Tokyo can be a lot to take in — fast-paced, busy, and full of contrast. But over time, I’ve come to notice the things that make living here a little easier, more convenient, and even comforting 🏙️
It’s not always perfect, but there are definitely aspects of Tokyo life that I’ve grown to appreciate. Here are 5 things I genuinely enjoy about living in Tokyo 🌸
1. It’s Convenient 🚆🗺️🛍️
…at least in Tokyo 😅
The train is always on time (most of the time). Even if there are delays, it’s usually only 2–3 minutes. Long delays do occur if there’s an accident 🚧, harsh weather 🌧️❄️, or an earthquake 🌍
The city is designed so that every convenience store, shop, and restaurant is strategically located inside the train station or within 5–10 minutes walking distance 🚶♀️ You’ll find endless shops at each entrance too! It’s like a treasure hunt, discovering local gems 💎 tucked away in small corners of the train station alleys.
2. There’s Always Something New to Discover 👀
If you go to any famous spot, you’ll definitely find new discoveries and shops 🏬
Tokyo never sleeps 🌃 — there’s always a fresh surprise around the corner. Whether it’s a seasonal product, a limited-time pop-up store, or a new cafe ☕ there’s no such thing as boredom here 🙌
3. You’ll Never Go Hungry 🍙🍜🍢
The 24/7 convenience stores mean you’ll never go hungry 😋 Feel like eating dessert? Family Mart pudding 🍮 will easily satisfy your craving. Need a quick bite? You bet they’ve got all the sandwiches and onigiri 🍙 stocked up for the morning rush hour ☀️🏃♀️
Even ramen shops stay open late 🌙 because eating ramen after drinking 🍻 is totally a thing. And if you go to karaoke 🎤 at midnight, they even serve food and drinks on the menu!
But that also means… gaining weight is inevitable 🙈
4. You Get Some Same Healthcare Benefits as Locals 🏥💉
Those with long-term visas can benefit from Japan’s National Health Insurance 🇯🇵 — getting the same rates as locals 😌 It’s a big plus 🌟 because not many countries offer that to foreign residents.
Depending on the case, prices vary. Here’s a quick comparison table 📊
| Service | Japan (with National Insurance) | Malaysia (Private Clinics) | Australia (Private Clinics) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Visit + Scaling 🦷 | ¥1,100 (~A$11) | RM120–RM250 (~A$40–A$85) | A$99–A$516 |
| Dermatologist 🧴 | ¥1,100–¥4,950 (~A$11–A$45) | RM48–RM1,580 (~A$17–A$550) | A$100–A$580 |
| General Practitioner 🩺 | ¥2,000 (~A$20) | RM60–RM125 (~A$20–A$42) | A$80–A$215 |
| Gynaecologist 👩⚕️ | ¥3,000–¥5,000 (~A$28–A$47) | RM225–RM2,000 (~A$75–A$670) | A$170–A$510 |
My dental visit (scaling + x-ray) cost me ¥3,300 (A$33) in a private clinic in Kita Senju (if it’s just scaling it is ¥1,100 (A$11)) 🦷✨ while in KL it was RM120 (A$40) — excluding x-ray. In Australia, it was A$99 for first-timers, but the original price was A$300 😵💫
While Japan’s insurance is compulsory for long-term temporary resident🧾, it’s still relatively affordable. Private insurance in Australia (like Bupa or Medibank) costs a minimum of A$77/month and that most probably does not cover dental and of course, there will be waiting period before you can claim certain covers 😬 In Japan, the price varies depending on your ward 🏘️, age, income 💼, and household size 👨👩👧👦 There is no waiting period so you can already get the benefits from the first day you start paying.
As an international student, I paid around ¥1,500/month (~A$15) 🧑🎓As for working individual, the minimum is ¥13,000.
Of course, as a Malaysian 🇲🇾, I get more local benefits (eg: visiting public healthcare), so Malaysia remains the cheapest for me. But as a foreign resident, Japan’s system feels way more inclusive than Australia 🇦🇺
Read my👉 What I Learn About Healthcare System While Living Abroad
5. Also Financial Aids from Government 💵📬🏠
Each of Tokyo’s 23 wards has its own local government. And if you’re a resident — even as a foreigner — you can get access to financial aid just like locals 🎉
I received ¥30,000 (A$300) 💰 from Adachi Ward to help with the rising cost of living 🧾🍱 This was because I was exempted from resident tax. Such small gestures really go a long way 💛
Bonus 🌟Customer Service is Mostly Top Notch 👩💼
It’s true — Japan is known for its customer service 🧑💼✨ From convenience store clerks to clinic receptionists, there’s a consistent level of professionalism, respect 🙏, and attention to detail 🧐
Of course, not every interaction is perfect — but most of the time, it feels like people actually care 🥹 Whether it’s buying a snack 🍫, asking for directions, or visiting a clinic, it’s smooth, calm, and polite — and that’s something I’ve really come to appreciate 🙌
Just a personal experience 🗣️ I was rushing towards Haneda Airport ✈️ and asked a train station staff to confirm the correct train heading there (wouldn’t hurt to double confirm!) 🚆 They said the train I planned to board was the right one ✅
A minute later, the staff came back with another alternative that would save me 8 minutes ⏳
Those 8 minutes made a whole lot of difference 😭✨
To wrap it up…
Living in Tokyo has its ups and downs, but these are the small things that have made my experience more enjoyable. Whether it’s the everyday convenience or the sense of discovery around each corner, I’ve learned to appreciate the rhythm of life here in my own way.
✨ What do you love (or think you’d love) about Tokyo? Let me know in the comments or check out the flip side- 👉5 Things that Frustrate Me about Living in Tokyo 😩
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