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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 point

This 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.

  1. 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.

  2. Choose an area that fits your life

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  1. Arrange a local phone number

    If you need a local number

    Ask the provider which identity documents and payment methods it accepts before applying.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Get ready to receive mail and parcels

    Check the mailbox and building delivery arrangements, and learn how to request redelivery.

  5. 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.

  1. Set up payments for daily life and household bills

  2. 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.

  3. Explore childcare options

    For families with young children

    Check options and application arrangements with the municipality where your family will live.

  4. Understand job hunting and working life

  5. Meet people and local communities

    Optional

    Find a language class, a hobby group, or somewhere to become a regular.

  6. 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.

  1. Prepare for your next home in Japan

  2. 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.

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