Moving house within Japan: every notice, in order

Which move is yours?

In Tokyo, each of the 23 wards counts as its own city for this. Shinjuku to Shibuya is a move to a different ward.

Moving to a different city or ward

1. 1Before you move (up to about 14 days before): file your moving-out notice (転出届) at your old office. You get a moving-out certificate (転出証明書) to take to the new one.
2. 2Or do it online. With a My Number card that has a valid electronic certificate, you can file the moving-out notice on the government's Mynaportal (マイナポータル) and tell your new office when you'll come. No trip to the old office, and the certificate goes across digitally.
3. 3Within 14 days of moving in: go to the new office with your residence card, passport and My Number card (and the certificate, if you went in person). They file your moving-in notice (転入届) and print your new address on your residence card.
4. 4At the same visit: join National Health Insurance at the new office if you're on it (your old one ends with the move), update the address on your My Number card, and sort out child allowance or school transfer if you have children.

Moving within the same city or ward

One visit, within 14 days after the move: the address change notice (転居届). Bring your residence card, My Number card and health insurance details. They update the address on your cards and your National Health Insurance at the same time.

Mail forwarding

Japan Post forwards mail from your old address to your new one for one year, free. Apply at any post office or online (e転居), ideally a week before you move, since it takes a few days to start. It covers letters and most parcels sent by Japan Post, but not every courier, and banks often send cards marked "do not forward", so update those addresses directly.

Everyone else who needs your new address

• Your employer or school: for tax, insurance and commuting allowances.
• Your bank and credit cards: usually in their app. Cards can be cancelled if mail comes back undelivered.
• Your phone company: online.
• Electricity, gas, water and internet: stop at the old place and start at the new one. Gas needs you there to turn it on (開栓立会い). Internet moves can take weeks, so start early.
• Your driver's licence: the address change is done at a police station or licence centre.
• Your pension, if you pay National Pension: usually updated automatically through your My Number. If you're unsure, ask at the ward office.
• Online shops and delivery apps, so nothing goes to the old flat.

Leaving the old place

• Give notice to your landlord: usually a month, check your lease. How to read a Japanese lease.
• Book oversized garbage collection early. How garbage works in Japan.
• Be at the move-out inspection, and don't sign a damage list you disagree with.
• Book movers early in March and April. Prices can double in that season.