Do I need to enroll in Japan's pension system immediately?

Yes. When you register at the ward office, you'll be automatically enrolled in the National Pension (国民年金). If you're employed full-time at a company with 5+ employees, you'll switch to Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金) through your employer — which is better because it's income-based rather than a flat rate. The monthly contribution for National Pension is roughly ¥16,000 (as of 2026).

The Foreign Engineer's First 90 Days in Tokyo

Q: How much does it cost to get set up in Tokyo as a foreign engineer?

Budget roughly ¥100,000–¥150,000 for your first-month setup costs: ¥50,000–¥80,000 for apartment move-in (key money, deposit, agent fee, guarantor), ¥20,000–¥30,000 for health insurance and pension (first month), ¥10,000–¥20,000 for a phone plan, and ¥5,000–¥10,000 for a bank account (no fee, but bring cash for the initial deposit).

Q: What is the My Number card and why do I need it?

My Number is Japan's social security and tax identification number. You'll get a notification card in the mail about 2–3 weeks after ward office registration. Apply for the plastic individual number card (マイナンバーカード) immediately — it doubles as photo ID, lets you file taxes online, and is increasingly required for bank accounts, phone plans, and health insurance processing.

Q: How hard is it to get a phone plan as a newly arrived foreigner?

It depends. The big three carriers (docomo, au, SoftBank) will want 6+ months of Japanese credit history or a hefty deposit. Better options: Rakuten Mobile (English app, accepts new arrivals), LINE Mobile, or MVNOs like IIJmio and BIC SIM. You can also get a SIM at Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera with your Residence Card and bank card — their staff handle foreign registration regularly.

Your first 90 days in Tokyo are a sequence, not a checklist. Ward office first, then My Number, health insurance, pension, bank account, phone — each step unlocks the next, and doing them in the wrong order costs you weeks. Here's the exact order and what each step actually takes.

Week 1: The Ward Office — Everything Starts Here

Within 14 days of moving in, you need to register your address at your local ward office (区役所). This isn't optional — it's legally required under the Residence Management System, and without it you can't open a bank account, get a phone, or enroll in health insurance.

Bring your Residence Card, passport, and your new address confirmed. The process takes 1–2 hours. You'll fill out a moving-in notification (転入届), and the staff will issue your Certificate of Residence (住民票).

While you're there, also apply for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) and National Pension (国民年金) enrollment. Many Tokyo wards now have English-speaking counters, translation tablets, or foreign-resident support staff — check your ward's website before going.

Week 2–3: My Number Arrives in the Mail

About two weeks after registration, you'll receive a notification card for My Number — Japan's social security and tax ID. Take it to your ward office and apply for the plastic Individual Number Card (マイナンバーカード) immediately.

The card takes another 2–3 weeks to arrive, but it's worth it: it's accepted as photo ID, lets you file taxes online, and is increasingly mandatory for bank accounts and phone contracts. Do not skip this — the paper notification alone won't get you far.

Week 3–4: Health Insurance and Pension

If you registered at the ward office correctly, you're already enrolled. You'll receive bills in the mail roughly a month later.

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険): Roughly ¥15,000–¥25,000/month depending on your previous year's income. Covers 70% of medical costs. If your employer offers Shakai Hoken (social insurance), you'll switch to that — it costs more (about 15% of salary, split with your employer) but covers health, pension, and unemployment together and offers better benefits.

National Pension (国民年金): A flat ~¥16,000/month. Again, your employer's Shakai Hoken replaces this with the income-based Employees' Pension (厚生年金) if you qualify.

Week 4–6: Bank Account

You need: Residence Card, ward office registration certificate (住民票), and usually a personal seal (印鑑/hanko). Some banks accept a signature instead of a hanko for foreign nationals — ask specifically.

Easiest banks for new arrivals: Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) — almost always approves, English-friendly branches in central Tokyo. Shinsei Bank — English online banking, foreigner-friendly. Seven Bank — convenient, works at every 7-Eleven ATM. Sony Bank — fully English online, no branch visits needed.

Expect the process to take 30–60 minutes at a branch. Bring ¥1,000–¥10,000 cash for the initial deposit.

Week 4–6 (same time): Phone Plan

The big three carriers (docomo, au, SoftBank) will demand either 6+ months of Japanese credit history or a large deposit. Skip them for now.

Go with: Rakuten Mobile — English app, no credit check issues for new arrivals. IIJmio or BIC SIM — MVNOs that work well, offer English support. LINE Mobile — easy setup, runs on SoftBank's network. You can activate all of these at Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera with your Residence Card and a bank card.

Budget: ¥1,500–¥3,500/month for a reasonable data plan.

Month 2–3: The Rest

Once the essentials are done, tackle these in any order:

Commuter pass — your employer likely covers this. Get it at any JR station's "View Plaza" or through the Pasmo/Suika app.
Furniture and appliances — Nitori is the IKEA equivalent for quality furniture. Second-hand: Tokyo reuse shops (リサイクルショップ), Sayonara Sales Facebook groups, and Jimoty app.
Internet at home — typically takes 2–4 weeks to install, so order early. Pocket WiFi (through your phone provider) is a good bridge.
Credit card — wait until you have 3+ months of bank statements. Try Rakuten Card or Amazon Mastercard as first cards for new arrivals.

Three months sounds like a long time, but the ward office visit is your only non-negotiable deadline. Everything else can flex a week or two — the key is not to let bureaucracy pile up past the point where you're paying penalties for late health insurance or missing pension payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first when I arrive in Tokyo as a foreign professional?

Start with your ward office (区役所) registration within 14 days of moving in. That unlocks everything else: My Number, National Health Insurance, and pension enrollment. Without it, you can't open a bank account or get a phone contract. Do this before anything else.

How much does it cost to get set up in Tokyo as a foreign engineer?

Budget roughly ¥100,000–¥150,000 for your first month: ¥50,000–¥80,000 apartment move-in costs, ¥20,000–¥30,000 for health insurance and pension, ¥10,000–¥20,000 for a phone plan, and ¥5,000–¥10,000 for a bank account initial deposit.

How long does ward office registration take in Tokyo?

Plan for 1–2 hours at your local ward office. Bring your Residence Card, passport, and confirmed address. Many Tokyo wards now have English-speaking counters or translation tablets.

Can I open a bank account in Tokyo right away as a foreigner?

Not on day one. You need your Residence Card, ward office registration certificate, and usually a hanko. Shinsei Bank, Sony Bank, Seven Bank, and Japan Post Bank are the most foreigner-friendly options.

How hard is it to get a phone plan as a newly arrived foreigner?

The big three carriers want 6+ months of credit history. Skip them and go with Rakuten Mobile, IIJmio, BIC SIM, or LINE Mobile — they accept new arrivals with just a Residence Card and bank card.

Landing a role in Tokyo before you move? AI Recruit's advisors — with executive-level experience in Japan's tech market — can help you plan your move around the right offer. Check your fit →

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Requirements vary by visa type, employer, and municipality — always confirm with your local ward office and employer.