Moving to Japan: The First 30 Days of Paperwork, in Order
Japan Life, Labeled · No. 01 — Moving to Japan: The First 30 Days of Paperwork, in Order
You've moved to Japan. Which office, what to file, and what order unlocks the rest?
Paperwork for your first 30 days, in order — starting with the registration due within 14 days of moving in, on which insurance, pension, bank, and phone depend.
What's inside
- The city-office visit: registration, insurance, pension, My Number — 4 filings at once
- The phone-and-bank ordering problem, solved
- What to bring to 6 counters, in one table
- An example first month, day by day; a deadline checklist
- 5 mistakes that cost people a second trip
Format
PDF, 7 pages. Last checked: November 2026.
Who this is for
New arrivals in Japan — work, study, working holiday, family.
Not for: Tourists; anyone whose employer files everything.
What this guide does not cover
Visa procedures; importing a car or pets; tax filing.
How the labels work
Claims are labeled Known (checked against official sources), My read (the author's interpretation), or Don't know (it varies — the guide says how to check).
By One View From Japan — a Japanese data professional based in Japan. Japan from the inside, with the guesses labeled.
Drafted with AI assistance; every claim and figure reviewed by the author.
Questions: riku-muse@muse.ai
FAQ
Q: My employer says they will handle registration. Still useful?
A: Yes — as a check on their work, starting with your insurance card's arrival.
Q: When does the 14-day clock start?
A: From the day you start living there, not the lease signing.
