🕒 AS OF March 2026

ultimate-survival-guide-for-new-students-in-japan

Welcome to Japan! 🎓🇯🇵 This guide is tailored for new students in Japan. It covers arrival essentials, setup steps, money-saving hacks, better-have apps, to help you survive and thrive from Day 0.

Day 0 (Airport Arrival) Link to heading

  • Immigration & Residence Card

    • Present passport + student visa + Certificate of Eligibility (COE) + Visit Japan Web QR (recommended).
    • Receive Residence Card (在留カード) at major airports (Narita, Haneda, etc.) – photo + “Student” status.
    • Smaller airports: sticker in passport; card mailed later (1–4 weeks).
    • Carry it at all times – it’s your official ID.
    • Apply for Part-time Work Permission (資格外活動許可) here (free, allows 28 hrs/week during term).

  • Customs, Money & Connectivity

    • Declare items via app/form.
    • Withdraw some cash at airport ATM (Konbini / Japan Post).
    • Buy Suica (The Green one)
      • Reccommand to change to Mobile Suica (Apple Wallet / おサイフケータイ) later.
    • Reccommand to buy prepaid eSIM/SIM.

Day 1–Day 14 (Critical Deadlines) Link to heading

  • Go to Ward Office / City Hall (区/市役所) – Must complete within 14 days Bring: Passport, Residence Card, proof of address (rental contract / dorm letter), Student ID / admission letter, Japanese address + zip code, school phone/address.

    • Resident Registration (住民登録) → Address printed on back of Residence Card.
    • National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) → Enroll (student discount ~¥1,500–3,500/month; covers 70% of medical costs).
    • National Pension (国民年金) → Ages 20–59 mandatory. Apply for student exemption (学生納付特例) – most students get full waiver if low/no income. Apply every year.
    • Request My Number notification (card arrives 1–3 weeks).
    • Get Jūminhyō copy – needed for banks, phones, contracts.

  • University Orientation Visit international student office in first week.

    • Receive Student ID (essential for bank, commuter pass, discounts).
    • Complete course registration, health check-up, etc.

Day 15–Day 21 (Daily Life Setup) Link to heading

  • Open Japanese Bank Account Recommended: Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) – highest approval rate for foreigners/students. Prepare: Residence Card (with address), passport, Student ID, Japanese phone number. Cash card mailed in ~1 week. Essential for rent, JASSO scholarship, bills, part-time salary.

  • Japanese SIM Card cost effective options:

    • Rakuten Mobile – ¥1,078 (3GB) → ¥3,278 (unlimited after 20GB) with youth discount. Excellent English app.
    • ahamo (Docomo child brand) – ¥2,970 / 30GB, reliable, international roaming in 82+ countries.
    • LINEMO (SoftBank child brand) – ¥990–2,728, LINE data unlimited.

  • Commuter Pass (定期券) Buy at station with Student ID → 30–50% discount on daily school route.

  • Other

    • Garbage rules & recycling: Learn your ward’s schedule immediately (different colors/days per area).
    • Personal seal (inkan / ハンコ): Optional but useful for contracts

Life Hacks & Money-Saving Tips Link to heading

  • Credit Cards - Apply after 1–2 months in Japan (stable address + student status helps). No tourist visa; need long-term student visa.

    • Rakuten Card – easiest approval for students/foreigners (apply online after bank setup; 1%+ points on everything, no annual fee).
    • EPOS Card – good backup (Marui department store discounts).
    • Pay balance in full monthly to avoid interest.

  • Point / Rewards Systems Rakuten Points, Ponta (Lawson), d Point, T-Point / V Point, Combine with PayPay.

    • Suica & JRE POINT Advanced Hacks

      • Use Mobile Suica linked to JRE POINT account.
      • Earn ~1 point per ¥200 on JR trains/commutes + occasional route bonuses.
      • Double-dip: Charge Suica with Rakuten Card → earn credit card points (1–1.5%) + JRE points.
      • Redeem points (1 pt = ¥1) for Suica top-up, train fares, shopping.
      • Daily use: konbini, vending machines, small shops → fast accumulation on ¥100–500 spends.
      • Typical student savings: ¥1,000–3,000+/month.

    • Other Everyday Savings

      • Evening supermarket discounts (30–50% off bento/sushi after 7–8 PM).
      • 100-yen shops (Daiso, Seria).
      • Student ID discounts (museums, attractions, some restaurants).
      • PayPay / Rakuten Pay QR payments + seasonal campaigns.

Better-Have Apps Link to heading

  • Navigation: Google Maps, Yahoo! Transit (乗換案内)
  • Communication: LINE
  • Payments: PayPay, Rakuten Pay, Mobile Suica app
  • Translation: Google Translate (camera), DeepL
  • Study: Duolingo, HiNative, HelloTalk, Meetup
  • Others: GO Taxi, Hot Pepper / Gurunavi (restaurant coupons)

Ganbatte! Enjoy your new life in Japan! 🚀