Moving to Japan checklist 2026: legal steps, housing, and essential tasks for expats

Relocating to Japan in 2026 demands careful planning, from legal paperwork to cultural integration. This expat relocation to Japan guide covers all the essentials: visas, residence registration, housing search, bank account setup, utility contracts, and practical tips for daily life, such as public transport etiquette and workplace norms. Designed as an actionable checklist, it’s perfect for those seeking a realistic, step-by-step approach—compatible with Foco to organize every phase of your move.

Why this checklist stands out

Unlike generic guides, this checklist is built to be imported directly into Foco, the app that helps you manage multiple projects in one place. Each task is structured in the logical order expats follow in Japan, with real deadlines (like the 14-day window to register your residence after arrival) and territory-specific details, such as the requirements for renting without a Japanese guarantor or how to choose between different work visa types.

Use Foco’s Panorama mode to view all your moving tasks at once, each color-coded for clarity, or switch to Focus mode to concentrate on specific areas like legal paperwork or housing. The Kanban view lets you organize tasks into columns like 'To Do,' 'In Progress,' and 'Done,' and drag them to update their status. If you prefer deadlines, the Calendar view will help you meet critical timelines, such as visa renewals or national health insurance enrollment.

• Apply for a work, student, or spouse visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country (requires valid passport, application form, recent photo, Certificate of Eligibility issued by your employer or institution in Japan, and in some cases, bank statements or employment contract)
• Book your flight at least 2 months in advance and confirm the arrival date aligns with your visa start date (avoid peak seasons like March-April or September-October, when prices rise and temporary housing availability is limited)
• Purchase international travel insurance covering your first 30 days in Japan (mandatory for some visas and useful until you enroll in the national health insurance system)
• Arrange temporary accommodation for your first 2-4 weeks (common options: Airbnb, guesthouses like Sakura House or LeoPalace, or business hotels like Toyoko Inn; ensure they accept long-term stays and are near your future neighborhood or workplace)
• Prepare certified copies of essential documents (passport, visa, Certificate of Eligibility, university diploma, criminal record certificate translated into Japanese and apostilled, and if applicable, marriage or birth certificate for spouse or dependent visas)
• Register your address at the local city ward office within 14 days of arrival (requires passport, visa, registration form, and in some cases, rental contract; this step is mandatory to obtain your residence card and access basic services)
• Apply for your My Number (tax ID) at the ward office when registering your residence (you’ll receive the card by mail in 2-4 weeks; it’s required to open a bank account, sign utility contracts, and work legally)
• Open a bank account in Japan (recommended options for expats: Japan Post Bank, SMBC Prestia, or Shinsei Bank; you’ll need your passport, residence card, My Number, personal seal inkan, and in some cases, proof of employment or address)
• Set up a mobile phone plan with data (popular providers: SoftBank, Docomo, or Rakuten Mobile; you’ll need your passport, residence card, and sometimes a Japanese bank account for automatic payments; avoid long-term contracts if your visa is temporary)
• Enroll in the National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) at the ward office if not covered by your employer’s insurance (monthly cost varies by income but is typically around 20,000 JPY; this is mandatory and provides 70% coverage for medical expenses)
• Search for permanent housing (common options: real estate agencies like UR Housing, Leopalace, or Minimini, or platforms like GaijinPot Housing; check requirements such as 1-2 months’ rent deposit, 'key money' of 1-2 months, Japanese guarantor or rental insurance; in cities like Tokyo, leases are usually 2 years)
• Set up utilities for your new home (electricity with TEPCO or Tokyo Gas, water with the local ward office, and gas with Tokyo Gas or a local propane provider; some services require a technician visit to activate; internet: options like Nuro Hikari or SoftBank Hikari, with 1-2 year contracts and rented equipment)
• Learn the basics of public transportation (purchase a Suica or Pasmo IC card for trains and buses, download apps like Japan Transit Planner or Google Maps for schedules, and familiarize yourself with etiquette like not talking on the phone or giving up seats to elderly passengers)
• Attend an expat cultural orientation session (offered by ward offices, companies, or groups like Tokyo International Communication Committee; topics include workplace etiquette, recycling rules, and how to interact with neighbors)
• Enroll in basic Japanese language classes if your proficiency is low (options: language schools like Coto Language Academy, ward office classes, or apps like Duolingo or Bunpo; N5 level is useful for daily tasks, while N4 or higher is recommended for working in Japanese environments)
• Purchase essential household items (recommended stores: Nitori for affordable furniture, Don Quijote for miscellaneous goods, or Amazon Japan for quick deliveries; prioritize items like futons, small appliances, and kitchenware, as many Japanese apartments are unfurnished)
• Register your address with your home country’s embassy or consulate in Japan (optional but recommended for safety alerts or emergency assistance; some countries allow online registration)
• Obtain an International Driving Permit if you plan to drive in Japan (requires a valid license from your home country and an official translation; Japan drives on the left, and parking is expensive and scarce in cities like Tokyo)
• Review and renew your visa before it expires (the process varies by visa type; for example, work visas typically renew every 1-3 years and require updated documents from your employer; start the process at least 2 months before expiration)