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🇯🇵 Japan

Moving Guide

Moving to Japan involves a series of mandatory administrative steps that must be completed in a specific order. The residence card (在留カード), ward office registration, My Number registration, and bank account opening form the core of your first weeks.

Within 14 days

Residence Card Registration

At ward office after arrival

~3–4 weeks

My Number Processing Time

Mailed to registered address

3–6 months residence

Bank Account (typical wait)

Japan Post Bank accepts new arrivals

1 year from arrival

International License Validity

Then convert to Japanese license

~$300–$600 / 20kg

Air Freight to Japan

Sea freight more economical for large moves

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Overview

Moving to Japan involves a series of mandatory administrative steps that must be completed in a specific order. The residence card (在留カード), ward office registration, My Number registration, and bank account opening form the core of your first weeks. Japan's bureaucracy is generally efficient but strictly sequential — completing each step in the right order prevents frustrating delays.

Key Takeaways

  • Secure your visa/Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from your employer or embassy before departure
  • Day 1 (airport): your residence card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) is issued at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, or Kansai airports for long-stay visa holders; inspect it carefully for errors
  • Air freight: fastest (5–10 days) but expensive — approximately ¥45,000–¥90,000 ($300–$600) for 20kg; use for priority items only
  • International Driving Permit (IDP): valid in Japan for 1 year from first entry date (not permit issue date); you must hold a valid permit from your home country
1

Pre-Arrival Checklist

Preparing before you leave significantly reduces the stress of the first weeks. Japan rewards preparation — having the right documents in the right format avoids repeated trips to government offices.

  • Secure your visa/Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from your employer or embassy before departure
  • Book temporary accommodation for minimum 1 month (gaijin house, Airbnb, or serviced apartment) — you need an address to register at the ward office
  • Carry multiple passport photos (証明写真) — needed for ward registration, bank accounts, and various government forms
  • Bring paper copies of all important documents: passport, visa, employment contract, qualification certificates, birth certificate (useful for name verification), and marriage certificate if bringing family
  • Prepare translated/notarized copies of medical records and critical prescriptions — Japan cannot access foreign medical records
  • Download essential apps before arrival: Google Translate (with Japanese offline pack), HyperDia or Navitime (train navigation), Line (essential for Japan communication), and your airline's app
  • Notify your home country bank of the move and check whether your cards work at Japanese ATMs (Visa/Mastercard at 7-Bank ATMs is most reliable)
2

First Week — Mandatory Administrative Steps

Your first administrative priority in Japan is residence registration. This unlocks everything else — banking, healthcare enrollment, utility accounts, and employment documentation all require a registered address.

  • Day 1 (airport): your residence card (在留カード, Zairyu Card) is issued at Narita, Haneda, Chubu, or Kansai airports for long-stay visa holders; inspect it carefully for errors
  • Within 14 days: register your address at your local ward office (区役所, kuyakusho) — bring passport, residence card, and your rental contract or accommodation address
  • At the ward office: complete 転入届 (move-in notification); enroll in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) at the same visit; confirm My Number (マイナンバー) notification process
  • My Number (マイナンバー): Japan's national ID system; a 12-digit number mailed to your registered address within 3–4 weeks; needed for tax, banking, and employment
  • Bank account: attempt Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — most foreigner-friendly for new arrivals with just a residence card and passport; bring your residence registration certificate (住民票謄本) for extra verification
  • SIM card: purchase at airport (Softbank, Docomo kiosks) or visit a Rakuten Mobile store for the most English-friendly setup
3

Shipping Belongings to Japan

Japan's customs system is strict but well-organized. Most household goods can be imported duty-free for a new resident's first move. Electronics and certain items have restrictions.

  • Air freight: fastest (5–10 days) but expensive — approximately ¥45,000–¥90,000 ($300–$600) for 20kg; use for priority items only
  • Sea freight: most economical for large volumes — 20-foot container from the US costs approximately ¥300,000–¥500,000 ($2,000–$3,333); 6–8 weeks transit
  • Duty-free allowance for new residents: personal effects and household goods are duty-free on first import if you have held them for 1+ year and arrive within 6 months of your visa issuance
  • Restricted/prohibited imports: fresh food, meats, certain plants (soil attached), firearms, certain knives, and prescription medications exceeding 2 months' supply (carry certificates)
  • Electronics: Japan uses 100V/50-60Hz — bring step-down converters for high-wattage appliances (hairdryers, blenders); most laptops/phones auto-switch voltages
  • Recommended international movers for Japan: Yamato Transport (international), AGS Japan, Allied Pickfords Japan, and Nippon Express all serve the expat market
4

Driving License and Utilities

Setting up utilities and understanding Japan's driving license rules are practical necessities for many expats, particularly those moving to suburban or rural areas.

  • International Driving Permit (IDP): valid in Japan for 1 year from first entry date (not permit issue date); you must hold a valid permit from your home country
  • Converting to Japanese license: after 1 year, you must pass a knowledge test (in English available) and sometimes a practical skills test; difficulty varies significantly by home country — citizens from countries with license reciprocity (UK, Canada, Australia) have an easier process than others
  • Electricity: contact Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) or local utility (Kansai Electric, Chubu Electric) — available in English online; requires meter reading box code from your apartment
  • Gas: contact Tokyo Gas, Osaka Gas, etc. — requires scheduled activation appointment; call the number posted in your apartment
  • Water: included in rent for most apartments; standalone houses require self-registration with the local water authority
  • Internet: NTT Flets Hikari installation takes 2–6 weeks in major cities; ask your landlord if the building already has fiber; in the interim, use a pocket WiFi rental
FAQs

Common Questions — Moving Guide in Japan

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