How To Move To Japan: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Moving to Japan is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make, but it requires careful planning both in your home country and in Japan.

Whether you want to move to Japan permanently for work, study Japanese at a language school, join a spouse who is a Japanese citizen, or explore this island nation on a working holiday visa, the steps are largely the same: secure the right visa, find accommodation, manage your finances, and register with the Japanese government after arrival.

This guide walks you through how to move to Japan in 2026, covering everything from the visa application form to setting up a Japanese bank account and navigating daily life as a foreign resident.

How long does it take to move to Japan?

Most people need 3 to 6 months from their first decision to their arrival date. The exact timeline depends on your visa type, but here is a realistic month-by-month breakdown for someone moving to Japan on a work visa or student visa.

Months 1 to 2: Secure your opportunity. Find a job with a Japanese company, get accepted to a Japanese university or language school, or confirm your eligibility for a working holiday visa. This step often takes the longest because your future employer or school must agree to sponsor your visa application.

Months 2 to 4: Apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Your sponsoring organization in Japan files this with the immigration office on your behalf. Processing takes 1 to 3 months. The COE is free to apply for, and it is the single most important document in the visa process. Without it, most long-term visa applications will not move forward.

Month 4 to 5: Apply for your visa. Once your COE arrives (by mail or email), take it to your nearest Japanese embassy or Japanese consulate along with your completed visa application form, passport, and a recent photo. With a COE in hand, the visa itself is usually issued within 5 business days. Your visa is valid for 3 months from issuance, so plan your travel accordingly.

Month 5 to 6: Prepare for departure. Ship household goods by sea freight (4 to 8 weeks) or pack essentials to carry with you. Arrange temporary accommodation if you have not secured a permanent address. Notify your bank, cancel or redirect mail, and handle any obligations in your home country before you leave.

How much does it cost to move to Japan?

Moving to Japan is a significant financial commitment.

Here are the main costs to budget for before and after arrival.

Visa and application fees: The COE application has no government fee. Visa fees at the Japanese embassy range from free (for some nationalities) to around 3,000 to 6,000 JPY depending on your own country. Some applicants hire an immigration lawyer (gyoseishoshi), which can cost 100,000 to 200,000 JPY.

Flights and shipping: A one-way flight from the U.S. or Europe typically costs $500 to $1,500. Shipping a small load of household goods by sea freight runs approximately $1,500 to $3,000, depending on volume and origin.

Apartment move-in costs: This is the biggest surprise for most people. Renting in Japan requires upfront payments totaling 4 to 6 months of rent. On an apartment with a monthly rent of 80,000 JPY, expect to pay 320,000 to 480,000 JPY before you move in. These fees include a security deposit (shikikin, 1 to 2 months), key money (reikin, 0 to 2 months), an agency fee (typically 1 month), guarantor company fee (50% to 100% of one month), fire insurance (15,000 to 25,000 JPY), and the first month of rent paid in advance.

First month of daily living costs: Groceries, transportation, a phone plan, and other basics will run approximately 100,000 to 200,000 JPY in your first month, depending on your city. Tokyo is the most expensive; regional cities like Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Sendai are significantly cheaper.

Total recommended savings: Plan to arrive in Japan with at least 700,000 to 1,000,000 JPY (roughly $4,500 to $6,500 USD at 2026 exchange rates) in accessible savings. This gives you enough room to cover move-in costs, your first month of expenses, and any unexpected delays in receiving your first paycheck.

Step 1: Finding the right visa

Securing the right Japanese visa is often the most complex part of moving to Japan. For most long-term visas, you will need a sponsoring organization in Japan, such as an employer, a Japanese language school, or a Japanese university, to support your visa application. However, some visa categories, like the working holiday visa or the digital nomad visa, do not require a Japanese sponsor. The visa process varies depending on your situation, so research your specific category thoroughly.

The visa you get on your passport acts as an entry visa, and it'll help you enter the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) is responsible for setting up visa policies and issuing visas through Japanese embassies and consulates abroad.

The most common Japanese visas people get are:

• Highly skilled professional visa

• Work visa

• Start-up visa

• Spouse Visa: when married to a Japanese citizen or Japanese national so you can live in Japan.

• Student visa: applies to anyone attending a Japanese university or Japanese language school.

• Working holiday visa: Available to young people (typically ages 18 to 30) from over 30 partner countries. This special visa allows you to live in Japan for up to one year while working part-time to fund your stay. The working holiday programme is ideal for those who want to experience Japanese culture and daily life before committing to a longer move. Note: U.S. citizens are not eligible, as the United States does not have a working holiday agreement with Japan. Check with your nearest Japanese embassy to confirm if your own country participates.

• Digital Nomad visa (Designated Activities): Launched in March 2024, this visa allows remote workers from 49 eligible countries to live in Japan for up to six months while working for a future employer or clients based outside Japan. You must earn at least 10 million JPY (approximately $68,000 USD) per year and carry private health insurance. You cannot work for Japanese companies on this visa, and it does not lead to permanent residency. Family members (spouse and children) can accompany you under a corresponding visa.

• Dependent visa: If your spouse or parent holds a valid work visa in Japan, family members including a spouse and children can apply for a dependent visa. This allows you to live in Japan and work part-time (up to 28 hours per week with permission from the immigration office).

Unfortunately, you can not move to Japan on a tourist visa.

Once you know which visa best suits your situation, you'll need to prepare the supporting documents, Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and the visa application form to your nearest Japanese Embassy or Japanese Consulate. 

Step 2. Finding accommodation

Finding accommodation before you arrive can be challenging due to time zone differences and the language barrier. However, several options make the process easier for foreign residents.

If you are attending a Japanese university or Japanese language school, campus housing or dormitories are often the simplest choice. Many Japanese companies also provide housing or housing allowances to their employees, especially international companies hiring English speakers.

Shared houses (share houses) are a popular option for long-term foreign residents, particularly in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. You share common spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom, but rent is significantly lower than renting a private apartment. This is a practical way to reduce your living costs while building friendships.

Once you are settled in Japan, you can look for your own apartment. Keep in mind that renting in Japan typically involves upfront costs such as key money (reikin), a security deposit (shikikin), and a guarantor. Some landlords and property management companies also use guarantor companies that are foreigner-friendly. If you are interested in rural living in Japan, akiya (abandoned houses) are available at very low cost or sometimes for free, though renovation expenses can add up.

Step 3: Preparing for the move

Preparing to move to Japan means organizing both your documents and your household goods well in advance. Your passport, visa, Certificate of Eligibility, and any translated documents should be on your person when you travel. Everything else, from clothing to electronics, requires some research before you pack.

When packing your items, clothes will be number one. So check Japan's local weather as it varies throughout its region. For example, Hokkaido is known to have harsher winters than Fukuoka.

See if you need a voltage and outlet converter for any important electronics you bring.

Additionally, any foreign resident staying in Japan for three months or more must enroll in Japan's public health insurance system.

This is a legal requirement, not optional.

If you are employed by a Japanese company, your employer will enroll you in Employees' Health Insurance (Shakai Hoken). If you are self-employed, a student, or not covered through an employer, you must sign up for National Health Insurance (NHI) at your local ward office within 14 days of registering your residence.

Japan's healthcare system covers about 70% of medical treatment costs, so you pay only 30% at the point of service. While traveler insurance is not required for long-term residents enrolled in the public system, consider carrying private health insurance during your first few days before enrollment is complete.

Step 4. Managing your finances

Opening a Japanese bank account is the first financial step after arriving in Japan. You will need it to receive your salary, pay rent, and manage daily living costs. Most banks require your residence card, a phone number, and either a My Number Card or My Number notification letter. Beyond the bank account, understanding Japan's cost of living will help you budget for everything from rent to transportation.

Looking up the cost of living in your area allows you to anticipate items such as:

• Rent and utilities

• Healthcare: Japan's public health insurance covers 70% of medical treatment costs. Working-age adults (ages 6 to 69) pay a 30% copay at the point of service. Children under 6 pay 20%, and adults aged 70 and over pay between 10% and 30% depending on income. A high-cost medical expense benefit system also caps your monthly out-of-pocket spending based on income.

• Groceries

• Dining out

• Transportation

• Hobbies

• Taxes: residence taxes and contributing to the National Pension, though your employer will handle the calculations.

So, the first thing to do is open a Japanese bank account to receive your salary, pay rent and utilities, and manage other daily living costs. You'll also need to set up a phone plan to get a Japanese phone number.

Step 5. Navigating city offices

After arriving in Japan, you need to register your residence at your local ward or city office within 14 days of establishing your address. Bring your passport and residence card (you will receive this at the airport if you arrive through Narita, Haneda, Kansai, or Chubu airports; otherwise it will be mailed to you after registration).

Starting June 14, 2026, Japan is rolling out a new integrated card (Tokutei Zairyu Card) that combines your residence card and My Number Card into a single document. Bring your passport and residence card to complete this procedure.

Additionally, you can do these processes at the local government office

• Get a Japanese Health Insurance card if you are eligible to receive one

• National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) Enrollment

• Receive My Number Card

• Registering your child(ren) at the available Japanese schools

• Applying for Child Allowance (Jido Teate) for children under 18. (As of October 2024, the Japanese government expanded eligibility from age 15 to age 18 and removed income caps for all families.)

Tips after moving to Japan

Know any tax obligations you might have.

After moving to Japan, you might have tax obligations in your home country. If you are an American citizen, the U.S. still requires you to file taxes on your global income.

The U.S. and Japan do have tax treaties to prevent double taxation, but you still need to file the necessary forms:

• Form 1040: Your regular tax return to the IRS

• Form 2555: For a foreign-earned income

• Form 1116: For foreign tax credits

• FBAR (FinCEN Form 114): If the combined value of all your foreign bank accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year, you must report every account to the U.S. Treasury through the BSA E-Filing System. The $10,000 threshold applies to the total across all your accounts, not each individual account. The filing deadline is April 15, with an automatic extension to October 15. Penalties for non-compliance can be severe, even for unintentional violations.

For more complex tax needs, such as owning property or running a business in Japan, it's best to consult a tax professional familiar with U.S. and Japanese tax laws.

Embrace Japanese culture.

Living in Japan will feel different from daily life in your own country, and embracing Japanese culture is one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Japanese people place high value on social harmony, politeness, and attention to detail. Here are some aspects of daily life to keep in mind:

• Respect for shared spaces: Sorting trash correctly, keeping noise levels low in public areas and on trains, and following local rules are important parts of Japanese culture.

• Gift giving: Known as "omiyage," bringing small gifts to friends, coworkers, and family members when you return from a trip is a deeply rooted custom.

• Punctuality: Trains, meetings, and appointments in Japan run on time. Arriving early is considered polite.

• Learning the Japanese language: Even basic Japanese goes a long way. Consider enrolling in a Japanese language school or studying Japanese on your own. Many ward offices and community centers offer free or low-cost Japanese language classes for foreign residents.

Potentially get permanent residency.

Permanent resident card example from MOJ

Obtaining permanent residency in Japan is an option for long-term residents, which allows you to stay in Japan indefinitely and work in any field without visa restrictions.

As of 2026, the general requirements for permanent residency in Japan are:

• Standard path: 10 years of continuous residence in Japan, with at least 5 of those years on a work visa or other qualifying status of residence. You must also hold the maximum period of stay for your visa category (5 years for most work visas) at the time of application. A transitional grace period allows applicants with 3-year visas to apply under the old rules until March 31, 2027.

• Spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident: 3 years of marriage plus at least 1 year of continuous residence in Japan.

• Highly Skilled Professional visa holders: 1 year if you score 80 or more points on the HSP points system, or 3 years if you score 70 to 79 points.

In all cases, you must demonstrate good conduct, financial self-sufficiency (generally 3 million JPY or more in annual income), and a perfect record of on-time tax, pension, and health insurance payments. Japan's Immigration Services Agency tightened scrutiny in February 2026. Even a single late payment on taxes or pension can now result in a denial.

Note: You need to maintain legal residence in Japan, so you might need to apply for a re-entry permit if needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can a U.S. citizen move to Japan?

Many U.S. citizens have been able to move to Japan. You"'ll need to apply for a visa that best suits your situation at your local Japanese Consulate or Embassy. After moving to Japan, you'll need to fulfill your tax obligations.

How difficult is it to move to Japan?

Japan isn't the hardest country to move to but is also not the easiest. Before taking the steps, you should research and prepare first.

Can I move to Japan without a job?

A working or highly skilled professional visa is the most common visa for those getting a job in Japan. If that is not the case, you'll need to consider other types of visas for your situation. For example, you can obtain a start-up or business manager visa to start a business in Japan.

How much money do I need to move to Japan?

Plan to have at least 700,000 to 1,000,000 JPY ($4,500 to $6,500 USD) in savings when you arrive. Apartment move-in costs alone can total 4 to 6 months of rent paid upfront, and you will also need to cover your first month of daily living costs before your first paycheck arrives. Cities like Tokyo are the most expensive, while regional cities offer significantly lower living costs.

Can I move to Japan without speaking Japanese?

Yes, many foreign residents live and work in Japan with limited Japanese language ability, especially in major cities where international companies and English-speaking communities are well established. However, daily life becomes much easier with even basic Japanese. Many ward offices offer free Japanese language classes, and enrolling in a Japanese language school is a popular option for those who want to study Japanese while living in Japan.

How long does it take to get a Japan work visa?

The full process typically takes 2 to 4 months. Your future employer first files a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with the immigration office, which takes 1 to 3 months. Once the COE is approved and sent to you, the actual visa application at your nearest Japanese embassy or Japanese consulate takes about 5 business days. Plan to start the process at least 4 to 6 months before your intended move date to allow for any delays.

Can I bring my family when I move to Japan?

Yes. If you hold a valid work visa, your spouse and children can apply for a dependent visa. Family members on a dependent visa can live in Japan and work part-time (up to 28 hours per week with permission from the immigration office). If you hold a digital nomad visa, family members can accompany you under a corresponding designated activities visa. Working holiday visas do not allow dependents.

In closing

Knowing how to move to Japan in 2026 will prepare you for one of the biggest decisions of your life. Whether you are planning to work for Japanese companies, study at a Japanese university, start a business, or join a spouse who is a Japanese citizen, preparation is the key to a smooth transition. Gather your documents, secure your visa, and research daily living costs in your area before you arrive. Once you are in Japan, register at your local ward office, set up your Japanese bank account, enroll in health insurance, and start building your new life in this extraordinary island nation.