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Resources for Expats in Japan

Empowering Foreigners Living in Japan

Are you an expat in Japan or planning to move soon? This page is a companion resource to Izabelle Grenon’s book "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking," available on Amazon worldwide. The list below offers essential links for housing, moving, translation services, and everyday logistics. The book goes further, providing practical guidance on living in Japan—your rights, options, and legal responsibilities—along with tips to make home life more comfortable for you and your family. It’s your friendly, down-to-earth guide, written for you by someone who has been in your shoes.

Chapter 1

Choosing a Home

This section is designed for expats in Japan and foreigners moving to Japan who are looking for reliable housing options. The "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking" provides complementary information--including crucial explanations about "gift money" and other required fees, and what to expect in terms of housing options when renting as a foreigner.

1-1 Real Estate Agent for Expats in Japan (Support in English and other languages)

  1. Smile Home

    Provides support with real estate transactions and finding a home to foreigners in Japan, with services in Japanese, English and Chinese. Usually covers the Kanto and the Kansai regions, but may be able to help in other regions as well.

    Link to Smile Home

  2. Buka Homes

    Offers rentals open to foreign residents in Japan and can assist in Japanese, English, Vietnamese, Tamil, Hindi.

    Link to Buka Homes

  3. Japan Room Finder (GaijinPot)

    Acts as an intermediary to help Japan expats find a rental property and match them with a real estate agent who can speak English. The help provided by GaijinPot Room Finder is free (although there may be initial fees to rent the apartment or house of your choice).

    Link to GaijinPot Room Finder

1-2 Rental Agencies Open to Foreigners in Japan

  1. Sakura House

    Options starting above 100,000 yen/month for 1R or below 100,000 for shared room in Kanto region, Kansai region and Izu city. Can search for Male only or Female only. Advertised to be Muslim friendly.

    Link to Sakura House

  2. Oak House

    About 6000 rooms available. Options starting above 100,000 yen/month for a room in a shared accommodation in the Kanto, Kansai (Kinki), Chubu and Kyushu regions. Specializes in shared accommodations with some hotel rooms. Initial contract fees of 50,000 yen, and property transfer fee of 5,000 yen or more when moving out. No other fees required (no key money, guarantor, renewal fees, etc.)

    Link to Oak House

  3. MetroResidences

    Options starting above 100,000 yen/month for 1R Fully furnished luxury apartments and residential homes for long term rental. Tokyo only (with few options in Yokohama). Features a refined search option for housing offering “Disabled Access.”

    Link to MetroResidences

  4. Village House

    About 1000 rentals available. Options below 100,000 yen/month for 3DK in Tokyo. Options across Japan (but few in each region). All rentals require no deposit, key money, agency fee, or renewal fees.

    Link to Village House

  5. Yolo Home Japan

    About 40,000 rentals available, starting below 100,000 yen/month for 3DK in Tokyo. Rental options in the Kanto region (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa), the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama), and the Kyushu region (Fukuoka, Kagoshima). Can search for women only, pet negotiable, no deposit and no key money, guarantor not required and many other options.

    Link to Yoko Home

  6. Plaza Homes

    Luxury apartments in Tokyo only. Options starting around 100,000 yen/month for 1R.

    Link to Plaza Homes

  7. GaijinPot Apartments

    Has a range of rentals open to foreigners across Japan. Website available in Japanese, English and Chinese. Also offers free help called Japan Room Finder (see under section 1-1 above for link to Japan Room Finder by GaijinPot).

    Link to GaijinPot Apartments

1-3 Other Useful Real Estate Websites for Expats in Japan

  1. Safety net セーフティネット住宅

    Website to search specifically for housing open to foreigners (website in Japanese only).

    Link to Safety Net

  2. Urban Residences (UR)

    This is semi-public housing open to foreign residents in Japan, usually those with a long-term visa. No key money and no guarantor required. Usually requires two months deposit.

    Link to UR

  3. E-Housing

    Rentals in Tokyo region only, starting from around 100,000 yen/month for unfurnished studio or 1DK (long-term rental) or from 70,000 yen/month for furnished studio 1R (short term rental). Website available in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

    Link to E-housing

  4. Suumo

    One of the most popular real estate websites in Japan, with thousands of rentals across Japan, but website in Japanese only. Note that not all rentals are open to renting to foreign residents living in Japan.

    Link to Suumo

  5. Wagaya Japan

    Real estate website in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. Work with real estate agencies open to renting to foreigners living in Japan. Rentals available across Japan.

    Link to Wagaya

1-4 Risk Maps by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

  1. Shake Map

    As an expat in Japan, you should familiarize yourself with this map provided after an earthquake. It provides earthquake intensity information in each prefecture. Click on “latest information” on top right corner of the screen to see updated page. Check the "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking" for a clear and user-friendly explanation about the Shindo Scale used only in Japan and Taiwan.

    Link to Shake Map

  2. Landslide Risk Map

    This is a landslide risk assessment map provided by Japanese Authority. You can zoom in to see the risk of landslides in a particular area. Map at the link below is in English.

    Link to risk map landslides

  3. Inundation Risk Map

    You can zoom in to see the risk of inundations in a particular area. This is the English version of the map.

    Link to risk map inundations

  4. Flood Risk Map

    You can zoom in to see the risk of flood in a particular area. This is the English version of the map.

    Link to risk map floods

1-5 Japanese Calendar to Western Calendar

  1. Japanese to Western Years

    Getting confused about Heisei, Shōwa and other Eras? This PDF file from the Embassy to Japan in Seattle is just what you need. Includes name of Japanese Era in both letters and kanji.

    Link to PDF

1-6 Useful Translation Tools for Expats in Japan

  1. Google Chrome

    Can be used for website translation (though Firefox and other Browsers can translate webpages too). Can set up automatic translation for websites, instead of having to set up every time. Available on both phone and desktop.

  2. Gmail

    Gmail has a feature for translating all your incoming emails from Japanese to the language of your choice. Works on desktop and phone app.

  3. Google Translate

    The phone version has a camera translation which is practical to translate written documents such as forms at the city office, pharmacy or doctor's office, as well as the cooking instructions on your preferred packaged ramen. Also provides audio sample of the translated word(s) and spelling in hiragana or katakana.

  4. Papago

    This phone app translates spoken words. Works best in quiet settings. Can be used offline (with download) like when meeting your doctor to translate to and from Japanese. Also features camera translation, always a great help for reading labels, forms, ingredients and instructions in Japanese.

  5. DeepL

    This tool provides the most accurate translation of digital texts from English to Japanese and vice versa. Useful for more formal email communication and for translation of English documents to Japanese, such as documents related to visa application and renewal (immigration will generally accept loose translations for non-official documents). Also provides audio sample of the translated text (but doesn't provide the reading in kana characters.)

    Link DeepL Desktop version

Chapter 2

Housing Features

New to "jō" and "tsubo" units of measurement? Here are some useful links for Japan expats from any country to convert "jō" and "tsubo" into any metrics. Refer to your "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking" for further explanations about how you can furnish a room of 6 jō versus 4.5 jō, how to read a Japanese floor plan, and which features you can expect or require for your new home.

Jō and Tsubo Converters

  1. Jō converter

    Converts “jō” to most units used in the world. Available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian. Free to use and no registration required but contains ads.

    Link to Jō converter

  2. Tsubo converter

    Converts “tsubo” to most units used in the world. Available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian. Free to use and no registration required but contains ads.

    Link to Tsubo converter

  3. Explanations with jō/tsubo converter

    Tsubo to square meters and tatami (jō) converter. Can convert to and from different tatami sizes depending on the region.

    Link to Jō/Tsubo converter

Chapter 3

The Rental Procedure

For many expats living in Japan, understanding your rights as a tenant is just as important as finding the right apartment. Here are some resources to guide you, from free public consultation services to useful pamphlets. In the "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking," I walk you through the entire renting process, explain the renewal process, and provide a heads-up on your rights, options and responsibilities, so you can increase your chances of getting your full deposit back when you move out (see Chapter 7).

3-1 Consultation Services for Your Legal Rights

  1. General List of Consultation Services

    Free consultation services for expats in Japan available in different prefectures for any problem. English and other languages available.

    Link to list of consultation services

  2. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (Japanese link)

    Provides general information about consumer-related issues (products, services) for anyone across Japan. This is Japanese page.

    Link to Kokusen

  3. National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (English link)

    The English website of the National Consumer Affairs is meant for tourists rather than foreigners living in Japan but provides information about consumer-related issues (products, services), which may be useful for foreign residents.

    Link Consumer Affairs (Eng)

  4. Hotline

    Consumer consultation hotline for anyone, including foreign residents. Dial 188 on your phone, anywhere in Japan. May cost some phone charges. This service is currently offered in Japanese only.

  5. The Electricity and Gas Market Surveillance Commission Consultation Service

    Consultation service in case of disagreement over utility charges. It is also the office to contact if a foreign resident wants to file a complaint about their utility provider.

    Link to electric & gas commission

  6. Human Rights Bureau (English link)

    Consultation in English or Japanese about issues related to respect of your human rights. If you are an expat or foreign resident in Japan, and feel that you are being discriminated against, this is the office to call.

    Link to Human Rights

  7. Human Rights Bureau (Japanese link)

    More information is available on the Japanese website.

    Link to Human Rights (Japanese)

3-2 Additional Resources and Information Related to Renting as a Foreigner in Japan

  1. Tokyo Metropolitan pamphlet

    Pamphlet in English providing expats in Japan with guidelines about tenant and landlord responsibilities. Applicable in Tokyo Metropolitan area only. Includes contact number and address of consultation offices for matters related to renting on the last page.

    Link to Tokyo Pamphlet

  2. Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking

    “Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking” takes the guesswork out of housing for expats in Japan. It breaks down hidden rental fees, explains lease renewals in plain English, and prepares you for what landlords don’t tell you. Packed with practical tips and real-world examples, it’s more than a guide—it’s peace of mind in book form. Available worldwide on Amazon as eBook or paperback.

    Link to US Amazon

Chapter 4

Moving From Abroad

If you are relocating to Japan, these resources will guide you through customs and moving procedures. If you want more information about your moving options, what to bring and how, feel free to check the "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking" for an easy break down, from importing your car to importing your personal effects duty-free.

4-1 Import Regulations for Expats Moving to Japan (Information)

  1. Importing Personal Items

    PDF Pamphlet in English. Provides a short summary about what foreigners moving to Japan can import duty free.

    Link to PDF

  2. Import of Medication, Cosmetics, Medical Device

    Website in English.

    Link to website

4-2 Transporting Your Luggage from and to the Airport

  1. Luggage Delivery from/to Airport

    Schedule delivery of your luggage to and from the airport to any location. Can be reserved upon arrival at the airport, no need to reserve in advance. Available for all travelers and residents in Japan. Delivery usually possible as soon as one day later.

    Link JAL luggage delivery

  2. Airport "limousine" Buses

    Long-distance bus to and from the airport. May have limit on the number of suitcases that can be stored underneath the bus (usually one or two per person). This company serves Tokyo (Narita Airport only), Nagoya, Osaka, Hokkaido, Hiroshima.

    Link to airport bus lines

4-3 Customs Procedures and Forms

  1. Import/Export of Household Item

    Important information for all foreigners moving to Japan to import their personal effects duty-free. General Information in English.

    Link to information

  2. Declaring Unaccompanied Items

    General Information in English.

    Link info unaccompanied items

  3. Custom Declaration Form (online version)

    Online declaration form. Can choose to see the page in Japanese, Chinese, English, Korean, or Vietnamese.

    Link to online form

  4. Custom Declaration Form (PDF version)

    Printable PDF version of the Custom Declaration form in English.

    Link to PDF declaration form

  5. Custom Declaration for Import of Vehicle

    Use this form to import your car (automobile). Form is only available in PDF. It's a bilingual form with Japanese & English.

    Link to form for import of vehicle

4-4 International Moving Companies

  1. Asian Tigers

    One of the major International moving companies in Asia, which started in Singapore. Offers moving to and from Japan for expats.

    Link to Asian Tigers

  2. AGS

    A major international moving company originally from France.

    Link to AGS

  3. Yamato Transport

    Japanese international moving company with offices across Japan. Website available in English & Japanese. Also called Kuroneko (black cat), this company is popular also for shipping and moving within Japan. You can check their English website for local delivery in section 7.1 below.

    Link to Yamato Transport

  4. Crown Relocations

    International mover with office in several countries, founded originally in Japan (by an American) to support expats moving in or out of Japan. Also offer additional services and may be able to help with pet relocation, immigration services, school and home search, depending on the country you are moving to.

    Link to Crown Relocations

4-5 Information About Cost of Living in Japan

  1. Numbeo

    This is a useful tool that provides an estimate of the cost of living in most cities and countries in the world, and can compare with another city/country in the currency of your choice. A practical tool not only for expats in Japan but also for foreigners moving to any country. Website available in English, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, French and Spanish. Can also compare property prices and metrics related to quality of life.

    Link to Numbeo

Chapter 5

Moving With Pets

Importing pets can be stressful. All the documents and forms you need are here, but if you want to save yourself some time (and headache), I digested this information for you and explain each step in clear language in the "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking." Just sayin...

5-1 Importing Cats and Dogs (Information)

  1. Importing Cats & Dogs

    General information for expats moving to Japan with their pet(s). Website in English, also available in many languages including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and French.

    Link to info pet import

  2. List of Available Ports of Entry for Dogs

    Foreigners moving to Japan should be aware that dogs can’t be brought into Japan through any airport or seaport. Check this link for the list of acceptable ports of entry.

    Link designated ports of entry

  3. AIPO (Animal ID Promotion Organization)

    To register your pet microchip number in Japan. Phone: 03-3475-1695 Fax: 03-3475-1697 (no email available)

5-2 Procedures if Importing from Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii or Guam

  1. General Information Website

    List of requirements, documents, and steps for foreigners moving to Japan with their cats or dogs from (only) one of the designated regions. Website in English, also available in many languages including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and French.

    Link to import procedure

  2. Advance Notification Through NACCS

    Online submission only available in Japanese.

    Link to Advanced Notification (online)

  3. Advance Notification Form for Dogs

    PDF form Japanese–English version.

    Link to PDF Dog Notification

  4. Advance Notification Form for Cats

    PDF form Japanese–English version.

    Link to PDF Cat Notification

  5. Modification of Advance Notification

    PDF form Japanese–English version.

    Link to Modify Advance Notification

  6. Health Certificate (Form AB)

    This form is ONLY for foreigners moving to Japan with their pets from a designated region.

    Link to PDF Health Form AB

  7. Health Certificate Sample

    Sample PDF form on how to fill up the AB Health Certificate

    Link to sample AB form

  8. Attached Health Certificate

    Attached form to complete and attach to the Health Certificate Form AB

    Link to PDF to attach to AB

  9. Declaration on Transportation of cats and dogs (PDF)

    PDF form English version.

    Link to PDF form

  10. Declaration on Transportation of cats and dogs (Word)

    Word form English version downloadable under step 6.

    Link to download Word Form

5-3 Procedures if Importing from Other Regions

  1. General Information

    List of requirements, documents, and steps to import cats or dogs from one of the non-designated regions. Website in English, also available in many languages including Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and French.

    Link to Info Import Pets

  2. Advance Notification Through NACCS (online version)

    Online submission only available in Japanese.

    Link to Advanced Notification

  3. Advance Notification Form for Dogs (PDF)

    PDF form Japanese–English version.

    Link to PDF Advanced Notification Dog

  4. Advance Notification Form for Cats (PDF)

    PDF form Japanese–English version.

    Link to PDF Advance Notification Cat

  5. Modification of Advance Notification

    PDF form Japanese–English version.

    Link to PDF Modify Advance Notification

  6. Health Certificate (Form AC)

    This form is for pets coming from a non-designated region.

    Link to PDF Health Form AC

  7. Health Certificate Sample

    Sample PDF form on how to fill up the AC Health Certificate.

    Link to AC form sample

Chapter 6

Settling In

Time to make yourself at home! In this section, you'll find daily life support services designed to help expats in Japan, as well as foreign professionals and families living in Japan, integrate smoothly in their new culture. In the "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking" you’ll find explanations about daily life logistics (the garbage schedule?), what to expect when moving in (having cold feet?), with loads of tips, facts and useful goodies to make your new home really comfy and homey.

6-1 Daily Life Support for Foreign Residents in Japan (section 1.2 in old version of this website)

  1. Finding a Doctor

    For tourists, but also for expats in Japan looking for a doctor or hospital in their region. The search engine is available in 4 languages: Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese, but it allows to search for doctors able to speak other languages.

    Link to Website in English

  2. Foreign Resident Support Center (FRESC)

    Public Office providing various information and support for foreign residents living in any region of Japan. This is link to the consultation desk with automatic translation in several languages. On the website of Shinjuku city you can find an English translation (not AI made) explaining the different offices included in the FRESC and the services they can provide. Consultation services include legal support, visa consultation and more.

    Link to FRESC

  3. TELL-Mental Health Support for Foreigners in Japan

    Provides support related to mental health to individual adults, couples, and children in any region. Offers face-to-face and distance psychotherapy services. For face-to-face services, there is a counseling center in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and another in Okinawa. Also offers telehealth counseling and help you find other kinds of services (find a doctor or hospital for you, find out where you can get financial support, etc.). Can provide services in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Urdu, Hindi, and Turkish.

    Link to TELL

  4. Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges (YOKE)

    Provides consultation (information) and interpreter services for foreign residents in Yokohama. Assistance available in English and 10 other languages besides Japanese.

    Link to YOKE

  5. Smilehome-Daily Assistance

    Provides information to foreigners in Japan about daily life through AI bot chat with automatic translation, so it can be used in any language, anywhere in Japan. Also offers personal consultations in Japanese, English and Chinese. Requires a one-year or two-year membership, or monthly subscription (this service is not free).

    Link to SmileHome Daily Assistance

  6. Driving License Support by Adam HOGAN

    Translation (English <-> Japanese) and support services to switch a foreign driver’s license to a Japanese license, or obtain a Japanese license without prior experience. Also offers on-road driving training for people who do have a license but have no experience driving in Japan. In Tokyo but may be able to help in nearby cities as well (these services are not free).

    Link to Adam Hogan

  7. Omakase Helper-Daily Assistance and Translation

    Can help foreign residents fill out Japanese forms online (e.g., daycare application, bank forms, etc.) and may even be able to submit the form on your behalf at the relevant office. Provides document translation in English, Spanish, French and Italian. Cost is per word and service available nation-wide. Provides in-person interpretation services in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Chinese. This service is not available nation-wide.

    Link to Omakase Helper

6-2 Electricity and Gas Comparison Calculators

  1. ENEchange

    Cost comparisons of electrical and gas providers across Japan (all regions). Can apply for the provider of your choice through their website. Website in Japanese only.

    Link to ENEchange

  2. Enepi

    Provides cost comparisons in all regions. Registration required to see the results. Website in Japanese only.

    Link to Enepi

  3. Kakaku

    Provides cost comparisons in Tokyo area only. Website in Japanese only.

    Link to Kakaku

6-3 Public Electric Providers by Region

  1. Hokkaido Electric Power (HEPCO)

    Website/contact for application for connecting electricity (or gas) is only available in Japanese. Application can be done 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Although you can switch some pages to the English page, the English version only provides information about the company (no help in English to apply for connecting the electricity could be found).

    Link to HEPCO

  2. Tohoku Electric Power (Tohoku EPCO 東北電力)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese.

    Link to EPCO

  3. Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO or Tōden東電)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese. Application for connecting electricity by phone only (no online form). However, an interpreter can be provided in English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

    Link to TEPCO

  4. Chubu Electric Power (Chuden 中電)

    This is link to a guidebook in PDF available in English, Portuguese and Chinese. On the last page, you will find the phone number (no online form) to start, modify or change your electricity or gas contract.

    Link to Chuden

  5. Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO or Kanden 関電)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese. Application for connecting electricity by phone only (no online form). However, an interpreter can be provided in 18 different languages.

    Link to KEPCO

  6. Chugoku Electric Power (中国電力 or Energia エネルギア)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese.

    Link to Energia

  7. Hokuriku Electric Power (Rikuden)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese. Application for connecting electricity by phone and in Japanese only (no online form). If you don’t speak Japanese, you need to find someone who can help you (no interpreter service is provided by this company).

    Link to Rikuden

  8. Shikoku Electric Power (Yonden)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese.

    Link to Yonden

  9. Kyushu Electric Power (Kyuden)

    Website in English or Japanese. Can complete application online 24 hours/day, but online application form in Japanese only.

    Link to Kyuden

  10. Okinawa Electric Power (OEPC or Okiden 沖電)

    Website English version, also available in Japanese.

    Link to Okiden

6-4 Gas Providers Across Japan

  1. Hokkaido

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Hokkaido gas providers

  2. Tohoku

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Tohoku gas providers

  3. Kanto

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Kanto gas providers

  4. Tokai & Hokuriku

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Tokai-Hokuriku gas providers

  5. Kansai (Kinki)

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Kansai (Kinki) gas providers

  6. Chugoku-Shikoku

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Chugoku-Shikoku gas providers

  7. Kyushu-Okinawa

    Page in English. List of gas providers available in this region, with link to their respective pages. Most providers’ pages are available only in Japanese.

    Link to Kyushu-Okinawa gas providers

6-5 Popular Shops for Electrical and Gas Appliances

  1. Bic Camera

    Has online store available in English, Chinese and Japanese. Can deliver locally or ship overseas. Has tax-free option (for tourists only).

    Link to Bic Camera

  2. Yamada Denki

    Another popular shop with expats in Japan for electronics and electric appliances. Find a store using this link. Website in Japanese only.

    Link to Yamada Denki

  3. Rinnai

    Down the page in English you can find link to their product information website and page to find the nearest retailer. Rinnai specializes in gas appliances, including gas drying machines.

    Link to Rinnai

  4. Miele

    German maker for high-end housing appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers. Popular with expats in Japan living in larger houses or "American" designed houses, as Japanese houses are generally not set up for these kinds of appliances. Can access the online Japanese shop or find a retailer in Japan through this page. However, the online shop in Japan is only in Japanese.

    Link to Miele

6-6 Popular Shops for Furniture and Household Goods

  1. Nitori

    Popular store with the expat community in Japan for everything from towels and futons to dishes and furniture. Online store available in English, Chinese and Japanese. Nitori has a delivery and assembly service (for a fee) in most regions. It can also remove an item you don’t need (again for a fee), with some conditions. You can also search to find a store in your area but this page is only available in Japanese.

    Link to Nitori

  2. Muji

    Japanese shop with online store for clothes, furniture, bedding and shelf food.

    Link to Muji

  3. IKEA

    Swedish original shop popular for its wide selection of affordable bed frames and mattresses, in particular. Has all sorts of household goods including lamps, desks, sofas, kitchenware and shelf food, with an on-site restaurant, and play area for kids. It is a self-served kind of store but they now offer delivery nationwide either from their online store or by requesting delivery at the store.

    Link to IKEA

  4. Keyuca

    Japanese shop for kitchenware, household goods (like slippers and towels) and curtains (tip: shop in Omotesando in Tokyo has the widest selection of imported curtains.)

    Link to Keyuca

6-7 Online-Only Stores

  1. Rakuten

    Japan original online store similar to Amazon and Temu.

    Link to Rakuten

  2. Temu (Japan store)

    Hong Kong original online store similar to Amazon and Rakuten (available in Japan since July 2023). Offers free international shipping.

    Link to Temu

  3. iHerb

    Popular online US shop with expats in Japan for importing supplements, natural health products, baby food, and more. Delivery to Japan is fast and may be free. Website available in several languages.

    Link to iHerb

  4. Amazon (Japan store)

    American original online store, with a specific Amazon Japan store. Can order online and get delivered at your home. Prime delivery is very fast (same day delivery available.)

    Link to Amazon Japan

6-8 Cleaning Services for Aircon (A/C)

  1. Tokyo Handyman

    Aircon (A/C) installation and deep cleaning services in English or Japanese for expats in Japan by an expat. Tokyo and Kanagawa.

    Link to Tokyohandyman

6-9 Internet and Mobile Phone Providers

  1. Assist Solutions

    Provides English support to foreigners in Japan for a smooth application process. Offers affordable Fiber NTT internet plans.

    Link to Assist Solutions

  2. Mobal

    Offers both short term and long term plans for SIM and eSIM cards, and long term rental of WiFi router, for both tourists and long-term foreign residents. Use the Softbank network. Service available in English. Long term plans provide a real Japanese phone number. No activation or registration fees. Can apply online and pick up at the airport or local office. No binding long term contract. Can cancel anytime without any penalty.

    Link to Mobal

  3. AU

    Offers a variety of plans and options, including mobile and home internet plans, Tethering and +WiMAX option. Long term contracts only. Service guide available in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Japanese. Requires registration fees. Binding long term contract, so you must pay a “penalty” if want to cancel in middle of the contract period.

    Link to AU

  4. Softbank

    Website and service available in English (only 4 locations in Tokyo and one location in Nagoya). Long term contracts only. Requires proof of income, a credit/debit card under your name, original resident card+passport, and more. Requires registration fees. Binding long term contract, so you must pay a “penalty” if want to cancel in middle of the contract period.

    Link to Softbank

  5. NTT Docomo

    Website available in English. Requires a credit/debit card under the subscriber’s name, ID cards, application fees, and more. Long term contracts only. Requires registration fees. Binding long term contract, so you must pay a “penalty” if want to cancel in middle of the contract period.

    Link to Docomo

  6. UQ Mobile

    Offers internet and mobile low-cost plans. Ideal for low data user as there are limits on the amount of data/phone calls you can do on most (all?) plans. Works with the AU network. Website in Japanese only.

    Link to UQ Mobile

  7. Sakura Mobile

    Offers short-term and long-term plans with English support for tourists and expats in Japan. For the long-term plans, there is an extra activation fee (about 5,500 yen).

    Link to Sakura Mobile

6-10 Convenient Shops Offering Items at Low Cost

  1. Seria

    Popular 100-yen (and up) store available across Japan. Find a store near you with link (in Japanese only).

    Link to Seria

  2. Daiso

    Popular 100-yen store (and up). Website originally in Japanese uses machine translation to see the website in English and Chinese. Website helps you find a store near you. You can also use this website to check if a product you want is in stock at the store near you.

    Link to Daiso

  3. CAN DO

    Popular 100-yen store (and up) available across Japan. The website show only 6 stores on the map but there are over 1000 stores. Website in English.

    Link to CAN DO

  4. Don Quijote

    Discount chain stores across Japan. On the website, can search for a store near you. Website in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Thai.

    Link to Don Quijote

6-11 Shops, Websites or Groups to Buy or Sell Used Items

  1. Tokyo Craigslist

    Buy and sell used items. This is the English page but it is available in many languages. Use this page to find the Craigslist nearest you. You can change the language on top right of the screen.

    Link to Tokyo Craigslist

  2. Hard Off

    Buy and sell used items. You can bring to the store, or they can pick up bulkier items from your home.

    Link to Hard Off

  3. Facebook Groups

    There are many Facebook groups made specially to buy or sell or give away used items. Search with keywords such as sayonara, garage sale, in-search of, mottainai + Japan. Some groups may be private, so you’ll need to ask to join first.

Chapter 7

Moving Out

Time to move to a new home? Here are some moving, repair, storage and disposal companies to make your move as smooth as possible. The "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking" provides crucial information for expats in Japan to avoid having to pay your landlord "extra money" when moving out, and ideally get your full deposit back.

7-1 Local Moving Companies

  1. Tokyo Move

    Provides help with moving in Tokyo or if moving abroad in English and Japanese. Offers other services, such as removing and disposing of bulkier items, repair services, storage and more.

    Link to Tokyo Move

  2. 23 Move

    Provides help with moving in Kanto region in English. Has disposal, packing and storage services.

    Link to 23 Move

  3. Tokyo Happy Move

    Provides moving, delivery and disposal services. English available.

    Link to Tokyo Happy Move

  4. The 0123

    In addition to three moving plans, it offers original plans like the student discount pack (+ free curtain), lady’s pack (moving for ladies by ladies), and senior pack. Website only in Japanese but service in English should be available upon request.

    Link to The 0123

  5. Yamato Transport (Kuroneko)

    Local delivery company with offices across Japan. Practical if you want to send some boxes or suitcases. Website available in English & Japanese. Also called Kuroneko (black cat), this company is popular also for shipping and moving internationally. You can check their website for international moving in English & Japanese under section 4.4 above.

    Link to Yamato (English)

7-2 Repair, Storage or Disposal Services

  1. Storage Tokyo

    Storage service, with optional pick up and delivery service. English and Japanese available. Available in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa (Kanto region only).

    Link to Storage Tokyo

  2. Tokyo Happy Move

    Provides moving, delivery and disposal services. English available.

    Link to Tokyo Happy Move

  3. 23 Move

    Provides help with moving in Kanto region in English. Has disposal, packing and storage services.

    Link to 23 Move

  4. Tokyo Move

    Provides help with moving in Tokyo or if moving abroad in English and Japanese. Offers other services, such as removing and disposing of bulkier items, repair services, storage and more.

    Link to Tokyo Move

WELCOME TO JAPAN

Additional Information for Foreigners Living in Japan

For more info about your housing options, your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and some help with daily life at home, you may consult the "Japan Guide from Renting to Rice Cooking." I promise you loads of extra tips that can save you time, headaches and avoid paying unnecessary fees :)

Suggestions? Comments? And Important Disclosure.

  1. Suggestions or comments?

    Always happy to hear from you! Use the form below to recommend useful and trustworthy service providers for expats in Japan, report any broken link or let me know how I can make this list even better!

    Link to suggestions/comments form

  2. Important Disclosure

    The author and anyone involved in the publication and distribution of this list of resources do not endorse any of the person, agency or business listed, nor do they receive any benefit or commission from any of these providers in any way (e.g., no affiliated links), and thus, bear no responsibility for any conflict or problem that may result in using the services offered by a provider. However, as this list is meant to recommend trustworthy and reliable service providers, please report any case of abuse, dispute or unfair treatment using the form below and we will consider removing them from the list following investigation. Thanks for your help in keeping our community of foreigners living in Japan safe and well-informed.

    Link to form to complain about a provider

Your Lifeline as an Expat in Japan

Expert Help for Expats in Japan

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