After Arrival
Phase 2 of 2
Welcome to Japan!
Many of us remember our first few days feeling fast, blurry, and emotional.
Here's a clear map so you can focus on settling in confidently.
Arrival at Airport
2~3 hours
What to expect at the airport to officially begin your life here.
Residence Card is your most important ID proving legal residence in Japan
Follow the signs for foreign residents, NOT re-entry
Narita to Shinjuku costs about 1,500 JPY by cheap trains/buses, around 30,000 JPY by taxi
Use Yamato Transport luggage delivery (around 2,000-3,500 JPY)
Collect baggage and head out.
Welcome to your new home in the Land of the Rising Sun!
Finding Your New Home
~14 days
Find your new place to settle in.
Search online (e.g., SUUMO, oakhouse) or visit local agencies
Make sure they accept foreigners
Typical total: 300,000-600,000+ JPY
Rent: 70,000-120,000 JPY
Deposit: ~1 month (refundable)
Key Money: ~1 month (non-refundable)
Agent Fee: ~1 month + tax
Guarantor Fee: 0.5-1 month
Review term length and early-termination penalties
Pay agreed fees and sign
Water: usually on; change contract to your name
Electricity: apply online/phone/in person
Gas: book a visit
Internet: Wired (Hikari) or mobile Wi-Fi
Consider NyuuLy Mobile's 50GB plan as a Mobile Wi-fi. Learn More
Buy new: Nitori, IKEA, Yamada Denki
Buy second-hand: Mercari, Second Street
And that's it! You've finished setting up the utility for your new life in Japan.
City Hall Paperwork
3~4 hours
Now, let's help you officially become a local! This part consists of City Hall Procedure, and you have to complete them within 2 weeks of your living place decided.
Read our guide
Make sure you have your new address
Bring your Residence Card and passport
Needed for pension application and bank account opening
Save your Katakana name carefully
Staff updates the address on your Residence Card the same day
Official certificate proving your registered address
Since your company is not set up yet, you must enroll at National Health Insurance
Keep the 12-digit number that you receive 2-3 weeks later
Apply for the My Number Card online, after receiving Your Individual Number Notice
This card is used as your Health Insurance Card and other important identification card
Pick up your My Number Card, usually a month later
Buy your seal in advance and register it for contracts or business operations
That's it! Congratulations on officially becoming a resident of your new city!
You've checked off the biggest items on your first-week-in-Japan to-do list.
Opening a Bank Account
setup 1~2 hours, card in 1~2 weeks
Opening a bank account should be your priority after registering your address.
We recommend opening a Japan Post Bank account first, since most other banks require phone number.
Please read our Guide
The following is about opening an account at Japan Post Bank
Residence Card (with registered address)
Your Katakana name
Or visit their branch with someone who speaks Japanese
Cash card arrives by mail in about 1-2 weeks
Getting a Phone Number
1~3 hours
Having a Japanese phone number (voice plan) is a must. Read our Guide
Residence Card (with registered address)
Bank account or credit card information
Most carriers support only Japanese customer support
You can buy NyuuLy Mobile SIM online with full English support
Navigating Daily Life
ongoing
Now that you're settled, here are some important tips for a smoother daily life in Japan.
Japan has strict garbage sorting rules
Burnable: kitchen waste, paper scraps, soiled plastics, clothing
Recyclables: PET bottles, glass bottles, cans, paper/cardboard
Non-burnable: metals, ceramics, non-bottle glass, small appliances
Suica/PASMO for transit
Bicycle: Register anti-theft
Setting Up Your Business
6~12 months
Prepare to legally establish your company to transition to the Business Manager Visa.
They will interview you at least once a month to see your progress
Prepare at least 30 million JPY in company capital
Hire at least one full-time employee who is Japanese or long-term resident
Your employee or you must be fluent in Japanese (JLPT N2 or N1)
Draft a complete business plan with financial projections
Prepare Articles of Incorporation
Deposit your 30 million JPY capital into a personal bank account
Verify above the business plan by a qualified professional such as an accountant, if doing it on your own
Submit all documents to the Legal Affairs Bureau (Houmukyoku) to officially incorporate
You will pay a registration tax at this stage (between 60,000 JPY to 150,000 JPY)
Rent a private, lockable office space under your corporate name
Great Job! Onwards and upwards!
We at NyuuLy are here to support you every step of the way, so feel free to reach out and don't forget to Enjoy Japan!
If you ever feel uncertain or need help, remember you can always AskMe.