Moving to Japan is exciting, but once the excitement wears off, reality quickly sets in.

Instead of sightseeing and exploring your new neighborhood, you’ll probably find yourself dealing with residence cards, city hall paperwork, bank appointments, phone contracts, and forms that are often only available in Japanese. For many newcomers, these first few weeks feel more overwhelming than learning the language itself.

The good news is that you don’t need to speak fluent Japanese to settle in successfully. Knowing what to do, when to do it, and which Japanese phrases to use can make every appointment much less stressful. This guide walks you through eight essential tasks many new residents complete during their first month in Japan, along with practical Japanese you’ll actually hear and use.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know:

• Which procedures may be legally required after arriving
• Which documents to prepare
• Useful Japanese phrases for each situation
• Common mistakes to avoid
• How to practice these conversations before you need them

Whether you’re moving for work, university, or a long-term stay, this checklist will help you spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time enjoying life in Japan.

Table of Contents

Why This Moving to Japan Checklist Is Different

Most “moving to Japan” guides tell you what to do. Register your address. Open a bank account. Get a phone plan. But they rarely answer the question that matters most once you’re standing at the counter:

“What do I actually say?”

That’s what makes this guide different.

For every major step you’ll find:

• what happens during the procedure
• which documents you’ll usually need
• practical Japanese phrases
• realistic dialogue examples
• beginner-friendly tips based on common situations

Think of this as both a moving checklist and a practical survival Japanese guide that prepares you before you walk into each office.

What Should You Do After Moving to Japan?

Quick Answer

If you’ve just moved to Japan, your priorities should be:

1. Complete any immigration procedures.
2. Register your address.
3. Open a Japanese bank account.
4. Get a Japanese phone number.
5. Set up utilities.
6. Enroll in health insurance and pension if required.
7. Understand how resident tax works.
8. Learn practical Japanese for everyday life.

Completing these steps early makes the rest of your life in Japan much easier. Many of them also depend on one another. For example, you’ll often need a registered address before opening a bank account, and a Japanese phone number is useful for many services and account-verification procedures.

Your First Month in Japan Timeline

Many newcomers can complete or begin most essential administrative tasks within their first month, although exact timing varies.

Time	What to Do	Why
Day 1-3	Move into your accommodation	You’ll need an address before many other procedures.
Within 14 days	Register your address	Generally required for medium- and long-term residents after establishing a place of residence.
Week 1	Enroll in health insurance and pension if applicable	Often handled during your municipal-office visit.
Week 1-2	Open a bank account	Useful for salary, rent, and automatic payments.
Week 1-2	Get a Japanese SIM card or phone plan	Useful for services and account verification.
Week 2-3	Set up electricity, gas, water, and internet	Essential if these services aren’t already active.
Throughout Month 1	Learn practical Japanese	Makes appointments and daily interactions easier.

Documents You’ll Use Again and Again

One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to keep your important documents together in a single folder. You’ll probably be asked for the same items throughout your first month.

Essential Documents

• Residence Card (在留カード, zairyū kādo)
• Passport
• Registered Japanese address
• My Number documents or My Number Card (マイナンバーカード, Mai Nanbā Kādo), if issued
• Japanese phone number
• Personal seal (印鑑, inkan), if required

Having these ready can save a surprising amount of time during appointments.

Step 1: Complete Your Immigration Procedures

For many people, the Immigration Services Agency is their first experience with Japanese bureaucracy. Some residents only need to deal with immigration occasionally.

Others return later to:

• extend their period of stay
• change their residence status
• report certain employment or status-related changes
• apply for work permission
• obtain re-entry permits

The exact procedure depends on your residence status and circumstances.

What Happens at Immigration?

A typical in-person procedure may look like this:

1. Take a queue number.
2. Wait until you’re called.
3. Submit your documents.
4. Answer any necessary questions.
5. Receive instructions or processing information.

English and multilingual support vary by office, so knowing some basic Japanese can still be useful.

Tip: Check the required-document list for your specific procedure before visiting. Additional documents may be requested depending on your circumstances.

For a more detailed guide to immigration language, see Japanese for the Immigration Office: 40 Visa Renewal Phrases You’ll Actually Need.

Essential Japanese Phrases

Japanese	Romaji	English
在留カードです。	Zairyū kādo desu.	“This is my Residence Card.”
パスポートです。	Pasupōto desu.	“This is my passport.”
住所を変更しました。	Jūsho o henkō shimashita.	“I changed my address.”
在留期間を更新したいです。	Zairyū kikan o kōshin shitai desu.	“I’d like to extend my period of stay.”
日本語があまり話せません。	Nihongo ga amari hanasemasen.	“I don’t speak much Japanese.”
英語で話せますか。	Eigo de hanasemasu ka?	“Can you speak English?”
この書類で大丈夫ですか。	Kono shorui de daijōbu desu ka?	“Is this document okay?”
もう一度お願いします。	Mō ichido onegaishimasu.	“Could you say that again?”

You don’t need to memorize every sentence. Simply recognizing words such as 在留カード (zairyū kādo, “Residence Card”), 住所 (jūsho, “address”), パスポート (pasupōto, “passport”), and 書類 (shorui, “documents”) will help you follow the conversation.

Sample Dialogue

Immigration Officer

在留カードをお願いします。
Zairyū kādo o onegaishimasu.
“Your Residence Card, please.”

You

はい、どうぞ。
Hai, dōzo.
“Certainly.”

Officer

パスポートもお願いします。
Pasupōto mo onegaishimasu.
“Your passport as well.”

You

はい、こちらです。
Hai, kochira desu.
“Of course. Here it is.”

Officer

住所は変わりましたか。
Jūsho wa kawarimashita ka?
“Has your address changed?”

You

はい、変更しました。
Hai, henkō shimashita.
“Yes, I changed it.”

Step 2: Register Your Address at the Ward Office

Once you’ve moved into your new home, registering your address is one of the first and most important tasks you’ll complete. Medium- and long-term residents generally need to report their place of residence to their municipality within 14 days of establishing it.

You’ll often be able to handle other procedures during the same municipal-office visit, including National Health Insurance and National Pension procedures when applicable.

If you’ve moved from another municipality in Japan, you’ll generally submit a Moving-Out Notification (転出届, tenshutsu todoke) to your previous municipality before submitting a Moving-In Notification (転入届, tennyū todoke) to your new one. Depending on the procedure, you may also receive a Moving-Out Certificate (転出証明書, tenshutsu shōmeisho).

What Happens During Your Visit?

Although procedures vary slightly between municipalities, you’ll typically:

1. Take a queue number.
2. Tell the receptionist you’d like to register your address.
3. Complete a Moving-In Notification (転入届, tennyū todoke).
4. Show your Residence Card and other required identification.
5. Answer any necessary questions.
6. Receive confirmation of your registration.
7. Complete insurance or pension procedures if necessary.

Documents You’ll Need

Check your municipality’s instructions, but commonly relevant items include:

• Residence Card
• Passport
• New address
• Moving-Out Certificate, if issued or required
• My Number Card, if you already have one

Checking your municipality’s website beforehand can help prevent an extra trip.

Essential Japanese Phrases

Japanese	Romaji	English
住所を登録したいです。	Jūsho o tōroku shitai desu.	“I’d like to register my address.”
転入届を提出したいです。	Tennyū todoke o teishutsu shitai desu.	“I’d like to submit my Moving-In Notification.”
今日引っ越しました。	Kyō hikkoshimashita.	“I moved today.”
書き方を教えてください。	Kakikata o oshiete kudasai.	“Could you show me how to fill this out?”
英語の用紙はありますか。	Eigo no yōshi wa arimasu ka?	“Do you have an English form?”
保険にも入りたいです。	Hoken ni mo hairitai desu.	“I’d also like to enroll in health insurance.”

Sample Dialogue

Receptionist

本日はどのようなご用件ですか。
Honjitsu wa dono yō na goyōken desu ka?
“How can I help you today?”

You

住所を登録したいです。
Jūsho o tōroku shitai desu.
“I’d like to register my address.”

Receptionist

転入届をご記入ください。
Tennyū todoke o gokinyū kudasai.
“Please fill out this Moving-In Notification.”

You

書き方を教えてください。
Kakikata o oshiete kudasai.
“Could you show me how to fill it out?”

Common Mistakes

Avoid these common issues:

• Waiting too long to register your address.
• Forgetting transfer documents when moving from another municipality.
• Assuming every form is available in English.
• Arriving without checking the municipality’s current document requirements.

Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to complete a form. Ask the staff member:

書き方を教えてください。
Kakikata o oshiete kudasai.
“Could you show me how to fill this out?”

Step 3: Open a Japanese Bank Account

A Japanese bank account is extremely useful for everyday life. Employers commonly pay salaries into Japanese accounts, and bank accounts are also used for rent, utilities, and automatic payments.

Requirements vary by bank, so check the bank’s current requirements before applying.

What to Bring

Depending on the bank, you may be asked for:

• Residence Card
• Passport or other identification
• Registered address
• Japanese phone number
• Personal seal, if required
• Student or employee ID, if applicable

Banks may also ask about your employer, source of funds, or intended use of the account as part of identity-verification procedures.

Essential Japanese Phrases to Open a Bank Account

Japanese	Romaji	English
口座を開設したいです。	Kōza o kaisetsu shitai desu.	“I’d like to open a bank account.”
必要な書類は何ですか。	Hitsuyō na shorui wa nan desu ka?	“What documents do I need?”
この用紙を書けばいいですか。	Kono yōshi o kakeba ii desu ka?	“Should I fill out this form?”
英語で説明がありますか。	Eigo de setsumei ga arimasu ka?	“Is there an explanation in English?”
キャッシュカードはいつ届きますか。	Kyasshu kādo wa itsu todokimasu ka?	“When will my cash card arrive?”

Sample Dialogue

Bank Employee

本日はどのようなご用件ですか。
Honjitsu wa dono yō na goyōken desu ka?
“How may I help you today?”

You

口座を開設したいです。
Kōza o kaisetsu shitai desu.
“I’d like to open a bank account.”

Employee

在留カードとパスポートをお願いします。
Zairyū kādo to pasupōto o onegaishimasu.
“May I see your Residence Card and passport?”

You

はい、こちらです。
Hai, kochira desu.
“Certainly. Here they are.”

Things That Surprise New Residents

Japanese banks can differ from banks in other countries.

For example:

• Your cash card may be mailed to you rather than issued immediately.
• Some banks may require an inkan (印鑑, inkan) rather than a signature for certain procedures.
• Your name generally needs to match your official identification.
• Online banking may require a separate registration or setup process.

Taking a few minutes to ask questions before leaving can save a second trip.

Step 4: Get a Japanese Phone Number

A Japanese phone number isn’t just for making calls.

It can be useful for:

• account verification
• contacting employers or landlords
• receiving deliveries
• registering for services
• banking and other financial procedures

If you’re staying for more than a few months, getting a local SIM or phone plan can make everyday life easier.

Choosing the Right Plan

New residents commonly choose from options such as:

Major carriers

Nationwide networks with physical stores and customer support.

Budget providers (MVNOs)

Lower-cost plans, including SIM-only options.

eSIM

Online activation for compatible devices.

Before signing up, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the provider’s network.

Documents You’ll Need

Requirements vary by provider but may include:

• Residence Card
• Passport or other identification
• Registered address
• Payment method
• Japanese bank account or credit card, depending on the provider

Essential Japanese Phrases to Get a Phone Number

Japanese	Romaji	English
携帯電話を契約したいです。	Keitai denwa o keiyaku shitai desu.	“I’d like to get a mobile phone contract.”
SIMカードだけ欲しいです。	SIM kādo dake hoshii desu.	“I’d like a SIM card only.”
月額はいくらですか。	Getsugaku wa ikura desu ka?	“How much is the monthly fee?”
契約期間はありますか。	Keiyaku kikan wa arimasu ka?	“Is there a contract period?”
英語で説明できますか。	Eigo de setsumei dekimasu ka?	“Could you explain it in English?”

Sample Dialogue

Staff

いらっしゃいませ。本日はどのようなご用件でしょうか。
Irasshaimase. Honjitsu wa dono yō na goyōken deshō ka?
“Welcome. How can I help you today?”

You

携帯電話を契約したいです。
Keitai denwa o keiyaku shitai desu.
“I’d like to get a mobile phone contract.”

Staff

SIMカードだけですか。
SIM kādo dake desu ka?
“SIM card only?”

You

はい、SIMカードだけお願いします。
Hai, SIM kādo dake onegaishimasu.
“Yes, just the SIM card, please.”

Step 5: Set Up Electricity, Gas, and Water

Moving into a new apartment doesn’t always mean your utilities are ready to use. Depending on your property and landlord, you may need to contact utility companies yourself to start or transfer services.

What Needs to Be Connected?

Most homes require three basic services:

Electricity (電気, denki)

Service can often be arranged online or by phone.

Water (水道, suidō)

Water may already be running when you arrive, but you generally still need to complete the required start-of-service procedure.

Gas (ガス, gasu)

Starting gas service commonly requires an appointment so that a technician can open the gas supply and perform the necessary safety checks.

Essential Japanese Phrases to Set Up Electricity, Gas, and Water

Japanese	Romaji	English
ガスを開栓したいです。	Gasu o kaisen shitai desu.	“I’d like to have the gas turned on.”
電気の使用を開始したいです。	Denki no shiyō o kaishi shitai desu.	“I’d like to start electricity service.”
水道の使用を開始したいです。	Suidō no shiyō o kaishi shitai desu.	“I’d like to start water service.”
引っ越したばかりです。	Hikkoshita bakari desu.	“I just moved here.”
いつ来られますか。	Itsu koraremasu ka?	“When can someone come?”

Sample Dialogue

Representative

ご住所をお願いします。
Gojūsho o onegaishimasu.
“May I have your address?”

You

はい、この住所です。
Hai, kono jūsho desu.
“Certainly. This is my address.”

Representative

ご都合のよい日時はありますか。
Gotsugō no yoi nichiji wa arimasu ka?
“When would be convenient?”

You

午前中でお願いします。
Gozenchū de onegaishimasu.
“Morning would be best.”

Step 6: Enroll in Health Insurance and Pension

If you’re living in Japan as a medium- or long-term resident, you’ll generally need to be covered by Japan’s public health-insurance and pension systems if you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

Which system applies depends largely on your employment and residence situation.

Who Needs to Enroll?

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, kokumin kenkō hoken)

People who are not covered by an employer-based health-insurance system may need to enroll in National Health Insurance through their municipality.

This can include:

• self-employed people
• freelancers
• students
• unemployed residents
• other eligible residents who are not enrolled in workplace health insurance

Employees’ Health Insurance and Employees’ Pension Insurance

If your job makes you eligible for Employees’ Health Insurance and Employees’ Pension Insurance (厚生年金保険, kōsei nenkin hoken), your employer generally handles the enrollment procedures.

What Happens During National Health Insurance Enrollment?

Procedures vary by municipality, but you may:

1. Visit the appropriate municipal counter.
2. Show your Residence Card and other required documents.
3. Complete an application.
4. Receive information about premiums.
5. Receive information about how to confirm your health-insurance eligibility.

Japan no longer newly issues the conventional health insurance cards that were previously used nationwide. In 2026, people generally use a My Number Card registered for health insurance – a My Number Health Insurance Card (マイナ保険証, Maina hokenshō) – or an Eligibility Confirmation Certificate (資格確認書, shikaku kakuninsho) if applicable.

Essential Japanese Phrases to Enroll in Health Insurance and Pension

Japanese	Romaji	English
健康保険に入りたいです。	Kenkō hoken ni hairitai desu.	“I’d like to enroll in health insurance.”
国民年金について教えてください。	Kokumin nenkin ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.	“Could you explain the National Pension System?”
必要な書類は何ですか。	Hitsuyō na shorui wa nan desu ka?	“What documents do I need?”
毎月いくら払いますか。	Maigetsu ikura haraimasu ka?	“How much will I pay each month?”
口座振替で払えますか。	Kōza furikae de haraemasu ka?	“Can I pay by automatic bank transfer?”

Step 7: Understand Taxes in Japan

Taxes often surprise new residents because the timing and terminology may differ from what they’re used to.

Understanding a few basics now can help you avoid confusion later.

The Two Taxes You’ll Encounter

Income Tax (所得税, shotokuzei)

Income tax is collected by the national government.

If you’re employed, income tax is generally withheld from your salary. Depending on your circumstances, your employer may also handle a year-end adjustment, or you may need to file a tax return yourself.

Self-employed people and freelancers may need to file their own tax returns depending on their income and circumstances.

Resident Tax (住民税, jūminzei)

Resident tax is collected by local governments and is generally calculated based on the previous year’s income.

Because of this timing, new residents may not receive a resident-tax bill immediately, and the amount can change significantly after the first year.

Common Tax Documents

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
住民税	jūminzei	“Resident tax”
所得税	shotokuzei	“Income tax”
納税通知書	nōzei tsūchisho	“Tax notice”
納付書	nōfusho	“Payment slip”
確定申告	kakutei shinkoku	“Tax return”
源泉徴収票	gensen chōshūhyō	“Withholding Tax Certificate”

You don’t need to memorize these, but recognizing them makes official mail much less intimidating.

Essential Japanese Phrases to Understand Taxes

Japanese	Romaji	English
この通知について教えてください。	Kono tsūchi ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.	“Could you explain this notice?”
支払い方法を教えてください。	Shiharai hōhō o oshiete kudasai.	“Could you explain how to pay?”
いつまでに支払えばいいですか。	Itsu made ni shiharaeba ii desu ka?	“When is the payment deadline?”
分割で払えますか。	Bunkatsu de haraemasu ka?	“Can I pay in installments?”
英語で説明していただけますか。	Eigo de setsumei shite itadakemasu ka?	“Could you explain it in English?”

Step 8: Learn Survival Japanese

If there’s one thing that makes every step in this guide easier, it’s learning a little practical Japanese.

The biggest challenge isn’t always the paperwork – it’s the conversations.

Fortunately, you don’t need thousands of words to start navigating daily life. A focused set of high-frequency words and sentence patterns can help you handle many common situations during your first months in Japan.

Focus on Communication, Not Perfection

Many newcomers delay speaking Japanese because they worry about making mistakes. In everyday situations, communicating your meaning clearly matters much more than producing flawless grammar.

Your goal isn’t perfect Japanese. It’s successful communication.

Learning practical Japanese before you arrive can make every step of settling into Japan much easier. The Japanese Survival Course covers high-frequency vocabulary, essential phrases, and real-life dialogues for situations such as immigration, city offices, transportation, restaurants, and everyday life.

Four Sentence Patterns You’ll Use Everywhere

Asking for Something

〜したいです。
~shitai desu
“I’d like to…”

For example:

口座を開設したいです。
Kōza o kaisetsu shitai desu.
“I’d like to open a bank account.”

住所を登録したいです。
Jūsho o tōroku shitai desu.
“I’d like to register my address.”

Asking Questions

〜ですか。
~desu ka?

This simple pattern appears in questions such as:

英語で話せますか。
Eigo de hanasemasu ka?
“Can you speak English?”

大丈夫ですか。
Daijōbu desu ka?
“Is this okay?”

Asking for Help

Three phrases you’ll use constantly:

もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegaishimasu.
“Could you say that again?”

ゆっくり話してください。
Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
“Please speak slowly.”

書き方を教えてください。
Kakikata o oshiete kudasai.
“Please show me how to write it.”

Saying You Don’t Understand

Instead of pretending you understood, simply say:

わかりません。
Wakarimasen.
“I don’t understand.”

or:

少し日本語を勉強しています。
Sukoshi Nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu.
“I’m studying a little Japanese.”

This can make it easier for the other person to adjust how they communicate.

The 15 Survival Japanese Phrases You’ll Use Everywhere

Japanese	Romaji	English
お願いします。	Onegaishimasu.	“Please.”
ありがとうございます。	Arigatō gozaimasu.	“Thank you.”
すみません。	Sumimasen.	“Excuse me / I’m sorry.”
はい。	Hai.	“Yes.”
いいえ。	Iie.	“No.”
わかりません。	Wakarimasen.	“I don’t understand.”
もう一度お願いします。	Mō ichido onegaishimasu.	“Please say that again.”
ゆっくり話してください。	Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.	“Please speak slowly.”
英語で話せますか。	Eigo de hanasemasu ka?	“Can you speak English?”
大丈夫です。	Daijōbu desu.	“That’s okay.”
必要です。	Hitsuyō desu.	“It’s necessary / I need it.”
必要ありません。	Hitsuyō arimasen.	“It’s not necessary / I don’t need it.”
どこですか。	Doko desu ka?	“Where is it?”
いくらですか。	Ikura desu ka?	“How much is it?”
助けてください。	Tasukete kudasai.	“Please help me.”

If you can confidently use these phrases, you’ll already be able to navigate many everyday situations.

Essential Moving to Japan Cheat Sheet

Save this section on your phone – you’ll probably use it more than once.

Most Useful Situational Phrases

Situation	Japanese	Romaji	English
Immigration	在留カードです。	Zairyū kādo desu.	“This is my Residence Card.”
Ward Office	住所を登録したいです。	Jūsho o tōroku shitai desu.	“I’d like to register my address.”
Ward Office	転入届を提出したいです。	Tennyū todoke o teishutsu shitai desu.	“I’d like to submit my Moving-In Notification.”
Bank	口座を開設したいです。	Kōza o kaisetsu shitai desu.	“I’d like to open a bank account.”
Phone	携帯電話を契約したいです。	Keitai denwa o keiyaku shitai desu.	“I’d like to get a mobile phone contract.”
Utilities	ガスを開栓したいです。	Gasu o kaisen shitai desu.	“I’d like to have the gas turned on.”
Health Insurance	健康保険に入りたいです。	Kenkō hoken ni hairitai desu.	“I’d like to enroll in health insurance.”
Pension	国民年金について教えてください。	Kokumin nenkin ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.	“Could you explain the National Pension System?”
Taxes	支払い方法を教えてください。	Shiharai hōhō o oshiete kudasai.	“Could you explain how to pay?”

Government Vocabulary

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
在留カード	zairyū kādo	“Residence Card”
パスポート	pasupōto	“Passport”
住所	jūsho	“Address”
転入届	tennyū todoke	“Moving-In Notification”
転出届	tenshutsu todoke	“Moving-Out Notification”
転出証明書	tenshutsu shōmeisho	“Moving-Out Certificate”
住民票	jūminhyō	“Certificate of Residence / resident record”
健康保険	kenkō hoken	“Health insurance”
国民年金	kokumin nenkin	“National Pension”
納付書	nōfusho	“Payment slip”
住民税	jūminzei	“Resident tax”
書類	shorui	“Documents”
窓口	madoguchi	“Service counter”

How to Prepare Before You Move

The easiest way to reduce stress isn’t memorizing hundreds of vocabulary words. It’s practicing the conversations you’ll actually have.

Start with Real-Life Situations

Before arriving in Japan, focus on conversations such as:

• immigration
• registering your address
• opening a bank account
• getting a phone plan
• shopping
• asking for directions
• visiting a doctor

These situations can have a major impact during your first month.

Learn Complete Dialogues

Many learners memorize individual phrases. A much better approach is to learn an entire conversation.

For example:

“I’d like to open a bank account.”

↓

“May I see your Residence Card?”

↓

“Please complete this application.”

↓

“Your cash card will arrive by mail.”

This teaches vocabulary, listening, and conversation flow all at once.

Listen Every Day

You don’t need hour-long study sessions. Even a short daily routine can help.

For example:

• 5 minutes: review vocabulary
• 10 minutes: listen to one dialogue
• 5 minutes: repeat it aloud using shadowing

Consistency is more useful than cramming before an appointment. The JapanesePod101 Lesson Library lets you choose audio and video lessons by level, topic, and situation, making it easy to practice vocabulary, listening, and shadowing without planning everything from scratch.

Learn Practical Japanese with JapanesePod101

Moving to Japan isn’t just about knowing vocabulary. It’s about feeling comfortable during real conversations. That’s why practicing realistic dialogues is often much more useful than memorizing isolated grammar points.

JapanesePod101 includes material for situations such as:

• immigration
• city hall visits
• opening a bank account
• transportation
• shopping
• healthcare
• restaurants
• everyday conversations

Lessons combine audio, transcripts, vocabulary, and cultural explanations so you can understand both what to say and what you’ll hear.

You can also practice vocabulary with visual flashcards, work on pronunciation with JapanesePod101’s lesson tools, and study kanji with the A Radical Approach to Mastering 1500+ Kanji ebook.

Whether you’re preparing months before your move or you’ve already arrived in Japan, practicing these conversations in advance can make everyday life feel much less intimidating.

For a broader collection of practical Japanese organized by real-life situations – from immigration and city offices to shopping, banking, healthcare, and transportation – read The Ultimate Japanese Guide for Living in Japan: 160+ Essential Phrases for Visa, Immigration, Moving & Daily Life. That is the live August 14 article, replacing the Google Docs link in Graziana’s original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon do I need to register my address in Japan?

Medium- and long-term residents generally need to report their place of residence to the municipality within 14 days of establishing that residence.

Can I open a bank account before registering my address?

It may be difficult. Many banks ask for a Residence Card showing your current address or other proof of residence, so registering your address first is usually the practical order.

Do I need an inkan to open a bank account?

It depends on the bank. Some banks and procedures still require an inkan (印鑑, inkan), while others accept a signature. Check the bank’s requirements before your appointment.

Do I need National Health Insurance if my company provides insurance?

If you’re enrolled in Employees’ Health Insurance through your job, you generally do not enroll in National Health Insurance at the same time.

Can I survive in Japan without speaking Japanese?

Yes, depending on where you live and the situations you encounter. However, learning basic survival Japanese will make government procedures, shopping, healthcare, and everyday life much easier.

What documents should I keep ready during my first month?

Keep your Residence Card, passport, My Number documents, proof of your registered address, and important paperwork from your municipality organized and easy to access.

Medium- and long-term residents generally need to carry their Residence Card, but you do not need to carry all of your original paperwork everywhere.

How long does it take to complete all these procedures?

Many people can complete or begin most essential procedures during their first few weeks, although timing varies. Some cards, certificates, and other documents may arrive later by mail.

What happens if I miss the 14-day deadline for address registration?

Contact your local municipality as soon as possible. Staff can explain the appropriate next steps for your situation.

Can I pay resident tax at a convenience store?

In many municipalities, yes. Payment slips may allow payment at convenience stores, banks, or through online services, depending on the payment options provided by your local government.

What’s the fastest way to improve my Japanese after moving?

Practice the conversations you actually have every day. Listen to realistic dialogues, repeat useful expressions aloud, and use new phrases as soon as you encounter the relevant situation.

Final Thoughts

Moving to Japan comes with a long to-do list, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Once you’ve completed these first administrative steps, you’ll be in a much better position to start building your new life with confidence.

Remember, you don’t need perfect Japanese. You simply need enough Japanese to get through today’s conversation. Every visit to city hall, every trip to the bank, and every everyday interaction gives you another chance to become more comfortable.

Six months from now, these first appointments may feel much less intimidating. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing every word; it comes from experience.

Start with the conversations you’ll need first, keep practicing a little every day, and before long, Japan will begin to feel less like a place you’re visiting and more like home.

When you’re ready to keep building practical Japanese through dialogues, vocabulary, and listening practice, start learning real-life Japanese with JapanesePod101.