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First Week in Japan Checklist for New Residents

Arriving in Japan can be overwhelming. This checklist helps you prioritize what to do in your first 1-2 weeks so nothing important gets missed.

Before You Arrive: Documents to Prepare

• [ ] Valid passport
• [ ] Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) — if applying for a visa from outside Japan
• [ ] Visa stamp in passport (if required for your nationality)
• [ ] Employment contract or admission letter (for work/student visa)
• [ ] Cash: bring USD, EUR, or easily exchangeable currency — Japanese ATMs (7-Eleven, Japan Post) accept international cards
• [ ] International driving permit (if you plan to drive)
• [ ] Prescription medications (bring enough for at least 1 month)

Day 1–3: Immediate Priorities

✅ Get a SIM Card or Pocket WiFi

• Available at airport arrival halls: IIJmio, Softbank, Rakuten, and data SIM kiosks
• Alternatively, use a Pocket WiFi rental for your first weeks (return at airport on departure)
• You need internet access to navigate and communicate

✅ Get an IC Card

• Purchase a Suica, PASMO, or regional equivalent at any station ticket machine
• Load at least ¥2,000 for trains and convenience stores
• Minimum purchase: ¥1,000 (¥500 deposit + ¥500 credit)

✅ Find Your Accommodation

• Confirm address — you'll need this for residence registration
• If staying at a hotel or guesthouse temporarily, ask for the address in Japanese

Day 3–7: Administrative Essentials

✅ Register Your Address at City Hall (転入届)

• Deadline: within 14 days of arrival
• Bring: passport, residence card (在留カード), and your address
• You'll receive your Residence Card stamp confirming your address
• Your My Number notification will be mailed to this address

✅ Enroll in Health Insurance (国民健康保険)

• Done at the same city hall visit as residence registration (or at the insurance counter)
• Required for all residents staying over 3 months
• Monthly premium depends on income (typically ¥2,000–¥10,000/month for most)

✅ Open a Bank Account

• Recommended: Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — easiest for foreigners, branches at post offices nationwide
• Bring: residence card, passport, and your registered address
• Some banks require 6+ months of residency; Japan Post Bank is more accessible

Day 7–14: Additional Setup

✅ Get a Japanese Phone Number (if needed)

• Required for: banking apps, many services, and two-factor authentication
• Options: Rakuten Mobile (cheapest), IIJmio, MVNO carriers
• You'll need your residence card to sign a phone contract

✅ Set Up Utilities

• Gas, water, and electricity may already be connected to your apartment
• If not, call or apply online (bring your address and bank account info)
• Many utility companies have multilingual support lines

✅ Apply for My Number Card (マイナンバーカード)

• Your notification card arrives by mail after address registration
• Apply online at myna.go.jp for the My Number Card (takes 1-2 months to process)
• Card is optional but highly useful for ID purposes

✅ Learn Your Nearest Evacuation Shelter

• Ask at city hall or check the hazard map (ハザードマップ) you receive with residence registration
• Download the Safety Tips app for emergency alerts in your language

Essential Apps to Install

App	Purpose
Google Maps	Navigation
Google Translate (camera mode)	Reading Japanese signs/forms
Safety Tips	Disaster alerts
LINE	Messaging (used by almost everyone in Japan)
PayPay	Mobile payments
Yahoo!乗換案内	Train route finder

Important: Always carry your Residence Card (在留カード) at all times — you are legally required to do so.