Checklist for moving to Japan: essential tasks, housing, and cultural adaptation (2026-2027 guide)

Moving to Japan requires careful planning, especially for legal procedures, housing, and cultural adaptation. This checklist for moving to Japan covers all critical steps: securing a visa, registering as a foreign resident, obtaining a social insurance number, opening a bank account, and navigating public transport. Designed for expats relocating in 2026 or 2027, this Japan relocation guide for expats includes real deadlines, local customs, and practical resources to avoid common pitfalls.

Japan has strict requirements for rental contracts, deposits, and official registrations, along with cultural norms like recycling rules and building etiquette. This list helps you organize every phase of your move, from pre-departure preparations to your first months in the country. Use this checklist to prioritize tasks and track progress efficiently.

What this expat guide to Japan includes

Legal procedures (visa, foreigner registration, social insurance number), housing search (contracts, deposits, real estate agencies), essential services (bank, phone, transport), key cultural customs, and a packing list. Each task is ordered by priority and real deadlines in Japan, with specific details to prevent delays or fines.

• Verify visa requirements based on your nationality and purpose (work, study, spouse) on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or your local consulate, and gather documents such as a valid passport, application form, recent photo, Certificate of Eligibility (if applicable), and proof of financial stability
• Apply for the visa at your nearest Japanese consulate at least 3 months before your move, paying the applicable fees (varies by visa type)
• Book a flight arriving in Japan during business hours (weekdays, before 4:00 PM) to complete immediate procedures like foreigner registration
• Prepare certified copies of essential documents (passport, visa, Certificate of Eligibility, university diploma, employment contract, or school acceptance letter) translated into Japanese by a certified translator
• Upon arrival in Japan, register as a foreign resident at your local municipal office within 14 days, bringing your passport, visa, completed registration form, and residential address (can be temporary)
• Obtain your Social Insurance and Tax Number (Individual Number) at the same municipal office when registering as a foreigner, required for employment contracts, bank accounts, and medical services
• Search for housing through real estate agencies specializing in expats (such as UR Housing, Leopalace, or Mini Mini) or platforms like GaijinPot Housing, comparing contracts, deposits (typically 4-6 months’ rent), and agency fees (1-2 months’ rent)
• Visit properties in person or via video call with the agency, checking details like distance to the nearest train station, building condition, house rules, and mandatory recycling system
• Sign the rental contract and pay initial deposits (shikikin, reikin, guarantee deposit, and agency commission) via bank transfer or cash in yen, keeping all receipts
• Set up utilities (electricity, gas, water, and internet) with providers like TEPCO, Tokyo Gas, or SoftBank, scheduling activation for your move-in date and verifying if the building has provider restrictions
• Open a bank account in Japan at branches of Japan Post Bank, SMBC, or MUFG, bringing your passport, residence card, social insurance number, and registered personal seal (inkan/hanko)
• Apply for a Japanese debit or credit card (such as Rakuten Card or JCB) to facilitate payments and avoid foreign transaction fees
• Register a Japanese phone number with carriers like SoftBank, Docomo, or Rakuten Mobile, choosing between contract plans (require residence card) or prepaid options (no contract, but with limitations)
• Purchase a Suica or Pasmo card at train station machines or airports to use public transport, loading it with enough balance for your first few days
• Learn basic Japanese phrases for daily situations (greetings, directions, shopping) using apps like Duolingo, Tae Kim’s Guide to Japanese, or platforms like iTalki, prioritizing hiragana and katakana
• Enroll in a Japanese language course in-person or online (such as language schools in Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka) if required by your visa or to ease integration, checking if your employer or school offers financial support
• Familiarize yourself with key cultural customs: recycling rules (separating trash into categories like burnable, non-burnable, PET bottles, cans), quiet hours in buildings (typically 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM), and etiquette in public baths or onsens
• Pack essentials for your first months, including season-appropriate clothing (humid summers and cold winters in most regions), type A/B plug adapters, prescription medications with translated labels, and personal hygiene products (some foreign items may not be available)
• Ship your belongings by sea or air with international moving companies like Allied Pickfords or Nippon Express, comparing costs and timelines (sea shipping may take 2-3 months), and declaring items subject to taxes
• Register with your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan to receive safety alerts and emergency assistance, and download useful apps like Japan Official Travel App, Google Translate (with offline Japanese), and Yahoo! Japan Weather
• Attend expat welcome events organized by groups like Tokyo International Friends or Meetup, or through your employer or school, to build a local support network