Registering or Changing your address in Japan: A Guide

This article was reviewed on September 12, 2025. Information may have changed since publication. Please verify with the relevant provider.

Registering or changing addresses after moving in Japan can be quite confusing but this article is here to help. Japan has steps you must follow and a few documents that are required. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to register or change your address in Japan, ensuring a smooth transition.

If you're using Wise, or thinking about it, keeping your address updated is beneficial to making the most of its features. Wise offers a super convenient way to handle international transfers, perfect for paying rent or getting payments while you're in Japan.

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Table of contents🔖
Why It's Important to Register Your Address Required Documents for Address Registration Registering Your Address for New Residents Changing and Registering Your Address after Moving An Overview of Timelines, Locations and Forms Helpful Phrases and Key Terms Changing your address for Wise FAQ Pay for your moving cost and utilities with Wise

Why It's Important to Register Your Address¹

Registering address, also known as Jumin Toroku 住民登録 (resident registration) is mandatory and legally required in Japan. Foreigners who decide to stay in Japan for more than 3 months must be registered as a resident.

Registering your address and completing your resident registration allows you access to essential services such as utilities, housing, health insurance, and pension benefits.

To receive these benefits, starting from obtaining a health insurance card, you will need a Juminhyo - 住民票 (residence certificate) that costs around 200-400 yen.

Foreigners will receive a Zairyu card 在留カード(residence card) issued by the Ministry of Justice. This card serves as an official ID and proof of legal residency status. You must carry it at all times, whether you open a bank account, rent an apartment or set up utilities.

Required Documents for Address Registration

New address registration

• 在留カード (Residence Card): You will usually receive your zairyu card(ざいりゅうカード) when upon arrival at major airports like Narita, Haneda or Kansai airport.
• Passport: for those who don’t have a residence card yet¹
• Documents certifying relationship: If moving in with the houseowner who is a foreign resident. Include birth certificates and marriage certificates, with required Japanese translations ²

Change of address registration

• Zairyu Card (Residence Card)
• My Number card: Notification letter to apply usually arrives 2-3 weeks after registering your address at your local ward office. It takes about 1 month to receive the card upon application.
• 転出届 (Notification of Moving out): The tenshutsu todoke (てんしゅつとどけ) is the notification form for your old address.
• 転入届 (Notification of Moving in): The tennyu todoke (てんにゅうとどけ) is the notification form for your new address.

🌸 Want to know how to get a My Number Card in Japan ?

Important Notes:

• Submit notification forms at your nearest municipality office.
• Failure to submit change of address documents can result in fines up to 50,000 yen.

Registering Your Address for New Residents¹

When to Register Your Address

You must complete the address registration procedure within 14 days of moving into your fixed residence.

Where to Register Your Address

You will need to submit the required forms at your local municipality office of where you will reside.

🌸 Next up for newcomers! How to open a bank account in Japan

Changing and Registering Your Address after Moving

Moving within your City / Ward / Town / Village

Moving within your municipality means relocating to a different address without crossing municipal boundaries, like moving within Meguro Ward in Tokyo.

Steps for changing your address within your municipality:

• Prepare required documents
• ID such as your zairyu card, passport, My Number Card etc.
• 印鑑 (Inkan)- registered seal
• National Health Insurance Card / Senior Citizen Medical Benefits Card, etc

• Fill in 転居届 (tenkyo todoke)- Change of Address form

• Visit Your Nearest Municipality Office: Submit the required documents within 14 days after moving.

Important Note:

• Failing to register your address change within 14 days may result in a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

Moving to a new City / Ward / Town / Village

Moving to a new city or ward means that you are relocating outside your current municipality. For example, moving from Meguro to Shinagawa or moving from Tokyo to Osaka. Not only will your Certificate of Residence, the Juminhyo (住民票) change, laws, taxes, and services available will change as well.

Steps of changing your address to a new municipality:

• Prepare required documents
• ID such as your zairyu card, passport, My Number Card etc.
• 印鑑 (Inkan)- registered seal
• Document showing your new address
• National Health Insurance Card / Senior Citizen Medical Benefits Card, etc

• Fill in 転出届 (Tenshutsu Todoke) - the Notification of Moving Out within 14 days before moving out of your current address.

• Visit Your Current Municipality Office:
• Submit required documents and receive your 転出証明書 (Tenshutsu Sho-Meisho) - Moving-out certificate

• Fill in 転入届 (Tennyu Todoke) - the Notification of Moving In within 14 days of moving to your new address.

• Visit Your New Municipality Office and submit these documents:
• 転入届 (Tennyu Todoke)
• 転出証明書 (Tenshutsu Sho-Meisho)
• ID
• 印鑑 (Inkan) - registered seal

Moving to Another Country³

When relocating overseas, visit your local municipality office to complete the following:

1. Submit 海外転出届 (Kaigai Tenshutsu Todoke) - Notification of moving overseas.
2. Return your Individual Number Card (My Number card)
3. Withdraw from National Health Insurance: One week before departure, showing proof such as your airline ticket.
4. Address Unpaid Fees: Receive a statement for any unpaid fees needing settlement before departure.
5. At the Airport: Return your 在留カード (Zairyu Card) to the immigration inspector.

Important Note:

• Failing to submit the Notification of Moving Overseas (海外転出届) may result in continued deductions for resident tax and insurance fees.
• You must visit the municipality office within 14 days of your moving-out date.

An Overview of Timelines, Locations and Forms

Moving within Japan for the first time can be confusing so here is a brief summary of the timelines, locations and forms required.

	Original Ward Office	New Ward Office
Moving within the Same Ward	転居届 (Change of Address) Within 14 days of the move	Not Applicable
Moving to a new ward	転出届 (notification of moving out) Within 14 days of your moving-out date	転入届 (notification of moving in) Within 14 days of moving into your new address
Leaving Japan	海外転出届 (notification of moving overseas) Within 14 days of your moving-out date	Not Applicable

Helpful Phrases and Key Terms

Here is a list of useful Japanese phrases and terms related to address registration.

住民登録 (じゅうみんとうろく)	Jumin Toroku	Resident registration
役所 (やくしょ)	yakusho	Government office
転入届 (てんにゅうとどけ)	tennyu todoke	Notification of moving in
転出届 (てんしゅつとどけ)	tenshutsu sho-meisho	Notification of moving out
在留カード (ざいりゅうカード)	zairyu card	Resident card
印鑑 (いんかん)	inkan	Registered seal
住民票 (じゅうみんひょう)	jyuminhyo	Certificate of residence
届出日 (とどけでび)	todokedebi	Notification date
連絡先 (れんらくさき)	renrakusaki	Contact information
住所 (じゅうしょ)	jyu-sho	Address
変更 (へんこう)	henko-	Change
登録 (とうろく)	to-roku	Register

Changing your address for Wise

Wise users need to update their address even if moving within Japan. To change your address online, provide one of the following documents:

1. Japanese-Issued Identification: Must show your new address.
2. Official Document: Should display your name, date of birth, and new address. It must be issued within the past 6 months and include your My Number information.

Additionally, contact the help desk to provide your new address (including postcode) and occupation.

FAQ

Do I need to pay to register or change my address?

Registering a new address or changing your address is free. However, if you require a Certificate of Residence or the Juminhyo, there may be a fee.

Do I need to change my National Health Insurance card myself?

No, you don't need to change your National Health Insurance card. Since December 2024, Japan has stopped issuing separate health insurance cards.

Health insurance information is now integrated into the My Number card system. To keep your information updated, you should visit your municipal office to update your address on both your My Number card and Residence card.

Do I need to update my address for my utilities?

Yes, you should contact each utility provider, such as your electricity, gas, and water provider to inform them of your move-out date at your old address. It is recommended that you inform them a month before you move out to ensure a smooth process.

How do I change my mailing address in Japan?⁴

1. Prepare the following documents:
   • ID (driver’s license, health insurance card, etc)
   • Documents with address, issued by governmental agencies, such as:
     • Driver’s license
     • Passport
     • Individual number card (My Number Card)
     • Basic Resident Register Card
     • Residence certificate
2. Visit Japan Post Office counter
   • You can visit any local post office
   • Fill in the relocation form, including your original address and new address.
   • Deposit it in the post box without postage stamps (free of charge)

Pay for your moving cost and utilities with Wise

Registering and changing your address in Japan involves some paperwork and effort. Once you're settled into your new home, you'll need to set up accounts for utilities and local services.

Wise offers a convenient way to pay your utility bills if card payments are accepted (note that not all companies and municipalities support this method).

With Wise, enjoy low-cost international transfers, holding and exchanging over 40 currencies. Use your Wise account to manage daily expenses and transactions efficiently.

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The Key Takeaways:

In conclusion,

• Check required documents before visiting the office.
• Visit the city or town office for address changes.
• Complete all procedures within 14 days of moving in/out.

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by or affiliated with any Japanese companies and has only been reviewed by Wise. For more information, please be sure to visit each of their websites.

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Sources:

1. You Need to Register Your Residential Address | TIPS
2. 総務省｜Basic Resident Registration System for Foreign Residents｜Move in / Move out
3. Leaving Japan / Moving | National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
4. Relocation/forwarding service; Japan Post