Moving apartments within Japan is a well-systematized process with established timelines, specific seasons to avoid, and a competitive moving industry. Whether you’re relocating within a city or moving to a new region entirely, understanding the process saves money and stress.
The Japanese Moving Calendar
Japan has two heavily concentrated moving seasons that dramatically affect both apartment availability and moving company prices:
- Spring (February–April): The busiest season by far. Companies transfer employees in April; students start university in April; school year ends in March. Moving company prices increase 30–100% during this period. Book movers 1–2 months ahead minimum.
- September–October: Secondary season; company transfers common; less severe than spring
- Best time to move: June–August or November–January; movers have availability, prices are lower, and apartments are easier to negotiate
Finding a New Apartment
Timeline
- Start searching 1–2 months before your target move date
- Japanese apartments become available for viewing 1–2 months before the listed move-in date
- Most leases require 1–2 months’ notice to vacate; coordinate your move-out notice with your new move-in date
Key Documents You’ll Need
- Residence card (在留カード)
- Employment certificate (在職証明書) or income certificate (収入証明書)
- Previous year’s tax certificate (源泉徴収票) or income tax certificate (課税証明書)
- My Number card or notification
- Guarantor (保証人): traditionally a Japanese person; now largely replaced by guarantor companies (保証会社) — you pay 0.5–1 month’s rent to the guarantor company annually
- For foreigners: some landlords still require a Japanese guarantor; this is less common than it was but still encountered
Using the Same Real Estate Agent
If your previous apartment was managed well, consider using the same real estate agent or management company for your next search — they already have your documents on file and know you’re a reliable tenant.
Moving Companies (引越し業者)
Major Chains
- Yamato Home Convenience (ヤマトホームコンビニエンス): Yamato’s moving division; reliable nationwide; single-item shipping popular for small moves
- Sakai Hikkoshi Center (サカイ引越センター): Japan’s largest specialized moving company; competitive pricing; good for full-service moves
- Artisan (アートリサイクル/アート引越センター): Strong nationwide network; reliable
- Nippon Tsūun / Nittsu (日本通運): Large logistics company with moving services; slightly higher cost but excellent for international or complex moves
Getting Quotes
- Request in-home estimates (訪問見積もり) from 2–3 companies; the representative comes to your apartment to assess volume
- Or use online comparison sites: Hikkoshi Zamurai (引越し侍), Hikkoshi Connect (引越しコネクト) — submit your move details once and receive multiple quotes
- Negotiate: Japanese moving companies expect negotiation; mention competing quotes; you can typically reduce the initial quote by 15–30%
Cost Guide
- Single person (1K/1DK), same city: ¥30,000–¥60,000 (off-peak); ¥60,000–¥120,000 (peak)
- Couple (1LDK/2LDK), same city: ¥50,000–¥100,000 (off-peak); ¥100,000–¥200,000 (peak)
- Family (2LDK–3LDK), inter-city (e.g., Tokyo to Osaka): ¥100,000–¥250,000 (off-peak); ¥200,000–¥400,000+ (peak)
Address Change Procedures After Moving
After moving, you have 14 days to update your registered address (住民票の住所). Multiple updates needed:
- Move-out notification (転出届): Submit to your current city/ward office before moving out; receive a transfer certificate (転出証明書)
- Move-in notification (転入届): Submit to new city/ward office within 14 days of moving; bring transfer certificate, residence card, My Number card
- Residence card update: Immigration office updates your card address; if moving within the same municipality, can often be done at ward office
- Bank accounts: Update address at each bank; online banking usually allows this
- National Health Insurance: Update at new ward office; premiums recalculated based on income at new municipality
- Driver’s license: Update address at police station (警察署) or driver’s license center
- Japan Post mail forwarding (転居届): At any post office; free; mail forwarded for 1 year from old address
- My Number card: Address update at ward office; chip is updated
Disposing of Large Items Before Moving
Japan’s large-item disposal (粗大ゴミ, sodai gomi) requires advance scheduling:
- Book with your city’s large-item disposal service (usually online or by phone) 1–3 weeks ahead
- Pay via voucher (粗大ゴミ処理券) purchased at convenience stores; stick to the item
- Cost: ¥300–¥2,000 per item depending on size
- Alternatively: sell to Hard Off (free collection for working items), give away on Junk (ジモティー) or Freecycle Japan groups, or include in your moving company’s disposal service