What long-term life in Japan costs
Plain answers for foreigners moving to or living in Japan: phone plans, health insurance, the pension refund, visa fees and sending money abroad, checked against official sources.
Free tools and databases
- Japan apartment move-in cost calculatorEnter your rent and the months of deposit, key money and agent fee on your listing to estimate move-in cost in Japan and what you normally do not get back.
- Japan first-year cost calculatorAdd up move-in cost, rent, phone, National Pension and health insurance for your first 1 to 12 months in Japan. An estimate, with every assumption shown.
- Japan deadlines for foreign residentsSearch 38 deadlines and time limits for foreign residents in Japan, from the 14-day address rule to the pension refund, with sources and caveats.
- Japan government fees databaseSearch 43 entries for visa, permanent residence, re-entry, license conversion, naturalization and My Number Card fees in Japan, with sources and caveats.
Guides
- How much is the child allowance in Japan, and can foreigners get it?Japan pays 10,000 to 30,000 yen a month per child through high school age. Amounts, payment months, the 15-day rule and what foreign families should check.
- How much does childbirth cost in Japan, and what does insurance pay?Public health insurance pays in principle 500,000 yen per child for a birth in Japan. Average costs, direct payment, the 2026 law change and what foreign parents file next.
- How much does daycare cost in Japan?Licensed daycare is free for ages 3 to 5. For ages 0 to 2, fees depend on your city and income. National caps, what is not covered and a worked example.
- Do foreigners pay income tax in Japan?Yes. Japan taxes by residence, not nationality. Compare resident, non-permanent resident and non-resident rules, with 2026 rates and an example.
- What is the high-cost medical expense limit in Japan?Japan caps what you pay for covered care each month. See the August 2026 limits by income, the new yearly cap, a worked 1,000,000 yen bill and how to claim.
- How much does inkan registration cost in Japan?Registering a personal seal costs 0 to 300 yen in the cities we checked, and a certificate is 300 yen. City fee table, seal size rules and what foreign residents bring.
- How much does it cost to convert a foreign driver's license in Japan?Converting a foreign license for an ordinary car in Tokyo costs 4,850 yen in official fees. Tests, translation and vehicle fees add more. Worked totals.
- How much does it cost to throw things away in Japan?Normal garbage is free in Shinjuku but paid through bags in Sendai and Kyoto. Oversized items cost 400 to 3,200 yen in Shinjuku, and appliances have recycling fees.
- How much is National Health Insurance in Japan?National Health Insurance premiums depend on your municipality, last year's income and household. See how they work, with Kashiwa City's FY2026 rates as one example.
- Japan naturalization or permanent residence: what does each cost?Naturalization has no application fee. Permanent residence costs 200,000 yen at the counter. Compare years in Japan, 2026 changes and renewal costs.
- How much is the Japan pension lump-sum withdrawal?Foreigners leaving Japan can claim up to 537,600 yen from the National Pension for 2026 to 2027 base months. Rules, Employees' Pension rates, 20.42% tax and what you lose.
- How much does a phone plan cost for foreigners in Japan?Mobal long-term SIMs start at 1,430 yen a month plus a 4,950 yen SIM fee. Sakura Mobile voice and data starts at 3,278 yen plus 5,500 yen. Plans and sign-up needs.
- Can foreigners open a Japan Post Bank account?Open a Japan Post Bank account with a residence card, a home in Japan and over 3 months left on your stay. What to bring and when the bank says no.
- Moving out of Japan checklistFile your moving-out notice up to 14 days ahead, then health insurance, tax, pension, bank, phone and residence card. A dated checklist with offices and money to claim.
- Moving to Japan checklistRegister your address within 14 days, then health insurance, pension, My Number, bank and phone. A dated checklist with offices and a sample budget.
- Can foreigners get a My Number Card?Foreign residents with a resident record can get a My Number Card, and the first is free. Why it often ends with your stay and what to do at renewal.
- How does the National Pension exemption work in Japan?Low income? You can apply to pay 0 to 13,440 yen instead of 17,920 yen a month in fiscal 2026. Income limits, student deferral and a worked comparison.
- How much is the NHK fee, and do foreigners have to pay it?NHK charges 2,200 yen every 2 months for a terrestrial contract and 3,900 yen for satellite. Who needs a contract, the surcharge, exemptions and how to cancel.
- How much are visa and residence fees in Japan?Since October 1, 2026, changing status or extending your stay in Japan costs 10,000 to 75,000 yen at the counter. Permanent residence is 200,000 yen. Full fee table.
- Do you pay resident tax in your first year in Japan?With no Japan address on January 1, you generally owe no resident tax that fiscal year. Dated examples, a worked Tokyo bill and rules if you leave.
- How much does it cost to send money from Japan with Wise?Wise showed a fee of 1,713 yen to send 200,000 yen from Japan to the USA by bank transfer. See the fees by payment method, limits for Japan residents and the rules.
- Shikikin vs reikin: what is the difference?Shikikin is a deposit that can come back. Reikin is key money you normally lose. The legal rule, move-in totals at 80,000 yen rent and a decision rule.
- Special re-entry or re-entry permit: which do you need?Back within a year? Special re-entry needs no advance application. For longer trips, a re-entry permit costs 4,000 or 7,000 yen at the counter.
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