After moving into a new apartment in Japan, setting up utilities — electricity, gas, and water — is one of the first things you need to do. Unlike in some countries where these services transfer automatically, in Japan you must contact each provider individually to arrange connection. The billing structures can also be unfamiliar, and monthly costs can vary significantly depending on how you use them. This guide walks you through the setup procedure for each utility, explains how Japanese utility billing works, and offers proven tips for reducing your monthly costs.
Setting Up Electricity
Electricity can be set up through the power company's website, by phone, or via a smartphone app. You will need: your new address, your move-in date, your customer number (found on a sticker near the circuit breaker panel or in documents provided by the management company), and bank account or credit card details for billing.
Since the 2016 electricity liberalization, you can choose any licensed electricity retailer, not just the regional utility. New entrants to the market offer various plans — some bundled with mobile phone contracts, others emphasizing renewable energy. If Japanese paperwork feels daunting, starting with the major regional utility (such as Tohoku Electric Power in the Sendai area) is the simplest approach. Switching providers later is easy.
The circuit breaker panel is usually located near the entrance or in a corridor. If the breakers are in the off position when you first arrive, flipping them on may be all you need to restore power. If that does not work, contact the electricity provider directly.
Setting Up Gas
Gas requires a technician visit to open (i.e., turn on) the meter — unlike electricity, you cannot activate it yourself remotely. You must make a reservation with the gas company and be present at the apartment when the technician arrives. Book as early as possible after your move-in date is confirmed; during peak moving season (March–April), appointments can be scheduled more than a week out.
Japan uses two types of gas: city gas (toshi gasu) and propane (LP) gas. City gas — supplied by major regional operators such as Tokyo Gas, Toho Gas, or Osaka Gas — is generally cheaper and more widely used in urban areas. Propane gas is more common in older buildings or areas without city gas infrastructure, and typically costs more. Confirm which type your apartment uses before move-in by asking your real estate agent or management company.
On the day of the meter opening, the gas company technician will check that all gas appliances — stove, water heater, bathroom dryer — are functioning properly. Ask any questions you have about how to operate the equipment safely.
Setting Up Water
Water service is managed by the municipal government. To start service, contact the waterworks bureau (suidō kyoku) of your new municipality by phone or online. In most cases, you simply provide your address and move-in date — no technician visit is needed. Water may already be flowing if the previous tenant recently vacated, but always file a change-of-name notification. Failing to do so can result in billing confusion or an unexpected service suspension.
How Japanese Utility Billing Works
Electricity and gas bills in Japan follow the same basic structure: a fixed basic charge (kihon ryōkin) plus a variable usage charge (jūryō ryōkin) based on consumption. The basic charge covers the cost of maintaining your connection and does not depend on how much you use. For electricity, the basic charge varies by your contracted amperage. A single occupant typically contracts for 30 to 40 amps.
Water billing is also structured as basic charge plus usage, but is managed by your municipality, meaning rates differ significantly from city to city. For a single occupant, monthly water costs typically range from ¥1,500 to ¥3,000. Note that water bills are often issued every two months rather than monthly.
Estimated monthly utility costs for a single occupant in the Sendai / Tohoku region: electricity ¥3,000–¥8,000 (higher in summer with air conditioning and in winter with heating); gas ¥2,000–¥6,000 (higher when using the bath and heating frequently); water ¥1,500–¥3,000 per month on average (billed bimonthly).
Practical Tips for Reducing Utility Costs
Review your electricity amperage contract
The higher your contracted amperage, the higher your fixed basic charge. If you are a single occupant with modest appliance use, dropping from 40 to 30 amps — or even 20 amps — can reduce your monthly base charge. Set the amperage too low, however, and your breakers will trip frequently. Think about how many appliances you tend to run simultaneously before deciding.
Compare electricity and gas providers
Mobile phone carriers (Docomo, au, Softbank, Rakuten, and others) partner with electricity retailers and offer discounts when you bundle your phone contract with your electricity plan. Some plans bundle electricity and gas together for additional savings. A few minutes of comparison shopping can pay off over a two-year contract period.
Maintain your air conditioner filter
Air conditioning is by far the largest consumer of electricity in a typical apartment, especially in summer. Cleaning the filter once a month during heavy-use periods reduces power consumption by an estimated 10–15%.
Adjust your water heater temperature
Setting your water heater higher than necessary wastes gas. Use the timer and temperature controls to align the heater's active period with your actual bath and shower schedule, and avoid unnecessary reheat cycles.
Practice water-saving habits
Shortening shower time, turning off the tap while doing dishes, and using the appropriate flush mode on the toilet all contribute meaningfully to a lower water bill over the course of a year.
Cancellation Procedures When Moving Out
When you move out, contact each utility provider to cancel or transfer service. Notify them one to two weeks before your move-out date. For gas, a technician may need to visit to close the meter, so arrange this in advance — especially during peak season. Coordinate your stop-service requests at the old address with your start-service requests at the new address so you are not left without utilities at either end of the move.
Getting utilities set up promptly means your new home is comfortable from day one. Handle the paperwork as soon as your move-in date is confirmed, and use the savings strategies above to keep your monthly costs reasonable from the start.