Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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HomeCoworking Spaces“Gaijin-Friendly” Coworking Spaces for Digital Nomads in Tokyo

“Gaijin-Friendly” Coworking Spaces for Digital Nomads in Tokyo

Japan is an amazing country with a rich history and culture that should be on everyone’s bucket list. However you might be surprised to know that English is not widely spoken, especially in rural areas. If you want start your digital nomad life in Japan, Tokyo is probably the best choice.

Tokyo is full of crazy activities in the day, and amazing bars and neon lights at night. It also has great coworking spaces and cheap restaurants to glide through your working day with ease.

So, if you’re a digital nomad looking to get your work done with a side of Tokyo travel (or perhaps the other way around), here’s a list of gaijin (a casual slang meaning “foreigner”) -friendly coworking spaces in Tokyo.

Check out Top10 Coworking Spaces in Tokyo

Tokyo for digital nomads

What is it that makes Tokyo a great destination for digital nomads? There are so many reasons, but here’s a quick overview:

One of the safest cities in the world

Tokyo secured the 5th position in the Economist’s Safe Cities Index, which evaluates a range of factors including cybersecurity and the efficiency of emergency services.

With safe food, clean water and air, you have nothing to worry about when eating out or exploring the city. But this also affects daily life: In Tokyo, it’s not uncommon to lose a wallet and actually get it back at the police station! Though we wouldn’t recommend testing it out…

Seeing as digital nomads often travel alone, safety is of the utmost importance. Knowing that you’re working in one of the world’s safest cities should help you work stress-free and sleep easy!

Amazing Culture

Japan has an incredibly rich history and unique culture that all travelers should experience once in their life.

This culture can be found in small things, such as their incredible attention to detail that has made its way into modern customer service, all the way to large and vibrant festivals that come alive on national holidays! Beautiful traditional shrines can be found hidden among the likes of Tokyo skyscrapers with their impressive modern architecture, or down quieter streets where you wouldn’t expect them.

It’s also very easy to take part in Japanese culture. You can engulf yourself in modern culture by heading to the bright streets of Harajuku’s Takeshita Dori, or at one of Akihabara’s many arcades. Or go for the more traditional style in Asakusa, where you can visit the gorgeous Kaminarimon or ride in a traditional Jinrikisha (Rickshaw).

In a city known for its modern aesthetic, you might not expect to experience such rich culture, but Tokyo truly is the city where old meets new!

Free and fast WiFi availability

As a digital nomad, it can be pretty difficult to get anything done with unstable internet, or worse – no internet! So you’ll be glad to know that free WiFi is available pretty much everywhere in Tokyo.

There are even dedicated WiFi networks for foreign visitors, such as “Japan. Free Wi-Fi”, or the free app “Japan Connected Wi-Fi” that helps you connect to WiFi at different points of interest.

A lot of chain cafes also offer stable WiFi that you can use for free, though it is often limited to a certain number of hours. So, if you’re looking to work for an extended period of time, you’d be better off heading to one of the coworking spaces below.

You can also rent a pocket WiFi router, if you want to be connected wherever you go during your stay in Japan.Services like Japan Wireless lets you order online in advance and pick up the device at the airport when you arrive.

Top 10 Gaijin-Friendly Coworking Spaces in Tokyo

You wouldn’t want to waste time looking for a good café to work at the moment you’re in Tokyo! It’s best to prepare ahead and search for the best coworking spaces to book, so you know where to stay and receive all the features you need, from fast Internet to your own space to focus. With that said, here are the awesome places you can work in, whether you need it for a few hours a day, or an entire month!

1. Blink Smart Workspace

The Blink Community is an international coworking space that offers everything you need in style. It’s one of the top international coworking spaces in Tokyo, making it the perfect gaijin-friendly work spot!

The coworking space is located in Motoazabu, Minato City, which is just a 7-minute walk from Roppongi station, making it easy to access via public transport. It’s also in a quiet neighborhood in Roppongi Hills, so you won’t have to worry about any noise and disruptions from the busy city.

The space is modern and comfortable, creating the perfect atmosphere to get some work done, with a choice of different areas, including a gorgeous rooftop terrace. In your break time, have a rest at the café with their delicious food and fresh coffee, and maybe get to know some of your coworkers!

Blink Smart Workspace also has a variety of packages to suit different digital nomads and entrepreneurs. Their drop-in plans start at an affordable ¥1,200 for a half day, but there are several monthly packages as well.

You can choose their more casual Café Lounge Table package for ¥20,000 a month, or opt for their Hot Desk that costs ¥40,000 a month. The Hot Desk plan is perfect for entrepreneurs who work part-time and/or remotely, needing a place to meet with customers and to work in for over a week for a month.

This program offers amenities such as the use of meeting rooms, phone booths, mail handling and printings, as well as free daily coffee, designated workspace, and free WiFi. You could even make use of their Dedicated Desk of Private Office, which is suitable for long-term stays and digital nomads requiring complete amenities.

Blink Smart Workspace official website

Coworking space nameBlink Smart Workspace (Roppongi)
Address 3 Chome-1-6 Motoazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0046 [Map]
Coliving accommodationNo
Hot Desk/day¥1,200~¥2,000
Hot Desk/monthFrom ¥40,000
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM (24 hours for certain packages)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenOn-site cafe
SnacksAvailable for purchase

2. .andwork (Shibuya)

.andwork has a number of different coworking spaces around Japan, but their Shibuya location is modern and stylish, with different areas and seating options to suit your style of work. Whether you want to get comfortable and share ideas in a booth or get focused at a work desk, there are plenty of options to choose from. And best of all, it’s only six minutes away from Shibuya’s famous Scramble Crossing!

The coworking space has ample services, from phone booths and meeting rooms to nap services and showers. This place has everything you need to get focused and refreshed for each workday.

Aside from their stellar services, one of the great things about Andwork is the opportunities to network and make other digital nomad friends. Not only do they have a comfortable and easy-going lounge area, but they even have a happy hour! Every day, from 5:30-6:30 PM, anyone with a daily pass or higher can treat themselves to unlimited beer. Nothing gets the conversation flowing like a little liquid courage!

If you’re looking to stay for a while, you can opt to stay in one of their Smart Pods from ¥4,300 per night. With free beer, free breakfast, and free coffee, what more could you need? A laundry room, perhaps? They have that too! As well as a ton of other shared rooms and services.

.andwork Shibuya official website

Coworking space nameAndwork (Shibuya)
Address1-20-13 Jinnan Shibuya-ku Tokyo 〒150-0041 [Map]
Coliving accommodationYes
Hot Desk/day¥2,500
Hot Desk/month¥20,000~¥45,000
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 8 AM – 12 AM (24/7 access available for a fee)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenYes
SnacksNo. Free beverages only

3. The Hive Jinnan

Photo:The Hive official website

If you want a modern yet homey area, then you’ll love The Hive Jinnan! It’s just like your aesthetic café, with the wooden touch yet modern and cozy atmosphere to make work productive and comfortable.

It’s the beautiful work environment I admire in The Hive, as well as its accessibility. The Hive is in the heart of Shibuya, making it conveniently located if you like being in the heart of Tokyo, near all the amazing food, sights, and must-dos!

This coworking space provides amazing facilities, including a hosted space, printers, mailbox locker, phone booths, an access card for security, and even community events and a Hive café to satisfy your cravings.

The membership and programs are quite affordable and made for digital nomads, as you can avail a day pass, a 120-hours pass, or even a 24/7 pass, with prices ranging from ¥2,000 a day to ¥30,000 monthly. If you plan to stay for the long term, you can get a dedicated desk or private office, which ranges between ¥60,000-90,000 a month per person.

The Hive Jinnan official website

Coworking space nameThe Hive Jinnan (Shibuya)
Address 1-6-5 Jinnan Shibuya-ku Tokyo [Map]
Coliving accommodationNo
Hot Desk/day¥2,200
Hot Desk/monthFrom ¥17,600
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 8 AM – 6 PM (24/7 with some packages)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenOn-site cafe
SnacksAvailable for purchase

4. Tokyo Chapter

Photo by Tokyo Chapter official website

*Currently, due to coronavirus, only Private Offices are available. Please check the official website for future information on daily and monthly plans.

Tokyo Chapter puts a cultured spin on coworking. Combining classical design and wooden aesthetic with modern facilities makes this almost a tourist destination in its own right, perfect for digital nomads who love that library vibe. Many choose Tokyo Chapter because they have an adjoining share house, which is basically an apartment right next to your office!

The coworking space and private apartments come with a communal kitchen, gym, gallery, and rooftop event space. There’s also a lounge and shared spaces where you can sit back and chat with fellow digital nomads and make some new connections. If you want to, they also have a few event spaces and terraces that you can rent out.

Their shared offices are quite affordable, with spaces ranging between ¥29,000-¥195,000 a month, depending on how much space you need. This includes the use of the lounge, meeting rooms, kitchen, gym, as well as invites to events.

Tokyo Chapter official website

Coworking space nameTokyo Chapter
Address9 Chome-2-13 Akasaka, Tokyo 107-0052 [Map]
Coliving accommodationYes
Hot Desk/day¥1,500
Hot Desk/monthFrom ¥52,000
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 10 AM – 7 PM
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenYes
SnacksNo

5. Case (Shinjuku)

Photo: Case Shinjuku official website

Case in Shinjuku is a bright and open coworking space that has the atmosphere of a friendly office. This is a very gaijin-friendly space that gives you the freedom to work as you please.

The case has two sections, the North Wing and the South Wing. The North Wing is their coworking space, dedicated to drop-in freelancers. The South Wing is their shared office space, dedicated to the monthly members. This system is perfect for digital nomads, as you can drop in for a short time here and there, and decide if it’s a space you want to use more regularly to sign up for their monthly membership. The hourly fees are a steal, with the option to drop in for under an hour for just ¥500!

At Case, you get even more services than you might expect in a regular office because they can also supply you with monitors, laptop chargers, stationery, as well as printing services, a choice of different coffee, and snacks!  

However, there is one slightly Japanese quirk to Case – no shoes are allowed! So if you don’t want to walk around in your socks, head to the nearest 100 yen shop to grab some slippers before you visit.

Case Shinjuku official website

Coworking space nameCase (Shinjuku)
Address〒169-0075 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Takadanobaba, 1 Chome−28−10 Miyoshi Bldg. 4F    [Map]
Coliving accommodationNo
Hot Desk/day¥2,000 (Cheaper hourly options available)
Hot Desk/month¥27,500
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 10 AM – 6 PM (this is the day/time format)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenYes
SnacksFree and paid options

6. Fabbit Global Gateway (Otemachi)

Photo: Fabbit official website

Located in the stylish Otemachi, Fabbit is a chic co-working space perfect for those who want to get some serious work done. They have a few other branches around Japan and even overseas, but the Otemachi branch has the warm, inviting atmosphere of a high-end café, coupled with the aesthetics and furniture of a modern office to help you focus. Perfect for the ambitious digital nomad in Tokyo.

With Fabbit’s focus on its office vibe, this is not the place to chit-chat and make friends, but to get work done comfortably and efficiently. It comes with all the usual facilities you would expect from an office, such as printing services and stable WiFi, but they also have a library and offer mail and corporate registration services as part of some of their packages, too.

If you’d like more privacy, you can rent a private space or office, and if you’re coming with a team you can rent out conference and seminar rooms.

Fabbit Global Gateway official website

Coworking space nameFabbit Global Gateway (Otemachi) 
Address〒100-0004 2-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Asahi Seimei Otemachi Building 2F [Map]
Coliving accommodationNo
Hot Desk/day¥1,980
Hot Desk/month¥2,750~¥99,000 + Registration fee ¥22,000
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM (11 PM for certain members)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenNo
SnacksDrinks available for purchase

7. Ryozan Park (Sugamo)

Photo by Ryozan Park official website

Ryozan Park is one of Tokyo’s top coworking spaces to get some work done, with a bright and natural ambiance getting you motivated for a good day’s work. In Sugamo they have three work areas in different buildings less than a minute from each other: Toho Annex, White Terrace, and Grand Toho. They have one more location in nearby Otsuka, too. Each has its own different style and luxurious lounge areas to take a break in between work stints, as well.

Prices vary widely depending on which building and plan you opt for, but you certainly get your money’s worth, and thankfully you can have a taste of the action with their trial day passes. At Grand Toho, for ¥19,800 a month you get a kitchen and co-working space with standing tables and meeting pods. Or at Core in their Otsuka branch, you can make use of their incredibly spacious and modern coworking office that’s perfect for digital nomads and entrepreneurs, costing ¥15,000 a month. It comes with a meeting room, standing desks, reading decks, and ergonomic seats!

For the digital nomads who want to stay close to the action in central Tokyo, and want to experience a luxurious working environment, Ryozan Park is the perfect option. While its fees are certainly on the higher end of the spectrum, the international vibe makes it very gaijin-friendly, and the luxurious décor and atmosphere more than make up for the price!

Oh, and did we mention their insanely stylish share house? Probably the best accommodation around for the price!

Ryozan Park coworking space official website

Coworking space nameRyozan Park (Sugamo)
Address 〒170-0002 Tokyo, Toshima City, Sugamo, 1 Chome−9−1 Grand Toho Building [Map]
Coliving accommodationYes
Hot Desk/day¥1,500 (only available twice as a trial service)
Hot Desk/monthFrom ¥10,000
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 6 AM – 12 AM (depending on plan)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenNo
SnacksDrinks available free

8. Impact Hub Tokyo

Photo by Hub Tokyo official website

Impact HUB Tokyo is another community of entrepreneurs who want to create an impact, operated by Hub Tokyo Co., Ltd. Impact HUB has several locations around the world, including this one in Meguro, Tokyo.

Although day plans are not available, there are a number of different affordable monthly packages such as their unlimited option for ¥43,000 a month, which includes unlimited drinks, fast WiFi, 24-hour access to the coworking space, and even the option to use the meeting room and online community group.

You could instead opt for their fixed or team desk plan that varies by how many hours you need the coworking space per month. This is optimal for those who plan to stay in Tokyo for less than a month, so you can adjust for how many hours you need in total.

But this is not just your average coworking space. Focus Hub is a platform where you can attend workshops and programs to grow as a digital nomad or join events to connect with others. This sense of community is only further reinforced by the lack of daily plans; Focus Hub wants to make sure people stay a while and get to know each other.

Once you’ve bought your membership in Tokyo, you get a Global Passport which allows you to spend up to three days in any of their HUB branches in other cities worldwide, too!

Hub Tokyo official website

Coworking space nameImpact Hub Tokyo
Address 2 Chome-11-3 Meguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0063 [Map]
Coliving accommodationYNo
Hot Desk/dayNot available
Hot Desk/month¥29,700
Opening HoursMon-Fri: 9 AM – 10 PM; Sat-Sun: 10AM – 8PM
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenYes
SnacksNo

9. Creative Lounge MOV (Shibuya)

Photo: Creative Lounge MOV official website

One of the first places many traveling gaijin want to visit in Tokyo is Shibuya. Home to the famous Scramble Crossing, Shibuya has shopping, food, and neon lights galore. So if you want to be right on its doorstep when you finish work, Creative Lounge MOV is probably the coworking spot for you!

In terms of aesthetics, Creative Lounge MOV certainly lives up to its name: with chic private offices as well as comfy sofas and coffee tables, there’s a lot of creative use of space going on. MOV has a number of different spaces you can rent out, but the main coworking space is their Open Lounge. Here you can choose to work on a sofa, at a shared desk, or at a separated “Concentration Booth” for an extra fee. Or you can take a break and head to the snack area, cushion area, or break room, equipped with coffee maker and microwave.

MOV also provides a number of different services and amenities to help you work and get comfortable. There are lockers, hangers, printing and shredding services, a mini library, and a game table. They even have blankets you can borrow if you start to get cold while you work!

If you intend to use the space often or with a group, you can also rent out meeting rooms, showcase rooms, or even set up your own office space for your business.

Creative Lounge MOV official website

Coworking space nameCreative Lounge MOV (Shibuya)
Address150-0002 Shibuya 2-21-1 8F 8 ⁄(Hachi), Shibuya Hikarie Building, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo [Map]
Coliving accommodationNo
Hot Desk/day¥1,100 / hour
Hot Desk/monthFrom ¥23,400 (+Entrance fee and member’s card fee)
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 8 AM – 10 PM (this is the day/time format)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenYes
SnacksNo

10. Coworking Space Co-Edo (Kayabacho)

For digital nomads on a budget, Co-Edo in Kayabacho is ideal. Not far from Tokyo Station by train, the coworking space is a no-frills office with welcoming staff who create a gaijin-friendly atmosphere. The staff speaks enough English to help when needed without making a fuss.

The coworking space is much like a simple office and provides everything you might expect, such as fast WiFi, copying and printing services, lockers, and free drinks. Depending on the plan you opt for, you can also invite guests for up to two hours for free, and can sign up for mail and phone services, too.

For digital nomads looking to drop in, up to two hours costs just ¥550, and a full-day is ¥1,100, which is incredibly good value for money for a coworking space in the city! If you want to bump it up to a monthly plan, then you get access to the member’s working area on the 4th floor, which comes with a separate desk and monitor, should you need it. At the time of writing, the initial registration fee has even been removed, and the monthly fees are down to as low as ¥5,500 for the daytime plan!

If you’re looking to get some work done in a no-fuss comfortable office, Co-Edo is for you.

Co-Edo official website

Coworking space nameCo-Edo (Kayabacho) 
Address〒104-0033 Tokyo, Chuo City, Shinkawa, 1 Chome−3−4 PA Building 5F  [Map]
Coliving accommodationNo
Hot Desk/day¥1,100
Hot Desk/monthFrom ¥5,500
Opening HoursMon-Sun: 10 AM – 9 PM (6 PM on weekends and holidays)
High-speed WifiYes
Air ConditioningYes
KitchenNo
SnacksFree limited options

Where else to remote-work in Tokyo?

Photo by Sebastian Kurpiel on Unsplash

Although Tokyo has a decent selection of coworking spaces, if you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to be restricted to certain areas to work, Tokyo has a lot of great alternatives, too.

Coffee with free Wi-Fi

As mentioned above, many of the larger chain cafes such as Starbucks, Tully’s, and Renoir offer free WiFi for paying customers, but these are often limited to a certain number of hours per day. So, that’s a great option if you’re jumping from place to place in one day, or want to make a quick stop to do some work in between other things.

Manga Café (Manga Kissa) / Internet Café (Netto Kafe)

If you want to try something more specific to Japan, you could go to an internet café or manga kissa (manga café). These are very different from your average café, and in fact, the “café” part is often more of an afterthought, with many only offering snacks and beverages available at the vending machines! These places often offer fees by the hour or by the day, with your own space to work in. Some manga kissa and internet cafes are very comfortable and modern, and most give you an entire private section with space to work, or even sleep!

Karaoke Room

For an even more quirky space, you could instead head to a karaoke room. There you can get reasonable rates by the hour, or longer packages, and get an entire private room to yourself.

One thing to note is that Japanese people tend to prefer their privacy in these kinds of spaces. They go there to get work done or escape with a manga for a while, so aren’t open to talking. If you want a place to meet new friends and start networking, then coworking spaces, hostels, and guest house lounges have a much more inviting traveler vibe, and are generally very foreigner friendly.

Wrapping It Up

With WiFi available practically everywhere you go, and fast and stable WiFi guaranteed at the clean and comfy coworking spaces, Tokyo is a dream for digital nomads and freelancers.

In addition, in April 2023, the Japanese government announced its consideration to introduce a Digital Nomad Visa for Japan. This proposed visa would permit visitors to stay in Japan for extended periods and work remotely.

Not only will you be delighted with the stellar services and treatment wherever you work, but in your off time you’ll can also experience Japan’s amazing culture, festivals, and delicious food!

Hopefully we’ve helped you find the perfect gaijin-friendly coworking space to book when you’re in Tokyo. Good luck and have fun on your next digital nomad journey.

Digital nomads in Japan
R. Wallace
R. Wallacehttp://www.thedigitalnomad.asia
A digital nomad travelling in Asia and TheDigitalNomad.Asia Editor. Please read my article and I hope you will get inspired to go travelling as a digital nomad. You are welcome to comment and share the article with fellow travelers.
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