nyuuly
Back to Guide
2

After Arrival

Phase 2 of 2

After Arrival
0/24 (0%)

Welcome to Japan!
Those first days can be noisy with paperwork and emotions. Many of us at NyuuLy remember the same mix of joy and "where do I start?" moment. Here's a clear roadmap so you stay in control.

1

Arrival at Airport

2~3 hours

0/3

Here's 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

Apply for Work Permit at the airport if you plan to work part-time

Get the Part-time Work Permit stamp on the back of your residence card

💡

Narita Airport to Shinjuku Station costs about 1,500 JPY by cheap trains/buses, but around 30,000 JPY by taxi

💡

Airports are usually far from center of cities

💡

Use a luggage delivery service like Yamato Transport (around 2,000-3,500 JPY)

💡

Learn More

Collect baggage and head out.
Welcome to your new home in the Land of the Rising Sun!

2

Finding Your New Home

~14 days

0/6

Finding a new place can feel overwhelming, but do not worry. Let's break it down to make it an exciting step towards settling in.

Search online (e.g., SUUMO for apartments, oakhouse for shared houses etc) or visit local agencies

Make sure they accept foreigners as many landlords refuse lease to non-Japanese

💡

Typical total: 300,000-600,000+ JPY

💡

Rent (first month): 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

Residence card

Emergency contact in Japan

Read NyuuLy's article about emergency in Japan

Review term length and early-termination penalties

Pay agreed fees and sign

💡

Prepare your Residence Card, and address

💡

Water: usually on; change contract to your name (provider is set by area)

💡

Electricity: apply online/phone/in person; switch on the breaker if needed

💡

Gas: book a visit; staff must turn it on while you're home. Bundled gas/electricity plans exist (e.g., Kanto: TEPCO, Tokyo Gas)

💡

Internet: A) Wired (Hikari): fastest, installation costs often 20,000-40,000 JPY. B) Mobile Wi-Fi or high-data SIM + phone hotspot: flexible and cheaper for short stays

💡

Consider NyuuLy Mobile's 50GB plan as a Mobile Wi-fi. Learn More

Buy new furniture: Nitori, IKEA, Yamada Denki

Buy second-hand furniture: Mercari, Second Street

And that's it! You've finished setting up the utility for your new life in Japan.

3

City Hall Paperwork

3~4 hours

0/6

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 (Zairyū Kādo) which you received at the airport, passport, and know your school address

💡

Decide your katakana name — needed for pension application and bank account

💡

Make sure to save your Katakana name, many foreigners struggle to fix mistakes later

💡

Staff will update the address on the back of your Residence Card the same day

💡

Official certificate proving your registered address in Japan

💡

If your sponsor is enrolling you at corporate Social Insurance (Shakai Hoken), you do NOT need to enroll at National Health Insurance and Pension here. Confirm that.

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

Learn More

💡

This card is used as your Health Insurance Card and other important identification card

💡

Pick up your My Number Card, usually a month later

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.

4

Opening a Bank Account

setup 1~2 hours, card in 1~2 weeks

0/3

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

💡

Watch Their Guide

💡

Cash card arrives by mail in about 1-2 weeks

5

Getting a Phone Number

1~3 hours

0/2

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 customer support

6

Part-time Work Permit

~2 weeks

0/1

Apply for permission to work part-time alongside your studies.

Didn't apply at the airport? Do it here before starting any job

Learn More

💡

Work limits: up to 28 hours/week

💡

The immigration office will stamp on the back of your residence card

7

Navigating Daily Life

ongoing

0/3

Now that you're settled, here are some important tips for a smoother daily life in Japan.

💡

Japan has very strict rules about garbage sorting

💡

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: Rechargeable cards for transit and small purchases

💡

Bicycle: Register anti-theft at the shop

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.

Previous

Before Arrival