Should digital nomads flock to Tokyo as the cold months continue? A new analysis rates the city a prime location for working during the winter, ranking it highly for its public transit and relative safety.
The analysis by PR agency Reboot Online looked at a number of factors for digital nomads, such as average temperature, average Internet download speed, average AirBnB price per night, price of meals, the number of co-working spaces available, and the percent of the population with close proximity to publish transit.
Tokyo ranked 7th overall in the ratings, buoyed heavily by its proximity to public transit score of 82.4% as well as its low price per meal (USD $6.30). It also boasts a large number (142) of available co-working spaces and bookable offices.
In terms of safety, Japan ranked number two with a score of 89%. That puts it only behind Singapore. Safety was measured by the global residence index, which includes factors such as homicide rate, global peace index, and natural disaster risk.
Tokyo did less well in AirBnB count, with only 13,725 units available by Reboot’s count. That isn’t surprising, as the 2018 crackdown on house share rentals led to many cities in Tokyo passing strict regulations on AirBnB operations.
The top three cities for digital nomads, according to Reboot, are Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok, and Buenos Aires. Rio ranked high for its warm 23.8C average winter temperature and its citywide 5G coverage. Bangkok, meanwhile, placed high due to strong wifi, low AirBnB cost, and a ton of stunning tourist attractions.
Yes, Japan has a digital nomad visa – but there are catches
That raises the question: Can you legally be a digital nomad in Japan? The answer is: it’s complicated.
Japan grants short-term stay visa exemptions for 71 countries, making it easy to stay in the country for up to six months a year. There’s active debate over whether you can work remotely on a visitor visa. General consensus is that it’s allowable, as it’s akin to working on a business trip. Local governments here have been enticing digital nomads for years, which means this arrangement has at least tacit approval from the powers that be.
If you’re from a qualifying country, you can apply for a digital nomad visa. The visa allows visitors from 46 countries to perform remote work for up to six months. The catches? You need to make over 10 million yen ($68,000) a year and have a private health insurance plan. The visa also doesn’t extend to family members and can’t be renewed until you’ve been out of the country for six months.
Overall, Japan’s digital nomad visa is a pretty raw deal. Nomads might find it easier to settle in Twaian, whose three-year digital nomad visa includes health insurance, family visas, and a path to residency.
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