Finding domestic help is fairly simple and there is a range of reputable and reliable agencies. Using an agency offers the added bonus of having a middleman to go through if you’re not happy with the service but hiring independently will be cheaper. Duskin Merry Maids don’t speak much English over the phone but you should be able to communicate fine in person. If you want to hire yourself, ask around for recommendations, check out supermarket noticeboards in shops like National Azabu or Nissin or look for ads at the Tokyo Union Church (www2.gol.com/users/tuc). The going rate for non-agency help is around ¥1,500 an hour.

Full-time and part-time housekeepers usually return home at the end of the day rather than living with the family and you will have to pay their transport costs. Part-time maids cost around ¥2,000 an hour and normally have to be hired for a minimum of three to four hours. If you’re looking for someone permanent, expect to pay ¥190,000 to ¥240,000 (live-in help prices will be slightly lower).