How do I move in Japan? Explanation of procedures and formalities
Moving in Japan for a foreigner can be a daunting prospect, as they are not familiar with the procedures and Japanese customs. Therefore, this article explains the procedures and necessary formalities for moving in Japan in an easy-to-understand manner for foreign residents.
If you are planning to move, we also recommend the following articles
What are the necessary procedures for moving (change of address) in Japan?
Procedure for moving in Japan
First, we will explain the general procedure for moving in Japan. It is important to understand the procedure and then proceed with a proper schedule.
Set a date and time for the move
First, you need to clearly determine the date and time of your move. If you are calling movers, the date and time of the move is the day they arrive. Working backward from this date, we will determine the schedule for the move.
Dispose of oversize garbage, etc.
Dispose of bulky items such as furniture and appliances that will not be used at your new residence as soon as possible before moving day approaches.In Japan, there is a fee to dispose of bulky waste.and note that it costs several hundred yen to throw one away. If you don't want to waste the cost of disposal, we recommend selling them at a recycle store. On the Internet, you can sell your furniture and appliances on sites such as "Jimottee" and "Mercari.
Reference: Zimotihttps://jmty.jp/
Mercury (company name)https://jp.mercari.com/
Packing.
You need to finish packing before moving day. Packing should be done early for items not needed for daily living first, and daily necessities should be packed closer to the move.
Complete the necessary procedures.
Before the move-in date, complete the move-out procedures for your current home, as well as the electricity and gas shut-off procedures.
Move your belongings and move out.
On the day of the move, if you use a moving company, you will be there to witness the move; if you move by car or other means, you will carry your belongings by yourself.
Complete the necessary procedures after moving.
Once you have moved your belongings to your new home, you will need to complete procedures at the town hall, such as notification of moving out and moving in, change of address procedures for credit cards, etc., and witness the opening of the gas valve at your new home.
Procedures required when moving
In addition to signing a contract for a room and moving your belongings, you will also need to complete various procedures when moving. Here are some of the main procedures you need to follow when moving.
Electricity and gas procedures
When you move to a new house, you need to follow the procedures to turn off the electricity and gas at your previous house and to make the electricity and gas available at your new house. You can call the electricity and gas company directly or apply online to complete the procedures.
Submission of notification of moving out and moving in
When you move and change your address, you must change the address on your residence certificate to the new address. To change your residence certificate, submit a "notification of moving out" or "notification of moving in" at the city hall or ward office in the area of your former home and your new home address.
In Japan, notification of moving out or moving in is,Must be done within 14 days of moving.Note that the
Change of address procedure
You will also need to change the address on your credit cards, phone, etc. to the new one. If you have a car license, you will also change the address on your driver's license.
How to Carry Your Luggage
The most common way to transport your belongings during a move is to ask a moving company in Japan. The level of service provided by moving companies in Japan is very high, so if you have a lot of stuff to move, by all means use a moving company. If you do not have a lot of stuff to move, you can transport it yourself by car or use a courier service.
Ask the movers.
There are many moving companies in Japan, and many moves are made by contractors. Some companies offer inexpensive plans for single people, so choose the one that offers the best service for you from among several companies.
Use a car or rental car
If you have a small amount of luggage and you have a driver's license, you can save money by transporting your luggage by car instead of hiring a contractor. If you don't have a car, you can rent a car or borrow a friend's car.
Use a courier service, etc.
If your belongings are too small to use a moving company, you can send your belongings by courier service. However, since single-person packages from moving companies are very inexpensive, you should compare which is cheaper, courier service or single-person package, before making a decision.
How much does it cost to move?
For a single person living alone, the cost of a moving company to transport one's belongings is about 20,000 yen to 50,000 yen, plus the rent and deposit for the new house, the cleaning and other move-out costs for the previous house, and the cost of buying new furniture and appliances if any. Generally speaking, it costs aboutAbout 4 to 6 months rent.is said to be the cost of moving.
Rent in Japan
The market price of rent in Japan varies depending on the region and the rank of the house you live in. Tokyo is the most expensive area, with a one-room apartment in the city center costing from 70,000 to 100,000 yen per month. In other areas, rents are slightly lower, ranging from 40,000 yen to 60,000 yen, and in rural areas, you can rent a studio with adequate facilities for around 30,000 yen.
If you live alone, we recommend a shared house.
If you are a foreigner living alone, we recommend living in a shared house. Rent in a share house is cheaper than in a regular apartment, and you often do not have to buy furniture and appliances. There are also share houses in Japan where many foreigners live, so it is convenient to communicate in your own language, such as English, in such properties.
summary
Moving in Japan is usually done by a moving company, and inexpensive plans for single people are available. Do not forget to take necessary procedures such as notification of moving out and electricity and gas service procedures. In particular, it is important to note that the notification of moving out must be submitted within 14 days of moving.
