As a foreigner new in Japan, once you get a place to settle in, the next thing on your mind is probably how to go about your utilities and internet. These two are among the basic things that we can’t do without these days. Setting up your living arrangements in another country might be more complicated than it looks.
However, no need to worry. We’ve got you covered! In this article, we will tell you how to set up your utilities (water, gas, and electricity) and internet. Once your utilities and internet are set up, you will be able to smoothly transition into your comfortable new home. Let’s get started.
How To Set Up Utilities In Japan
Setting up utilities in Japan can be easy or complicated. If the agent that gets you your place is a good one, they might handle the arrangement of the utilities for you. However, some of them do not offer this service and might only recommend some utility companies for you to pick from or not at all.
If you have to arrange for the utilities yourself, you will need to draft a contract for the different utilities in Japan. It is always better to get the contracts ready a week or so before the day you want to move in. This will help the utility company get everything ready by the time you want to move into your new place.
How To Make Utility Contracts
You only need a couple of things to get the contract for utility bills in Japan ready. They include:
- Your full name
- Your home address in Japan
- Date to start the service
- Your phone number (Japanese)
The application process for most utility companies in Japan is quite straightforward, and many of them even allow online applications. All you need to do is find a way to translate the text on the application to what you understand so you can fill it in easily. You can use Google Translate for that.
How To Set Up Water Utilities
Getting your water utilities set up is easier compared to electricity and gas. The main reason for this is that the water utility provider you can use is fixed for every prefecture in Japan. Examples of how they are based on prefectures include the Tokyo Waterworks Bureau, Yokohama Waterworks Bureau, Fukuoka Waterworks Bureau, Osaka Waterworks Bureau, Kyoto Waterworks Bureau, Nagoya Waterworks Bureau, and Sapporo Waterworks Bureau.
How To Set Up Electricity & Gas Utilities
Most electricity and gas utility companies in Japan offer both services. That means you don’t need to make two different contracts for two utility companies. You can simply make a combined contract and apply with a company that offers both services. It is usually also cheaper as if you combine the two utilities, you can get a discount on the total amount.
It will also be easier to track your expenses and receipts since you only need to keep one invoice instead of multiple pieces of paper. However, this might not suit everyone. Some people don’t stay home that long, so they don’t require electricity or gas all the time. For people like this, it is better to go for a provider with a cheap base rate and high energy returns.
Unlike when setting up your water utilities, you will need to arrange for a technician to visit when setting up your gas utilities in Japan. The technician will activate and inspect your gas connection to make sure that there are no problems. You probably want to arrange this for the day you’re moving in so you won’t have to take a cold bath.
How To Pay Utility Bills In Japan
There are several ways you can pay the costs of utilities in Japan. The average cost of utilities in Japan varies depending on your usage. Here are some of the ways you can pay the price of utilities in Japan if you don’t have a linked card:
- Stores
Convenience stores are easy to pay from. All you have to do is bring your bill to any store and hand it over to the cashier so they can scan the barcode and receive your payment. I always make sure to keep the receipt in case the utility provider needs to verify my bill payment.
- Payment Apps
You can also use the mobile apps of some large utility companies like Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks to make payments. It is very convenient.
- Bank Transfers
This is not really a common option. Banks only allow people who have lived in Japan for more than 6 months to use this method. However, you can still pay at banks or ATMs.
- Automatic Payment
Auto deductions are the best method if you have a steady source of income. It allows you to make automatic payments from your bank account. You don’t have to pay the bill yourself.
Setting Up Reliable Internet In Japan
After setting up your water, gas, and electricity utilities, the next thing on the list is internet shopping in Japan. You are probably wondering the best way to have internet in Japan. Getting internet in Japan is really simple. There are many providers for fiber internet, home & pocket WiFi, and data SIM cards.
Introducing OMORIWIFI, one of the leading providers of the best internet in Japan. OMORIWIFI offers you:
- Fast internet
- Data SIMs for long and короткострокові visitors
- Portable WiFi devices
- Home WiFi
- Cloud 5G Routers
If you’ve been wondering how to get affordable and fast data to watch internet TV in Japan, then we are the best bet for you. How fast is internet in Japan? OMORIWIFI will show you a whole new experience in internet speed.
Setting up your internet is completely hassle free. Simply contact reputable providers like OMORIWIFI and you can get hooked up with the internet facilities that best suit your needs. What are you waiting for? Visit our website today.
Резюме
Getting the right providers for your utilities is key to getting the best internet, water, electricity & gas in Japan. You probably don’t want to be stuck with a provider that charges large amounts for average service. Hence, make sure you choose only reputable providers like OMORIWIFI for your utilities.
Looking to get your home set with the incredible internet? Contact us today to get the best Japan has to offer!
