Moving to Japan
Japan combines deep safety, superb infrastructure and a culture that rewards the patient newcomer with bureaucracy that still runs on paper and personal seals. Here is the honest brief on shipping, customs and the residence card that starts your life there.
Who Japan suits, honestly.
People move to Japan for work, study and a fascination with the country that often turns into a long stay. Tokyo holds an enormous services and technology economy, Osaka and Nagoya anchor industry and trade, and English teaching and academia bring a steady stream of newcomers. Cities are dense, transport is superb, and crime is low.
It suits you if you value order, public safety and excellent everyday systems and you are willing to learn some Japanese to handle daily life and paperwork. Apartments are compact, the written bureaucracy is real, and a personal seal called a hanko still matters for some forms. In return you get a country that works smoothly and a culture worth the effort.
The routes in, in plain language.
The realistic routes for people moving to Japan. Two sentences each, so you can see which fits before you dig into the detail.
Almost all working movers first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility through a sponsoring employer in Japan, then convert it to a status of residence such as Engineer or Specialist in Humanities at a consulate.
A points based status for high earning specialists that brings faster permanent residence and extra privileges for those who qualify.
For spouses and children of Japanese nationals or residents, allowing you to live and, in some cases, work in Japan.
Student, trainee and specified skilled worker statuses cover study and a range of designated occupations, each with its own conditions.
Bringing your household goods into Japan.
Used personal effects and household goods that you have owned and used abroad are commonly admitted free of duty when you move your residence to Japan and the goods are for your personal use. When part of your shipment arrives separately as unaccompanied baggage, you declare it on arrival using the Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles, often called form C 5360, and keep the stamped copy so Japan Customs can clear the later container.
Have a detailed inventory ready in English and keep new or high value items documented because those can attract assessment. Quantity limits apply to alcohol and tobacco, and some everyday items elsewhere are tightly controlled here.
Japan is strict on certain goods. Firearms and swords are heavily regulated, and some medicines that are routine in other countries, including certain stimulants and cold remedies, are restricted or banned, so check before packing any medication. Bringing a pet requires advance notification and health steps that can take months, and importing a vehicle is possible but involves compliance and shaken inspection costs.
Sea freight for Japan usually arrives through Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka or Nagoya, and your unaccompanied shipment is cleared against the declaration you lodge on arrival. Delivery into central Tokyo or Osaka can involve narrow streets and buildings with tight access, so a good mover plans the final leg and any shuttle in advance. The surprise for many is the move in cost of renting, where deposits, key money and agency fees can add up to several months of rent before you even ship a box.
Documents you will usually need
- +Inventory in English with values
- +Declaration of Personal Effects and Unaccompanied Articles, form C 5360
- +Passport and visa or Certificate of Eligibility
- +Bill of lading or air waybill
- +Residence card details after arrival
- +Medication, pet and vehicle paperwork if relevant
Life in Japan once the boxes are unpacked.
Japan is more affordable than its reputation suggests. Tokyo rents are high for central, larger flats but reasonable for the compact apartments most people take, and groceries, transport and eating out offer real value. The rail and metro networks are so good that most city residents do not own a car. Some imported goods cost more, and initial rental move in fees such as key money can be a surprise.
Healthcare runs through National Health Insurance for residents, which covers a large share of costs and which you enrol in at your local municipal office. The system is high quality and widely available. Many residents add private cover for extras, but the public scheme is the backbone.
Your life in Japan starts with the residence card, the zairyu card, usually issued on arrival. Within fourteen days you register your address at the local municipal or ward office, which sets up your resident record. You will receive a My Number, the individual identification number, and you can open an account at Japan Post Bank or a major bank once your paperwork is in order.
Tokyo offers the deepest job market and the smallest apartments, while Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo give more space and a lower cost of living. Rentals often expect a guarantor or a guarantor company, and many landlords still prefer tenants who can manage basic Japanese for contracts and building rules. Learning even a little of the language smooths daily life far more than newcomers expect, and it is the single best investment you can make on arrival.
Your first month checklist
- 01Register your address at the ward or municipal office within fourteen days
- 02Carry and keep your residence card, the zairyu card
- 03Enrol in National Health Insurance at the local office
- 04Get your My Number individual identification number
- 05Open a Japan Post Bank or major bank account
- 06Set up a phone contract and home internet
How to choose a mover for Japan.
We never rank or recommend named companies. Instead, here are the neutral criteria that separate a safe international mover from a risky one. Use them on every quote.
FIDI or IAM affiliation
Membership of the FIDI Global Alliance or the International Association of Movers signals audited quality standards and financial vetting. Ask for the membership number and check it.
Real corridor experience
A firm that runs this exact route every month knows the ports, the customs broker and the seasonal sailings. Ask how many moves they handled on it last year.
A binding pre move survey
Insist on a video or in home survey and a written volume in cubic metres. A quote without a survey is a guess that grows on moving day.
Clear insurance terms
Read what marine transit cover actually pays, the excess, and whether it is new for old or depreciated. Get the policy wording, not a sentence.
Independent reviews
Look for consistent recent reviews that mention claims handling, not just friendly crews. How a company behaves when something breaks is the real test.
Written scope, like for like
Compare quotes on identical scope: packing, materials, insurance, storage and destination delivery. Cheapest on paper is rarely cheapest in the end.
Get moving quotes for Japan.
One short form goes to vetted international movers who run routes into Japan. No obligation, and you choose who to talk to.
The Relocation Brief
One useful email on moving abroad: corridor costs, customs changes and timing tips. No noise.
Moving to Japan, answered.
How much does it cost to move to Japan?
As an indicative range for 2026, a full household move to Japan by sea typically runs from about $5,500 for a smaller load to $16,000 or more for a large home from Europe or the Americas. Volume, distance, season and your delivery city in Japan move the figure most. A binding survey gives the real number.
Do I pay duty on my belongings when moving to Japan?
Usually no. Used personal effects and household goods owned and used abroad are commonly admitted free of duty when you transfer your residence to Japan and they are for personal use. Declare unaccompanied items on the form C 5360 on arrival. Verify the current rules before you move.
How long does shipping to Japan take?
Plan on roughly five to ten weeks door to door by sea from Europe or North America, including the ocean leg, customs clearance and final delivery. Air freight is much faster for essentials but costs far more by volume.
What visa do I need to live in Japan?
Most working movers obtain a Certificate of Eligibility through a sponsoring employer, then convert it to a work status of residence such as Engineer or Specialist in Humanities. Spouses and students have their own statuses. This is a summary and not immigration advice, so confirm with official Japanese sources.
Can I bring my medication to Japan?
Be careful. Japan restricts or bans some medicines that are routine elsewhere, including certain stimulants and common cold remedies. Check the rules and, where needed, arrange the required import permission before you travel, because customs enforcement is strict.
Moving to Japan from your country.
Pick your origin for a corridor guide with the exact costs, customs steps and timeline for that pair. Grouped by region of origin.
Western Europe
Northern Europe
Southern Europe
- Moving from Spain to Japan
- Moving from Italy to Japan
- Moving from Portugal to Japan
- Moving from Greece to Japan
Central and Eastern Europe
- Moving from Poland to Japan
- Moving from Czechia to Japan
- Moving from Hungary to Japan
- Moving from Romania to Japan
Middle East
- Moving from United Arab Emirates to Japan
- Moving from Israel to Japan
Asia Pacific
- Moving from Australia to Japan
- Moving from New Zealand to Japan
- Moving from Singapore to Japan
- Moving from India to Japan
- Moving from China to Japan
- Moving from Hong Kong to Japan
Africa
- Moving from South Africa to Japan
Costs are indicative for 2026 and not a quote.
Last reviewed: 5 June 2026. We refresh this guide as costs, customs, and visa rules change.