Living in Japan: The Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026)

Living in Japan is more comfortable than most newcomers expect — if you handle the first two weeks of paperwork correctly. The rules are clear, healthcare is strong, and public transit is world-class. Miss the resident registration deadline or underestimate housing deposits, and the same system feels opaque and expensive.

This guide covers what foreigners, returnees, and assignees actually need: residence steps, housing costs (reikin and shikikin), insurance, banking, taxes, Japanese language minimums, and rent by city. For Tokyo-specific logistics, pair with our moving to Tokyo guide. For visa categories, see the Japan visa guide.

First Two Weeks After Arrival

Resident registration (tennyū todoke)

Once you have a Japanese address, you must file a moving-in notification at your city or ward office within 14 days.

Bring:

• Passport
• Residence card (zairyū card — issued at the airport for most statuses)
• Proof of address (lease contract is standard)

This creates your jūminhyō (resident record). Almost every later step goes faster once it exists.

My Number card

After registration, you receive a My Number (individual number) notification. Apply for the photo IC My Number card. You will use it for bank account opening, tax filing, and health insurance procedures.

National Health Insurance (kokumin kenkō hoken)

If your employer does not enroll you in company social insurance — freelancers, self-employed, some short-term workers — join National Health Insurance at the ward office. You receive an insurance card or certificate.

Insured patients typically pay 30% of covered medical costs (70% covered by insurance). High-cost medical expense caps apply for large bills.

See also our Japan healthcare guide.

Housing: Reikin, Shikikin, and How Leases Work

Japan's rental market has its own vocabulary:

• Reikin (key money) — Non-refundable gift to the landlord, usually 1–2 months' rent. Zero-reikin listings are more common than a decade ago, but still not universal.
• Shikikin (deposit) — Refundable security deposit, usually 1–2 months' rent, minus cleaning or damage charges at move-out.
• Agency fee — Paid to the real estate agency; legally capped at one month's rent in many cases.
• Guarantor company — If you lack a Japanese guarantor, most landlords require a paid guarantor service.

"No foreigners" listings still appear even though discrimination is not acceptable practice. Agencies that regularly place foreign renters (for example Sakura House and similar foreigner-facing brokers) expand your options when standard agencies stall.

Monthly rent benchmarks (2026)

Note: international family pockets such as Rokko Island in Kobe price differently from city averages. For Kansai lifestyle detail, see the Kobe lifestyle guide and Osaka lifestyle guide.

Banking and Money Transfers

Banks that work for newcomers

Japan Post Bank (Yūcho) — Often the easiest first account with a resident record. Branches at post offices nationwide.

Rakuten Bank — Strong online banking and FX; Japanese UI and language ability help.

SBI Shinsei Bank — English support and relatively low-cost international transfers among Japanese banks.

Deeper comparison: Japan banking guide.

Overseas transfers

Bank wire fees from Japanese banks often run ¥2,000–¥5,000 per transfer. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is usually far cheaper and can be used with a Japanese address. Most long-term residents stop using bank wires for routine remittances.

Healthcare as a Resident

Japan's care quality is high. With National Health Insurance or employee insurance, you pay the co-pay share (typically 30%). High-cost medical expense protection limits monthly out-of-pocket peaks.

Find a local clinic before you are sick. Walking into an unknown hospital during an emergency is harder than registering with a neighborhood physician while you are healthy.

Major cities — Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe — have English-capable clinics; prefectural foreign resident desks often publish lists. Start with our English-speaking clinics guide if language is a constraint.

Taxes and Language Reality

Tax residency

Foreigners with a Japanese domicile are generally taxed as residents on worldwide income. Employees usually see withholding and year-end adjustment through their company. Freelancers and people with multiple income streams file a tax return (deadline typically mid-March).

US citizens: US–Japan tax treaty rules and FATCA reporting can complicate year one. Budget a consultation with a Japan-based tax accountant early.

How much Japanese do you need?

Daily life in large cities is possible in English, but these moments punish zero Japanese:

• Ward office procedures
• Medical intake interviews
• Lease negotiations
• Children's Japanese public schools (international schools aside)

Minimum useful stack: hiragana and katakana (1–2 weeks), greetings and numbers, convenience-store and restaurant phrases. NHK World and local language schools work for structured study.

FAQ

Is it hard for foreigners to live in Japan? Harder than a tourist trip, easier than the horror stories. The bureaucracy is thorough, not hostile — and staff are usually helpful if your documents are complete.

Can I get permanent residency? Typically after 10+ years of continuous residence (faster for some Highly Skilled Professional tracks). Clean tax and pension records and no criminal history matter.

What about schools for children? Public schools (tuition-free for compulsory education), private Japanese schools, or international schools. International schools cost more but keep an English-medium path. Compare options in our education section and city guides such as living in Kobe.

How much cash do I need for move-in? Often 4–6 months' rent once reikin, shikikin, agency fee, first month, and guarantor fees stack — before furniture.

Which city is cheapest to start in? Among major hubs, Kobe and Kyoto usually undercut Tokyo for comparable 1LDK space; Osaka sits between Tokyo and Kobe on rent. Lifestyle trade-offs differ — use the city lifestyle guides before chasing the cheapest listing.

Do I need a Japanese bank account immediately? Almost everything long-term — rent auto-debit, phone contracts, salary — assumes one. Open Japan Post Bank soon after resident registration, then add online banking if you need it.