Living in Japan guides

Your first steps

Arrive with a plan.

Work through what to arrange before you arrive and when you settle in. Start with what you know; keep the conditions visible for anything you still need to check.

By the HalfKey team. National procedures are linked to official sources; our local guides focus on Tokyo. Sources checked 8 September 2026.

What is already arranged?

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All 10 steps, with their conditions.

Unsure about your status? Check it first. Resident-only steps are conditional.

  1. Before arrival

    1. Check the status you will actually hold

    Applies to: Everyone. Do this before following resident-only instructions.

    Read your immigration documents. A long booking does not establish resident eligibility. Japan's Designated Activities status for digital nomads does not issue a residence card. If you are unsure, confirm your position with the Immigration Services Agency and your municipality.

  2. Before arrival

    2. Get the address, access details and inclusions in writing

    Applies to: Everyone. Check your agreement before ordering services.

    Ask your accommodation for the full address, room number, key handover, emergency contact and which utilities and internet are already arranged. If you need resident registration, ask your municipality which address evidence it accepts; a booking alone is not a guarantee.

  3. Before arrival

    3. Know how you will cover medical care

    Applies to: Everyone. Insurance eligibility depends on your circumstances.

    Visitors should check private medical cover before travelling, including how to contact the insurer and pay a clinic. Residents should confirm their applicable cover with their employer or municipality. Do not infer eligibility from the number of nights you booked.

  4. Before arrival or first day

    4. Check the phone service you need

    Applies to: Everyone who needs a local connection. Check the provider before purchasing.

    Separate mobile data from a Japanese voice number and SMS. Ask the provider which identification, address and payment method your chosen product requires, and whether your phone supports it.

  5. Before move-in

    5. Arrange utilities that your accommodation does not provide

    Applies to: Only for services you must arrange. First check your agreement and address.

    Confirm responsibility for each service before opening an account. Ask each provider about the start date, any appointment, payment and cancellation. If everything is included, ask who to contact for an outage.

  6. Before move-in

    6. Choose internet after checking the building

    Applies to: If internet is not provided. First confirm the address and the owner's installation rules.

    Check service availability, installation permission, lead time and the full cost of leaving the contract. An available wall socket does not establish an active service. Arrange a temporary connection if you need one.

  7. After settling

    7. If eligible, notify your municipality of your address

    Applies to: Residents subject to registration only. First confirm status and your settled address.

    The ISA guide explains moving-in notification within 14 days after settling in a new residence. Check your municipality's required documents and procedure. This is a conditional resident step, not an instruction for temporary visitors or the Digital Nomad status above.

  8. First day

    8. Find your building's collection point and local rules

    Applies to: Everyone. Use the municipality and building you actually live in.

    Ask the building manager for the collection point and storage instructions, then check your municipality's sorting guide and collection calendar. A Tokyo or Shinjuku schedule cannot be applied to another city.

  9. First day

    9. Use Shinjuku's current waste guide

    Applies to: Shinjuku only. Check the collection calendar for your exact address.

    Use the ward's current sorting information together with your building's instructions. Ask the manager whether household collection or a separately arranged service applies.

  10. First week

    10. Keep the practical Tokyo guides to hand

    Applies to: Tokyo reference material. Confirm local details if you live elsewhere.

    Read the relevant guide before you need a redelivery, a clinic or an emergency plan. These guides name their provider, building or local conditions; they are not a national rulebook.