Moving to Japan is exciting — but the paperwork starts almost immediately. One of the very first things you need to do after arriving is register your address at your local city hall, a process called jūsho tōroku (住所登録). I’ve walked several newly arrived friends through this exact process, and every time, the same questions come up: What do I bring? What do I say? How long does it take? This guide answers all of them, clearly and practically.
Why Address Registration Matters More Than You Think
Registering your address isn’t just a bureaucratic formality. It’s the foundation of almost everything else you’ll do as a resident of Japan.
Your jūminhyō (住民票), or resident record, is generated from this registration. You’ll need it to open a bank account, sign up for national health insurance (kokumin kenkō hoken), get a Japanese driver’s license, and in many cases, to apply for a credit card or phone plan.
According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, foreign nationals with mid- to long-term residency status are legally required to register their address within 14 days of moving into a new residence. Missing that window can create complications — and in theory, it’s a violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
I’ve noticed that many foreigners don’t realize the 14-day rule applies every time they move, not just when they first arrive in Japan. Every new address needs to be registered fresh.
What You Need to Bring to City Hall
Getting your documents together before you go will save you a wasted trip. Here’s exactly what to bring:
For First-Time Registration (Moving In)
– Your Residence Card (在留カード, zairyū kādo) — issued at the airport or at an immigration office
– Your passport
– Your rental contract or a letter from your landlord confirming your address (some wards require this; others don’t, but it’s smart to have it)
If You’re Changing Address Within Japan
– Your Residence Card
– Your passport
– A tenshutsu shōmei (転出証明書) — a “move-out certificate” from your previous municipality, if you’re moving between different cities or wards
That last document trips people up constantly. If you’re moving from, say, Osaka to Tokyo, you need to go to your old ward office first to get the move-out certificate, then present it at your new ward office. Skip this step and your registration won’t go through cleanly.
How to Actually Do It: The Step-by-Step Process
City halls in Japan vary slightly in layout and workflow, but the general process is consistent across the country.
Step 1: Find Your Local Municipal Office
You register at the city hall (市役所, shiyakusho), ward office (区役所, kuyakusho), or town hall (町役場, chōyakuba) that covers your specific address. In Tokyo’s 23 special wards, this will be your ku office — for example, Shinjuku City Office (新宿区役所) or Shibuya City Office (渋谷区役所).
Step 2: Go to the Residents Affairs Counter
Look for signs that say 住民課 (jūminка) or 市民課 (shiminка). Most large city halls have English signage or at least bilingual forms available. Take a number and wait — the wait is usually 10 to 30 minutes during busy hours.
Step 3: Fill Out the Registration Form
You’ll be given a 転入届 (ten’nyū todoke) — the “move-in notification” form. Fill in your name, new address, date of birth, nationality, and visa status. Staff are generally patient, and many offices now have English-speaking staff or translation tablets available.
Step 4: Submit and Receive Your Updated Residence Card
Once submitted, your Residence Card will be stamped with your new address on the back. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Keep that card — it’s your most important ID document in Japan.
Step 5: Handle Related Procedures (Optional but Recommended)
While you’re there, you can also:
– Enroll in National Health Insurance if you’re not covered through an employer
– Register for the My Number system if you haven’t yet
– Request a copy of your jūminhyō for other applications (typically ¥300 per copy)
What Foreigners Often Get Wrong
This section might save you a real headache.
Mistake #1: Thinking your landlord handles it. Your landlord registers the property with local authorities — not you as a tenant. Address registration is entirely your responsibility.
Mistake #2: Waiting too long. I’ve seen people push this off for weeks because they’re busy settling in. The legal deadline is 14 days. Beyond that, you’re technically non-compliant, and it can cause downstream delays when you’re trying to open a bank account or get health insurance.
Mistake #3: Going to the wrong office. You must register at the office for your specific ward or municipality. Going to the central Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, for example, won’t work — you need your local kuyakusho.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to de-register when leaving Japan. If you’re departing Japan permanently, you need to submit a 転出届 (tenshutsu todoke) before you go. Skipping this affects your tax and insurance records.
FAQ
Can I register at city hall without speaking Japanese?
Yes. As of 2026, most large city halls in metropolitan areas have English-speaking staff or multilingual support tablets. Bringing a printed copy of your address in Japanese (from Google Maps, for example) also helps move things along.
Do I need to register if I’m staying with a friend temporarily?
If you have a mid- to long-term visa and are using that address as your primary residence, yes — you should register there. If you’re genuinely between places and it’s only a few days, it’s a gray area, but you should register as soon as you have a stable address.
How long does the whole process take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes for a straightforward registration, assuming you have all your documents. Going mid-morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday tends to mean shorter wait times than Monday mornings or the end of the month.
Related Articles
If you’ve just moved to Japan and you’re tackling the admin side of life here, a few other guides on j-nav.com will be useful next:
– How to Get National Health Insurance in Japan — you’ll likely want to enroll the same day you register your address, so this is a natural next step.
– Understanding Your My Number Card in Japan — your Individual Number is tied to your address registration, and getting the physical card makes a lot of future admin much easier.
– Opening a Japanese Bank Account as a Foreigner — banks require proof of address, and your newly stamped Residence Card is exactly what they’re looking for.
Conclusion
Address registration is one of those tasks that feels intimidating before you do it and surprisingly simple once you’re standing at the counter. Bring your Residence Card, your passport, and your rental contract, and you’ll be done in under an hour.
In my experience supporting expats through their first weeks in Japan, the people who tackle this in the first few days set themselves up for everything else — health insurance, banking, phone plans — to go smoothly. The ones who delay end up in a frustrating tangle later.
Your next step: Find your local ward or city office using the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s ward office directory (for Tokyo residents) or your municipality’s official website, then go in person within 14 days of moving in. That’s it. You’ve got this.
