You’ve made it to Japan. Congratulations! Whether you’re here for work, study, or a fresh start, the first month is a whirlwind of excitement — and paperwork. Between city hall visits, opening bank accounts, and figuring out how garbage collection works, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Don’t worry. This moving to Japan checklist covers everything you need to handle in your first 30 days, organized by priority so you can tackle things in the right order.
Week 1: The Non-Negotiables
These are the tasks that everything else depends on. Get them done first.
1. Register Your Address at City Hall (Within 14 Days)
This is legally required and should be your first stop. Visit your local ward office (kuyakusho) or city hall (shiyakusho) with:
- Your passport
- Your Residence Card (zairyu card)
Staff will print your new address on the back of your Residence Card while you wait. This address registration unlocks everything else — you can’t open a bank account, sign up for health insurance, or get a phone contract without it.
Pro tip: While you’re at city hall, ask about registering for National Health Insurance and getting your My Number at the same time. Many offices let you handle all three in one visit.
2. Enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI)
Japan requires all residents to have health insurance. If your employer provides shakai hoken (company insurance), you’re covered. If not — for example, if you’re a student, freelancer, or between jobs — you need to sign up for National Health Insurance at city hall.
NHI covers 70% of medical costs. Monthly premiums depend on your previous year’s income and your municipality, but expect to pay ¥10,000–¥40,000/month.
3. Get a Japanese Phone Number
You need a Japanese phone number for almost everything: bank accounts, deliveries, work communication, and two-factor authentication for online services.
Options for newcomers:
- Budget SIMs: IIJmio, Linemo, or Rakuten Mobile (from ~¥1,000/month). Some require a Japanese credit card, but Rakuten Mobile accepts debit cards.
- Airport SIMs: Quick setup but often short-term or more expensive. Good as a temporary solution.
- Major carriers: Docomo, au, SoftBank — more expensive but offer full support and better coverage in rural areas.
4. Withdraw Cash and Set Up Finances
Japan is still more cash-dependent than many countries, especially for smaller shops, clinics, and city hall payments. Withdraw ¥50,000–¥100,000 from an international ATM (7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs work best with foreign cards) to cover initial expenses.
Start the process of opening a Japanese bank account — though some banks require you to have lived in Japan for 6 months. Japan Post Bank and SBI Shinsei Bank are the most foreigner-friendly options.
Week 2: Setting Up Your Daily Life
5. Learn the Garbage Rules
This might sound minor, but garbage disposal in Japan is serious business. Each municipality has its own rules about:
- Sorting categories: Burnable, non-burnable, PET bottles, cans, glass, paper, cardboard (and sometimes more)
- Collection days: Different types are collected on different days
- Designated bags: Many areas require specific garbage bags purchased at convenience stores or supermarkets
- Collection times: Usually early morning (put out before 8 AM, never the night before)
Your city hall or landlord should provide a garbage calendar. Take it seriously — incorrect disposal is one of the fastest ways to get on your neighbors’ bad side.
6. Get a Transportation IC Card
Get a Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card for trains and buses. You can also add one to your iPhone or Android wallet app. These cards also work for payments at convenience stores, vending machines, and many shops.
If you’re commuting to work, ask your employer about a commuter pass (teikiken) — it’ll save you significant money on your daily route.
7. Register for My Number
Your My Number (individual number) is Japan’s social security number equivalent. You’ll receive a notification letter after registering your address. Apply for the physical My Number card at city hall — it takes 1-2 months to arrive but is essential for:
- Tax filing (e-Tax)
- Opening bank accounts
- Health insurance procedures
- Various government services
Weeks 3-4: Getting Comfortable
8. Find Your Local Essentials
Locate these near your home:
- Supermarkets: Learn which ones have the best prices vs. selection. Late evening visits often mean discounted bento and prepared foods (look for the yellow discount stickers).
- 100-yen shops: Daiso, Seria, or Can Do — incredibly useful for household items, kitchen supplies, and storage solutions at ¥100 each.
- Clinics and hospitals: Find an English-friendly clinic near you before you actually need one. The AMDA International Medical Information Center can help.
- Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are lifelines for ATMs, bill payments, printing, and late-night meals.
9. Set Up Utilities and Internet
If your apartment doesn’t come with internet (most don’t), you’ll need to arrange it. Options include:
- Fiber optic (hikari): NURO Hikari, au Hikari, or NTT Flets — fastest but takes 2-4 weeks to install
- Pocket Wi-Fi: Quick setup, no installation needed. Good temporary solution.
- Home router (SoftBank Air, Docomo home 5G): Plug-and-play, decent speeds, no installation wait
For electricity and gas, your landlord or real estate agent should have set these up, but verify they’re active. Water is usually managed by the municipality.
10. Understand Your Visa Conditions
Know the details of your visa status:
- Work restrictions: Some visas limit the type of work you can do or the number of hours
- Renewal timeline: Mark your visa expiration date and start the renewal process 3 months before
- Reporting requirements: You must report changes in employer, address, or marital status to immigration within 14 days
11. Start Learning Japanese
Even basic Japanese makes daily life dramatically easier. Start with survival phrases and build from there. Check out our guide to learning Japanese for free and paid resources.
The Complete Checklist
Here’s your at-a-glance checklist to print or save:
Week 1 (Critical):
- Register address at city hall
- Enroll in health insurance (NHI or confirm employer coverage)
- Get a Japanese phone number / SIM card
- Withdraw initial cash (¥50,000-¥100,000)
- Apply for bank account
Week 2 (Important):
- Learn garbage sorting and collection schedule
- Get transportation IC card (Suica/PASMO)
- Apply for My Number card
- Set up commuter pass if applicable
- Explore your neighborhood
Weeks 3-4 (Settling In):
- Set up home internet
- Find local clinics, supermarkets, 100-yen shops
- Understand visa conditions and renewal timeline
- Start Japanese language study
- Register for earthquake/disaster alerts on your phone
- Join local community groups or expat meetups
Practical Tips
- Bring extra passport photos. Japan loves paper forms with photos. Bring at least 10 passport-sized photos (3cm x 4cm for Japanese standard, or 4.5cm x 3.5cm for residence card). You can also use photo booths (shashin ki) at train stations for about ¥800.
- Download essential apps early. Google Maps (works great in Japan), Google Translate (with offline Japanese pack), Suica/PASMO wallet app, Navitime or Yahoo Transit for train routes, and your city’s garbage sorting app.
- Don’t ship everything from home. Japan’s 100-yen shops and home goods stores like Nitori have everything you need at reasonable prices. Shipping furniture internationally is rarely worth the cost. Check our cost of living guide for budgeting help.
- Keep important documents together. Create a folder with copies of your passport, Residence Card, insurance card, My Number notification, employment contract, and lease agreement. You’ll reference these constantly in the first few months.
- Be patient with yourself. Culture shock is real, and some days will be frustrating. The bureaucracy, the language barrier, the different social norms — it all takes time. Understanding Japanese culture and etiquette will help you adjust faster.
FAQ
How much money should I bring to Japan for the first month?
Plan for at least ¥300,000–¥500,000 beyond your rent deposit and first month’s rent. This covers utilities setup, transportation, groceries, phone, health insurance premiums, and unexpected expenses. Some apartments require key money (reikin) and agency fees that can add up to 4-5 months of rent upfront. See our apartment hunting guide for details.
Can I open a bank account right away?
It depends on the bank. Japan Post Bank and SBI Shinsei Bank typically allow account opening shortly after address registration. Most major banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) may ask you to wait 6 months. Online banks like Sony Bank or Rakuten Bank are sometimes more flexible.
What if I don’t speak Japanese?
Many city halls in major cities have multilingual support or interpreter services. Bring a Japanese-speaking friend for complex tasks. Google Translate’s camera mode can help read documents on the spot. For daily life, apps like DeepL and Google Translate are lifesavers.
Do I need to bring a hanko (personal seal)?
Traditional hanko are becoming less necessary as Japan digitizes, but some landlords, banks, and employers still require one. You can order a custom hanko at shops like Hanko-ya or Don Quijote for ¥1,000–¥3,000. For foreigners, a katakana version of your name is standard.
What about bringing my pet to Japan?
Bringing a dog or cat requires advance planning — at least 7 months before arrival. Japan requires a microchip, rabies vaccinations, blood tests, and an import permit from the Animal Quarantine Service. Start the process early, as quarantine can last up to 180 days if paperwork is incomplete.
You’re Not Alone in This
Moving to a new country is one of the biggest adventures you’ll ever take. It’s normal to feel lost sometimes — but you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.
Join a Yoriai Base community event to meet other people who’ve been through exactly what you’re going through. Get tips, make friends, and build your community in Japan from day one.
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