New Life in Japan: First Important Tasks and Best Timing for Mobile Phone Contracts 🇯🇵📱

Starting a new life in Japan, do you feel excited but also worried about “where to start? 🤔” Especially, procedures in an unfamiliar land can be quite confusing.

This article clearly explains the priorities of the “important tasks” you should tackle first when starting a new life in Japan, and the “best timing for mobile phone contracts” that many people are curious about! ✨

First Important Tasks for Your New Life in Japan! 🚀

The procedures after arriving in Japan are all about order and timing. If you do them in the wrong order, you might face difficulties later. 😥

1. Landing Permission at the Airport and Receiving Your Residence Card (Most Important!) 🛬💳

Upon arriving in Japan, first receive landing permission at immigration and get your “Residence Card.” This will be the most important identification document for living in Japan!

• Point: Without a Residence Card, most subsequent procedures cannot be processed. Make sure to receive it at the airport and keep it safe. 🔑

2. Notification of Place of Residence (Mandatory within 14 days!) 🏠✍️

After receiving your Residence Card, as soon as you decide on your “place of residence,” you must submit a “Notification of Place of Residence” at your municipal office. This is mandatory and must be done within 14 days of landing in Japan! 🗓️

• Point: After submitting the notification, your address will be written on the back of your Residence Card. Without this address, you cannot proceed with many procedures such as mobile phone contracts or opening a bank account. ❌
• Note: You cannot submit a Notification of Place of Residence if you haven’t decided on a home yet. Therefore, finding a home is actually a very important step for submitting the “Notification of Place of Residence”! 🏡➡️📝

3. Obtaining a Certificate of Residence (as needed) 📄

Once the Notification of Place of Residence is completed, you can obtain a “Certificate of Residence” at the municipal office. A Certificate of Residence may be required for various situations, such as apartment contracts or opening a bank account.

• Point: It’s convenient to get several copies of your Certificate of Residence when you submit your Notification of Place of Residence at the municipal office. 👍

4. Opening a Bank Account (Foundation of Life!) 🏦💰

A bank account is essential for life in Japan, for receiving salaries, paying rent, and utility bills.

• Point: To open a bank account, a Residence Card (with address written) and your passport are almost always required. In some cases, you might also be asked for a phone number. 📞

When is the Best Time to Sign a Mobile Phone Contract? 📱✨

Now, many people are curious: “When is the most convenient time to sign a mobile phone contract?”

The conclusion is: “After you have completed the Notification of Place of Residence and your address is written on your Residence Card” is the best timing! 🎉

Why is “After Notification of Place of Residence” Optimal? 🤔

• Mandatory for Identity Verification: Identity verification is essential for a mobile phone contract. At this time, your Residence Card must have your “current address written on it.” You cannot sign a contract with a Residence Card that does not have an address. 🙅‍♀️
• Securing Payment Method: Many mobile phone companies require a “Japanese bank account” or a “Japanese-issued credit card” for monthly payments. Since a Residence Card with the address written on it is also required to open these accounts, it’s smoother to complete the Notification of Place of Residence first. 💳

Summary of Steps Until Mobile Phone Contract 📝

1. Arrive in Japan, receive Residence Card at the airport. 🛬💳
2. Find a home and secure a place to live. 🏡
3. Submit Notification of Place of Residence at the municipal office and have your address written on your Residence Card. (←This is the most important point! 💡)
4. Sign a SIM card contract with a mobile phone company. 📱
5. If necessary, open a bank account. (※The order of 3 and 4 might sometimes be swapped depending on the situation, as a phone number might be requested when opening a bank account. 🏦↔️📱)

Tips for a Smooth Start to Your New Life ✨

• Securing Temporary Communication Means:
  It might take some time to complete the Notification of Place of Residence. During that time, you’ll want to use the internet to contact family and friends, and for house hunting. 📶
  • Purchase a prepaid SIM at the airport: This is a data-only SIM for short-term use.
  • Rent a Wi-Fi router: Can be arranged at the airport or online.
  • International roaming from your home country: Although charges are higher, it’s convenient for temporary use.
    Utilize these options to get by until you can sign a full-fledged SIM contract in Japan!
• Consider Carriers with Multilingual Support:
  Mobile phone contract procedures involve a lot of technical terms, and it can be difficult if you are not fluent in Japanese.
  With Rakuten Mobile, the official website supports 8 languages, so you can rest assured! 🌐
  There are also shops with multilingual support, so please check for a store near you! 🛒🗣️
• Make multiple copies of required documents:
  You will often need copies of your Residence Card, passport, and other documents for various procedures. It’s convenient to make several copies in advance at a convenience store or elsewhere. 🖨️

Summary 🌸

Starting a new life in Japan begins with “receiving your Residence Card,” and “Notification of Place of Residence” is extremely important. The best timing to sign a mobile phone contract is “after you have completed the Notification of Place of Residence and your address is written on your Residence Card,” as it will proceed most smoothly.

By understanding the preparations and flow in advance, you can start your comfortable life in Japan without anxiety. We hope this article helps you in your new life! Good luck! 

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