Moving to Japan Checklist for Foreigners
Split your move into three lists: official procedures, communications and payments, and making the apartment physically livable.
Quick Answer
Split your move into three lists: official procedures, communications and payments, and making the apartment physically livable.
🇯🇵 Kimika’s Local Take
When I think about the first week in a new Japanese home, I think of unpacking boxes, mold prevention, drain filters and getting utilities/payment systems under control. The glamorous purchases can wait.
Before Arrival
Keep immigration documents, accommodation details, access to money, medication information and your first route from the airport easy to reach.
First 72 Hours
Get mobile data, understand your train route, buy bedding and toiletries, and complete any time-sensitive administrative steps that apply to your residence status.
Make the Apartment Work
Set up electricity, gas or other utilities where required, internet, waste sorting, drain filters, cleaning supplies and humidity control.
First Two Weeks
Learn your nearest supermarket, drugstore, clinic, post office and emergency information. Set up a repeatable daily routine before buying lots of furniture.
⚠️ What Foreigners Often Misunderstand
In Japan, internet and utilities are not always magically bundled into rent. Rental conditions vary, and deregulated energy plans can make the choices feel more complicated than expected.
Quick Checklist
- Connectivity
- Required registrations
- Utilities
- Internet
- Bedding
- Drain filters
- Humidity control
- Garbage schedule
- Nearby supermarket and drugstore
Related Japan IRL Guides
- What to Do in Your First Week Living in Japan
- What to Buy When You First Move to Japan
- 15 Japanese Apartment Essentials Foreigners Don’t Know They Need
About Kimika
Kimika was born and raised in Okinawa and moved to Tokyo at 23. She has now spent almost a decade living and working in Tokyo as a full-time office worker. Japan IRL shares everyday Japan from a local resident’s perspective — not from the viewpoint of a short-term visitor.