You've signed the lease, passed the guarantor company screening, and got the keys to your new place. Before you can actually settle in, though, there's one more step most new residents in Japan don't expect: electricity, gas, and water don't just turn on automatically. In most cases, you — the new tenant — need to contact each provider yourself and set up service.
Why You Have to Do This Yourself
Unlike some countries where utilities are handled by the landlord or building management, in Japan each utility is typically its own individual contract between you and the provider. Nobody flips a switch for you when you move in — if you don't contact the electric and gas companies (and notify the local water bureau) in advance, you may arrive to a dark, cold, waterless apartment.
The General Flow
The exact process varies by provider and region, but the typical pattern looks like this:
- Apply in advance — usually a few days to a week before your move-in date, via the provider's website or a phone call
- Electricity and water usually just turn on — for many providers, service starts automatically on your requested date, no one needs to visit
- Gas is different — turning on the gas supply (開棈, kaisen) often requires a technician to visit your apartment on a scheduled date, and you (or someone) need to be present to let them in and confirm safety checks
- Notify the local water bureau — water is typically managed by your municipality's waterworks bureau (水道局), not a private company, so you'll usually contact them separately to start and later stop service
Electricity vs. Gas: The Key Difference
| Electricity | Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup method | Apply online/phone, often starts automatically on request date | Apply online/phone, but usually needs an in-person appointment |
| Attendance required? | Usually no | Often yes, especially for the initial open (立ち会い, tachiai) |
| Provider choice | Multiple companies to choose from (liberalized market) | Multiple companies in some areas, but choice can be more limited depending on region |
Because gas almost always needs an appointment, it's the one utility worth arranging earliest — book it as soon as your move-in date is confirmed, since popular time slots can fill up.
Information You'll Likely Be Asked For
Whichever utility you're contacting, have this ready:
- Your full name (as it appears on official ID)
- Your new address, as precisely as possible (including apartment/unit number)
- Your move-in date (and move-out date from your previous place, if applicable)
- A payment method — bank account for direct debit (口座振替) or a credit card, depending on the provider
- In some cases, your residence card (在留カード) number
Where Foreign Residents Often Get Stuck
- Japanese-only support — many utility providers' websites and phone lines are Japanese-only, which can make the application process slow going if you're not yet confident in the language
- Being asked for your residence card number — some providers ask for this as identification; it's a routine request, not something unusual to your situation
- Too many choices — since Japan's electricity and (in many areas) gas retail markets were liberalized, there are multiple companies competing for your contract, plans, and pricing structures. Comparing them can feel overwhelming right after a move, when you already have a dozen other things to organize
- Assuming water works like electricity — because water is handled by the municipal bureau rather than a private company, the application process and contact point can be completely different from what you'd expect
Bottom Line
Electricity, gas, and water in Japan are not switched on for you automatically — each one is a separate step you need to take around your move-in date, with gas being the one most likely to require you to be physically present. Start with gas (since it needs a scheduled appointment), then handle electricity and your municipality's water bureau. Have your name, new address, move-in date, payment method, and residence card ready, and don't assume any specific provider, plan, or regional rule without checking directly — these details vary widely across Japan.
This post may contain an affiliate link. If you sign up through our link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments
Post a Comment