Setting Up Utilities in Japan (Electricity / Gas / Water): The Fast, No-Mistakes Checklist for Move-In

Utilities in Japan are not complicated. They’re just procedural.

The trick is to treat them like a tiny project: gather the right info, submit the right applications, and time the one thing that can’t be remote (gas).

If you do it right, move-in day feels normal. If you do it wrong, you’re eating convenience-store food in the cold because you can’t cook or shower.

1) Before you apply: get these 6 details (you’ll use them everywhere)

You can’t set up utilities without the basics. Get this list ready first:

• Full address (building name + room number)
• Move-in date (and preferred start time, if asked)
• Your name (match your ID / residence card spelling where possible)
• A reachable phone number
• Payment method (card or bank transfer later)
• Provider info (your agent/landlord can tell you who serves the building)

Some agencies will handle parts of utilities for you. Still confirm what’s already done so you don’t double-apply.

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2) Electricity: the easiest one (often same-day)

Electricity is usually straightforward: apply online or by phone, choose your start date, and you’re basically done.

In TEPCO’s guidance, they note you can apply for electricity on the day you want to start, and it may take a few hours for electricity to be turned on. That’s why it’s smart to apply as soon as your move-in date is fixed.

On move-in day, you may also need to flip the breaker to ON. If electricity isn’t working, TEPCO’s troubleshooting guidance says to flip the wiring breaker switch to ON (and contact the relevant utility if it doesn’t recover).

What to choose (keep it simple)

If you’re unsure, pick the default plan the provider recommends, then optimize later. Your first goal is “it works.”

Quick electricity setup table

Item	What it means	What to do
Start date	When billing begins	Set it to move-in day
Ampere (A)	How much power you can draw	Ask agent what’s typical for your unit
Breaker	Main on/off	Turn ON at move-in if needed

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3) Gas: book this early (you usually must be present)

Gas is the one utility that regularly causes move-in pain, because it often requires an in-person “open valve” visit.

Tokyo Gas’s moving procedures clearly state that for starting gas, attendance is required (a proxy can attend), and they do ignition checks and explain safety points inside the home. They also show typical appointment windows.

Because there’s scheduling involved, book gas as soon as you know your move-in date. Tokyo Gas recommends applying about a week in advance, and their moving guidance explains that start/stop procedures can get busy during peak moving periods.

Also confirm which gas type your building uses. Some places use city gas, others use LP gas, and your agent should tell you which provider services the building.

Gas appointment checklist

• Confirm provider (Tokyo Gas vs LP gas company)
• Pick a time window you can 100% attend
• Have your gas appliances present if you want them checked (stove, heater), if possible

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4) Water: it’s public, local, and usually online

Water is handled by your local water bureau (it’s not like electricity/gas where you “pick a brand”). In Tokyo, the Bureau of Waterworks offers an English online application and accepts applications 24 hours (service area restricted to the Tokyo 23 wards + many Tama municipalities).

If you prefer an app flow, the Tokyo Water App has an English mode where you can apply to start/cancel water contracts; it also notes you don’t need a customer number when starting service.

Water setup (what renters should do)

• Apply/start water service (online/app/phone depends on area)
• Confirm the billing name and address is correct
• Keep your customer/account number once issued (you’ll need it to stop service later)

Utility billing cadence is often monthly for electricity/gas and every two months for water (varies by provider/area). Plan your cash flow accordingly.

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5) The simplest “move-in week” timeline (copy/paste)

7–14 days before move-in

• Book gas appointment (this is the one that can bottleneck)

3–7 days before move-in

• Submit electricity start request
• Submit water start request

Move-in day

• Flip the breaker ON (if needed)
• Be present for gas opening and safety check
• Run water briefly (confirm it flows, then check for leaks)

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Where Affarah helps

Utilities are one of those “small admin tasks” that decides whether your first week feels smooth or stressful.

Affarah helps you:

• store a move-in checklist per apartment (so you don’t forget details)
• keep template messages for agents/providers
• avoid the classic mistakes (late gas booking, wrong address formatting, missing room number)

Related reading (Affarah)

• Apartment hunting after arrival
• Garbage rules for renters
• Daily life setup checklist for your first 7 days