Settling Down in Japan
1. Moving In
Students those who receive a Residence Card on arrival to Japan must register your address at the local municipal office within fourteen days. When you go to the municipal office be sure to take your Residency Card. Your address will be recorded on the back of your Residency Card.
2. Moving Out
When you move to a new residence administered by the same municipal office, take your Residency Card to your municipal office and fill out a tennyuu todoke ("Notification of Moving in" form). When you move to a location in a different jurisdiction, take your Residency Card to your municipal office and fill out a tenkyo todoke ("Notification of Change in Address" form). The clerk will issue you a tenshutsu shoumeishou ( "Certificate of Relocating Out" of the municipality). Next, take this Certificate, along with your Residency Card, go to your new municipal office responsible for the area of your new residence, and fill out a tennyuu todoke ("Notification of Moving In" form) regarding your new residence.
3. Utilities: electricity, gas, water
Contact the local offices to arrange for electricity, gas and water services once the contract for your new residence has been concluded. Before you move out, be sure to contact the organizations providing your electricity, gas, and water services and terminate your contracts with them. Consult your real estate agent for further information.
4. Post Office
Japan Post provides a mail-forwarding service when people move. If you want the post office to forward mail (including packages) sent to your new address from your previous address, you must fill out the necessary form(s) at the post office nearest your home. This is a free service up to one year from the time you apply.
(Note: It is best to do this after your new address has been recorded on the back of your Residency Card because the post office will require proof that you actually live at the new address.)