as one of the highlights. It is home to some of the world’s most productive restaurants: Massimo Bottura’s Gucci Osteria, Antwerp’s Le Pristine (Michelin-starred) and MAZ. In addition, it has some of the most punctual public transport, is scrupulously clean and has architecturally designed public toilets of maximum productivity.
Osaka ranked 48th, highlighting the fact that it is known as “the nation’s cuisine” due to its delicious okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) restaurants and kushi-katsu (fried skewers) counters, which would possibly not break the bank.
The Time Out rating is part of a survey of city dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife, as well as how their city makes them feel, from happiness to romance. This data is then cross-referenced with other cities they would like to live in, as well as writers and editors in cities around the world.
It obviously depends on where you currently live, but Tokyo and Osaka rank as relatively inexpensive in terms of cost of living compared to places such as New York City, for instance.
In current Numbeo rankings, both Osaka and Tokyo are about 50% cheaper for cost of living (plus rent) than New York City, and Japan generally has a cost of living that is 24% less than in France.
As an indication, in The Economist’s 2023 ranking of the world’s most expensive cities, New York ranks third along with Geneva (after Zurich and Singapore).
The Digital Nomad visa is part of a move to continue opening up the economy to tourists more generally, as well as to foreign workers—two million already live and work in the country. In 2023, 25 million visitors arrived, which is the largest number since 2019, partly due to the weak Yen, giving arriving tourists more spending power. A large percentage of these were from Singapore and Taiwan, whereas before the pandemic, visitors would have come from China and the U.S.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will receive 60 million visitors a year until 2030, which would involve much higher expenses.
Individuals from the 27 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) are eligible for the Digital Nomad visa.
In addition, they can apply from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as citizens of some other countries in Europe and at the borders of Europe (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, North). Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Türkiye).
However, there are strict rules, especially when it comes to the source of income. Applicants will need to have a steady annual income source of more than 10 million yen (about $63,000) and must come with their own personal health insurance. The country also targets highly professional professionals, especially in the IT field.
Anyone who meets those requirements will be able to stay in Japan for up to six months. Currently, travelers can travel to Japan for 90 days without a visa, but they cannot work legally. The advantage is that your spouses and children can accompany you if they also have personal fitness insurance.
It won’t be possible to set up back-to-back digital nomad visas that allow for longer stays, but you’ll be able to apply for another one after leaving Japan for six months. Visa holders will not be able to apply for residency.
Japan is expected to start granting the digital nomad visa in March 2024.
Since 2020 and the pandemic, more and more countries are offering a type of digital nomad visa: Estonia was one of the first Covid countries, and Canada introduced a six-month digital nomad visa in 2023.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has found that the standard, globally, is between 3 and six months with an option for renewal. The Americas, basically the small island states, will offer 21 programs, while 19 European countries have such programs. , Italy and Macedonia have one. UNWTO also found that in 40% of those countries (such as Albania and Croatia), virtual nomads would not be subject to tax, as at most all other people only have to pay taxes after 183 days in a country.
The UNTWO study did highlight, however, that an influx of Digital Nomads often leads to a huge rise in short-term rental costs, because Nomads can afford to pay higher prices than the local population, causing increased hostility in communities.
I edit our annual Fintech 50 and 30 Under 30 for fintech and have written about corporate leadership and diversity. Prior to Forbes, I worked for ten years in marketing consulting, in roles ranging from consumer consulting to skills management. I am a graduate of Middlebury College and Columbia Journalism School. Do you have any advice, questions or comments?Email me at jkauflin@forbes. com or send me tips securely here: https://www. forbes. com/tips/. Follow me on Twitter @jeffkauflin.
Follow me on Twitter @JeffKauflin or email me at [email protected].
I run our fintech canopy at Forbes and also our crypto canopy. I edit our annual Fintech 50 and 30 Under 30 for fintech and have written about corporate leadership and diversity. Before Forbes, I worked for ten years in marketing consulting, in roles ranging from consumer consulting to skills management. I am a graduate of Middlebury College and the Columbia School of Journalism. Do you have any advice, questions or comments? Email me at jkauflin@forbes. com or securely send me tips here: https://www. forbes. com/tips/. Follow me on Twitter @jeffkauflin.
Follow me on Twitter @JeffKauflin or jkauflin@forbes. com.
I’ve been an award-winning editor and editor for 20 years (adding several as an editor at ForbesLife) and have written about approximately 800 luxury destinations and hotels in 105 countries (counting). I’m insightful but I’m not tired, and I enjoy the hard work that goes into reporting and manufacturing luxury goods. (I’ve written about this as well. ) I’ve shared this wisdom with readers of Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report. , Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Luxury SpaFinder, Well. Good and other publications. On the call of lifestyle journalism, I got a tattoo in Bora Bora, was bitten by a massage therapist, and flew in a small plane over three continents.
I spend part of my life in hotels. I know the difference between true luxury and what is simply overkill and expensive. Follow me on Instagram: @abeltotravel
I’ve been an award-winning editor and editor for 20 years (adding several as an editor at ForbesLife) and have written about approximately 800 luxury destinations and hotels in 105 countries (counting). I’m insightful but I’m not tired, and I enjoy the hard work that goes into reporting and manufacturing luxury goods. (I’ve written about this as well. ) I’ve shared this wisdom with readers of Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report. , Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Luxury SpaFinder, Well. Good and other publications. On the call of lifestyle journalism, I got a tattoo in Bora Bora, was bitten by a massage therapist, and flew in a small plane over three continents.
I spend part of my life in hotels. I know the difference between true luxury and what is simply overkill and expensive. Follow me on Instagram: @abeltotravel
I was born in the U.K. but moved to Norway in 2011 and haven’t looked back. I run a website and podcast about Norway, authored the Moon Norway travel guidebook. I write for Forbes with an outsider’s inside perspective on Norway & Scandinavia, and the latest developments in the global cruise industry.
My latest book, How to Find a Job in Norway, is available now in paperback and eBook. My 450-page travel guidebook, Moon Norway, has been updated for 2019 and is available here.
I was born in the UK, but moved to Norway in 2011 and never looked back. I run an online page and podcast about Norway and am the writer of the Moon Norway guide. I write for Forbes with an outdoor attitude about Norway and Scandinavia, as well as the latest developments in the global cruise industry.
My most recent book, How to Find a Job in Norway, is now available in paperback and electronic format. My 450-page guide, Moon Norway, was updated for 2019 and is available here.
Livia Hengel is a writer, photographer and cultural enthusiast with a penchant for the dolce vita of Los Angeles and a great passion for travel. She is passionate about guilty tourism, sustainable progress and cultural heritage. Livia she is the founder of The Italy Edit, a virtual way of life. magazine. Her writing has appeared in Time Out, The Independent, Fodor’s, Singapore Airlines Magazine and USA Today.
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and keep up to date with my most recent paintings on www. liviahengel. com.
Livia Hengel is a writer, photographer and culture enthusiast with a penchant for Los Angeles la dolce vita and a passion for travel. She is passionate about guilty tourism, sustainable progress and cultural heritage. Livia is the founder of The Italy Edit, a virtual way of life. magazine. His writing has appeared in Time Out, The Independent, Fodor’s, Singapore Airlines Magazine, and USA Today.
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and keep up to date with my most recent paintings on www. liviahengel. com.
After I quit my assignment as a gossip reporter, I hit the road. I’ve traveled to over five 00 countries on every continent (including Antarctica when I was five months pregnant) and have written for media outlets like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel Leisure, the New York Times, and many more. I’ve also been featured on TODAY, MSNBC, and E! for my experience. Follow me on Twitter (@jordilippe) and Instagram (@jordilippe).
Jordi Lippe-McGraw, writer, holistic fitness graduate and author of Well Traveler. Follow her on Instagram at @weller and on Twitter at @jordilippe.
After I quit my assignment as a gossip reporter, I hit the road. I’ve traveled to over five 00 countries on every continent (including Antarctica when I was five months pregnant) and have written for media outlets like Condé Nast Traveler, Travel Leisure, the New York Times, and many more. I’ve also been featured on TODAY, MSNBC, and E! for my experience. Follow me on Twitter (@jordilippe) and Instagram (@jordilippe).
Jordi Lippe-McGraw, writer, holistic fitness graduate and author of Well Traveler. Follow her on Instagram at @weller and on Twitter at @jordilippe.
I’m the editor of Private Jet Card Comparisons, a buyer’s consultant that compares airline card, personal jet charter, and fractional ownership programs. Includes NetJets, Wheels Up and more than 50 suppliers from major players such as Flexjet, Jet Linx, Sentient Jet, VistaJet and XO, as well as new entrants such as FlyExclusive and Volato. I’ve also included a combined FAQ on airline cards and personal jet charter. You’ll find functionality profiles of popular personal jets, from the King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12 and HondaJet turboprops to the Phenom 300, Challenger 350, Gulfstream G450, G550, G650, G700, Bombardier’s popular Global Express circle. of relatives and the iconic Learjet. There is an informal advisor who explains the other options and a beginner advisor and what you want to know before renting. And before you fly, find out what an FBO is. You’ll locate a deal book that catalogs M&A activity and launches across major players. I also publish a weekly luxury newsletter for personal aircraft users, DG Amazing Experiences. I spent my professional career in luxury media and spent 14 years at Travel Agent magazine, where I started as a reporter and then covered the airline industry as aviation editor-in-chief and ended as organization editor. In 2000, I launched Elite Traveler, an internationally distributed customer lifestyle magazine on personal jets, where I served as president and editor-in-chief until 2014. In 2007, I co-authored “The Sky’s the Limit: Marketing to the New Jet Set. ”Array” In 2014, I wrote “23 Ways to Create More Sales Leads in 25 Minutes” and in 2016, I co-wrote “Secrets for Selling to the Super Rich. ” Verb named me one of the 25 most sensible virtual luxury experts to follow. For more personal aviation data and news on jet cards, personal aviation memberships and fractional ownership, visit Private Jet Card Comparison Updates.
Doug Gollan is the editor of DG Amazing Experiences, a weekly newsletter for personal jet owners, and Private Jet Card Comparisons, a purchasing consultant that compares more than 250 airline card programs.
I’m the editor of Private Jet Card Comparisons, a buyer’s consultant that compares airline card, personal jet charter, and fractional ownership programs. Includes NetJets, Wheels Up and more than 50 suppliers from major players such as Flexjet, Jet Linx, Sentient Jet, VistaJet and XO, as well as new entrants such as FlyExclusive and Volato. I’ve also included a combined FAQ on airline cards and personal charter flights. You’ll find functionality profiles of popular personal jets, from the King Air 350, Pilatus PC-12 and HondaJet turboprops to the Phenom 300, Challenger 350, Gulfstream G450, G550, G650, G700, Bombardier’s popular Global Express circle. of relatives and the iconic Learjet. There is an informal advisor who explains the other options and a beginner advisor and what you want to know before renting. And before you fly, find out what an FBO is. You’ll locate a deal book that catalogs M&A activity and launches across major players. I also publish a weekly luxury newsletter for personal aircraft users, DG Amazing Experiences. I spent my professional career in luxury media and spent 14 years at Travel Agent magazine, where I started as a reporter and then covered the airline industry as aviation editor-in-chief and ended as organization editor. In 2000, I launched Elite Traveler, an internationally distributed customer lifestyle magazine on personal jets, where I served as president and editor-in-chief until 2014. In 2007, I co-authored “The Sky’s the Limit: Marketing to the New Jet Set. ”Array” In 2014, I wrote “23 Ways to Create More Sales Leads in 25 Minutes” and in 2016, I co-wrote “Secrets for Selling to the Super Rich. ” Verb named me one of the 25 most sensible virtual luxury experts to follow. For more personal aviation data and news on jet cards, personal aviation memberships and fractional ownership, visit Private Jet Card Comparison Updates.
Doug Gollan is the editor of DG Amazing Experiences, a weekly newsletter for personal jet owners, and Private Jet Card Comparisons, a purchasing consultant that compares more than 250 airline card programs.
I’ve been covering luxury/experiential and elegant dining for 20 years, for Forbes since 2004 and before that for Departures. Lately I’m also contributing to Robb Report and Centurion.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter
I’ve been covering luxury/experiential travel and food for the last 20 years, for Forbes since 2004 and previously for Departures. I’m also currently contributing to the Robb Report and Centurion.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter
Tanya Mohn covers road safety and customer issues for Forbes. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times and has reported for the BBC, NBC News, ABC News, PBS, HBO, and CNBC. He recently won a safety research award from the World Health Organization. Scholarship from the International Center for Journalists and award for his reporting on road protection from the Association for the Safety of International Road Travel (ASIRT). Follow her on Twitter @tanya_mohn.
Mohn writes about travel, culture, and the arts, from virtual nomads to developing considerations about the leading cause of death among healthy Americans abroad: traffic accidents.
Tanya Mohn covers road protection and client issues for Forbes. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times and has reported for the BBC, NBC News, ABC News, PBS, HBO and CNBC. She recently won a safety research award from the World Health Organization. She received a scholarship from the International Center of Journalists and received an award for her reporting on road protection from the Association for the Safety of International Road Travel (ASIRT). Follow her on Twitter @tanya_mohn.
Mohn writes about travel, culture, and the arts, from virtual nomads to developing considerations about the leading cause of death among healthy Americans abroad: traffic accidents.