Moving to Japan with Family: Housing, Healthcare, City Hall and Daily Life Setup

Who this guide is for

This guide is for foreign nationals planning to move to Japan with a spouse, partner, or children. Moving to Japan as a family involves more coordination than a solo move: visas for each family member, household-size housing, multiple health insurance enrollments, school or childcare registration, and a larger setup budget. This guide covers the key steps in practical order.

If you are moving alone, the Moving to Japan Checklist gives a complete timeline from six months before departure through your first 30 days.

Quick answer: which visa does my family need?

The status your family members need depends on your own visa category in Japan.

In most cases where a Dependent Visa is needed, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must be obtained in Japan before family members can apply for their visa at a Japanese embassy abroad.

What to prepare before arrival

Visas and documents

• Confirm each family member’s visa category and ensure COE applications are submitted for each person
• Gather family register documents (婚姻届 / birth certificates) — certified translations may be needed for city hall registration
• Passports valid for the full intended stay for all family members
• Residence Cards (在留カード) are issued at the port of entry at major airports with immigration counters

Housing

• Family-size apartments (2LDK and above) require three to six months lead time in major cities
• Budget for key-money and deposits equivalent to two to four months rent plus first month rent
• Bilingual agencies or corporate housing services reduce friction with landlords unfamiliar with non-Japanese tenants
• Confirm whether your employer provides housing support before signing a lease independently

Schools and childcare

• Public school enrollment is handled at city hall after residence registration — school-age children (ages 6 to 15) are legally entitled to free public education in Japan regardless of nationality
• International and English-medium schools require early application — waitlists at popular schools can be one to two years
• Hoikuen (保育園, licensed daycare) places are allocated by city hall — apply as soon as your address is registered
• See the Education for Expat Families guide for a full breakdown of school types and enrollment process

First 7 days: city hall and residence registration

Residence registration (住民登録) must be completed for every family member within 14 days of arrival. This is a legal requirement and is the foundation for all other setup steps.

• Go to your local city hall (市役所) with each family member’s passport and Residence Card
• Bring certified translations of marriage and birth certificates where family relationships are not yet on a Japanese family register
• At city hall you can also: enroll the household in National Health Insurance, apply for My Number cards, and register children for local school
• City hall staff in major cities often have English-speaking windows — call ahead to confirm availability

First 30 days: household setup

Health insurance

National Health Insurance (NHI) covers the whole household under one enrollment. If you are enrolled in employer health insurance (社会保険), your spouse and dependent children can be added as dependents through your employer HR. NHI or employer insurance covers most medical visits and hospital stays at roughly 30 percent out-of-pocket cost for adults, with lower rates for children depending on your city.

Bank account

Open a bank account as soon as you have a registered address. Japan Post Bank has the most accessible requirements for new residents. Spouse accounts can be opened separately once they are registered. See the Japan Bank Account guide for step-by-step instructions.

Phone and connectivity

Each family member will need their own SIM card or phone plan. Major MVNOs (IIJmio, Mineo, Rakuten Mobile) accept new residents with a Residence Card and bank account. See the SIM card and phone plan guide for current options. For pre-arrival connectivity, a travel eSIM covers your first days — see the Japan eSIM guide.

Cashless payments

IC cards (Suica or Pasmo) cover transport and convenience store purchases from day one. Once you have a bank account, services like PayPay extend cashless payment to most supermarkets. See the cashless payment guide for setup order.

Common mistakes families make

• Not registering all family members immediately. Registration applies to every person in the household including infants. Delays complicate health insurance and school enrollment.
• Assuming spouse work hours are unlimited. On a Dependent Visa, a spouse is limited to 28 hours per week and must obtain a work permission endorsement first. Working without permission violates residence status terms.
• Applying for childcare too late. Hoikuen places in urban areas have extremely competitive allocation. Register your address and apply for childcare as early as possible after arrival.
• Using the wrong visa category advice. Online forums mix advice for work visas, spouse visas, and WHV holders. Confirm which category applies to each family member.
• Choosing housing without checking school districts. Public school assignment in Japan is based on residential address. If a specific school matters, confirm the school district before signing your lease.

Next guides to read

• Moving to Japan Checklist — complete timeline for the full move
• Japan Spouse Visa Guide — if you are the spouse of a Japanese national
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Guide — required for most long-term visas
• Education for Expat Families in Japan — school types, enrollment process, international schools
• Opening a Bank Account in Japan
• Japan Health Insurance Guide
• SIM Card and Phone Plans in Japan
• Cashless Payment in Japan

FAQ

Can my spouse work on a Dependent Visa in Japan?

Yes, with restrictions. A spouse on a Dependent Visa (家族滞在) can work up to 28 hours per week after obtaining a work permission endorsement (資格外活動許可) from a Regional Immigration Services Bureau. Working without this permission is a violation of residence status terms. Confirm the current procedure with the ISA.

Do my children need their own Residence Cards?

Children aged 16 and over must carry their Residence Card. Children under 16 are registered in the residence records but do not receive a separate Residence Card at the port of entry — their information is recorded in the household registration until they reach 16.

Can my children attend public school?

Yes. Japan’s Fundamental Law of Education entitles all children, regardless of nationality, to attend public compulsory education (ages 6 to 15). Enrollment is handled at city hall after residence registration. Some municipalities have Japanese language support classes (日本語指導) for children who are not yet Japanese-proficient.

How does National Health Insurance work for a family?

NHI is household-based. One enrollment at city hall covers all registered household members. The premium is based on the previous year’s income and number of household members. Children’s co-payment rates are often reduced by local government subsidies — check with your city hall for the applicable rate in your area.

Is there daycare available in Japan?

Yes. Japan has a licensed daycare system (保育園 hoikuen) for children from 0 to 5 years old. Licensed daycare is subsidized and allocated by city hall based on household working hours and income. Demand in major cities exceeds supply — apply as early as possible after registering your address.

What if my family moves to Japan before I do?

If your spouse and children arrive before you, family members complete their own residence registration with their own Residence Cards. Your visa status determines your family members’ dependent status — confirm the exact process with a licensed immigration attorney or administrative scrivener (行政書士) for complex situations.