The first month in Japan involves a specific sequence of administrative tasks, most of which build on each other. Doing them in the right order saves enormous frustration. This checklist walks you through everything you need to do in your first 30 days in Japan.

At the Airport (Day 0)

Clear Immigration

Present your passport and visa (or Certificate of Eligibility) at the immigration counter. If you’re arriving on a work visa, your residence card (zairyu card) is issued here at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Nagoya, or Fukuoka airports. At smaller airports, you receive a stamp and collect the residence card from a ward office later.

Get a SIM Card or Pocket WiFi

Japan’s major airports have SIM card kiosks and rental counters open at arrivals. Getting connectivity immediately is practical — you’ll need it for maps, translation, and communication.

Get Cash

International ATMs are available at airport post offices and 7-Eleven branches inside the airport. Most Japanese taxis, small restaurants, and local shops are still cash-first.

Week 1: The Critical Administrative Tasks

Register Your Address (Resident Registration)

Within 14 days of arriving, go to the ward office (ku-yakusho, shi-yakusho, or machi-yakuba) serving your address and register your residence. Bring:

  • Passport
  • Residence card (zairyu card)
  • Your address in Japan (even temporary accommodation counts)

This is the most important step — it unlocks almost everything else.

Enroll in Health Insurance

Once registered, you can enroll in health insurance (or confirm enrollment through your employer):

  • Employed: Your company enrolls you in shakai hoken (employees’ insurance)
  • Self-employed / Between jobs: Go to the ward office and enroll in Kokumin Kenko Hoken (national health insurance)

Don’t skip this — medical costs without insurance in Japan are high.

Get Your My Number Notification

If you’ve registered your address, the My Number notification (a unique individual identification number) is mailed to your registered address within 1–2 weeks. Do not discard it. You’ll need your My Number for taxes, insurance, banking, and employment.

Week 2: Banking and Practical Setup

Open a Bank Account

Japan Post Bank (JP Bank) is the most accessible option for new arrivals — they accept foreign residents with a residence card and passport, regardless of how recently you registered. Bring:

  • Passport
  • Residence card
  • Address registration confirmation (juminhy)

Standard banks (Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui, Mizuho) typically require 6+ months of residence. Prestia (formerly Citibank Japan) is foreigner-friendly and offers English support.

Get a Permanent SIM Plan

If you arrived with a short-term SIM, switch to a monthly plan. Options include:

  • Docomo, SoftBank, au: Full-service, highest coverage
  • IIJmio, Rakuten Mobile, y!mobile: Budget-friendly MVNOs

Set Up Utilities

Contact your electricity, gas, and water providers. Utility setup documents are often in Japanese — your ward office or building manager can help if needed.

Week 2–3: Employment and Financial Setup

Register with Your Employer’s HR

Submit your residence card number, My Number, and bank account details to HR for salary payment setup, health insurance enrollment, and commuter pass arrangement.

Get a Commuter Pass (Teiki)

If commuting by train or bus, a monthly commuter pass (teiki) saves money for regular routes. Purchase at any station ticketing counter. Your employer may reimburse this cost.

Set Up Online Payments

Register a bank account with a payment service (Rakuten Pay, PayPay, d-payment) or get a credit card. Most of these require a Japanese bank account and phone number.

Week 3–4: Quality of Life Setup

Start Learning Japanese

The longer you wait, the harder daily life is. Even 30 minutes of daily study compounds fast. Apps like Duolingo and Anki are free starting points. For structured speaking practice, NOVA offers conversational Japanese lessons for working adults with locations throughout Japan. Starting early — even before you feel “ready” — is the advice every long-term Japan resident gives.

Explore Your Neighborhood

  • Find your nearest supermarket, convenience store, and post office
  • Locate your ward office’s main branch and satellite services
  • Identify the nearest clinic or hospital (with your health insurance card)
  • Download Google Maps offline for your area

Join Local Expat and Language Exchange Groups

InterNations, Meetup.com, and HelloTalk are active in most Japanese cities. Making connections in the first month — before the isolation of routine sets in — is much easier than later.

First 30 Days Checklist Summary

  • Airport: Residence card received, SIM card, cash
  • Ward office: Resident registration
  • Ward office: Health insurance enrollment
  • Await My Number notification by mail
  • Open a bank account (JP Bank or Prestia)
  • Set up utilities (electricity, gas, water)
  • Set up HR/payroll with employer
  • Get commuter pass
  • Begin Japanese language study
  • Explore neighborhood and local services
  • Connect with expat and local community groups