Moving to Tokyo is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. It’s also one of the most bureaucratically complex — Japan’s administrative setup for newcomers involves multiple offices, specific timelines, and documents that no one warns you about until you need them. This checklist removes the guesswork.
Week 1: Legal and Administrative Essentials
Day 1–3: Ward Office Registration (Required by Law)
Within 14 days of arrival, you must register your address at your local ward office (区役所, ku-yakusho). Bring your passport, Residence Card, and your address in Japan. This activates your Residence Card, gets you into the system, and triggers your My Number notification.
Find your ward office: search your neighborhood name + “ward office” or “ku-yakusho” on Google Maps. Most are open Monday–Friday 8:30am–5pm, with some Wednesday late hours.
Get Your My Number
After ward registration, you’ll receive a My Number notification by post (usually within 1–2 weeks). This 12-digit number is your Japanese tax/administrative ID. You’ll need it for tax filings, health insurance, and eventually pension registration. Guard it like a passport.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Register for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険, kokumin kenko hoken) at the ward office when you register your address. This covers 70% of most medical costs. Monthly premiums are income-based but typically ¥2,000–15,000/month for a new arrival with no Japan income yet. It’s not optional.
Week 1–2: Essential Services Setup
Japanese SIM Card
A Japanese phone number is non-negotiable — you need it to open a bank account, verify most apps, and use services. Best options for newcomers:
- IIJmio — cheap, reliable, good English support. Data-only or voice plans from ¥850/month
- Rakuten Mobile — unlimited data from ¥3,278/month, good coverage in Tokyo
- Mineo — flexible plans, good for budget-conscious expats
- Avoid airport SIM kiosks for anything beyond the first week — they’re tourist-priced
Bank Account
Japan is still largely cash-based. You need a Japanese bank account to receive salary, pay utilities, and set up direct debits. Best options for new expats:
- Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — easiest for foreigners. Just Residence Card + address. ATMs everywhere.
- Shinsei Bank — good English support, international transfers, online-friendly
- Sony Bank — excellent for USD/EUR currency exchange, great for expats with foreign income
- Major Japanese banks (Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo) — require 6 months residency at most branches
Week 2–4: Building Your Daily Life
IC Card (Suica or Pasmo)
Get a Suica (JR East) or Pasmo card from any major station. Load money, tap on/off every train and bus, and pay at convenience stores, taxis, and many restaurants. This is how Tokyo moves. The app version (Suica on iPhone/Apple Watch) is even more convenient.
Neighborhood Orientation
Walk every street within 10 minutes of your apartment. Find: your nearest convenience store (open 24/7, they solve almost everything), supermarket, post office, coin laundry if needed, and ward office branch. Tokyo is best understood at walking pace.
Set Up Your Online Life in Japan
- LINE — Japan’s WhatsApp. Everyone uses it. Set it up immediately.
- Google Maps — more reliable than Apple Maps for Tokyo transit
- Suica app — manage your IC card balance
- NHK World — English-language news and emergency alerts
- Yahoo! Japan Weather — most accurate for local Tokyo weather
The Part Nobody Prepares You For: Loneliness
The admin setup takes a few weeks. The harder challenge — one that most guides skip entirely — is the social side. Tokyo is a city of 14 million people where it’s surprisingly easy to spend weeks without having a real conversation.
This is where TIFE changes everything. Tokyo International Friends & Events runs 50+ events every month specifically designed to help newcomers build real friendships. Language exchanges, welcome parties, sports clubs, day trips — all structured for people who are new, come alone, and want to actually connect.
Most long-term expats in Tokyo will tell you: finding a community was the most important thing they did in their first month. Don’t wait three months to start.
Find your Tokyo community from Day 1 →
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do first when I move to Tokyo?
Register at your ward office within 14 days. This activates your Residence Card and starts your My Number process. Everything else — bank, SIM, insurance — follows from that.
How long does it take to open a bank account in Japan?
Japan Post Bank is fastest — same day if you have your Residence Card and address. Other banks take 1–2 weeks including card delivery.
Do I need a Japanese phone number right away?
Yes. You need it for bank account registration and app verification. Get an IIJmio or Rakuten Mobile SIM within your first week.
How do I make friends when I first move to Tokyo?
Join intentional community events designed for newcomers. TIFE runs 50+ events monthly — language exchanges, parties, sports, day trips — all welcoming to new arrivals.
Is it expensive to set up life in Tokyo?
Budget ¥300,000–500,000 for the first month (apartment setup, key money, furniture, initial costs). Monthly living after setup: ¥150,000–250,000 depending on lifestyle.
🇯🇵 Just arrived in Tokyo?
TIFE has helped thousands of newcomers build a real social life in Tokyo from Day 1. 35,000+ members from 69+ countries. 50+ events every month. Free to join.
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