Moving Within Japan: There's More to It Than You Think
Japan has a highly organised and efficient moving industry, but the process involves a number of administrative steps that are easy to overlook — especially if you are relocating to an entirely different city or prefecture. This checklist covers the key tasks before and after your move date.
6–8 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Get removal company quotes (見積もり, mitsumori): Contact at least three companies. Prices vary significantly, and you can often negotiate — especially if you are flexible about your moving date or time.
- Consider the season: March is peak moving season in Japan due to the end of the school and fiscal year. Prices can be significantly higher and availability limited. If you can move in autumn or winter, you may save considerably.
- Sort and declutter: Japanese apartments generate enormous amounts of packaging. Before moving, take unwanted furniture and electronics to a recycle shop, list items on Mercari, or arrange for large-item collection (粗大ごみ, sodai gomi) with your municipality — this requires advance booking.
- Notify your landlord: Most leases in Japan require one to two months' written notice before vacating.
2–4 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Notify utilities: Contact your electricity, gas, water, and internet providers to arrange disconnection at your old address and connection at your new one. For gas, a technician must be present to restart service — book early.
- Redirect mail: Japan Post offers a free mail forwarding service (転送サービス, tensō sābisu) for up to one year. Fill in the form at your local post office or online.
- Pack non-essentials: Start with items you rarely use — books, seasonal clothing, decorative items.
Moving Day Essentials
- Keep a clearly labelled "open first" box with essentials: toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, important documents, and basic kitchen items.
- Photograph the condition of your old apartment before leaving — walls, floors, appliances — to protect your deposit.
- Photograph the condition of your new apartment upon arrival and report any pre-existing damage to the landlord in writing immediately.
Within 14 Days After Moving: Administrative Notifications
This is the step many people forget — and it carries legal obligations in Japan.
- 住民票の異動 (Jūminhyō no idō) — Change of resident registration: You are legally required to notify your new municipal office (市区町村役場) within 14 days of moving. Bring your old residence card (在留カード for foreign residents) or My Number card.
- 運転免許証の住所変更 (Driver's licence address update): Visit your nearest police station or licensing centre.
- 金融機関への住所変更 (Bank address updates): Notify your bank(s), credit card companies, and any investment or pension accounts.
- マイナンバーカードの住所変更: If you hold a My Number card, update the address at the municipal office at the same time as your residence registration.
- Health insurance and pension: Notify your employer's HR department, or if self-employed, your municipal office.
Choosing a Moving Company: What to Look For
When comparing removal companies, consider:
- Whether they provide packing materials free of charge (many do).
- Whether they offer packing assistance as an add-on service.
- Their policy on handling fragile or high-value items.
- Whether they handle same-day delivery or require overnight storage (単身パック, tanshin pakku plans are good for single-person moves).
A well-planned move in Japan can be remarkably smooth. Work through this checklist methodically and you will avoid the most common pitfalls that turn a relocation into a stressful ordeal.