In short
In a regular lease you usually sign up for electricity, gas and water yourself, and most of it can be done online. Electricity and water usually work from move-in day; gas needs an appointment for a technician to turn it on, and you normally have to be there. If you need fibre internet installed it can take several weeks, so apply as soon as you sign — or check whether the building already includes internet.
Hi, I'm Sunny. This week covers something you need to sort out before you move in: electricity, gas, water and internet.
Rent for a regular apartment in Japan usually doesn't include these, so you sign up with each provider yourself. None of it is difficult, but gas and internet both involve waiting — get the order wrong and you could spend your first few days without hot water or Wi-Fi.
The four services at a glance
| Service | How to apply | When it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Online or by phone with the power company | Usually from move-in day | Check which companies serve the building |
| Gas | Book an activation visit with the gas company | From the activation visit | You usually need to be there; slots fill up in peak season |
| Water | Apply to the local water authority | Usually from move-in day | The process varies by area |
| Internet | Apply with an internet provider | Day one if included; fibre can take weeks | Check whether the building already has internet |
*Procedures, timing and costs vary by area and provider — always go by each provider's own information.
The order that works
- 1. After signing: ask the agent or management company which providers to use, and whether internet is included
- 2. Once your move-in date is fixed: book the gas activation, and apply for fibre if you need it
- 3. A few days before moving in: sign up for electricity and water online
- 4. On move-in day: switch on the main breaker, check the power and water, and wait for the gas technician
Getting by until your internet is ready
If you're waiting for fibre, your phone's hotspot or a rented mobile Wi-Fi router will tide you over. There are also plug-in home Wi-Fi routers that need no installation, which suit people who don't plan to stay long. Compare monthly costs and contract terms before you choose.
Sunny's takeaway
The two things that trip people up are booking the gas and waiting for fibre. Book both as soon as your move-in date is set, and your first day in your new place will feel like normal life. See you next week!
Further reading
→Empty Means Empty: What You Still Have to Buy Before You Move In in Japan→What Does It Really Cost to Move Into an Apartment in Japan? A Real Tokyo Quote, Line by Line→How Do You Register Your Address in Japan? The 14-Day Residence Notification Every Visa Holder Must Know→Can You Rent an Apartment in Japan Without Speaking Japanese?When you're getting ready to move in, talk to ieree. Find a listing you like on SUUMO or any other site and bring it to us — our agency fee is ¥0 to 0.3 months' rent plus tax, and you can chat with us on LINE in English, including about the setup before move-in.
About the author
SunnyLicensed Real Estate Agent in Japan (Takken)
Originally from Taiwan, Sunny has lived in Japan for 17 years and holds Japan's national real estate license (Takken). Having started renting in Japan from scratch as a foreigner, Sunny now helps international tenants find homes in Tokyo with ieree, writes the weekly “Sunny's Tokyo Renting Notes,” and co-hosts the bilingual running podcast RunChat.jp.
Reviewed by the ieree editorial team (licensed Japanese real estate agent)