Japan relocation checklist for expats 2026: detailed step-by-step guide

Relocating to Japan in 2026 demands careful planning, especially for expatriates. This Japan relocation checklist for expats 2026 covers all legal procedures, housing search, city registration, bank account setup, and cultural adaptation. Use Foco to organize each step: create a project named 'Move to Japan' and assign tasks with key dates, priorities, and reminders. During summer (peak rental season), prioritize visa applications and flight bookings to avoid delays.

Japan enforces strict deadlines for tasks like city registration (mandatory within 14 days of arrival) or opening a bank account (requires tax residency). In Foco, use the Kanban view to group tasks by stage (e.g., 'Pre-departure', 'First month') and the Calendar view to track deadlines. Syncing with Google Calendar helps coordinate appointments at embassies, real estate agencies, or banks without overlaps.

What this checklist includes

Actionable tasks ordered by priority, with Japan-specific details (e.g., visa types, rental contracts with guarantors, no-contract utilities). Each task is designed for direct import into Foco, where you can add notes (like document requirements) or attach photos of forms. Use tags like '#Urgent' or '#Documents' to filter tasks by type.

• Apply for a work, student, or spouse visa at the Japanese embassy in your country (requires passport, application form, photo, Certificate of Eligibility, and job offer or invitation letter; process: 1-3 months before travel)
• Book a flight with extra baggage allowance for essentials (check Japanese airlines' weight limits; peak seasons: July-August and December-January)
• Purchase international travel insurance with medical coverage for Japan (mandatory for long-term visas; include COVID-19 coverage if applicable)
• Arrange temporary accommodation for the first 15 days (e.g., Airbnb, guesthouse, or monthly hotel; useful for city registration before signing a long-term lease)
• Prepare apostilled copies of key documents (university degree, criminal record certificate, marriage certificate; translated into Japanese by a certified translator)
• Register at your local city office within 14 days of arrival (bring passport, visa, registration form, and temporary address; receive your 'Zairyū Card')
• Apply for a tax identification number ('My Number') at the city office (requires passport and application form; needed for bank accounts and utilities)
• Open a bank account in Japan (recommended banks: Japan Post Bank, SMBC, or MUFG; bring passport, visa, 'Zairyū Card', 'My Number', and personal seal 'hanko')
• Set up a mobile phone plan with data (providers: SoftBank, Docomo, or Rakuten Mobile; no-contract options available; bring passport and visa)
• Search for permanent housing (use portals like Suumo or Homes; contracts often require a Japanese guarantor or 3-6 months' rent as deposit)
• Contract basic utilities (electricity: TEPCO or Kansai Electric; gas: Tokyo Gas or Osaka Gas; water: managed by the city; internet: Nuro Hikari or SoftBank Hikari)
• Register your address at the local tax office (required for bills and notifications; bring 'Zairyū Card' and rental contract)
• Enroll in Japan's National Health Insurance (mandatory; monthly fee based on income; bring passport and 'Zairyū Card' to the city office)
• Apply for a Residence Card if not issued at the airport (visit the local immigration office; bring passport and photo)
• Learn basic Japanese phrases for administrative tasks (e.g., 'Sumimasen', 'Onegaishimasu', 'Kakunin shite kudasai'; helpful for banks, city offices, and contracts)
• Purchase type A/B plug adapters (Japan uses 100V; check device voltage) and a transformer if needed
• Register with your country's embassy or consulate in Japan (for emergencies; bring passport and 'Zairyū Card')
• Attend expat orientation sessions (offered by city governments or companies like Tokyo Metropolitan Government; covers taxes, culture, and local resources)