届Chapter 04 · Paperwork

Utility Transfer Wizard

Plan your gas / electricity / water / internet transfer in one shot

Verified by Keigo · April 21, 2026Source: www.enecho.meti.go.jp ↗

Start here · 3 fields

Where are you moving, and when?

Moving from

Moving to

Move-in date

Step-by-step procedure (electricity, water, gas)

Tap each utility to see exactly what to do.

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BudgetEstimate your first months in Japan

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Setting Up & Transferring Utilities in Japan

How to set up or transfer electricity, gas and water when moving in Japan — providers and steps.

Chronological checklist

Current prefecture

New prefecture

Start service at the NEW address — register online or by phone with your name, the new address and the move-in date. Just arrived with no prior bill? You do NOT need the customer number (お客様番号) — the meter number printed on the meter is enough.
You can usually arrange it 2–7 days ahead; on move-in day you often just flip the breaker on. If nothing comes on after registering, call the retailer — the supply may need to be switched on remotely.
For the OLD address, request the final meter reading / account closure so billing stops on your move-out day.

Since the April 2016 deregulation you are NOT limited to the regional company — you may choose any registered electricity retailer (新電力). Compare rates on a price-comparison site; the regional company is just the default.

Find the NEW city's water bureau (水道局): search "[your city] 水道局開栓", or use the registration leaflet often left in the apartment. Most have an online start (開栓) form; otherwise call the number on the leaflet.
Have ready: your new address, the move-in date, and the water-meter / usage number from the leaflet if there is one. Usually no in-person visit and no safety inspection; allow a few business days.
For the OLD address, file a stop (閉栓) with the previous municipality so billing stops on your move-out day.

Water is billed by the municipality, not a private company — there is no "company to choose" like electricity or gas.

Book the gas opening (開栓) with your provider as early as possible — slots fill up around moving season.
A technician MUST come on-site for a safety inspection and you MUST be home. Without it, gas stays off on move-in day.
For the OLD address, call to cut off the gas on your move-out day.

Gas can be city gas (都市ガス) or propane / LP gas (プロパン) depending on the building — both require the on-site inspection.

目次All tools · 26

Utility Transfer Wizard

Where are you moving, and when?

Moving from

Moving to

Move-in date

Step-by-step procedure (electricity, water, gas)

Related tools

Related articles

Setting Up & Transferring Utilities in Japan

Chronological checklist

Where are you moving, and when?

都Moving from

都Moving to

期Move-in date

手Step-by-step procedure (electricity, water, gas)

関Related tools

記事Related articles

Setting Up & Transferring Utilities in Japan

Chronological checklist

Moving from

Moving to

Move-in date

Step-by-step procedure (electricity, water, gas)

Related tools

Related articles