How to Register Your Address
Learn the address registration procedure that all foreign residents in Japan are required to complete.
Address registration is the procedure of reporting your new address to your local city or ward office after moving to Japan. In principle, you must do this within 14 days of moving in.
Why it matters
Once you complete address registration, you can move forward with many important steps in Japan, including:
- Opening a bank account
- Receiving your My Number notification
- Joining National Health Insurance
- Having your address printed on the back of your residence card
Without this step, many parts of daily life in Japan cannot move forward.
What to bring
- Passport
- Residence card
- A memo with your new address, ideally written in Japanese
Basic procedure
1. Go to the move-in registration counter at your city or ward office
2. Get the form and fill it out
3. Show your passport and residence card
4. Submit the documents and have your address added to the back of your residence card
It often takes around 15 to 30 minutes.
Office hours
Most city and ward offices are open on weekdays from around 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some larger offices also offer limited evening or Saturday service.
Language support
Large cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka often have more English support than smaller cities. If language is a concern, you can also consider using an interpreting service.
What you can do on the same day
You can often complete National Health Insurance enrollment on the same visit, either at the same counter or at a nearby counter in the same building.