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Helpful Resources for Everyday Life

Curated, reliable information to help you navigate daily life in Tokyo — from emergencies to healthcare, finance, and beyond.

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Emergency & Safety

Earthquake preparedness, evacuation plans, emergency contacts

Emergency preparedness resources

Emergency preparedness in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the world's most earthquake-prepared cities, but knowing the systems and where to turn in an emergency can make a critical difference. The resources below cover everything from 72-hour kit preparation to disaster-management app guides.

All residents — including foreign nationals — are encouraged to register their local ward office and understand the nearest designated evacuation area (避難場所).

Tokyo Disaster Prevention Guide

The official bilingual handbook issued by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government covering earthquake response, typhoon preparedness, and evacuation procedures. Available in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages.

Safety Tips App (JNTO)

A multilingual disaster-information app provided by Japan Tourism Agency. Sends push notifications for earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and volcanic activity in real time.

Emergency Phone Numbers in Japan

Fire and ambulance: 119. Police: 110. Disaster information hotline (Tokyo): #7119. Non-emergency police consultation (English): 03-3501-0110. Save these contacts before an emergency occurs.

Suginami Ward Evacuation Area Map

An interactive map showing all designated evacuation shelters, temporary housing zones, and hazard-risk areas within Suginami-ku. Updated after each municipal review.

72-Hour Emergency Kit Checklist

A practical checklist covering water, food, first-aid supplies, important documents, cash, and communication tools to keep on hand in case of sudden evacuation or extended outage.

Foreign Residents Disaster Support Network

A community network in Tokyo offering multilingual disaster support, volunteer coordination, and translation services during and after emergencies. Includes a 24-hour helpline for non-Japanese speakers.

Financial Guidance

Banking, pensions, taxes, insurance, and household finances

Financial planning in Japan

Navigating finances in Japan

Managing finances in Japan involves navigating public pension systems, national health insurance, municipal taxes, and unique banking practices. These resources are designed to help residents at every stage — from opening a first bank account to filing annual tax returns.

Foreign residents should pay particular attention to resident tax (住民税) obligations and My Number (マイナンバー) requirements.

Opening a Bank Account as a Foreign Resident

Step-by-step guidance on opening a Japanese bank account, including required documents (residence card, My Number, passport), recommended banks for English support, and Japan Post Bank options.

National Pension System (Kokumin Nenkin) Guide

Explains mandatory enrollment requirements for residents aged 20–59, monthly contribution amounts, exemption and reduction procedures for low-income applicants, and lump-sum withdrawal options for departing foreign residents.

Filing Your Income Tax Return (Kakutei Shinkoku)

A plain-language overview of Japan's income tax filing season (February–March), who must file, how to use the e-Tax system, and where to get free filing assistance at the local tax office.

National Health Insurance (Kokuho) Overview

Explains premium calculation, enrollment requirements, what is covered (70% cost-share), high-cost medical expense reimbursement, and how to switch to employment-based insurance when starting a new job.

My Number Card — Uses and How to Apply

Covers the practical uses of the My Number (マイナンバー) card — including health insurance linkage, online government procedures, and convenience store printing — plus application steps through the local ward office.

Healthcare & Wellness

Hospitals, clinics, checkups, and health support services

Japan's healthcare system is world-class, but navigating it — especially in a second language — can feel daunting. These resources cover finding English-speaking clinics, understanding the hospital referral system, and accessing preventive health checkups available through your ward.

Finding English-Speaking Clinics in Tokyo

A curated directory of general practitioners, specialists, and dental clinics in Tokyo with English-speaking staff. Includes phone numbers, locations, and whether walk-ins are accepted.

Annual Municipal Health Checkups (Kenko Shindan)

Explains free or subsidized annual health screening programs available to Tokyo residents through their ward office, including metabolic syndrome tests, cancer screenings, and dental checkups.

After-Hours and Emergency Medical Care

What to do when you need urgent care outside regular clinic hours. Covers the #7119 nurse consultation line, Tokyo Metropolitan Telemedicine service, and 24-hour emergency hospitals in the Suginami area.

Understanding Pharmacies and Medications in Japan

A guide to Japanese drugstore (薬局) culture, prescription vs. over-the-counter differences, and how to identify equivalent medications for common foreign prescriptions. Includes tips for communicating with pharmacists.

Child Health and Vaccination Schedule in Tokyo

Covers the publicly funded vaccination schedule for children in Japan, the "Boshi Kenko Techo" (Mother and Child Health Handbook), and how to access pediatric clinics through your ward health center.

Everyday Utilities

Electricity, gas, water, internet, waste disposal

Setting up and managing utilities in Tokyo is straightforward once you understand the providers and procedures. Below are guides to help you get connected, manage costs, and follow local rules for waste separation and recycling.

Setting Up Utilities When Moving In

Step-by-step guide for starting electricity (TEPCO), gas (Tokyo Gas), and water (Tokyo Waterworks Bureau) services, including contact numbers, application methods, and typical timelines.

Garbage and Recycling Rules in Suginami-ku

Detailed sorting instructions for burnable, non-burnable, plastic, and oversized waste. Includes Suginami collection day schedules by neighborhood, and how to purchase approved garbage bags.

Home Internet and Broadband Options

Comparison of major internet providers available in central Tokyo (NURO, SoftBank Hikari, NTT Flets), typical contract lengths, installation timelines, and pocket WiFi as a short-term alternative.

Getting Around: IC Cards and Commuter Passes

How to purchase and use a Suica or Pasmo IC card, set up a monthly commuter pass (定期券), and plan routes using the HyperDia or Google Maps for Japan's train and bus networks.

Registering Your Address at the Ward Office

All residents must register their address (住民登録) within 14 days of moving. This guide explains the process, required documents, and how the juuminhyo residence certificate is used for other administrative procedures.

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Free Download

Tokyo Living Essentials Guide

Our comprehensive PDF guide brings together the most important information for everyday life in Tokyo — covering utilities, healthcare, finances, emergency preparedness, and community resources in one convenient download.

PDF • English • Updated April 2026