No one’s first week in Japan should be spent confused at a ward office counter or standing outside a bank that won’t open an account for you. This guide gives you the exact steps, the right order, and what to bring to each one.
Step 1: Residence Card (Zairyu Card)
Your Residence Card is issued at the airport when you arrive on a long-term visa (anything over 90 days). You receive it at immigration before leaving arrivals. Carry it at all times — you are legally required to present it to police or immigration officers on request.
Within 14 days of arrival: Go to your local ward office (区役所, ku-yakusho) to register your address. This is required by law. Bring:
- Your Residence Card
- Your passport
- Your address in Japan (apartment contract or confirmation from your employer/landlord)
The ward office will stamp your address onto the Residence Card. This activates it. Without this step, you cannot open a bank account, get a SIM card, or access most services.
Step 2: Japanese SIM Card (Get This First)
You need a Japanese phone number before you can open a bank account — banks require SMS verification to a Japanese number. Do this in your first 1–3 days.
Best options in 2026:
- IIJmio — budget-friendly, reliable, data SIM from ¥850/month, voice SIM from ¥1,078/month. English support available. Apply online.
- Rakuten Mobile — unlimited data from ¥3,278/month. Physical stores in major cities for easy setup.
- Mineo — good for flexibility, multiple carrier options.
- Airport SIM kiosks (Mobal, KDDI) — acceptable for Week 1 tourist SIM, but switch to a residential plan after ward registration.
Required documents: Residence Card, passport, Japanese address (after ward registration).
Step 3: Bank Account
Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) is the recommended first account for newcomers. It’s the most accessible for foreigners, ATMs are at every post office and convenience store, and it opens the same day.
What you need: Valid Residence Card with Japanese address registered, your seal (hanko) or signature, basic Japanese reading ability or a Japanese-speaking friend (staff may not speak English at all branches).
Other options:
- Shinsei Bank — English-friendly, good for international wire transfers, online banking
- Sony Bank — excellent USD/EUR exchange rates, ideal if you receive foreign income
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — not a Japanese bank but excellent for international transfers and holding multiple currencies
Step 4: National Health Insurance
Register for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) at your ward office at the same time you register your address — or within a few days after. It’s legally required for all residents in Japan who aren’t covered by employer insurance.
What it costs: Premiums are calculated based on your previous year’s income. For a new arrival with no Japan income history: ¥2,000–5,000/month. Once you file your first Japanese tax return, premiums recalculate.
What it covers: 70% of most medical and dental costs. A standard doctor visit costs you ¥1,000–3,000 out of pocket. Emergency room visits are similarly low-cost compared to uninsured care elsewhere.
Step 5: My Number
After ward registration, you’ll receive a My Number notification slip (通知カード) by post at your registered address, typically within 1–2 weeks. This slip has your 12-digit My Number.
Separately, you can apply for the My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) — a physical ID card with your number, photo, and a digital certificate. This is increasingly required for tax filing, some banking, and government services. Apply at the ward office or online via the notification slip.
My Number Card benefits in 2026: Use as ID, register for online government services (Mynaportal), access health insurance records digitally.
Step 6: Optional But Recommended
- Pension registration: If employed, your company handles this. If self-employed or freelance, register for the National Pension (国民年金) at the ward office.
- Japanese driver’s license conversion: If you plan to drive, convert your home country license at the local driving center (運転免許試験場). Requirements vary by country.
- Hanko (personal seal): Some paperwork in Japan still requires a stamp seal instead of a signature. Get a basic one at a ¥100 store (100 yen shops sell standard name seals) or order a custom one at a hanko shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to set up when I first move to Japan?
In order: (1) Ward office registration, (2) Japanese SIM, (3) Bank account, (4) National Health Insurance, (5) My Number Card application.
How do I get a Residence Card?
It’s issued at the airport on arrival. Register your address at the ward office within 14 days to activate it.
Can foreigners open a Japanese bank account?
Yes. Japan Post Bank is the easiest — Residence Card + address, same day. Major banks typically require 6 months residency.
Do I need Japanese health insurance?
Yes — legally required for all residents. Register at the ward office. Premiums: ¥2,000–15,000/month. Covers 70% of medical costs.
What is My Number?
Japan’s 12-digit national ID number. Assigned after ward registration, used for tax, insurance, pension, and government services.
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