Moving to Japan: The Complete Expat Checklist (2026)

Moving to Japan is easier than most people fear, but it runs on a specific order: register your address, get a phone number, open a bank account, and only then does everything else fall into place. This guide breaks the process into four phases — preparation before you fly, logistics in the final month, the administrative sprint in your first week, and the first month of settling in.

It assumes you're handling everything yourself, without a relocation company and possibly without much Japanese. Work through it in order — each phase builds on the last.

Moving to Japan: The Big Picture

This guide breaks the process into four phases, in the order the paperwork actually happens:

1. 3+ months before moving — visa applications, financial prep, research
2. 1 month before moving — practical logistics, packing, saying goodbye
3. Your first week in Japan — the critical admin sprint
4. Your first month — settling in and building your life

Each phase has its own checklist below. Work through them in order.

Phase 1: 3+ Months Before Moving

🛂 Visa

• Determine which visa type fits your situation — Japan Visa Types Guide
• If applying for a Working Holiday Visa: Check eligibility — age limits are set country by country in each bilateral arrangement (most are 18–30) — and apply at your country's Japanese embassy or consulate — Working Holiday Visa Application Guide
• For work visas: Confirm your employer in Japan has filed your Certificate of Eligibility (COE / 在留資格認定証明書) application with the Immigration Bureau
• For spouse visas: Begin gathering required documents — Spouse Visa Guide
• Passport validity: make sure it is valid well beyond your planned arrival — there is no Japanese six-month rule, but a renewal takes 2–6 weeks and the passport is the one document you cannot replace on arrival

💴 Finances

• Notify your home country bank: Let them know you're moving abroad to prevent card blocks; ask about international ATM fees
• Set up a Wise account (or equivalent multi-currency wallet): Essential for receiving money from home and sending money back
• Research: How much money do you need to move to Japan? (Upfront rental costs alone can be ¥300,000–¥500,000)
• Set a monthly budget: rent + utilities (¥70,000–¥120,000), food (¥30,000–¥50,000), transport (~¥10,000–¥20,000), miscellaneous
• If employed: confirm when your first Japanese salary arrives — there is often a 1–2 month delay. Plan cash reserves accordingly

🏠 Housing Research

• Decide: Tokyo? Osaka? Other cities? — Tokyo vs. Osaka comparison
• If arriving without pre-arranged housing: Book a short-term share house or serviced apartment for the first 2–4 weeks while you search for a long-term place — don't arrive without accommodation
• Research: Apartment vs. Share House in Japan
• Read: How to Find an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner

🏥 Health & Insurance

• Check your home country's health insurance situation — do you need to suspend, cancel, or continue it? — Home Country Health Insurance Guide
• Purchase travel insurance for the first 1–3 months (your Japanese health insurance covers you from the day you enrol, but the 資格確認書 or My Number Card that proves it takes a few weeks to arrive) — Travel Insurance for Working Holiday in Japan
• If you take prescription medication: bring a 3–6 month supply and a doctor's letter; some medications available abroad are restricted or unavailable in Japan
• Get a general health check-up before leaving — treat any pending dental or medical issues while in your home country's system

📋 Documents to Prepare

• Passport (valid 6+ months)
• Visa documents (Certificate of Eligibility or visa sticker)
• 5–10 passport-sized photos (needed for various applications in Japan)
• Academic certificates / employment records (may be required for visa renewals or job applications)
• International driving permit (if you plan to drive in Japan)
• Birth certificate / marriage certificate (if relevant)
• Store digital copies of all documents in cloud storage

🌏 Learning and Research

• Start learning basic Japanese — even hiragana/katakana recognition makes daily life much easier
• Join expat communities: Reddit r/japanlife, GaijinPot forums, Facebook expat groups for your city
• Research your target neighborhood in depth — what's the nearest ward office, supermarket, hospital?

Phase 2: 1 Month Before Moving

Logistics

• Book your flights: Leave enough buffer time at the airport — allow 3 hours for international departures
• Shipping belongings: Sea freight takes 4–8 weeks (¥50,000–¥150,000 for a small shipment); air freight is faster but expensive; Japan's baggage rules for excess luggage are strict
• If shipping by sea: pack and send now so it arrives near your arrival date
• If using a Japan moving service (引越し): get quotes from Yamato Transport (ヤマトホームコンビニエンス), Nippon Express, or ART moving services

Notify and Close Out

• Notify your current landlord (check your notice period — usually 1–2 months)
• Cancel or redirect subscriptions, memberships, and bills
• Notify government agencies (tax office, pension, etc.) of your move
• Sort out your home country tax situation — do you need to file a departure return?

What to Bring

Bring:

• Enough cash in JPY for the first 2 weeks (¥150,000–¥200,000 minimum)
• All original identification documents
• 1–2 universal power adapters (Japan uses US-style plugs / 100V — most modern devices work fine)
• Any prescription medication (3–6 month supply)
• Comfortable clothes for all seasons (Japan has distinct summers and winters)
• Small daily items that are cheaper at home (shoes in large sizes are limited in Japan)

Don't overpack:

• Clothing, books, furniture — Japan has excellent second-hand stores (2nd Street, BOOKOFF)
• Japan's convenience stores and 100-yen shops cover most household basics cheaply on arrival

Phase 3: Your First Week in Japan (Core Admin Sprint)

The first week after arriving is both the busiest and the most important. Getting the administrative tasks done in the right order sets the foundation for everything that follows.

💡 This is the ideal flow — in practice, things may shift depending on your location and ward office hours. The key priority is completing your resident registration within 14 days of arrival.

Day 1: Arrival Procedures

Collecting Your Residence Card at the Airport

After flying in, your Residence Card (在留カード) is issued on the spot when you pass through immigration, at these ten airports:

• New Chitose (Sapporo)
• Sendai
• Narita International Airport
• Haneda International Airport
• Chubu Centrair International Airport
• Kansai International Airport
• Kobe
• Hiroshima
• Fukuoka
• Naha International Airport

If you land anywhere else — a regional airport or a seaport — you receive a stamp in your passport saying the card will be issued later (在留カード後日交付), and the card is posted to your registered address once you have completed your 転入届. That detour means one extra trip to the ward office and no card at the airport.

Check your Residence Card immediately:

• ✅ Name spelled correctly
• ✅ Correct status of residence (e.g., "Specified Activity (Working Holiday) — 特定活動（ワーキングホリデー）")
• ✅ Correct period of stay
• ✅ Correct date of birth

⚠️ At this point, the address field on the back of your card is blank — it will only be filled in after you complete your resident registration at the ward office.

Customs Declaration

If you are carrying more than ¥1,000,000 in cash or equivalent foreign currency, you'll need to complete a customs declaration form. Most travelers can proceed through the green channel.

Getting from the Airport to Your Accommodation

Main options:

• Narita → Tokyo: N'EX (Narita Express, ¥3,000), Keisei Skyliner (¥2,520), Limousine Bus
• Haneda → Tokyo: Keikyu Line (~¥300–¥500), Tokyo Monorail
• Kansai Airport → Osaka: Nankai Electric Railway (~¥930), JR Haruka Airport Express

Days 1–2: Resident Registration (転入届)

What Is Resident Registration?

Resident registration (転入届) is how you officially register your address with the local government — it's the foundation for every other task. Once completed:

• Your address is printed on the back of your Residence Card
• You officially become a resident of that ward
• You can proceed with all other tasks (bank, health insurance, phone, etc.)

Where to Go

Head to the ward office (区役所) or city hall (市役所) for the area where you live.

What to Bring

1. Residence Card
2. Passport
3. If family members are moving in with you, bring their Residence Cards and passports too

Process

1. Go to the Residents' Affairs (住民課 / 住民登録窓口) counter
2. Fill in the registration form (one A4 sheet — name, address, nationality, etc.)
3. Submit your Residence Card
4. Staff will print your address on the back of your card
5. Total waiting time: approx. 30 minutes–1 hour

💡 While at the ward office, staff will often ask at the same time if you'd like to enroll in National Health Insurance and the National Pension — take care of both while you're there.

While You're There: National Health Insurance

Right after registration, head to the National Health Insurance counter in the same building to enroll. Enrolment is legally due within 14 days of the day you become eligible — in practice, the day your resident registration is completed — and a late application is still backdated, so you do not lose cover. First-year premiums are typically low since you had no Japanese income the prior year. For full details, see Do I Need National Health Insurance in Japan?.

While You're There: National Pension

If you're not covered by employee social insurance through a company, you'll also need to enroll in the National Pension (国民年金), again within 14 days of becoming eligible. The monthly premium for FY2026 is ¥17,920. Working holiday participants and students are required to enroll but can apply for a contribution exemption or a deferral, and full-time students may qualify for the student payment deferral scheme.

💡 Japan has social security agreements with a number of countries — check whether your home country has one. If no agreement exists, when you leave Japan you may be eligible to apply for the lump-sum withdrawal payment (脱退一時金) to recover part of the pension premiums you paid. Two Japan Pension Service pages cover it: how to claim a lump-sum withdrawal and the list of social security agreement countries.

Getting a Phone / SIM Card

Why You Need This Early

A Japanese phone number is required for many services:

• Opening a bank account
• Verifying online shopping accounts
• Work communication
• App registrations

SIM Card Options

Recommended Budget SIM Options

• LINEMO: SoftBank subsidiary, from ¥990/month, LINE calls don't count toward your data
• povo: au subsidiary, ¥0 base fee, add data as needed
• Nippon Communications SIM (日本通信 SIM): From ¥290/month, great value
• Rakuten Mobile: Unlimited data plan ~¥3,278/month

💡 If you don't have a bank account or credit card yet, start with a prepaid SIM (available at convenience stores and electronics stores), then switch to a monthly plan once you're set up.

Opening a Bank Account

Once your Residence Card has your address on the back and you have a phone number, you're ready to open a bank account.

Best First Choice: Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行)

For expats new to Japan, Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is the easiest bank to open an account with. Just bring your Residence Card and passport to the nearest post office (郵便局).

For a full walkthrough → How to Open a Bank Account in Japan as an Expat

Required Documents

• Residence Card (with address on the back)
• Passport
• Personal seal (hanko) or signature
• Japanese phone number

Applying for My Number (個人番号)

What Is My Number?

My Number (マイナンバー) is a 12-digit personal identification number assigned by the Japanese government to every resident — similar to a national ID number in many countries. It's used for:

• Tax filing (year-end tax adjustment (年末調整) and final tax return (確定申告))
• Social insurance procedures
• Bank account registration (some banks require it)
• Government administrative procedures

How You Get It

After completing your resident registration, the municipality registers you in the My Number system and mails a notification letter (個人番号通知書) to your registered address — usually within a few weeks, though each municipality works at its own pace.

My Number Card (マイナンバーカード)

The number in the notification letter is already valid to use, but we strongly recommend applying for the physical My Number Card:

• Can be used as photo ID
• Functions as your health insurance card — paper insurance cards stopped being issued in December 2024 and expired on 1 December 2025, so without the card you rely on a 資格確認書 issued by your insurer
• Enables e-Tax online filing and マイナポータル
• Makes government procedures significantly easier

How to apply:

1. Scan the QR code on the notification letter to apply online (easiest)
2. Apply in person at the ward office
3. Apply by mail

After applying, allow about 1–2 months before receiving a pickup notice — then collect your card in person at the ward office.

💡 Since 14 June 2026 there is a third option: the 特定在留カード, which combines your residence card and My Number Card functions in one card. You can request it when you next update your address or renew your residence card. The first switch is free if you hold an older residence card.

Setting Up Your Transit Card (SUICA / PASMO)

IC Transit Cards

Japan's urban public transport mainly uses IC cards (electronic transit passes) — similar in concept to transit cards used in cities worldwide (Oyster in London, Octopus in Hong Kong, etc.):

• SUICA: Issued by JR East, penguin logo
• PASMO: Issued jointly by private railways and buses in the Kanto area
• ICOCA: Issued by JR West (Kansai region)

All three work interchangeably at major transit networks nationwide and can also be used at convenience stores, vending machines, and more.

How to Get One

Mobile version (recommended):

• iPhone users can add SUICA or PASMO directly to Apple Wallet
• Android users can use Google Pay or the card's dedicated app
• No deposit required, no queues, top up online anytime

Physical card:

• Physical Suica and PASMO cards went back on general sale in March 2025 after the chip shortage, so a station office can sell you one again — an unregistered card carries no name, a registered (記名式) card can be reissued if lost, and both carry a ¥500 deposit
• Alternative: just use the mobile version, which needs no deposit

💡 We recommend using mobile SUICA — no deposit required, and you can top it up anytime with a credit card or Apple Pay.

Commuter Pass

If you have a fixed workplace, you can get a commuter pass (定期券) for unlimited rides on a specific route. Commute costs are typically covered by your employer as a commuter allowance (通勤手当).

• 1-month pass: typically the cheapest way to buy daily commuting, well below paying single fares twice a day
• 3-month pass: a few percent cheaper again than three separate monthly passes
• 6-month pass: usually the best value, and the one most employers purchase

Complete First-Week Checklist

✅ Arrival Day

• Pass through immigration, collect your Residence Card
• Check all information on your Residence Card
• Travel from the airport to your accommodation
• Check in, receive your keys

✅ Days 1–2 (Ward Office)

• Complete resident registration (転入届) at the ward office
• Confirm your address is printed on the back of your Residence Card
• Enroll in National Health Insurance
• Confirm National Pension enrollment
• Request a copy of your resident certificate (住民票) for future use

✅ Days 2–3 (Communications)

• Purchase a SIM card or set up a mobile plan
• Confirm you can make and receive calls and texts
• Download essential apps (Google Maps, Norikae Annai, PayPay)

✅ Days 3–4 (Banking)

• Open a Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) account at a post office
• Note your account number to give to your employer for salary transfers
• Set up online banking (if applicable)

✅ Days 4–5 (Transit)

• Set up mobile SUICA or PASMO
• Top up your IC transit card
• Do a test run of your commute and confirm transfers
• Note your last train times

✅ Days 5–7 (Settling In)

• Check the status of your My Number notification letter
• Set up utilities — electricity, gas, water (if not in a share house)
• Set up home internet (if needed)
• Shop for daily essentials (100-yen stores, drugstores)
• Locate your nearest supermarket, convenience store, and clinic
• Find your nearest police box (交番)

✅ Follow-Up

• Once My Number letter arrives, apply for your My Number Card
• Test ATM withdrawal once you receive your bank card
• Confirm any additional documents your employer needs
• Read up on Japan Income Tax Basics

Recommended Apps

Download these in your first week — they'll make daily life in Japan much easier:

Phase 4: Your First Month

Once the first-week admin is done, use your first month to build the infrastructure of your daily life.

✅ First Month Checklist

Home Setup

• Set up home internet (fiber optic (光回線) typically takes 2–4 weeks to install; in the meantime, a mobile Wi-Fi router is useful)
• Set up utilities if not in a share house: electricity (電力会社), gas (ガス会社), water (水道)
• Visit the nearest 100-yen store (Daiso, Seria, Can★Do) for household basics
• Organize your home: storage space is tight, so stackable boxes and vertical shelving earn their place — IKEA and Nitori are the usual first stops

Tax & Employment

• Give your My Number to your employer (required by law)
• Set up your Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) account for salary transfers and confirm account details with HR
• Understand your first payslip: Japan Income Tax for Foreigners Guide
• Start noting your commuter route for the commuter pass (定期券)

Healthcare

• Receive your health insurance confirmation certificate (資格確認書) by mail — paper 保険証 are no longer issued
• Apply for your My Number Card if you have not already — it doubles as your health insurance card
• Locate the nearest clinic (クリニック) and pharmacy (薬局)
• Find an English-friendly doctor if needed: apps like Medicall and services like AMDA provide English medical support

Community & Life

• Register at your ward office as a National Pension (国民年金) enrollee and check if a deferral/exemption applies
• Find your nearest post office — you'll use it for Amazon packages, tax documents, bank cards
• Download and explore Japanese apps: Mercari (second-hand marketplace), Rakuten Ichiba, Amazon Japan
• Try your local public bath (銭湯) or hot spring / onsen (温泉) — a great way to meet neighbors
• Explore your neighborhood on foot — you'll find the cheap supermarket, the nearest clinic, and the quiet shortcut to the station faster than any map app

Admin Follow-Ups

• Wait for your My Number notification letter (usually a few weeks after registration)
• Wait for your 資格確認書 from your insurer (allow a few weeks after enrolment, and follow up with the insurer if nothing arrives by then) — or link your My Number Card once it arrives
• Receive your bank card from Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) (usually arrives within 1–2 weeks)
• If you move again, file a mail forwarding request (転居届) at any post office or online through ゆうびんID — the service is free and redirects your post for a full year — and update your address at the ward office and on your Residence Card

Quick Reference: Key Ward Office Documents to Request

💡 Request 3–5 copies of your resident certificate (住民票) upfront — you'll need multiple copies for various applications and it saves repeated trips.

Essential Japan Life Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I register my address if I'm in a share house or staying with a friend?

Yes. As long as you have an actual address you're residing at, you can complete your resident registration. Share houses usually provide proof of address. If you're staying with a friend, you'll need their consent or have them accompany you to explain the situation.

Q: How long after registration will I receive My Number?

Usually within a few weeks you'll receive the notification letter (個人番号通知書). There is no official delivery deadline — municipalities issue it at their own pace — but if nothing has arrived after a month, contact your ward office.

Q: Can I skip some of these steps?

Not recommended. Each step depends on the previous one: registration → address on Residence Card → bank account → salary. Do them in order.

Q: Are ward offices open on weekends?

Most ward offices are not open on weekends, though some larger ones offer Saturday morning or extended hours. Check the ward office website. If taking a weekday off is difficult, look for a local branch office (出張所) with extended hours.

Final Takeaway

The whole move comes down to one sequence: address first, then identity, then money, then everything else. Register your address within 14 days of arrival so your Residence Card carries it, apply for the My Number Card from the notification letter, open a Japan Post Bank account once you have an address and a phone number, and only then start chasing the optional extras — internet, gyms, memberships.

None of it is expensive — most of the admin is free, an afternoon at the ward office covers the essentials, and staff in the large cities are used to foreign residents and keep forms in English and other languages. Two deadlines carry real weight: 14 days for resident registration, and the arrival of your My Number notification letter, which is worth acting on the day it lands. Budget ¥500,000–¥800,000 for the first month, keep your 資格確認書 and Residence Card together, and the first year runs far more smoothly than the paperwork suggests.