Electricity, water, gas & internet: how to get them on the day you move in — TokyoHelp
Electricity, water, gas & internet: how to get them on the day you move in
On move-in day, electricity and water can usually be started online or by phone, often same-day. But gas requires an in-person 開栓 appointment, so book ahead. Home internet (fiber) can take days to weeks—apply early, use pocket Wi-Fi as a stopgap.
7 min readChecked against official sources 2026-06-16
When you move into a new place in Japan, the four utilities to sort out are electricity, water, gas and internet. The good news: electricity and water are usually quick—often same-day. But gas (ガス) requires a technician to visit in person before you can use it, so it cannot be left until move-in day. And internet (fiber) can take anywhere from a few days to over a month, so it is the one to apply for earliest. Here they are in order from easiest to most time-consuming.
Electricity (電気): often usable same-day — start with the slip in the home
Many homes have a small slip near the breaker box or in the mailbox titled 使用開始のお申込み (application to start service), with a phone number and website. Follow it to register your move-in date, address, name and contact details online or by phone. Usually no technician visit and no need to be home. If the main breaker (ブレーカー) is off, switching it on yourself often restores power.
A few days to a week before moving: register via the website/phone on the slip in the home
Give your move-in date, address, name and contact number
In most cases no visit and no need to be present
No power on arrival? Check whether the main breaker needs to be switched on
Japan's electricity retail market has been fully deregulated since April 2016. Besides the regional incumbent, you can choose among many new retailers (新電力), often with electricity + gas or electricity + mobile bundle discounts. You can start with the default/incumbent on day one and switch later after comparing—this won't delay getting power on move-in day.
Water (水道): usually online/phone, no visit needed
Tap water is run by your local municipality's waterworks bureau (水道局). Like electricity, the home often has a 水道使用開始申込書 (water start form) or a card in the mailbox listing the website and phone number. Register your move-in date and the supply is usually turned on without anyone needing to be present (立ち会い不要). A few exceptions: a visit may be needed for an auto-lock (オートロック) building the staff can't enter, or if a fee must be settled in person.
1Find the 水道使用開始申込書 or card in the home/mailbox; note the website and phone
2Register your move-in date, address and details online or by phone
3If the tap runs, you're set—usually no attendance required
4For auto-lock buildings or in-person settlement, arrange a time to be present as requested
Gas (ガス): an in-person 開栓 appointment is mandatory — book ahead!
This is the only one of the four that requires a technician to visit and someone to be home. The gas company sends a technician for the 開栓 (turn-on): they open the meter, confirm ignition, and explain safety points in person, so you or a representative must be present. It is generally recommended to contact the gas company about a week ahead to book a date and time slot. During peak season (the March–April moving rush), weekends or holidays, same-day visits are often unavailable, so the later you call, the worse your options.
Gas turn-on requires someone home for the visit AND advance booking—don't call on move-in day. If no same-day slot is free, you could wait several more days for a hot shower or to cook. The March–April peak is especially tight, so book as soon as your move-in date is fixed.
▢New address, unit number and building
▢Move-in date / preferred visit date and time slot
▢Your name and contact number
▢Your gas appliances (if you bring your own stove/water heater)
▢If you can't be present, arrange a representative who can attend
Like electricity and water, city gas (都市ガス) has been fully deregulated (since April 2017), and in most areas you can choose among several gas companies. But whichever you pick, the in-person 開栓 step can't be skipped. The booking call is usually in Japanese; if calling to arrange the appointment in Japanese is stressful, you can ask a Japanese-speaking neighbor or friend to make the call, or post a 'phone-call proxy' request on this app.
Internet (fiber / mobile): the slowest — apply as early as possible
Home internet comes in two main types: (1) fiber (光回線), which usually needs an installation appointment and takes roughly 1 week to 1.5 months from application to usable—longer in peak season; and (2) no-installation wireless options like pocket Wi-Fi (ポケットWiFi) and home routers (ホームルーター, e.g. WiMAX, SoftBank Air), which work as soon as you plug in the device you receive.
Want fiber? Apply as soon as your move-in date is fixed and book the install (often ~1–1.5 hrs for apartments, ~1–2 hrs for houses)
Worried about no internet at move-in? Keep a pocket Wi-Fi/home router as a stopgap, then switch to fiber once installed
Apartments with fiber already wired in may activate faster—ask before signing
Like electricity and gas, providers and plans are open to comparison, often with mobile/electricity bundle deals
Tip: during the March–April moving season, fiber install slots are very tight and can take over a month. If you can't be offline for work or study, a no-installation pocket Wi-Fi or home router is strongly recommended as a bridge.
Move-in day checklist (in order)
1About a week ahead: register electricity & water via the slip in the home; book the gas 開栓 visit; apply for fiber or prepare a pocket Wi-Fi
2Move-in morning: check the main breaker and that taps run
3Be home during your booked slot for the gas technician's turn-on and safety briefing
4If internet isn't live yet, use a pocket Wi-Fi/home router
5Note each provider's support line for later comparison/switching
Can I get electricity and water on the same day?
Usually yes. In most cases you register electricity and water via the slip left in the home, online or by phone, and they work without a technician visit or anyone needing to be present (exceptions include auto-lock buildings or in-person settlement).
Why can't I just call someone to turn on the gas on the day?
Gas turn-on needs a technician on site to open the meter, confirm ignition and explain safety, so someone must be home. Whether a same-day visit is possible depends on availability; peak season and weekends are often full, so book ahead (about a week is recommended).
How long does internet take?
Fiber typically takes about 1 week to 1.5 months from application to activation, longer in the moving rush. If you need internet right away, use a no-installation pocket Wi-Fi or home router as a stopgap.
Can I freely choose my electricity, gas and internet companies?
Largely yes. Electricity (April 2016) and city gas (April 2017) retail are fully deregulated, with multiple providers to compare and frequent bundle discounts. You can start with the default/incumbent on move-in and switch later after comparing.
My Japanese is weak—how do I call to book the gas turn-on?
You can ask a Japanese-speaking neighbor or friend to make the call, or post a 'phone-call proxy' request on this app so someone can call the gas company in Japanese to book the visit. This article is general information and does not replace each company's official guidance.
This is general living information, not advice for your specific case. Rules and available plans differ by region and by electricity, waterworks, gas and internet provider—always confirm with the official pages and support lines of the companies serving your new home.
