Moving and Address Change in Japan
Handle municipal move-out and move-in notices, residence card address updates, mail forwarding, utilities, banks, and accounts.
Moving in Japan is a sequence, not one form. The municipal move-out or move-in notice controls resident record, residence card address, National Health Insurance, pension, school, tax notices, and sometimes My Number services. Build the schedule around the 14-day legal window.
Before moving
If you move to a different municipality, submit a move-out notice at the old office and receive a moving-out certificate. This can often be done from 14 days before the move. If you move within the same municipality, submit a change-of-address notice after moving instead.
Notify the landlord, management company, gas, electricity, water, internet, and moving company. In March and April, movers can require booking 1 to 2 months ahead. For bulky waste, reserve collection with the municipality and buy paid stickers.
Moving day and first 14 days
On the day, return old keys, photograph gas, electricity, and water meters, confirm the new starting meter values, and keep the moving company’s receipt. These records help when final bills or deposit deductions arrive.
Within 14 days after moving, submit the move-in notice or address-change notice at the new municipal office. Foreign residents have the new address written on the back of the residence card there; this is usually linked to ISA residence-address reporting, so a separate immigration office visit is not needed for address alone.
After municipal registration
Ask for several copies of the resident record if banks, schools, companies, or insurers request proof of address. A copy often costs around JPY 300. Then update bank accounts, credit cards, mobile carrier, employer, school, securities accounts, insurance, online shopping accounts, and delivery services.
If you have a Japanese driver’s license, change the address at the police station or driver’s license center. Bring the license and a document showing the new address, such as residence card, resident record, or health insurance information. The process often takes 5 to 10 minutes.
Mail and private contracts
Submit a Japan Post forwarding request so mail to the old address is forwarded for 1 year. This does not cover private couriers such as Yamato Transport, Sagawa, Amazon delivery, or courier-specific membership services.
Internet transfer can take 1 to 2 months, especially with fiber lines or building work. Gas opening may need attendance. Do not wait until move-in day to contact providers.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse move-out and move-in notices. For inter-municipality moves, both sides matter. Missing the 14-day window can block resident record, insurance, school, and certificate procedures, and the law allows an administrative fine.
Do not rely on MyNaPortal move-out filing alone. The move-in notice still has to be completed with the new municipality. Also check whether a job change, school withdrawal, or organization change creates a separate ISA notification within 14 days.
Useful terms
- Tenkyo todoke: address-change notice
- Tenshutsu todoke: move-out notice
- Tennyu todoke: move-in notice
- Juminhyo: resident record
- Zairyu card uragaki: address writing on residence card