Electricity, gas, water, and internet: setup steps and monthly costs
For moving in Japan, arrange electricity, city gas or propane, water, fiber internet, home routers, and payment methods before moving day.
Moving day is difficult if electricity, gas, water, or internet is not ready. Electricity and water can often start the same day. Gas requires an in-person appointment. Fiber internet installation can take 1-4 weeks, and busy March-April moves can take more than 2 months.
Electricity
Since electricity liberalization in 2016, households can choose regional utilities or newer providers. Major regional companies include TEPCO, Kansai Electric, Chubu Electric, Kyushu Electric, and Hokkaido Electric.
Newer providers include Rakuten Denki, ENEOS Denki, au Denki, SoftBank Denki, and Looop Denki. They may be 5-15% cheaper depending on use. A single person may pay ¥3,000-7,000 per month, or ¥6,000-12,000 in heavy air-conditioning seasons.
Gas
Gas is either city gas or propane. City gas often costs ¥3,000-6,000 in summer and ¥5,000-10,000 in winter. Propane can cost ¥5,000-10,000 in summer and ¥8,000-15,000 in winter, roughly 1.5-2 times city gas.
Gas opening requires a worker visit to check the meter and appliances. The appointment takes about 30-60 minutes. Reserve 1-7 days ahead, or 2-3 weeks ahead during March-April.
Water
Water is managed by local governments such as Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau, Osaka City Waterworks, or Yokohama Waterworks. File a start-of-use notice online or by phone before moving or on the day.
In-person presence is usually unnecessary. A single person may pay ¥1,500-3,000 per month, and a 4-person household ¥4,000-7,000. Bills often arrive every 2 months.
Internet
Home internet usually means fiber, costing around ¥4,000-7,000 per month. Options include SoftBank Hikari, au Hikari, Rakuten Hikari, NURO Hikari, Docomo Hikari, and NTT Flets.
Installation takes 1-4 weeks and can exceed 2 months in March-April. Apartment “free internet” can be convenient but may slow below 10 Mbps at night. For remote work, consider a separate fiber line or home router.
Payment
Utilities can be paid by bank transfer, credit card, paper bill, or QR payment where supported. Credit card is often easiest because setup is immediate and points accumulate.
If unpaid, notices may arrive after 1-2 months, followed by suspension warnings around 3 months. Electricity and water can often resume the same day after payment; gas and internet may take 1-3 days.
Common mistakes
Gas opening is hard to book on moving day because a worker must visit, often during weekday 9:00 to 17:00 slots. Reserve 1 week ahead, or 2 to 3 weeks ahead during March and April.
Confirm city gas or propane before signing the lease. Propane can add JPY 3,000 to 5,000 per month, or JPY 36,000 to 60,000 per year. Apartment free internet can drop below 10 Mbps at night, so remote workers should prepare a separate fiber line or home router.
When moving out, file separate stop-of-use notices for electricity, gas, water, and internet. If you forget, base fees and final bills can continue after you leave the room.