5 Things Foreigners Must Do When Moving to Japan

Japan Life Guide  by Sio

1) Make a Personal Seal

A seal in Japan is like your signature, so choose carefully.

Pitfall: When I arrived, a friend suggested I make a seal with just my surname - NG. I trusted him and did it — only later did I realize he was just trying to save me money. I would’ve preferred using my full name, since the seal stays with me in Japan…

2) Visit the Ward Office

Within 14 days of arriving, you have to go to the local ward office to register your address and seal, enroll in health insurance and pension.

Pitfall: Be ready to spend the whole day. I waited four hours and still wasn’t sure how long it’ll take, cos the numbers aren’t in order…

3) Get a Phone Number

Without a bank account, most major phone carriers won’t let you get a plan. You can buy a prepaid SIM or apply online for budget carriers like Rakuten Mobile, povo, or LINEMO using a credit card.

Pitfall: To download these SIM apps, your app store must be set to Japan. Switching requires a Japanese number or credit card — you might need to borrow a friend’s number for the verification code...

4) Open a Bank Account

Big banks usually won’t let you open an account unless you’ve lived in Japan for 6+ months. The safest option is Japan Post Bank, you must visit the branch closest to your home or office.

Pitfall: If you don’t speak Japanese, staff may reject you on the spot. They do have an online app, but the process takes around two weeks…

5) Apply for My Number Card

This card is essential: it works as an ID, a health insurance card, and many official procedures. 1–2 weeks after registering your address, you’ll receive a letter with your My Number so you can apply for the physical card.

Pitfall: Japan’s mailboxes are packed with flyers. I kept waiting for the notice, only to find it had arrived but was buried underneath. By then, it had expired — I had to go to the ward office and explain…

Sio

Resetting life in Osaka after years in the UK, France, Spain, Canada & Argentina. Seeing people and cultures from many sides.

Follow @anotherlifeclub and restart Another Life with me.