Checklist moving to Tokyo from US 2026: complete relocation guide

Moving to Tokyo from the US in 2026 demands careful planning, especially with visa deadlines, competitive housing markets, and local registration processes. This checklist moving to Tokyo from US 2026 covers every step: securing your work or student visa, registering with the city, opening a Japanese bank account, and adapting to local customs. Use this list in Foco to organize tasks by priority and deadline, sync them with your calendar, and collaborate with agents or roommates.

Tokyo has key specifics: the busiest moving seasons are March-April (start of the fiscal year) and September-October, when rental contracts typically renew. City registration must be completed within 14 days of arrival, and some visas (like work visas) require prior employer approval. Many banks require a personal seal (inkan) for account opening, and utility contracts (electricity, gas, internet) are often paid in cash at convenience stores.

What this checklist includes

Actionable tasks for each phase: pre-departure (visa, insurance, packing), first days in Tokyo (registration, transport, essentials), and long-term adaptation (bank, phone, culture). Each step is ordered by priority and real deadlines, with notes on required documents and useful links. Import this list into Foco to assign start and due dates, attach document photos, or record voice reminders for critical deadlines.

• Confirm visa type needed (work, student, dependent) and apply at the Japanese embassy in the US at least 3 months in advance (requires COE from employer or university)
• Book flight with extra baggage allowance for essentials (max 2 checked bags of 23 kg each on budget airlines)
• Purchase international health insurance covering Japan (mandatory for long-stay visas; verify coverage at English-speaking clinics)
• Pack and ship belongings by sea (sea freight takes 6-8 weeks; hire an international moving company like Allied or Nippon Express)
• Cancel or pause US services (utilities, internet, subscriptions) and forward mail to a family member or mail forwarding service
• Register temporary Tokyo address (hotel or Airbnb) on the disembarkation card (available on the plane or at the airport)
• Complete foreign resident registration (gaikokujin toroku) at your ward office within 14 days (requires passport, visa, passport-sized photo, and completed form)
• Purchase a personal seal (inkan) at a stationery store (needed for bank accounts and contracts; choose a standard design)
• Open a Japanese bank account (English-friendly options: Japan Post Bank, SMBC Prestia, or Sony Bank; bring passport, visa, residence card, and inkan)
• Apply for a residence card (zairyu card) at the immigration office if on a long-term visa (free process; bring passport and photo)
• Set up a mobile phone plan with data (options: SoftBank, Docomo, or MVNOs like Rakuten Mobile; bring passport, visa, and residence card)
• Search for permanent housing (use portals like Suumo or GaijinPot; hire a real estate agent if you don’t speak Japanese; initial deposit is typically 4-6 months’ rent)
• Register your rental contract at the ward office to obtain a residence certificate (juminhyo) and activate utilities (electricity with TEPCO, gas with Tokyo Gas, water with the ward office)
• Buy an IC transport card (Suica or Pasmo) at train station machines (rechargeable; needed for subways, buses, and store purchases)
• Enroll in basic Japanese language classes (options: schools like Coto Language Academy or apps like Bunpo; useful for daily life and paperwork)
• Learn key cultural norms (e.g., no eating while walking, sorting trash into 4 categories, removing shoes indoors and in some restaurants)
• Join expat groups in Tokyo (Facebook: 'Tokyo Expats', Meetup: 'Tokyo International Friends') to ask questions and network
• Visit an English-speaking clinic for a health check and recommended vaccines (e.g., Tokyo Midtown Clinic or St. Luke’s International Hospital)