What to do in the first week after arriving in Japan

Prioritize communication, movement, and sleep on the first day

There's no need to try to get everything done in one day after a long trip. First, secure your smartphone connection, travel safely to your accommodation, and prepare the minimum amount of food and drinks you need for daily life. Japan's railway network is convenient, but Tokyo's large stations can be complicated for first-timers. If you have a lot of luggage, consider not only the number of transfers but also the ease of movement.

On the 2nd and 3rd day, walk around your living area and check it out.

There are many things you can't understand just by looking at a map. Walk around and check the places you use on a daily basis, such as the nearest station, supermarket, convenience store, drug store, hospital, post office, bank, or ATM. Garbage disposal methods and building rules also vary depending on the residence.

For long-term residents, there are administrative procedures that are required depending on your address and residence status. The necessary procedures vary depending on the individual's residence status and situation, so please check the latest information from public institutions and contact the appropriate specialist counter if you have any questions.

Choose a communication contract according to your life period.

The most suitable communication service will be different depending on whether you are staying for a few weeks or living for several years. For short-term plans, compare the ease of the contract, and for long-term plans, compare monthly charges, voice calls, data capacity, cancellation terms, etc. If you need a Japanese phone number for work, or if you want to use a domestic number to verify your identity for various services, consider that as well.

Make plans for the next 30 days within a week

By the end of the first week, you can figure out what to do next: bank accounts, long-term housing, health care, work, school, etc. The important thing is not to do everything at the same time. Decide on the order of things that have a deadline, things that are essential to your life, and things that can be done later.

Also, having at least one reliable contact in Japan will give you great peace of mind. Organize who you can contact and how to contact them if you have a problem, such as your workplace, school, housing management company, friends, or a consultation center.

Things to review after actually starting your life in Japan

Things that you didn't understand during the preparation stage will become clear to you once you actually live in Japan for a few days to a few weeks. Write down the time it takes to commute to work or school, ease of shopping, language problems, monthly expenses, etc., and check for any differences from your expectations. It is not necessary to continue with the method you initially decided on, but it is important to adjust communication contracts, travel routes, shopping locations, housing conditions, etc. to suit your lifestyle.

Organize important information in one place

In life in Japan, the number of contacts increases, such as address, contact information for work or school, housing management company, hospital, insurance, bank, telecommunications company, etc. Instead of saving it only on your smartphone, it's a good idea to make a list of the information you need and share it with your family if you have them. Make sure to save contracts, receipts, and important emails in a way that you can check them later.

Check the latest information on systems and professional judgments.

It is necessary to separate general information about daily life from professional judgments such as immigration status, law, taxation, and medical care. As systems and conditions are subject to change, please check the latest information from public institutions and contracting parties before proceeding with the procedure. For work that requires qualifications, it is important to consult with an administrative scrivener, lawyer, tax accountant, or other appropriately qualified professional.