Your First Two Weeks in Japan: What to Prioritize

The first weeks after arriving in Japan involve a flurry of administrative tasks. Tackling them in the right order saves time and headaches. Here's a practical roadmap for getting your daily life set up efficiently.

Step 1: Register at Your Local Ward or City Office (Shiyakusho)

Within 14 days of moving to Japan, you are legally required to register your address at the local kuyakusho (ward office) or shiyakusho (city hall). Bring your passport and residence card. This registration is the foundation for almost everything else — health insurance enrollment, tax registration, and setting up a bank account.

Step 2: Enroll in National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken)

Japan has a universal healthcare system. If you are not covered by an employer's health insurance, you must enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme at your ward office. Premiums are income-based and can be quite low for those in their first year with little documented income. With NHI, you typically pay 30% of medical costs — the system covers the remaining 70%.

If your employer provides shakai hoken (social insurance), you'll be automatically enrolled and premiums are split between you and your employer.

Step 3: Set Up Utilities

Utilities in Japan are generally set up by the tenant. Here's what to expect:

  • Electricity: Contact the local power company (e.g., TEPCO in Tokyo). Many now offer online sign-up with an English option.
  • Gas: A technician must visit to turn on the gas. Schedule this before your move-in date.
  • Water: Often handled by your landlord or building management. Confirm upon signing your lease.
  • Internet: Options include fiber broadband (hikari) through NTT, SoftBank, or au Hikari. Setup can take 2–4 weeks. Consider a pocket Wi-Fi or SIM card in the interim.

Step 4: Get a Japanese SIM Card or Phone Plan

You'll need a Japanese phone number for banking, job applications, and daily tasks. Major carriers include NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and au. For budget-conscious newcomers, MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) like IIJmio, Rakuten Mobile, or Mineo offer much cheaper plans on the same networks.

Step 5: Set Up Transportation

Japan's public transit system is world-class. Get yourself set up with a rechargeable IC card:

  • Suica (JR East, primarily Tokyo area)
  • ICOCA (JR West, Osaka/Kyoto/Hiroshima area)
  • Pasmo, Manaca, Hayakaken — regional equivalents

These cards work across trains, subways, buses, and even at many convenience stores and vending machines. They save you from fumbling with exact change.

If you plan to drive, a foreign license can be used temporarily, but most residents eventually get a Japanese driver's license (menkyo). The process varies depending on your home country's driving agreement with Japan.

Step 6: Register for My Number (Individual Number)

Japan's equivalent of a national ID is the My Number system. Your My Number is mailed to your registered address shortly after you register at the ward office. Keep this safe — you'll need it for tax filings, health insurance, and some banking procedures. You can optionally apply for a My Number Card (mainen card), which doubles as a photo ID.

Useful Day-to-Day Apps

  • Google Maps / Navitime: Transit navigation in Japan.
  • Yahoo! Japan Transit: Excellent for train route planning.
  • LINE: The dominant messaging app in Japan — essential for staying in touch.
  • Mercari / Jimoty: Second-hand marketplaces, great for furnishing your apartment cheaply.
  • PayPay / IC card apps: Mobile payment solutions widely accepted across Japan.