First,prepare your emergency survival kit.

1. Flashlight

2. Batteries

3. Portable radio

4. Light matches

5. Candles

6. Nonperishable food

7. Thick cotton gloves

8. Water

9. First-ad kit

10. Nonprescription medicines

11. Coins for public phone

12. Whistle

13. Whistle

Second, pay attention to safely measures for your home.

1. Do not leave objects near doors, hallways and staircases.

2. Do not put anything heavy or breakable on the top of small furniture.

3. Unplug electrical appliances after use.

4. Use kerosene/gas stoves and heaters with auto-shutdown function that reacts to falls.

5. Always keep enough space between a fire source, such as between cooking stove and wooden furniture.

Ok, when earthquake happen.

● If you are at home.

1. Open the door to secure a way out.

2. Turn off all heating and electrical sources if possible.

3. Protect yourself by sheltering under a table, if no place to hide, protect your head with a pillow or a cushion.

4. If you decide to evacuate, be on foot. Never use cars, motorcycles or bicycles.

● If you are away from home.

Ground- Stay away from gates and concrete block walls.

Elevator- If the elevator is equipped with an earthquake sensor, it stops at the nearest floor. If not, you should push every floor button and get off at any floor and then use a staircase to evacuate.

Train- Without instructions, do not try to force the door to open from inside until the rescue service arrives.

You can see how to deal with disasters on the ward’s website

Ex) Edogawa ward office EDOGAWA Ward

●Disaster Emergency Dial/Disaster Emergency Message Dial（171）

https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/en/saigai/voice171/

●Disaster Readiness Guide

PDF　Disaster Reading Guide 1 (English)

Web page https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCAITBSAI/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/1028036/1028051/index.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0

First of all, it is very important to know where your apartment’s garbage disposal area is. Most apartments will have a designated area in the 1st floor/lobby of the apartment building, or right outside. Sometimes there will be a net or some kind of marking (sign, poster, etc) to show the designated spot, sometimes there is no marking (in this case please ask the management office or person in charge of the building).

Following are some pictures of common apartment garbage disposal areas:

Next thing to know is the schedule of garbage pickup in your ward. Most wards have specific days to pick up specific types of garbage (i.e. Combustibles on Monday and Thursday, Plastic bottles on Tuesday, Cans and Glass on Friday, etc.) It is important to know which days to put out which garbage. Also, make sure you know what constitutes as combustible garbage and what does not. The standards of what can be burned and what needs to be recycled also varies on the ward you live in. Below is an image of garbage disposal following general guidelines and what the majority of wards go by. (Click to enlarge)

Here is an english-friendly and detailed website to answer all of your specific garbage-related questions >>

http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/info/01.html

Also, here is a link to ward-specific contact information and garbage disposal details >>

http://www.union.tokyo23-seisou.lg.jp.e.de.hp.transer.com/joho/index.html

Happy garbage disposing!

If you have a relative or a friend visiting and planning to roam around Japan, this is a must-buy item!

The JR pass is available for 7 days, 14 days, and 21 day use. Prices and detailed information can be obtained at the websites below.

Here are a few basic regulations and important things to know about the JR pass and are posted on the second website below.

1. Those who are eligible for a JAPAN RAIL PASS are: foreign tourists visiting Japan abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of “temporary visitor” or a Japanese national living in a country other than Japan (having entered the country on a Japanese passport), and must be able to provide written proof of these things.

2. The JAPAN RAIL PASS offers an incredibly economical way to travel throughout Japan by rail. Please be aware, however, that some restrictions apply. The pass is not valid for “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO”trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

3. A JR pass cannot be obtained in Japan and must be purchased as an Exchange Order from an authorized sales office before entering the country.

4. The type of PASS described on the Exchange Order cannot be changed.

5. You cannot use an Exchange Order when you travel on JR lines. Turn in your Exchange Order and obtain your JAPAN RAIL PASS at one of the JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange offices.

6. Your Exchange Order must be turned in for a JAPAN RAIL PASS within three months of the date the Order was issued.

7. If the Exchange Order is lost or stolen, or you are unable to provide it for another reason, no exchange for a JAPAN RAIL PASS can be made.

8. At the exchange office, you will be asked to fill in a short application form and to show your passport with the Temporary Visitor stamp/sticker you received on entry into Japan. You must show your passport and this stamp/sticker to process the Rail Pass Exchange Order.

Please check these webpages for further information.

https://japanrailpass.net/en/use/conditions-for-use/

http://www.japan-rail-pass.com/jr-pass

http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html

Have safe and smooth travels!

In general, it takes 2 weeks to arrange internet connection. So it is a better idea to get it started early. We do have the contact details of several internet providers that speak English, please see below.

1) NTT(FLET’S) – 0120-565-950(English)　(Office hour: Weekday 9:00 ~ 17:00) – http://flets.com/english/index.html?link_id=g_home

2) SoftBank Air

0570-666-595 (Soft bank translation service center. Business Hours: 10:00 ~ 18:00 /Weekdays. Closed on Weekends and National Holidays)

https://www.softbank.jp/en/internet/ (Details – Japanese Only)

3) KDDI Internet Service

KDDI Customer Service: 0120-959-472 (English / Office hour: 9:00 ~ 20:00/ Toll Free)

https://www.au.com/english/internet/?aa_bid=we-we-egn-2101

4) OCN –

http://506506.ntt.com/english/?link_id=linkout_506

MEMO：

ニューロ光（Japanese only) https://www.nuro.jp/hikari/

UR公式インターネットに関して Regarding UR official internet (Japanese only):  https://www.ur-net.go.jp/chintai_portal/kyojyusha/it/it.html

Making a bank account is one of the few things you need to do to start if you plan in living and working in Japan.
However, applying a bank account is never easy specially if you do not know the language.

Here are some information and tips to help you with the process.

1.There are plenty of banks to choose from. The list below are the well known banks, which have plenty of branch all over Japan.

ゆうちょ銀行　”Yuuchou Ginkou” (this bank account works with Japan post office)

https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/en_index.html

・To all Japan Post Bank Customers of non-Japanese Citizenship
https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kaisetu/pdf/kaisetu_en.pdf

・Japan Post Bank　procedures on your smartphone

https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/app/tetsuzuki/app_tz_en.html

三井住友銀行　”Sumitomo Mitsui”
https://www.smbc.co.jp/kojin/sougou/language/index.html?language=en

みずほ銀行　”Mizuho ginkou”

https://www.mizuhogroup.com/bank/who-we-are

三菱東京UFJ銀行　”Mitsubishi UFJ ginkou”

https://www.bk.mufg.jp/global/

2. Here is some useful language you will
need to know when opening a bank account!

3. What you will need to bring!

1. Two forms of personal identification (these must have your address on it)

2. Your Alien Registration Card, Your Passport, and/or your public health insurance card

3. The money you want to deposit (usually they have you deposit at least a minimum amount: even just 1 yen)

4. Your address and phone number
5. Your Hanko or personal name stamp (optional)

In most cases, a bank clerk will assist you through the process. They will inform you on which application form to fill and which booth you need to go.

Please see a sample form below (referenced from a blog at “thejapanguy.com”). Forms may vary.

1.　種類 (しゅるい or Shurui). ACCOUNT TYPE:

2.　送金機能 (そうきんきのう or Sokinkino). REMITTANCE FEATURE:
3.　基準額 (きじゅんがく or Kijungaku). STANDARD LIMIT:
4.　お預け入れ金額 (おあずけいれきんがく or Oazukeire Kingaku). DEPOSIT AMOUNT:
5. おところ or Otokoro. ADDRESS:
6.　おなまえ or Onamae. NAME:
7. お届け印 (おとどけいん or Otodokein)。確認印 (かくにんいん or kakunin). STAMPS
8. 生年月日 (せいねんがっぴ or Seinengappi). BIRTHDATE:
9. キャッシュサービス. CASH CARD SERVICE
10. キャッシュサービス　デビト機能 (きゃしゅさーびすでびときのう or kyashusa-bisudebitokino). DEBIT CARD FEATURE
11.カード種類（かーどしゅるい or ka-doshurui). CARD TYPE:
12. 暗証番号必須取り扱い(あんしょうばんごうとりあつかい or anshinbangotoriatsukai) PIN NUMBER SERVICE
13. ボランティア DONATIONS
14.　性別　(せいべつ or seibetsu). GENDER.

Great! Now you should have everything you need to successfully create your own bank account in Japan!

Good luck!!!

1. IKEA – Affordable furniture with good quality

http://www.ikea.com/jp/en

2. Nitori – the stores for furniture and interior goods

http://www.nitori.co.jp/en/index.html

3. MUJI – the stores furniture and essential goods

https://www.muji.com/jp/ja/store

Moving

Moving around can be quite a difficult thing,and even more difficult when moving around in an unfamiliar country!
Here are a few tips and contact information to help you in your changing-of-address endeavors.
Most wards in Tokyo generally ask that you change your address within 14 days of moving. Although this is more a guideline, than a rule, it is very highly recommended to follow because if not, you will not get your mail. Also, anything else you do (such as registering and paying for national health insurance, opening a bank account, registering for a cellphone, etc) will be very restricted.

In order to complete a change of address, you will need

1. Your moving out certificate (an example below)
2. Residence card (or special permanent resident certificate)
3. Always prepare a second form of I.D. just in case.
4. Personal seal stamp/inkan (印鑑）, if you have one.
5. Also bring your health insurance card to update it and change the address

In Japan, the change of address takes place at a ward office. Due to each ward office functioning in different ways, it is important to to know what specifically needs to be done in each ward to complete the process correctly.

Please keep in mind!

To move around between Tokyo, Yokohama, Kanagawa, and Chiba and vice-versa the procedures may vary in what documents are necessary to bring.
Please check out the list of ward offices below and search the English website or contact them for specific information.
When moving from one ward to another, you must first retrieve the “moving out certificate” from the ward you lived in and bring it to the new ward you will be moving to. From there you will be able to register for national health insurance and update your foreigner card.
Before or within 14 days of your move, please visit your previous ward office and use these phrases.

こんにちは、引っ越しをしまして

konichiwa, hikkoshi wo shimashite

Hello, I have moved houses

転出届を頂きたいです。

tenshyutsu todoke wo itadakitaidesu.

I would like to have a “moving out” certificate.

保健所も変更して下さい。

hokensho mo henkou shitekudasai.

Please also change my health insurance card.

Once you have received it, ask the clerk to help or fill it out following the guidelines below. Then bring this sheet, along with any other materials you need and go to your new ward address.

If you hand this sheet to the person at the counter, they should know what to do and begin to take you through the process. Most ward office you can ask them to speak english and they will do their best! As general advice, ask a Japanese friend to translate for you if it is over the phone or even at the office! Good luck!

Example of what to bring, Shibuya ward office!
http://www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp.e.mu.hp.transer.com/

Tokyo Ward Offices

Yokohama/Kanagawa

Finding your immigration bureau nearest to you may be a stressful and complicated process.

Here is some information that may be able to help you in finding your immigration bureau closest to you!

To start off, this is the english version of the website for the immigration bureau of Japan!

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/

Important information and updates are posted here, as well as general helpful information for foreigners living in Japan.

Below are the ways to travel to Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki.

To/from Tokyo station

●JR Narita Express (NEX) (Fastest)

The single journey to Tokyo station takes around one hour, costs roughly 3,000 Yen which is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Pass and JR Kanto Area Pass.

●Keisei Tokkyu　Skyliner

The Keisei Skyliner takes you to Nippori station(about 36 minutes, 2,520 Yen) and then you can use JR Yamanote line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to Tokyo station(about 10 minutes, 160 Yen). This way is also highly suggested for people live in Northern or Eastern parts of Tokyo.

●Keisei Limited Express (Cheapest)

It is a popular choice, the Keisei Limited Express only cost 790 Yen but a 60 minute direct journey to Nippori station.

●JR Sobu Line

The JR Sobu Line(Rapid Service) takes roughly 90 minutes and costs 1,340 Yen.

●Bus

Limousine Bus takes about 80 minutes and costs 2,800 Yen.

　TYO-NRT is very reasonable costing 1,000 Yen and taking around 90 minutes to Tokyo and Ginza as well.

To/from Yokohama station

●JR Narita Express (NEX) (Fastest)

This is the fastest way to travel between Narita Airport and Yokohama. It is a single and roughly 90-100 minute journey, costs around 4,370 Yen which is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Pass and JR Kanto Area Pass.

●Keisei and Keikyu Railways (via Asakusa Subway Line)

From morning to mid afternoon, there are direct trains to Sengakuji station (80 minutes) along the Narita Sky Access and Asakusa Subway every 40 minutes. 1 transfer at Sengakuji to the Keikyu Main Line to Yokohama (25 minutes). Overall, the single journey takes about 110 minutes and costs 1,730 Yen. From late afternoon to evening, 1 additional transfer is required at Aoto station.
If you use limited express along the Keisei Main Line from Narita to Aoto, it costs 1,730 Yen to Yokohama but requires additional 20 minutes.

●Bus

Limousine bus takes about 90 minutes and costs 3,700 Yen with a direct journey.

To/from Kawasaki station

●JR Narita Express (NEX) (Fastest)

There is no direct train to Kawasaki, however NEX can take you to Shinagawa station directly, Transfer to either the JR Tokaido Line or the JR Keihin Tohoku Line to Kawasaki station. Overall around 110 minutes and 3,420 Yen which is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Pass and JR Kanto Area Pass.

●Keisei Tokkyu Skyliner

It is slightly cheaper than NEX as costing around 2,920 Yen for a single trip, overall taking 80 minutes but you will need to transfer once at Nippori then take JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo station for another transfer along the JR Tokaido Line to Kawasaki station.

●Keisei Narita Skyliner Access Tokkyu (Cheapest)

This is a reasonable and comfortable way but requires 120 minutes. Costing around 1,690 Yen and you will only transfer once at Shinbashi or Shinagawa station along the JR Tokaido Line to Kawasaki.

●Bus

There is no direct bus to Kawasaki.

To/from International Airport (Narita or Haneda)

●Narita International Airport / 成田空港　https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access
●Haneda International Airport /  羽田空港　https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/access/index.html