{"id":26817,"date":"2023-04-18T15:00:17","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T15:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26817"},"modified":"2025-01-21T13:13:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T04:13:00","slug":"moving-and-relocating-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/moving-and-relocating-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving home and relocating in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Preparing for a <\/span>move<\/b> is a daunting task regardless of where you live, and the added stressor of being a foreign resident in a country known for its red tape and endless paperwork can make it much more difficult. Relocating in Japan requires considerable amounts of time and money, but with a bit of effort and the right preparation, there are ways to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we look at what you need to do to relocate in Japan and offer some insight into what you might expect it all to cost. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you move<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are four main things you need to do before moving out of your current place: give notice, contact utility companies, inform your ward office, and redirect your mail at the post office. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note these steps may differ depending on your accommodation. For example, if you are moving out of a share house, you generally won\u2019t need to contact the utility companies once you have given notice of your move-out date and you will just need to pay whatever is outstanding on your bill. Each share house company will have slightly different move-out processes, so please confirm with the company directly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the four main to-dos when moving out in further detail.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give notice <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inform your current landlord or accommodation provider as soon as possible of your <\/span>intended move-out date<\/b>. Most contracts require one month\u2019s notice, although this will depend on your individual rental agreement so always refer to your contract first and foremost. In any case, it\u2019s best to give notice early to avoid paying for any time you won\u2019t be living there. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you give notice, your accommodation provider will schedule an inspection on the date that you plan to leave. Most contracts will state that the lessee (you) will restore the property to its original condition before moving out. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landlord or accommodation provider will take into account how long you have lived at the property for, and normal wear and tear, which is not your responsibility to fix. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually the landlord or accommodation provider will cover basic cleaning expenses after tenants move out. But it\u2019s also common for a rental agreement to state that these expenses can be deducted from a tenant\u2019s security deposit when they move out. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can expect this to cost around <\/span>1000-2000 yen per 1\u33a1<\/b>, excluding tax. Yes, this can come to a lot of money, but it\u2019s standard practice in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact utility companies<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, you need to contact your gas, electricity, water, and internet providers to tell them you will be relocating and provide a date when you need everything turned off. This can mostly be done online, usually in Japanese. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need to call the companies, you can say:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u5f15\u3063\u8d8a\u3059\u306e\u3067\u3001\u30ac\u30b9\uff0f\u96fb\u6c17\uff0f\u6c34\u9053\uff0f\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8\u306e\u5229\u7528\u3092\u505c\u6b62\u3057\u305f\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3002
<\/span>Hikkosu node, gasu\/denki\/suid\u014d\/int\u0101netto no riy\u014d o teishi shitai no desu ga.
<\/span><\/i>I\u2019m moving house and I would like to cancel my gas\/electricity\/water\/internet.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need to tell them your name, customer number, address, phone number, your new address, and the date you\u2019re moving out.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally you need to be present in your apartment when they visit to turn off the services and give you the final bill. Try to schedule all of these on the same day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inform your ward office<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember how you had to visit your local ward or municipality office to register your address when you first moved in? In a similar fashion, you will need to visit them to tell them you\u2019re moving and relocating in Japan. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to fill out a <\/span>tenshutsu todoke <\/span><\/i>\u8ee2\u51fa\u5c4a, or moving out form. This is very important as you won\u2019t be able to register your address with your new ward (required for tax and ID purposes) without the documents from your previous ward. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re moving within the same ward or city, you still need to visit your local ward or municipality office to give notice that your address has changed. Instead of filling in the moving out form, you just need to inform the city or ward office that your address has changed within the same city\/ward. Make sure to bring your residence card and your <\/span>My Number<\/span><\/a>. Your address will then be printed on your residence card and My Number.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Redirect your mail<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When relocating in Japan, you can get your mail forwarded to your new address for one year for free. After that, any of your mail that\u2019s still sent to your old address will be returned to the sender. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To redirect your mail, you\u2019ll need to fill in a <\/span>tenkyo todoke<\/span><\/i> \u8ee2\u5c45\u5c4a form either online or at your local post office. For more information on this process, visit the <\/span>Japan Post website<\/span><\/a> (Japanese only).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moving costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On top of your outstanding utility bills and cleaning fees, there are a few other key expenses to factor in when relocating in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiring a moving service<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of full-service moving companies that will provide boxes, pack your things for you, and take them to your new place. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cost will depend on how much stuff you\u2019re moving and where you are relocating to. Some factors that will increase the price of your move:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n