Moving to Japan: What You Need to Know

Moving to Japan and setting yourself up can be a frustrating process. The protocol for registration and the rules around setting up a bank account are particularly rigid and require everything to be done in order—and so knowing a little about how the system works can save you hours if not days of time.

Registration and Mandatory Enrollment

If you intend to stay in Japan for more than 3 months (and have the required visa) you will need to carry a Residence Card (在留カード, zairyū-kādo) with you during your stay. This is a credit card-sized ID that shows your name, date of birth, visa status, and period of stay. Assuming you enter the country through one of the main airports, this will be issued to you at immigration. Otherwise, the immigration officer will place a landing permission seal in your passport that says “Residence Card to be issued at a later date” (在留カード後日交付).

The most important step is to have your address in Japan registered on the back of the residence card at your local municipal office (ward or city office) within 14 days of finding a place to settle.

If you did not enter through one of the main airports, then you still need to go to your local municipal office within this time frame: the office will notify the Regional Immigration Bureau and a physical card will be sent to your registered address via mail (which typically takes 1 to 2 weeks). Unfortunately, until the physical Residence Card arrives you will not be able to get a bank account in Japan.

Once your address is registered, you will be enrolled in the My Number (Individual Number) system. Before leaving the municipal offices you should visit the National Health Insurance and Pension desks to enroll in the system.

While at the ward office, (a) pay ¥300 for a Jūminhyō (住民票, Residence Certificate) with your Mai Nanbā (マイナンバー, My Number) printed on it—this acts as your proof of ID for employers while you wait for the plastic card, and (b) ask for a “Certificate of Eligibility” (Shikaku Kakunin-shō) or a “Certificate of Insured Status” (Hi-hoken-sha Shikaku Shōmeisho) at the National Health Insurance desk which will serve as your interim document until your physical My Number card arrives.

About 1 to 2 weeks later, you will receive a letter to your registered address containing your 12-digit My Number and a My Number Card Application Form (usually with a QR code) to get the physical card. About one month after you submit this application form (ideally online via the QR code) you will receive a notice informing you that your physical My Number plastic card is available for collection at your municipal office (Note: Collection typically requires an appointment and may take an hour as you are required to set a PIN). This will now serve as your official health insurance card.

Banking and Mobile Connectivity

Under Japanese foreign exchange laws, you may be considered a “non-resident” for the first six months, making it difficult to open a standard account at some mega-banks. However, if you have a work contract or school enrollment, most banks will waive this or open a “non-resident” account that can be upgraded later.

To open an account, you will need your passport, your residence card (with a registered address on the back), and a Japanese phone number. Previously banks required you to have an inkan or hanko (personal seal); however, these days most major banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) officially allow individuals to use a signature instead.

A common hurdle for new arrivals is the “Catch-22” where banks require a phone number to open an account, but mobile carriers require a bank account to get a mobile contract. This is typically resolved by either opening an account with Japan Post Bank (Yucho), which often accepts a temporary workplace or friend’s number, or by using a provider like Mobal or Sakura Mobile, which allows you to secure a SIM card using an international credit card before your bank account is active.

Armed with your residence card and a bank card, your next priority is a mobile phone. When applying, ensure your name’s katakana spelling matches your bank and ward office records exactly to avoid payment rejections.

The mobile market has modernized significantly; the old two-year mandatory contracts and cancellation fees have been effectively abolished. Most providers, including Docomo’s Ahamo, SoftBank’s LINEMO, and Rakuten Mobile, now offer competitive monthly plans with no long-term commitment. Many of these digital-first brands require an app for registration, so having your residence card and payment method ready is essential for a smooth setup.