← 首页

工具 · 住房

Move-in Setup Checklist

What to do after moving into a home in Japan — in the right order. Gas, electricity, address registration, insurance, and more.

更新时间: 2026-04-05

这份清单的用途

Today

Start with the things that block daily life and legal setup.

Register your address at city hall (転入届)

Required by law within 14 days. Bring your residence card and passport. This unlocks health insurance, My Number, and most other services.

Set up electricity

Usually possible online or by phone with your provider. Check the instructions left by the previous tenant or your agent.

Confirm water is running

Water is often already connected. If not, contact your municipality or the building manager.

Book a gas opening appointment

Gas requires an in-person technician visit. You cannot turn it on yourself. Book as early as possible — appointments fill up.

This week

Stabilize daily life: communication, money, and insurance.

Start the process of opening a bank account

Rules vary by bank and visa type. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ) and Rakuten Bank tend to be more accessible for newcomers.

Set up a phone number or SIM

Some contracts require a bank account. MVNOs (格安SIM) are usually easier to get than major carriers for new residents.

Arrange home internet

Fiber installation typically takes 1–4 weeks. Order early. Use a pocket WiFi in the meantime if needed.

Confirm health insurance enrollment

If your employer provides insurance, confirm with HR. If not, enroll in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) at city hall when you register your address.

Notify your employer or school of your new address

Required for payroll, commuter pass, and official correspondence.

This month

Reduce long-term friction and handle the administrative basics.

Handle My Number card procedures

Do not ignore official mail from your municipality. Your My Number notification will arrive by post after address registration.

Get your local garbage collection schedule

Garbage rules differ by city and neighborhood. Wrong sorting = bag left uncollected. Ask your building manager or check your city's website.

Store lease, utility, and city hall documents in one place

You will need them again — for tax, address changes, insurance claims, and more.

Save local emergency and support contacts

Especially useful if you get sick or need help without speaking Japanese. FRESC (0570-011000) offers multilingual support.

Share this page

Best for: People who just moved into a home in Japan

If you just moved into a new place in Japan and do not know what to do first, this checklist is the fastest place to start.

Short version: Moved in? Start here. A simple setup checklist for foreigners in Japan.

官方来源

非官方政府信息来源 · 仅供实用参考。