Just arrived in Japan with a student visa? Here’s what you need to do

We know that the first days in Japan can be a mix of excitement, stress, and many doubts. Between paperwork, moving, and cultural adjustment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you get started on the right foot, we’ve prepared a small guide with the 4 essential steps you should follow right after arriving.

Register at the city or ward office (市役所 / 区役所)

One of the first things you must do upon arriving in Japan is register at your city or ward office, and you must do this within the first 15 days of arrival.

*What's the difference between 市役所 (Shiyakusho) and 区役所 (Kuyakusho)?

• 市役所 (Shiyakusho): City office — found in cities like Nagoya, Hiroshima, etc.
• 区役所 (Kuyakusho): Ward office — serves specific districts in large cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, etc.

What to bring:

• Your passport
• Your residence card (在留カード / Zairyu card)
• Your address written in both English and Japanese

What you’ll need:

• The documents above
• Resident registration form (住民移動届 - Jyumin idou todoke)
• A phone number of someone trustworthy (in your home country or in Japan)

Tip: Many city hall employees may not speak English, so having your address written correctly in Japanese can save you time and confusion.

Please note that this process may take approximately an hour and a half.

Enroll in the National Health Insurance (国民健康保険)

Right after registering as a resident, you should also enroll in the National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenkō Hoken) at the same office.

• A few weeks after completing the process, you’ll receive payment slips at your address. These can be paid at any convenience store (konbini).
• Approximate monthly cost: about 1,500 yen, though it may vary.

Having this insurance is essential—it covers 70% of your medical expenses in case of illness or accidents

Get a Japanese phone number

A Japanese phone number is more important than you might think. It’s not only useful for staying connected and using local apps, but also required for many procedures, such as:

• Opening a bank account
• Registering for job or housing apps (real estate)
• Shopping online, etc.

There are companies that offer special plans for foreign students, with or without long-term contracts.

Open a Japanese bank account

If you plan to work part-time (アルバイト / arubaito) or simply want to make life easier, you’ll need a local bank account. Please note that during your first 6 months in Japan, you can only open an account at JP Post Bank.

Why is it necessary?

• To receive your salary
• Most companies only pay to Japanese bank accounts
• You can use it to set up automatic bill payments for utilities like water, electricity, gas, internet, etc.

What you’ll need:

• Passport
• Residence card
• Japanese phone number
• Possibly a personal seal (hanko), though it's often not required for students

*Important:

This guide is specifically for people arriving in Japan with a student visa. If you come with another type of visa (work, Working Holiday, spouse, etc.), some procedures may vary.

These initial steps are key to starting your life here in an organized and calm way. And remember: if you have any questions, feel free to contact us—we’ll help make your arrival in Japan easier.