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Tokyo

Japan

Tokyo disorients, then wins you over: a megacity of unbelievable safety and cleanliness, where children gain an autonomy unthinkable elsewhere. The French community is long-established, from Kagurazaka to the lycée in Takinogawa.

Currency
Yen (¥)
Language
Japanese
Time vs Paris
7 to 8h ahead
Emergencies
119 (ambulance), 110 (police)

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Association des Français du Japon (AFJ)

Since 1951

Founded in 1951, the AFJ is the oldest Accueil in the FIAFE network: a monthly welcome breakfast at the French embassy, year-round workshops, a weekly newsletter and a big back-to-school café with the whole francophone community.

Where to meet them

Welcome breakfast once a month at the French embassy (Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku).

What they offer

  • Monthly welcome breakfast at the French embassy
  • Big back-to-school café in September
  • Sports, art, well-being and Japanese immersion workshops
  • Weekly newsletter and practical guide

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Japon

    The UFE chapter in Japan, based in Tokyo, organises talks and gatherings, often at the Institut français du Japon.

  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Tokyo

    The Tokyo section supports French residents of Japan with their paperwork and runs a francophone solidarity second-hand bookshop.

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

CCI France Japon (CCIFJ)

The leading European chamber in Japan, based in Tokyo, with a member directory, job offers and many networking events to help a spouse find work and the family settle in.

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

Before you even land in Tokyo, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.

  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Tokyo Sayonara Sale☑

    👥 181,200 members · ≈ 729 posts/week

  • Public In English

    For Foreigners Living In Japan

    👥 164,500 members · ≈ 66 posts/week

  • Public In English

    Foreigner living in Japan

    👥 49,400 members · ≈ 27 posts/week

  • Public In English

    Tokyo International Friends & Events / 東京国際交流会

    👥 44,600 members · ≈ 19 posts/week

  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Expats in Tokyo

    👥 43,500 members · ≈ 73 posts/week

  • 🔒 Private In English

    Tokyo Expat Network (TEN)

    👥 39,600 members

  • Public In French

    Francais au Japon (Working holiday, PVT, résidents...)

    👥 34,500 members · ≈ 58 posts/week

  • Public In English

    Foreigners in Tokyo

    👥 33,000 members · ≈ 12 posts/week

  • Public In French

    LE CERCLE DES FRANCAIS A TOKYO

    👥 24,700 members · ≈ 24 posts/week

  • Public In French

    Français-Japonais Langue Echange

    👥 17,200 members · ≈ 15 posts/week

  • Public In French

    Les Français de Tokyo

    👥 11,400 members · ≈ 6 posts/week

  • 🔒 Private In French

    Les Français à Tokyo / 東京のフランス人

    👥 8,500 members · ≈ 7 posts/week

💬 Explore the full group directory

Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic
  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

The Lycée français international de Tokyo gathers the whole French curriculum on its Takinogawa campus, nursery to baccalaureate. Around it, Japanese public school is a real immersion option for younger children.

Good to know

  • LFI Tokyo (AEFE-affiliated) teaches about 1,550 pupils: apply ahead, from France if possible.
  • Japanese public school is free, demanding and highly structured: immersion works well in early years.
  • Mind the local calendar: the Japanese school year starts in April (the LFI follows the French rhythm).
  • English-language international schools abound but are pricey; Japanese stays secondary there.

Children's healthcare

Japanese healthcare is excellent and affordable: national health insurance covers 70% of costs, and many municipalities make care free for children.

Good to know

  • Register for health insurance (kokumin kenkō hoken or employer scheme) at the city hall on arrival.
  • Most Tokyo wards reimburse the remaining share of children's care.
  • English-speaking clinics and a few French-speaking doctors practise around Hiroo and Minami-Azabu.
  • 119 covers ambulance and fire; the hospital system is highly reliable.

French-speaking community

Kagurazaka, the historic French quarter around the Institut français, remains the beating heart of the community: bakeries, bookshops and francophone cafés. The AFJ has federated it all since 1951.

Good to know

  • The AFJ (FIAFE network) has welcomed newcomers for over 70 years.
  • Kagurazaka and the Institut français du Japon concentrate francophone cultural life.
  • Families often settle around Hiroo, Minami-Azabu, Kagurazaka or near the lycée in Kita-ku.
  • The Français du monde solidarity bookshop recycles French-language books.

Family outings and events

Tokyo with kids is organised enchantment: huge parks, trains on time, interactive museums and a cherry-blossom season that turns every park into a family festival.

Good to know

  • Ueno (zoo + museums) and Yoyogi are the weekend classics; spring hanami is unforgettable.
  • teamLab, the Ghibli Museum (book far ahead) and Disney complete the toolkit.
  • Children commute to school alone from primary age: an autonomy that changes family life.
  • Matsuri (neighbourhood festivals) punctuate summer: yukata, stalls and drums for the kids.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

The arrival reflex

The apps to download when you land

Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Tokyo uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.

Getting around

  • Suica

    Tokyo's transit card gone digital: add it to Apple Wallet, top up from the app, and tap to pay at the konbini too.

    App Store Google Play

  • Yahoo!乗換案内 (Yahoo Transit)

    The journey planner all of Tokyo swears by: to-the-second timetables, right platform, right car; Japanese only, so keep Google Maps as a backup at first.

    App Store Google Play

  • GO

    Japan's number one taxi app: a cab in minutes, in-app payment, a lifesaver on rainy evenings or with a pushchair in tow.

    App Store Google Play

  • LUUP

    Shared e-bikes and e-scooters on nearly every street corner; perfect for short hops between two metro stations.

    App Store Google Play

Food delivery

  • Uber Eats

    Tokyo's delivery leader: huge choice, an English interface, and a blessing while Japanese menus are still a mystery.

    App Store Google Play

  • Demae-can (出前館)

    Japan's homegrown delivery giant, often cheaper than Uber Eats; plenty of neighbourhood restaurants deliver only through it.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Amazon

    Amazon Japan often delivers same day, and Amazon Fresh covers much of Tokyo for fresh groceries.

    App Store Google Play

  • Rakuten Mart (楽天マート)

    Rakuten's online supermarket: reliable delivery slots across greater Tokyo, with Rakuten points earned on every order.

    App Store Google Play

  • Coop Deli (コープデリ)

    The co-op families swear by: weekly home delivery, baby products, and reduced delivery fees for parents with little ones.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • LINE

    Japan's messaging app: school groups, appointments, local shops, everything runs on LINE; install it before you even land.

    App Store Google Play

  • PayPay

    The most widely accepted QR payment app: works almost everywhere, handy for paying a friend back or shopping at the market.

    App Store Google Play

  • Tabelog (食べログ)

    Japan's restaurant bible: ratings are strict but reliable; anything above 3.5, you can book with your eyes closed.

    App Store Google Play

  • Mercari (メルカリ)

    Japan's flea market app: kids' clothes, pushchairs, furniture; Tokyo mums buy and resell just about everything on it.

    App Store Google Play

  • Too Good To Go

    Grab surprise bags of unsold food at half price near your home or station: bakeries, konbini and cafés all take part across Tokyo.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Tokyo guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Tokyo page first.