As your departure for studying abroad or a working holiday in Japan approaches, there are so many things to prepare that it can feel overwhelming. While everyone remembers their visa, flight tickets, and luggage, many people overlook what they need immediately upon arrival, leading to a difficult first week. Here is a summary of things that are best to prepare before you leave.
Must-Haves Before Departure
Documents
- Passport, visa (Certificate of Eligibility, etc.)
- Residence card-related documents
- School/institution documents, proof of insurance
- Copies of passport and visa (in case of loss)
Money
- Initial settlement funds (including cash to use before opening a bank account)
- Cards that can be used overseas
Most people remember these items. The real challenge comes next.
Easily Overlooked — Things Needed Immediately Upon Arrival
Once you arrive, you will immediately start looking for housing, visiting the bank, and searching for a part-time job. However, all of these processes require a Japanese phone number.
- Housing contract inquiries → Contact info (Japanese number) required
- Opening a bank account → Japanese number required
- Applying for part-time jobs → Reachable phone number required
- Registering gas, water, and electricity → Phone number required
It is very difficult to proceed with a foreign phone number. Therefore, if you prepare your phone number before departure, you can start settling in as soon as you arrive. If you miss this, you might end up wasting anywhere from a few days to two weeks doing nothing while waiting for your residence card or phone setup.
Plan Your Internet in Advance Too
Once you secure housing, you will need internet, but major fiber-optic providers can take 2 to 4 weeks for installation. Living without internet from your very first day can be highly inconvenient.
Preparing a home Wi-Fi device (which plugs into an outlet without installation) or a pocket Wi-Fi for on-the-go use in advance can help fill this gap.
Pre-Departure Preparation Checklist Summary
- ☐ Passport, visa, and residence-related documents (including copies)
- ☐ Initial settlement funds (cash + overseas-use card)
- ☐ Japanese phone number — The starting point for housing, banking, and part-time jobs upon arrival
- ☐ Internet solution — Home or pocket Wi-Fi that can be used immediately without installation
- ☐ Understanding the post-arrival sequence (Phone number → Bank account → Housing → Part-time job)
- ☐ Checking if your device supports eSIM (if planning to use eSIM)
Most people remember the first two items (documents and money) because they are absolutely critical. On the other hand, it is easy to procrastinate on the phone number and internet, thinking, "I'll just handle it when I get there," but these are the very things that will define your first week.
How KEICALL Can Help
- Get a Japanese Phone Number Before Departure — Apply in advance from your home country so your number is ready the moment you arrive.
- No-Installation Internet — Secure internet from day one of moving in with home or pocket Wi-Fi.
- eSIM Compatibility Check & Support — We guide you through everything from device compatibility to your post-arrival steps.
Pre-departure preparation ultimately determines "what you can do the moment you arrive." Just like your documents, securing your phone number and internet in advance will ensure a smooth start to your new life in Japan.
If you are wondering what to prepare first before your departure, please contact us via KakaoTalk. We will guide you through the preparation steps tailored to your situation.