Arrival: Your First 30 Days in Japan | MyKyoten

Procedures at the airport when you first land

City hall registration and the 14-day deadline

Enrolling in national health insurance

Getting your residence card activated and registered

Opening a bank account and getting a phone contract

Many people think the airport immigration process includes a detailed orientation or instructions about next steps. In reality, you typically receive your residence card, get your passport stamped, and move on. No one explains what to do next. Another common belief is that you can delay city hall registration until you find permanent housing. Even if you are staying temporarily with a friend or in short-term accommodation, you must register an address within 14 days. Some assume health insurance enrollment is optional if they have travel insurance or private coverage. It is mandatory for residents. Others think getting a My Number card is urgent, but it can actually be obtained later without immediate consequences.

The critical timeline is registering at city hall within 14 days of arrival. This single step triggers multiple other requirements, including health insurance enrollment. Missing this deadline can create complications with your visa status and residency record. What people worry about but has more flexibility: getting a bank account within the first week, obtaining a phone contract immediately, or setting up utilities. These are important for daily life but are not legally time-sensitive in the same way. What causes actual problems: ignoring city hall registration, not enrolling in health insurance even after being told to, or leaving Japan temporarily before completing these steps.

Failing to register at city hall by the deadline means you are technically in violation of residency requirements. If you try to register late, city hall may still process it, but the delay gets noted. Repeated delays or skipping registration entirely can lead immigration to question your compliance during renewal. Not enrolling in health insurance exposes you to legal penalties and full medical costs if you need care. If you have an emergency during your first month and are not yet enrolled, you will pay out of pocket. These risks are easily avoided by following the standard process.

The Free Module provides a complete arrival checklist with detailed explanations for everything that happens from airport arrival through your first month, including city hall procedures . Most people find these guides cover their situation completely. The Visa Module is helpful if you arrived on a dependent visa, are planning to change status shortly after arrival, or have a complex situation that requires additional guidance beyond the standard arrival process.

First 30 Days in Japan: What to Do and the Deadlines You Cannot Miss

What to prioritize after arriving in Japan. Address registration, health insurance, My Number, and the 14-day deadlines that most new arrivals get wrong.