Introduction
Moving to Japan is exciting—but your daily life won’t really start until you register your address. This is the gateway to everything else (health insurance, taxes, bank account, phone).
Heads-up: At the bottom of this page, you’ll find a step-by-step guide that shows exactly what happens at the counter, what to say, and how to avoid mistakes.
What is Resident Registration?
Resident registration means officially notifying your city or ward office of your current address. In Japan, all residents with a stay of more than 3 months are legally required to do this within 14 days of moving in.
Once registered, you will receive a Resident Record (住民票 / Juminhyo), which proves your address and household information. This record is essential because you cannot
- Join health insurance or pension
- Open a bank account
- Sign a mobile phone contract
- File taxes or receive official letters
In short, your life in Japan doesn’t really “start” until this is done.
Where to Go & What It’s Called
You must visit your local City or Ward Office (市役所 / 区役所), usually the Residents Section (市民課).
When registering your address, you will file one of the following:
- Moving in from abroad or from another municipality in Japan: 転入届 (Tennyu Todoke)
- Moving within the same city/ward: 転居届 (Tenkyo Todoke)
💡 Note: These forms are available directly at the Residents Section, so you don’t need to prepare them in advance—just ask for 転入届 / 転居届 when you arrive.
What to bring (checklist)
Required:
- Residence Card (在留カード)
- Passport
- Lease/contract (if available; at least have your full address incl. room number)
If you have:
- Move-out slip (転出証明書) if you moved from another city/ward
- Student ID (if you are a student)
- Family members’ documents (families should register together so you’re placed in the same household correctly.)
Tip: Registration is free. Copies of your Resident Record (住民票の写し) cost a small fee—it’s probably around 300 yen. Get a few if you’ll open a bank account or phone contract next.
Step-by-step at the counter
- Take a number ticket at the Residents Section.
- Say: 「転入届を提出したいです」 / “I’d like to submit a move-in notification.”
- Fill out the form (転入届 / or 転居届 as applicable): name (exact as Residence Card), birthdate, nationality, new address incl. room number, move-in date, head of household & relationship.
- Show your Residence Card & passport (staff may copy them).
- Staff updates your records and may write your new address on the back of your Residence Card.
- Request 住民票 copies if needed for bank/phone.
- Staff may direct you straight to health insurance & pension counters—finish these while you’re there.
👉 Read more: Health Insurance and Pension in Japan↗
Language Support & Useful Phrases
英語対応できますか？ / Is English support available?
転入届を提出したいです。 / I’d like to submit a move-in notification.
住民票を発行してください。 / Please issue a copy of my Resident Record.
Common Mistakes (to Avoid)
- Missing room number in the address
- Name spelling different from your Residence Card
- Wrong move-in date (use the actual day you started living there)
- No address proof (bring lease/contract)
- Visiting during peak times (month-end, Mondays, April) → go early in the day
After Registration: What’s Next?
- My Number (マイナンバー): Arrives by mail; needed for work, taxes, some banking.
👉 Read more: Understanding My Number in Japan↗
- Health Insurance & Pension: Enrollment is mandatory.
👉 Read more: Health Insurance and Pension in Japan↗
Conclusion
Register within 14 days, bring the right documents, and—if possible—complete health insurance/pension on the same day. Once registered, everything else (banking, phone, taxes) becomes much smoother.
