Before moving to Japan checklist
A practical checklist for the decisions, documents, money, temporary connectivity, and first appointments to prepare before your flight.
- Prepared by
- LifeLanding editorial team
- Last reviewed
- July 16, 2026
Quick answer
Prepare the items that unblock your first two weeks: valid travel and residence documents, an address plan, access to money, temporary phone connectivity, employer or school contacts, medication documentation where relevant, and a list of municipal procedures to confirm after arrival. Do not wait for a finalized long-term apartment before planning the arrival sequence.
- Keep secure digital copies separate from the originals.
- Confirm what your employer or school handles and what remains your responsibility.
- Write down the address format and nearest station for every early appointment.
A practical planning sequence
- 1
Confirm entry and residence documents
Check the current instructions provided by the issuing authority, your employer, school, or qualified adviser. LifeLanding does not interpret visa eligibility.
- 2
Build the first-address plan
Know where you will sleep, how long it is available, whether resident registration is possible there, and what happens if a permanent apartment is delayed.
- 3
Prepare money in more than one form
Confirm card travel settings, overseas transfer access, emergency contact methods, and enough accessible funds for transport, lodging, and setup expenses.
- 4
Prepare temporary connectivity
Plan how you will access maps, translation, employer or school messages, and appointment information before a long-term mobile contract is ready.
- 5
Pre-build the first 14 days
Record the municipal office, work or school contact, housing contact, and any provider appointments. Keep official links beside each task.
What to prepare
- Passport and residence-related documents
- Temporary and planned long-term address
- Employer or school contact list
- Accessible funds and backup payment method
- Medication and health information where relevant
- Secure document copies
Use this to make the next decision
Use this checklist to identify the single missing item that could block your first address, connectivity, or municipal procedure, and resolve that before adding lower-priority packing tasks.
Sources and review notes
- Immigration Services Agency — Guidance for new arrivals
Official orientation and links for people newly entering Japan.
- Immigration Services Agency — Guidebook on Living and Working
Official multilingual coverage of residence, housing, work, health, and daily-life procedures.
This page provides general relocation planning information. Requirements, costs, routes, service availability, and individual circumstances can change. Confirm current details with the relevant office, provider, property manager, or licensed professional.