What to Do in Your First Week in Tokyo: A Day-by-Day Checklist

Your First Week Tokyo Checklist: Day-by-Day Tasks to Get Settled Fast

Moving to a new country is exciting — but those first few days can feel overwhelming without a clear plan. This first week Tokyo checklist breaks everything down into manageable daily tasks so you know exactly what to do when you land in Japan. Whether you're moving into a furnished apartment or a sharehouse, following this guide will help you get your paperwork done, your essentials sorted, and your life in Tokyo off to a smooth start.

Days 1–2: City Hall Registration and Phone Setup

Your very first administrative priority in Japan is registering your address at your local City Hall (市役所, shiyakusho). By law, all foreign residents must register within 14 days of moving to a new address. Doing this early unlocks almost everything else on this list — bank accounts, insurance, and more.

How to Register Your Address

• Visit the Ward Office (区役所, kuyakusho) for your area — for example, Shinjuku City Office if you live in Shinjuku
• Bring your Residence Card (在留カード, zairyu card) and your passport
• Fill out a short form and hand it over at the "Foreigner Registration" or "住民登録" counter
• Your address will be printed on your Residence Card on the spot
• Most ward offices are open Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm; some have Saturday hours

If you're living in a sharehouse or furnished apartment, your housing provider will usually give you a letter confirming your address. Keep this document — you'll need it repeatedly.

Setting Up a Japanese Phone Number

A local phone number is essential for almost every step that follows. Banks, government services, and delivery companies all ask for one.

• SIM-only plans from IIJmio, Rakuten Mobile, or NUROmobile start from around ¥1,000–¥2,000/month and work well for most people
• Major carriers (SoftBank, au, docomo) offer English-language support but cost more — roughly ¥3,000–¥7,000/month
• Bring your passport, Residence Card, and a credit card to the store
• Alternatively, pick up a prepaid data SIM at the airport on arrival to tide you over

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Day 3: Open a Bank Account and Get Your IC Card

Day 3 is for financial foundations. You'll tackle two things: opening a bank account and loading up your IC card for the train network.

Opening a Japanese Bank Account

The most accessible option for newcomers is Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行, Yucho Ginko), available at any post office. They accept residents who have been in Japan as few as six months in some cases, though requirements vary.

• Japan Post Bank — beginner-friendly, ATMs everywhere, English interface available
• Seven Bank — linked to 7-Eleven ATMs; easy setup, useful for withdrawals
• Sony Bank / Wise — excellent for international transfers and foreign currency
• Bring: Residence Card, passport, Japanese phone number, and your registered address

Some traditional banks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) may ask you to have lived in Japan for 6 months before applying. Don't be discouraged — Japan Post Bank or an online option will get you started right away.

Getting Your IC Card (Suica or Pasmo)

An IC card is your key to Tokyo's train and subway system. It also works at convenience stores, vending machines, and many restaurants.

• Pick up a Suica card at any JR station or use the Suica app on iPhone
• Pick up a Pasmo at Tokyo Metro or Toei stations
• Load ¥2,000–¥3,000 to start — you'll use it constantly
• The cards are interchangeable across almost all Tokyo transit

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Day 4: Grocery Shopping and Daily Essentials

Now that your admin is largely sorted, it's time to stock your kitchen and gather your daily essentials. Tokyo has options at every price point.

Where to Shop for Groceries

• Gyomu Super (業務スーパー) — bulk and budget-friendly; great for pantry staples
• OK Store (オーケー) — no-frills, low prices, excellent quality
• Life, Maruetsu, or Tokyustore — everyday neighborhood supermarkets
• Donki (Don Quijote) — open late, chaotic, but brilliant for household goods and snacks
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) are pricier but great for quick meals

Household Essentials Checklist

If you're in a furnished apartment or sharehouse, many of these may already be provided. But here's what to grab on your first shopping run:

• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste
• Laundry detergent (look for the English-labelled bottles at Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstores)
• An umbrella — Tokyo weather is unpredictable
• Trash bags (note: Tokyo has strict recycling rules — ask your housing provider or check your ward's guidelines)
• A basic IC card holder or commuter wallet

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Day 5: Explore Your Neighborhood

By Day 5, you've earned some time to breathe. Set aside this day for a relaxed exploration of your local area — no agenda, just walking and observing.

What to Look For on Your Walk

• Your nearest train station and the lines it serves
• The closest convenience store (you'll visit it almost daily)
• A local pharmacy (薬局, yakkyoku) — Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Tsuruha Drug are common chains
• A 100-yen shop (Daiso or Seria) for affordable home supplies
• A nearby park for morning walks or evening wind-downs
• Local izakayas or cafés where you might become a regular

The neighborhood you live in shapes everything about your Tokyo experience — find its rhythms early and the city will start to feel like home surprisingly fast.

Tokyo's neighborhoods each have their own personality. Shimokitazawa feels like a creative village. Koenji has an indie, vintage feel. Nakameguro is calm and stylish. Spend this day figuring out what makes your corner of the city tick.

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Days 6–7: Social and Cultural First Steps

The practical tasks are mostly done. Now it's time to start building a social life and cultural understanding — both of which make living in Tokyo genuinely enjoyable rather than just functional.

Ways to Meet People in Tokyo

• Meetup.com — Tokyo has dozens of active groups: language exchange, hiking, board games, expat socials
• Internations — a global expat network with regular Tokyo events
• InterNations or Facebook groups like "Tokyo Expats" or "Tokyo Notice Board"
• Language exchange apps like HelloTalk or Tandem — great for making Japanese friends while you practice
• If you're in a sharehouse, common areas and house events are a natural starting point

Cultural Basics Worth Learning Early

A few simple customs go a long way toward making daily life smoother and more respectful:

• Don't eat or drink while walking — step aside or find a bench
• Speak quietly on trains; phone calls are generally discouraged in train carriages
• Bring a small gift (omiyage) when visiting someone's home for the first time
• Learn to say: Sumimasen (excuse me), Arigatou gozaimasu (thank you), Eigo wa hanasemasu ka? (do you speak English?)
• Cash still matters in Japan — always carry some

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Ongoing: Building Your Routine in Tokyo

After your first week, you shift from survival mode to building a real life. A few ongoing tasks to keep on your radar:

• National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) — enroll at your ward office as soon as possible; premiums are income-based and visits to the doctor become very affordable
• MyNumber Card (マイナンバーカード) — you'll receive a notification letter; apply for the physical card online at the MyNumber portal; it's useful for tax filing and various services
• JLPT study — even basic Japanese makes everyday life dramatically easier; apps like Anki, WaniKani, or Duolingo are good starting points
• Find your go-to spots — a morning café, a running route, a local ramen spot. Routine is what transforms a place from "where you live" into home

You've Got This — Tokyo Is Ready for You

Moving to Tokyo doesn't have to feel chaotic. With this first week Tokyo checklist in hand, you can tackle each day with purpose — getting your registration done, your finances set up, and your neighborhood explored before the end of Day 7.

The hardest part is knowing where to start. Once you've checked off the essentials, you'll be amazed how quickly Tokyo starts to feel normal — and then wonderful.

At Modern Living Tokyo, our furnished apartments and sharehouses are designed to make exactly this transition easier. Move in with your bed, kitchen, and Wi-Fi already set up, so you can focus your first week on the important stuff — not furniture assembly. Browse our available rooms and start your Tokyo life on the right foot.