Moving House Within Japan: Checklist and Useful Japanese
Moving house within Japan (引っ越し, hikkoshi) comes down to a few steps: give notice on your current flat, usually a month or more ahead; book movers early, especially in March and April; arrange large-item rubbish collection; file a moving-out notice (転出届) and moving-in notice (転入届) at the ward office within 14 days of moving, or a single change-of-address notice (転居届) if you stay in the same city; switch utilities; set up post forwarding; and update your address with your bank, employer and others. Your residence card address is updated at the ward office as part of the move-in notice.
Moving checklist
| When | What to do | Key Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 months before | Give notice to your landlord or agent, as your contract says. | 解約 (cancelling the lease) |
| 1 month before | Get quotes and book movers. | 見積もり (quote), 引っ越し業者 (movers) |
| 2–3 weeks before | Book large-item collection for furniture you’re not taking. | 粗大ごみ (oversized rubbish) |
| Up to 14 days before | If moving to another city, file a moving-out notice at your current ward office (or online, where available). | 転出届, 転出証明書 |
| 1 week before | Tell electricity, gas, water and internet providers your dates. | 使用停止 / 使用開始 (stop / start service) |
| 1 week before | Set up post forwarding with Japan Post. | 転居届 (post office version) |
| Moving day | Attend the move-out inspection and hand back keys. | 退去立ち会い, 鍵の返却 |
| Within 14 days after | File a moving-in notice at your new ward office with your residence card. | 転入届 |
| After | Update your address with your bank, employer, phone company and insurance. | 住所変更 |
Moving within the same city? You file one change-of-address notice (転居届) at the ward office instead of separate moving-out and moving-in notices. Rules vary by city, so check your ward office’s website. See Japanese at the ward office.
Useful phrases
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 来月末で解約したいのですが。 | raigetsu-matsu de kaiyaku shitai no desu ga. | I’d like to end my lease at the end of next month. |
| 引っ越しの見積もりをお願いしたいです。 | hikkoshi no mitsumori o onegai shitai desu. | I’d like a quote for a move. |
| 粗大ごみの収集を申し込みたいです。 | sodai gomi no shūshū o mōshikomitai desu. | I’d like to book a large-item collection. |
| 転入届を出しに来ました。 | tennyū todoke o dashi ni kimashita. | I’ve come to file a moving-in notice. |
| ○日から電気を使いたいです。 | … nichi kara denki o tsukaitai desu. | I’d like electricity from the …th. |
Tips
- Avoid late March and early April if you can. It’s the busiest moving season, and movers cost more and book up.
- Read the move-out terms. Cleaning fees and repairs can come out of your deposit. Take photos when you move in and out. See renting an apartment in Japan.
- Sort your rubbish early. Large-item collection often needs booking weeks ahead. See sorting rubbish in Japan.
- Say hello to new neighbours. A short greeting and small gift is still common. See living in a Japanese neighbourhood.
- Leaving Japan instead? See the leaving Japan checklist.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native Japanese tutors teach one-to-one online, in English. Before your move we can practise the phone calls to your landlord, movers and utility companies, go through the ward office forms, and help you read letters and contracts so nothing is missed.