What To Do In Your First Week In Japan
In this article, you will find a list of procedures and things to prepare in your first week after arriving in Japan for work or study. Following these six steps will help you start living and working in Japan smoothly.
Six Things To Do When You Arrive In Japan
1. Receive your residence card at the airport
A residence card is an important identification card for people living in Japan. You must carry it with you for the duration of your stay. Information such as your nationality, name, date of birth, and residence status is printed on the card. You can receive a residence card after going through immigration at an airport in Japan.
Residence cards are issued upon entry at the following airports: Narita International Airport (NRT), Haneda Airport (NHD), Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), Kansai International Airport (KIX), New Chitose Airport (SPK), Hiroshima Airport (HIJ), and Fukuoka Airport (FUK).
*If you arrive in Japan at a port of entry different from the ones listed above, you will not receive a residence card right away. After your arrival, submit a Moving-in Notification to the municipal office where you plan to live and your residence card will be mailed to you at a later date.
Living/Working Guidebook | Immigration Services Agency (moj.go.jp)
Procedures When Entering and Residing in Japan | TIPS (tokyo-tsunagari.or.jp)
2. Make a personal seal
In Japan, a personal seal may be required when carrying out official procedures, such as submitting your Notification of Place of Residence or registering for health insurance.
Types of personal seals and how to make one:
- Unregistered Seal (Mitome-in)
An unregistered seal is a personal seal that has not been officially registered at your municipal office. It is often used for signing resumes or company contracts. Since it is easy to make an unregistered seal online or at a specialty shop, we recommend getting one as soon as you arrive in Japan. - Registered Seal (Jitsu-in)
A registered seal is a personal seal that has been registered at a municipal office by submitting the necessary form. You can register your personal seal at the municipal office in the city or town where you live. Only one seal can be registered to one individual. A registered seal is needed when making large purchases, such as buying a car, or applying for life insurance.
It is unlikely that you will need a registered seal as soon as you arrive in Japan, so we recommend making an unregistered seal first.
3. Choose a place to live
If you haven’t arranged a place to live before coming to Japan, you should start searching for accommodations right away. Here is a list of steps you can take to find an apartment for rent in Japan.
(1) Determine your conditions:
What are you looking for in a home? Consider your budget (monthly rent, management fees, security deposit, key money, etc.); location (within walking distance of a train station or convenience store; less than a 30-minute commute to work or school; level of noise); floor plan (spaciousness, separate bath and toilet, natural light), and the year it was built.
When Moving House or Returning to Your Country, Pay Attention to these Points!
This page will introduce you to the rules for renting a house. There have been cases where international students have caused trouble to their neighbors because they did not know the rules in their Japanese apartments or did not follow the rules when moving out. Let’s learn the rules beforehand to live comfortably.
(2) Search apartment listings:
Use the internet, apps, or a real estate agent to find an apartment that meets your needs. You can easily find information about apartments online by typing in the name of the area you want to live and the word 賃貸 (chintai), which means “rental.” You can also go to a real estate agent and ask them to show you apartments that meet your requirements.
(3) Review apartment information:
Take a look at the information available for the apartments that you are interested in, such as photos, floor plans, amenities, and access to public transportation. You should also confirm the cost of rent, the security deposit, key money, management fees, and other expenses.
The security deposit (shiki-kin) will be used to pay for cleaning costs when you move out. Many apartment owners will require one to two months’ rent for the security deposit. Key money (rei-kin) is paid to the landlord as a token of appreciation when you move in. Because key money is not a deposit, it will not be returned to you when your rental agreement ends.
(4) Visit apartments:
Go see several apartments, taking note of each apartment’s condition and the surrounding neighborhood. A real estate agent will accompany you on your visits. During an apartment viewing, make sure to discuss any questions or concerns you have with the real estate agent, and give the apartment a thorough examination.
(5) Make an application:
If you find an apartment that you like, fill out an application and follow the contract procedures.
In our next article, we will discuss how to rent an apartment in Japan in even more detail. You can learn about rental costs and procedures that are unique to Japan. Be sure to check it out!
How to Rent an Apartment in Japan
If you have to rent an apartment by yourself in Japan, you must be very worried about finding the right one. When renting an apartment in Japan, you need to be careful because there are some unique customs that are not found in other countries. Here is some basic knowledge you need to know to rent a room in Japan.
4. Complete the necessary procedures at your local municipal office
Once your new address has been decided, there are some official procedures that must be carried out. You can complete these procedures at the municipal office where you live.
Notification of Place of Residence
If you have received your residence card, you must register your address within two weeks of moving into your new home. If you do not submit a Notification of Place of Residence within 90 days of arriving in Japan for the first time without reasonable grounds, your residence status may be revoked.
What to bring to your municipal office:
- Passport
- Residence card (if you already received a residence card at the airport)
What you need to bring may vary depending on the municipality. Please check the website of the city, town, or ward you live in for more information.
If you fail to register your address:
If you do not submit a Notification of Place of Residence, or if you submit the form with false information, you may be penalized or your status of residence may be revoked. If you are imprisoned for submitting false information, the authorities will have reason to deport you from Japan.
National Health Insurance and Social Insurance
- National Health Insurance:
Foreign residents who intend to stay in Japan for three months or more must enroll in the National Health Insurance program. If you plan to live in Japan for a long time, make sure to register for health insurance.
What to bring:
Residence card or passport (If your residence status is listed as Designated Activities, your Certificate of Designation is also required.) - Social Insurance:
If you will be employed in Japan, you should register for social insurance rather than National Health Insurance. Your employer will enroll you in social insurance. Follow your employer’s instructions and provide them with the documentation they need to complete the procedures for enrollment.
National Pension
People who live in Japan, are between the ages of 20 and 59, and who fall under one of the following two categories, are required to enroll in the National Pension System.
- A person who is not enrolled in the Employees’ Pension Insurance system
- A person who is not a dependent of someone enrolled in the Employees’ Pension Insurance system
What to bring:
Residence card and passport (showing the date you arrived in Japan)
What you need to bring may vary depending on the municipality. Please check the website of the city, town, or ward you live in for more information.
Foreigners whose resident status is listed as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or Specified Skilled Worker, their families, and Technical Intern Trainees, etc., are enrolled in the Employees’ Pension system. Please take a look at our next article for more details.
Japanese Insurance System
Foreigners living in Japan must have a pension and medical insurance (health insurance). If you show your health insurance card at a hospital, your self-payment will be reduced. This page explains pension, medical insurance, etc.
外国人のみなさまへ 国民年金のご案内 | 日本年金機構 (nenkin.go.jp)
Individual Number Card
An Individual Number Card, or My Number Card, as it is known in Japanese, is used for administrative procedures such as social security, taxes, and disaster countermeasures. We recommend making one as it is convenient to have.
You can use your Individual Number Card as proof of identification. It can also be used for various procedures, such as filing tax returns, or registering for social insurance.
You can make an Individual Number Card online, by mail, or by using a photo ID booth. Check out the link below to learn how you can get one made.
Create a My Number Card and live a convenient life! | Immigration Services Agency (moj.go.jp)
5. Buy a SIM card
A SIM card is an important item to have when you start living in Japan. If you buy a SIM card soon after you arrive, your smartphone will have a working telephone number and access to the internet. Not only will you be able to use the internet on the go, but you may also be asked for your telephone number to complete official procedures, such as making a bank account.
Where to buy a SIM card:
- In-store
If you want to purchase a SIM card in-store, you can go to a mobile carrier shop or an electronics store. Mobile carrier shops provide cell phone repair services, and their experienced staff can answer any questions you have.
Electronics stores, on the other hand, offer unique campaigns and are great for people who want to compare different mobile carriers to get the best deal. - Online
Many mobile carriers will allow you to sign up for service online. You can complete all the procedures online without having to visit a shop in person. This online service is convenient because you can receive your SIM card in the mail.
Things to prepare in advance:
- Personal Identification
Residence Card, Individual Number Card, Special Permanent Resident Certificate, health insurance card, passport, driver’s license (excluding international driver’s licenses), etc. - Credit Card
(If you want to pay by direct debit from your bank account, you will need your cash card or bank book.)
The documents required may vary depending on the SIM card carrier. For details, please check the official website of the mobile carrier you want to sign up with.
How to Use Cell phone and Wi-Fi in Japan?
Cell phones in Japan are contract-based. If you are planning to come to Japan, or if you are already living in Japan and thinking about signing a new contract or switching to a new cell phone, this article will tell you how to choose a good cell phone carrier (SIM).
6. Make a bank account
Opening a bank account will make receiving your salary, and paying for rent, electricity, and gas more convenient.
You can complete the necessary procedures at your local bank or online.
Things to prepare in advance:
- Personal Identification
Residence Card, Individual Number Card, Special Permanent Resident Certificate, health insurance card, passport, driver’s license (excluding international driver’s licenses), etc.
- Phone Number
The documents required may vary depending on the bank. Please check your bank’s official website for details.
Conclusion
By following these six steps as soon as you arrive, you will have a much easier time getting yourself settled in Japan.
Once you have made it this far, you can move on to buying furniture and daily necessities, and setting up utilities, like electricity and gas. You will find lots of useful information on the links below. We hope you check them out!
How to start using Electricity, Water and Gas?
If you sign a contract for an apartment by yourself, you will also need to sign the electricity, water and gas contracts by yourself. Learn how to contract, start using, or terminate a contract for electricity and other services.
Rules and Customs for Living in Japan
This article introduces you to the rules and manners of living in Japan. Disposing of garbage, making noise, etc. can lead to troubles with your neighbor. Learn about the differences between your country and Japan and try to follow the Japanese way of life.
How to Use Public Transportation (Trains, Buses, Long-Distance Buses)
In this article, we will introduce how to buy and use IC cards, how to ride trains and buses, and how to pay fares.
Annual Events in Japan
Here are some of Japan’s biggest annual events. There are four distinct seasons in Japan, and there are many seasonal events.
Prices and Living Costs in Japan
It is said that housing, cell phones, and train fare are expensive in Japan. How much does it cost to live in Japan, and how much can you cover with a part-time job?
