Izanau
Beta
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
  • About
  • Homes
  • Students
  • 企業向け
  • 企業向け
  • FAQ
  • Work Tips
  • Life Tips
  • Register
  • Log In
日本語 中文
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Tips
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+

Destination Japan: The Ultimate To-do List for Newcomers to rock it out

Friday, July 27, 2018

Moving to another country is much more than simply packing, but doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world!

Work Japanlife in Japanjapan cellphoneforeigners in Japanbank accountresidence cardcity wardhealth insurance
Destination Japan: The Ultimate To-do List for Newcomers to rock it out

Life in Japan, especially in large cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, seems like it’s all fun and games. Japan may be the home country of anime - a never-ending list: from Bleach and One Piece to Fullmetal Alchemist and Madoka Magica-, technology - Sony, Canon, Toshiba, and so on -, or video games - do names as Nintendo or Square Enix ring any bells? - but it is also the land of paperwork and bureaucracy. Moving to a new country is a tricky process that can drive you out of your mind, but no worries, we have you covered! Here is our to-do list to help start your new life in Japan on the right foot.

  • Receive your 在留カード (zairyucaado, residence card).

The residence card is your basic ID card in Japan, it identifies you as a legal resident in Japan and you should have it with you at all times. It contains relevant information such as your name, birthdate, resident status, period of stay, and so on. If you arrive at one of the major ports of entry (Haneda, Narita, Chubu, and Kansai), your residence card will be issued immediately by the immigration authorities. If you do not arrive at one of these ports, you will receive the residence card at your address around 10 days after your arrival.

  • Register at your town, city or ward office.

Once you have arrived in Japan, you will have 14 days to register your address. Depending on where you live, this will be at your local town, city, or ward office. Bring your residence card and your passport with you and fill in the required forms. Don’t worry if your Japanese is not perfect, many offices have sample forms in English and other languages, and the staff are usually willing to help you out.

Pro-tip from the IZANAU staff: it’s a good idea to look into any courses or activities hosted by your local office. They are usually cheap or even free and could help you improve your language skills and get to know more about Japanese culture.

  • Enroll in public health insurance.

Japanese laws state that everyone living in Japan must be covered by public health insurance. If you are working full time, your company usually provides the opportunity to join its 健康保険 (Kenkōhoken, or employer health insurance). This means that the employer takes care of the necessary paperwork and deducts the monthly fees automatically from your salary. Those who are not eligible to join the employer health insurance must enroll in the 国民健康保険 (Kokumin Kenkōhoken, or National Health Insurance). In most cases, 70% of your health costs will be covered by Health Insurance. Insured patients only have to pay 30% of the total cost of treatments. Most Japanese clinics and hospitals accept public insurance. The fees for the National Health Insurance‘ will be billed to your address and can be paid easily at your nearest convenience store.

  • Open a bank account.

Just a few days ago we shared our guide on how to open a bank account in Japan. If you missed this article, you can check it out here!

It is not difficult to get a bank account in Japan, even if you don’t have a strong command of the Japanese language. Our favorite foreign-friendly options are Japan Post Bank and Shinsei Bank. On the one hand, JP Bank doesn’t ask you for a telephone number in order to create an account, but on the other hand, Shinsei Bank offers comprehensive support in English.

  • Set up a Japanese cell phone number.

Choosing a cell phone carrier can definitely grind your gears; there are so many operators and a wide range of different plans, which can be one of the worst possible combinations if you struggle with decision-making (indecisive people of the world, unite!). Luckily, we already wrote an article about this topic, so feel free to take a look at it.

  • Take Japanese lessons.

Maybe this point doesn’t seem to be as important as the tips above, but believe us, it is. If you are planning to stay a long time in Japan, you need to improve your Japanese skills. They can be essential for both your job and your social life. You can enroll in a Japanese language school or check if your local community offers language courses for foreign residents. If you are not into taking classes, there are other options that may suit you better; you can join a language exchange, watch Netflix in Japanese, or start reading manga or books... even just having small talk with your flatmates or coworkers can be good practice! All you have to do is speak the language as much as you can. Remember: practice makes perfect, so do your best, or as they say in Japan, 頑張って (ganbatte)!

Did you find our guide useful? How many points of the list did you know in advance? Are you ready to deal with Japanese bureaucracy? Register on IZANAU and find the perfect job for you in Japan.

  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
About the Author
Ana Maria Benita Martinez

Half writer, half reader. Tokyo based and deeply in love with - you can easily find me meandering around Shibuya or Shin-Okubo. Communication and marketing assistant by day, video game localizer by night.

  • Latest Jobs
【急成長企業でセールスプロモーション!】
Other Consulting
株式会社DYM
営業職(店舗運営等) [転居なしの地域限定職 (営業職、店舗運営等)もございます。 ]
Monthly Salary ¥197.63K ~ ¥212K
Tokyo 新宿
Full-time
Apply Now
English Teacher at 3-day, 2-night Camp (Sendai city, Miyagi prefecture)
Education, Training
Heart Corporation
Teaching and spending time with students.
Miyagi 富谷市
Part-time
Apply Now
Assistant English Teacher in Japan (Kanto area)
Education, Training
Heart Corporation
Assistant Language Teacher in Public School
Japan
Contract
Apply Now
Latest Articles
  • Thursday, December 1, 2022
  • All the Different Hara’s in Japan

  • Friday, November 18, 2022
  • Everything You Need To Know About Working in a Japanese Company

  • Thursday, November 10, 2022
  • What to Expect when Renting an Apartment in Japan

  • Wednesday, October 12, 2022
  • Insurance Card, Residence Card to be Merged with My Number Card

  • Wednesday, September 21, 2022
  • Japanese Bathrooms: Why are they Different?

  • Tuesday, September 6, 2022
  • What is Kasai-Hoken (Fire Insurance) and is it Necessary?

  • Tuesday, August 30, 2022
  • Japanese Apartments: What’s the Difference Between 1R, 1K, 1DK, and 1LDK?

  • Monday, August 22, 2022
  • How to Find Cheap(er) Groceries in Japan

  • Monday, May 16, 2022
  • Japan vs. the World: Aging Population and Population Decline (2022 Update)

  • Monday, February 14, 2022
  • How to Buy a House in Japan

  • Monday, October 26, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (July 2020 Statistics)

  • Friday, October 16, 2020
  • What Might Japan’s Energy Future Look Like?

  • Thursday, October 8, 2020
  • Jobs in Japan During a Global Pandemic

  • Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Discrimination and Stigma in Japanese Society: The Case of COVID-19

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2020
  • Racism Denial: The Case of Japan

  • Friday, July 17, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (May 2020 Statistics)

  • Tuesday, June 23, 2020
  • Homelessness, Social Stigma, and Fringes of Japanese Society

  • Monday, June 8, 2020
  • Gambling, Pachinko and the Impact of the COVID-19

  • Friday, June 5, 2020
  • Government Support for International Students and Foreigners Living in Japan During the Coronavirus

  • Monday, May 18, 2020
  • COVID-19 and University Life in Japan

  • Saturday, May 9, 2020
  • How to Apply for the ¥100,000 Coronavirus Government Support Money

  • Wednesday, May 6, 2020
  • To Those Who Have Lost Their Jobs Because of the State of Emergency In Japan

  • Wednesday, April 29, 2020
  • What is it like being LGBT in Japan?

  • Friday, April 24, 2020
  • ¥100,000 Japanese Government Support Money. Do you qualify?

  • Thursday, April 23, 2020
  • Visas and Government Support for Foreigners During the Coronavirus in Japan

  • Thursday, April 16, 2020
  • Why Can’t Japan Work From Home?

  • Friday, April 3, 2020
  • Japan Coronavirus Information Site List by Prefecture (Phone Consultations Available)

  • Monday, March 30, 2020
  • Job Search Support for International Students in Japan

  • Tuesday, March 24, 2020
  • The Coronavirus and the Olympics

  • Thursday, March 12, 2020
  • What to do during Volcanic Eruptions in Japan

See All Articles

Work in Japan, Enjoy Japan

Finding a job abroad may seem challenging, but Izanau is here to make the process simple. Register now and you're one step closer to enjoying your new life in Japan.
Register your account

Jobs In Japan Made Simple
About Izanau
  • Contact Us
SiteMap
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
Homes
  • For Rent
  • For Sale
  • FAQ
  • Advanced Search
Terms of Use
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Privacy
  • Privacy Policy
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 紹介会社様はこちら
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 外国人材を紹介したい方はこちら
Sign Up
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Language
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
Follow Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Izanau. Copyright Another Discovery Inc.