Make a life in Tokyo, one step at a time.
From choosing a home to everyday life. Start where you are, with guidance for arriving from overseas or moving within Japan.
Stages: 6Steps: 23Guides: 21
Find your starting pointThis roadmap is in English. Articles in your selected language are linked when available; English articles are labelled.
Before the move
Think about your home, documents, and support from your employer or school.
-
Check the preparation for your move
If you are moving from overseas
Use official guidance for your purpose of residence and ask your employer or school which arrangements they handle.
-
Choose an area that fits your life
Compare your commute, budget, and nearby services across the wards and the Tama area.
-
Decide on your first place to stay
If accommodation is not already arranged
Compare a temporary stay, share house, or rental. Ask what address-related procedures the property supports.
-
Follow the steps to renting a home
Before or after arriving
Work through your conditions, property search, contract, and move-in arrangements.
When you arrive
Reach your first stay and arrange the connection and transport you need today.
-
Get to your first place to stay
If you are arriving by air
Choose a route for your arrival time and luggage. Keep the address and check-in details nearby.
-
Get connected for the first few days
Choose a temporary connection if you need one. Set up a local phone number separately when arranging resident services.
-
Arrange everyday transport
Check your existing transit card or compare options that suit the length of your stay.
Arrange your paperwork
Choose the guidance for your situation. Arriving from overseas and moving within Japan have different starting points.
-
Check resident registration for your first address in Japan
First arrival from overseas, once your address is decided
Use the ISA living-support guide to prepare for your local office. Ask the municipality about documents for your address and situation.
-
Check the paperwork for a move within Japan
If you are moving within Japan
Check what applies to your old and new address, including whether you are staying in the same municipality.
-
Find your insurance and pension contact
Depending on your work and household situation
Check whether your employer handles your enrollment or whether you need to contact your local office.
Set up your home and essentials
Housing, phone service, and banking can depend on each other. Check the requirements and arrange what you can in parallel.
-
Arrange a local phone number
If you need a local number
Ask the provider which identity documents and payment methods it accepts before applying.
-
Check your bank-account options
When you need a Japanese bank account
Ask the bank about the documents and services available for your circumstances. Check any employer or school support too.
-
Prepare utilities and home internet
Once your home and move-in date are decided
Ask what your housing includes, then arrange the services and appointments you need for move-in.
-
Get ready to receive mail and parcels
Check the mailbox and building delivery arrangements, and learn how to request redelivery.
-
Find your local rubbish collection rules
Look up the collection calendar and sorting guide for your address.
Find your everyday rhythm
Use these guides whenever a new task comes up, and make room for people and places you enjoy.
-
Set up payments for daily life and household bills
Choose the payment methods that work for you and learn where you can handle bills.
-
Find a clinic or medical contact
Check nearby options and the information to bring when you visit. You can use this guide at any stage.
-
Explore childcare options
For families with young children
Check options and application arrangements with the municipality where your family will live.
-
Understand job hunting and working life
If you are looking for work
Read the sections for your experience and the kind of work you are looking for.
-
Meet people and local communities
Optional
Find a language class, a hobby group, or somewhere to become a regular.
-
Keep track of future paperwork
Keep notices together and use official information to check updates that apply to your work, address, and residence.
Move to another home or leave Japan
Start with where you are going next: another home in Japan or a move overseas.
-
Prepare for your next home in Japan
If you are moving within Japan
Check your lease, change-of-address arrangements, and plans for the belongings you will not take.
-
Arrange the end of your stay in Japan
If you are moving overseas
List your housing, utility, phone, and banking contacts. Ask each provider and your local office about arrangements for your departure.
Find the guide for your next question.
Look up a particular task, or explore the other side of Tokyo.