The followings are the things you need to do when you move to another city in Japan. Please check if there is something you forget during your moving work.

Things to do as early as possible

To do Note
Tell leave-out notice to a property management company or an apartment owner Make sure how many days in advance at least the lease contract says you need to make a notice that you leave an apartment. Don’t forget to notify cancellation of a car park if you rent
Decide when you move and how you move Mave yourself or request a mover
Request a quote to movers English friendly mover’s list
Prepare a truck (if you move yourself) Book a truck at a car rental office
Prepare cardboard boxes Get it from a mover or a super market
Sell or dispose of unwanted items Recycle shop, ebay or disposal site
Transefer landline Ask NTT (116)
Internet network transfer Ask internet service provider

Things to do 1 week or 2 weeks before you move

To do Note
Submit move-out notification to a municipal office Go to a municipal office near your apartment or house
Submit a school transfer letter Submit it with move-out certificate to the school principal
Abolish Inkan registration If you registered your Inkan at a municipal office, you have to abolish it before you leave the city (if you move to another place in the same city, you don’t need to do.) take your Hanko registration certificate and registered Inkan to a municipal office
Notify your moving to a gus company Visit a homepage and make a call
Notify your moving to a power company Visit a homepage and make a call
Notify your moving to a water department Visit a homepage and make a call
Notify your moving to NHK Visit a homepage and make a call
Notify your moving to your contracting mobile carrer Visit a homepage and make a call, or visit a mobile career shop
Address change procedure at a bank and an insurance angency Visit a bank and insurance agency
Start packing Start packing, Just put a mark on the box which you open right after you arrive at a new place

Things to do until the day before you move

To do Note
Clean up rooms, take out garbages Check the day of garbage collecting day and prepare the garbage you take out in advance
Drain the washing machine Tip the washing machine and let water out. Remove water accumulated in hose as well.
Prepare a small gift for neighbors living next to your new apartment or house Check how many gifits you need to buy beforehand. ( You just have to know which neighbor you need to greet after you move to a new house)
Check all the valuables you take on the day you move Put it where you find easily and put everything together

Things to do on the day you move

To do Note
Vacate a house or an apartment Need to inspect room with staff of the property management company and return keys back
Request utility providers (power, gas, water) to start the services When you move to a new place, make a call to utility providers to start the services. You are required to attend on-site witness for opening gas
Greet neighbors after you move to a new place Don’t forget to bring gifts for neighbors when you go greeting tour

Things to do after you move

To do Note
Submit move-in notification Go to a municipality near your new house and take inkan with you. You have to go through the procedure within 14 days after you move in
Submit school trasnfer notification Prepare student certificate and other certificates and go through the procedure at school and a municipal office
Change address of National Health Insurance Prepare national health insurance, inkan and go through the procedure at a municipal office within 14 days after you move in
Change address of National Pension Prepare national pension handbook, Inkan and go through the procedure at a municipal office within 14 days after you move in
Apply for Inkan registration Don’t forget to bring gifts for neighbors when you go greeting tour
Change address of your driver’s license Prepare your Japanese driver’s license, resident certificate and Inkan Go through the procedure at a police department or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre.
Change registered content of your car and have parking space certificate issued by a plice department Go to local Land Transportation Bureau. Go through the procedure within 15 days after you move
Register your dog and cat to a municipality Don’t forget to bring gifts for neighbors when you go greeting tour
Unbox Request a mover to take cardboard back after you unbox
Register your dog and cat to a municipality Go to veterinary clinic or a public heath center. You should do this within 30 days after you move

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