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Turn On Electricity, Gas and Water電気・ガス・水道の開始·denki / gasu / suidō no kaishi

Electricity and water you can switch on yourself. Gas needs someone to physically come — book it before you move.

Not verified yet

Drafted from general knowledge. Amounts, thresholds and deadlines change and vary by insurer and municipality — confirm with the office named here before you rely on it.

Why it matters

People spend their first days in a new flat with no hot water, showering at the gym, because gas is not like the others. Electricity and water can usually be started with a phone call or a web form, sometimes just by flipping the breaker. Gas requires a technician to enter the property and light the appliances with you present, and in a busy moving season the first slot can be days away. Booking it a week before you move costs nothing and avoids the whole problem.

Deadline
No legal deadline
Cost
Set by your city
Time
Electricity and water: minutes. Gas: a 30-minute visit you must book.

Do these first

  1. 1Move-in Notification 転入届
  2. 2Get a Phone Contract 携帯電話契約
  3. 3Residence Card Address Update 在留カード裏面住所記載
  4. 4Open a Bank Account 銀行口座開設
  5. 5Rent an Apartment 賃貸物件の申込み

What to bring

  • Your new address and move-in date新住所と入居日·shin jūsho to nyūkyo-bi
  • Bank account or credit card口座またはクレジットカード·kōza / kurejitto kādo

    For setting up ongoing payment. You can usually start service before this is finalised.

How it goes

  1. 1

    Book the gas appointment first — a week ahead if you can

    Call or book online with the gas company serving your building; the previous tenant’s sticker or the building manager will tell you which. You must be present, it takes about 30 minutes, and they will check each appliance. In March and April — Japan’s moving season — slots go quickly.

    Say this

    ガスの開栓をお願いしたいのですが。

    Gasu no kaisen o onegai shitai no desu ga.

    I would like to arrange to have the gas turned on.

  2. 2

    Electricity: often just the breaker

    Find the breaker panel and switch it on. Then register with a provider online or by phone using the address and the date. Since deregulation you can choose your supplier, but the incumbent regional company is the simplest first move.

  3. 3

    Water: one call to the city

    Water is run by the municipality. There is usually a card in the property or a notice by the meter with the number. Some places just need you to open the stopcock and notify them.

  4. 4

    Do the same in reverse when you leave

    Give notice for all three before you move out, or you will keep being billed. Gas usually needs an appointment to close as well, though you do not always have to be there.