Moving to Japan involves multiple phases: choosing the right visa, preparing financially, finding a home, handling administrative tasks on arrival, and settling into your new life. This hub covers each stage for foreign nationals making the move.
Choose your moving-to-Japan path
Not every move to Japan starts the same way. Choose the path closest to your situation, then follow the checklist and setup guides for visas, housing, city hall, phone plans, banking, healthcare and daily life.
Best for: job offer, employer sponsor, work visa, skilled professional
Best for: university, language school, vocational school, exchange program
Best for: spouse of Japanese national, dependent visa, family reunification
Best for: short-term work and travel in Japan, eligible countries (typically under 30)
Best for: moving with spouse, children, or partner; family health insurance and school enrollment
Best for: resident setup after arrival — banking, healthcare, phone, daily life
Step-by-Step: Move to Japan
- Moving to Japan Checklist — The complete timeline from 6 months before departure to 3 months after arrival.
- Cost of Moving to Japan — Realistic budget breakdown: initial costs, monthly expenses, and what varies by city.
- Japan Cost of Living 2026 — Monthly budget examples by city (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya) with category breakdowns and cost-saving tips.
- Apartment Hunting in Japan — The Japanese rental process, key-money, guarantors, and finding English-friendly agencies.
- Best Cities in Japan for Expats — Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and smaller cities compared by lifestyle, cost, and expat community.
- First Steps After Arriving — Residence registration, My Number card, National Health Insurance enrollment, and other day-one tasks.
- Education for Expat Families — Public schools, international schools, hoikuen daycare, and university options for children.
💼 Visa Guides
- Japan Work Visa Guide — Engineer/Specialist, Highly Skilled Professional (HSP), Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), and more. Who qualifies and how to apply.
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — The essential first step for most Japan visas. What it is, who applies, required documents, and processing timeline.
- Japan Student Visa Guide — University, vocational school, and language school options. COE process, financial requirements, working rights, and post-graduation paths.
- Japan Spouse Visa Guide — Spouse of Japanese National, Spouse of Permanent Resident, and Dependent visa. Documents, working rights, and pathway to permanent residency.
- Working Holiday Visa (WHV) — Eligible countries, age limits, what you can do, how to apply, and first steps after arrival.
For official visa categories and the most current rules, consult the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
After You Move
Once you have arrived and settled, the Living in Japan section covers daily life: banking, healthcare, phone plans, working culture, transport, utilities, and driving. Key setup guides:
- Cashless Payment
- First-Time Japan
- Smartphone Guide
- Opening a Bank Account in Japan
- Japan Health Insurance Guide
- Banking in Japan
For cultural context and background knowledge, see Learn About Japan.