Guide
Setting Up Utilities in Japan: Electricity, Gas, Water & Internet
Last updated: March 2026 · Based on official provider information
Once you have the keys to your apartment, you need to set up four essential utilities: electricity, gas, water, and internet. The good news is that electricity and water can usually be activated on the same day you move in. Gas requires an in-person appointment, and internet takes the longest — typically 2 to 4 weeks for fiber installation.
This guide walks you through each utility, what to expect, and how much it costs.
Setup Timeline
Electricity (電気)
How to Start
In most apartments, electricity is already connected. Find the breaker panel (ブレーカー) — usually inside the front door area or in a hallway closet — and flip the main switch up. Power should come on immediately.
You then need to register as the account holder. Look for a postcard left in the apartment by the previous provider. Fill it out and mail it, or call the provider's number on the card. Many providers also accept online registration.
Providers by Region
Japan's electricity market was deregulated in 2016, so you can choose from many providers. However, the regional incumbent is always available and is the easiest option for newcomers:
| Region | Provider |
|---|---|
| Tokyo / Kanto | TEPCO (東京電力) |
| Osaka / Kansai | Kansai Electric Power (関西電力) |
| Nagoya / Chubu | Chubu Electric Power (中部電力) |
| Fukuoka / Kyushu | Kyushu Electric Power (九州電力) |
| Sapporo / Hokkaido | Hokkaido Electric Power (北海道電力) |
Average Monthly Cost
- One person: approximately ¥3,000–6,000/month
- Couple: approximately ¥6,000–10,000/month
- Family: approximately ¥8,000–15,000/month
Costs increase in summer (air conditioning) and winter (heating).
Good to know: Japan uses 100V electricity. Eastern Japan (Tokyo) runs at 50Hz; Western Japan (Osaka) at 60Hz. Most modern appliances handle both automatically.
Gas (ガス)
Important: You must be home
Unlike electricity and water, gas requires an in-person visit from a technician. You must be present during the appointment. Book this as early as possible — during peak moving season (March–April), slots fill up quickly.
City Gas vs Propane
Japan has two types of gas supply, and the type is determined by your building, not by your choice:
City Gas (都市ガス)
Piped through underground lines. Common in urban areas. Generally cheaper. Major providers: Tokyo Gas (東京ガス), Osaka Gas (大阪ガス).
Propane / LP Gas (プロパンガス)
Delivered in tanks. Common in suburban/rural areas and older buildings. Generally 1.5–2x more expensive than city gas. Pricing varies by dealer.
How to Start
- Check your lease or ask your real estate agent whether your building uses city gas or propane, and which provider serves it.
- Call the provider or register online to book a gas opening appointment (ガス開栓 / gasu kaisen).
- Be present at the appointment (15–30 minutes). The technician will open the valve, inspect all gas appliances, check for leaks, and explain the emergency shutoff.
- Have all gas appliances (stove, water heater) connected before the visit.
Average Monthly Cost
- City gas, one person: approximately ¥2,000–4,000/month
- City gas, family: approximately ¥5,000–8,000/month
- Propane, one person: approximately ¥4,000–8,000/month
- Propane, family: approximately ¥8,000–15,000/month
Higher in winter due to hot water and heating usage.
Water (水道)
How to Start
Water is a municipal service — each city or ward operates its own water bureau (水道局). In most apartments, you can start water by finding the shutoff valve (止水栓) near the water meter (often in a meter box outside your unit or in the hallway) and turning it on.
Then call the local water bureau or register online. You will need your address, move-in date, and the customer number (found on a sticker or card left in the apartment). No in-person visit is needed.
Average Monthly Cost
- One person: approximately ¥2,000–3,000/month
- Family: approximately ¥3,000–5,000/month
Water is billed bimonthly (every 2 months) in most municipalities. Sewage charges (下水道) are included in the water bill.
Internet (インターネット)
Apply early
Fiber internet installation typically takes 2–4 weeks. During peak moving season (March–April), waits can extend to 1–3 months. Apply as soon as you confirm your address.
Fiber Internet Options
| Service | Network | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Docomo Hikari | NTT Flets | ¥4,400–5,720 | Bundle discount with Docomo mobile |
| SoftBank Hikari | NTT Flets | ¥4,180–5,720 | Bundle with SoftBank/Y!mobile |
| au Hikari | KDDI | ¥4,180–5,610 | Own infrastructure; bundle with au mobile |
| NURO Hikari | Sony | ¥5,200 | Up to 2Gbps; limited areas; longer install time |
Apartment-type (マンションタイプ) plans are cheaper. House-type (戸建てタイプ) plans cost more. Prices may vary.
While You Wait: Interim Solutions
Home Router (置くだけWiFi)
Plug-in devices like Docomo Home 5G or SoftBank Air. No installation appointment needed — just plug in and connect. Approximately ¥4,000–5,500/month. Good speeds in urban areas.
Pocket WiFi (モバイルWiFi)
Portable battery-powered WiFi. Available from WiMAX, Rakuten, and rental services. Approximately ¥3,000–5,000/month. No installation. Can rent short-term.
Phone Tethering
Use your smartphone's mobile data as a hotspot. Works for basic needs but can burn through data quickly.
English-Friendly Internet
Sakura Mobile Home Internet
Sakura Mobile offers fiber and pocket WiFi plans with full English support — from signup to customer service. They handle the Japanese-language interaction with the underlying provider on your behalf. A popular choice among expats who want to avoid navigating Japanese-only ISP websites.
View Internet PlansNHK Broadcasting Fee (NHK受信料)
NHK is Japan's public broadcaster. Under the Broadcast Act, any household with a TV or device capable of receiving NHK broadcasts is required to pay a reception fee. NHK collectors may visit your apartment to request a contract.
- Terrestrial only: approximately ¥1,100/month
- Terrestrial + BS/satellite: approximately ¥1,950/month
- Discounts available for annual payment
If you do not own a TV or TV-capable device, you are not required to pay. This is a common source of confusion for foreigners, as NHK collectors may visit regardless.
Payment Methods
Most utilities accept the following payment methods:
Auto Bank Transfer (口座振替)
Most common. Some providers offer a small monthly discount. Requires a Japanese bank account.
Convenience Store Payment (コンビニ払い)
A paper bill is mailed to you. Take it to any convenience store and pay in cash. Good option if you do not have a bank account yet.
Credit Card
Accepted by major providers. Not all accept international cards — check before setting up.
Total Monthly Utility Costs
| Utility | One Person | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ¥3,000–6,000 | ¥8,000–15,000 |
| Gas (city) | ¥2,000–4,000 | ¥5,000–8,000 |
| Water | ¥2,000–3,000 | ¥3,000–5,000 |
| Internet | ¥3,500–5,500 | ¥3,500–5,500 |
| Total | ¥10,500–18,500 | ¥19,500–33,500 |
Approximate ranges. Actual costs depend on usage, season, and region.
Tips
- Book gas early. The gas opening appointment is the only utility that requires an in-person visit. During March–April moving season, slots fill up fast. Book at least one week in advance.
- Apply for internet immediately. Fiber installation has the longest wait time. Apply as soon as you know your address, even before you move in. Use a home router or pocket WiFi in the meantime.
- Check if your building includes internet. Some newer apartments include internet in the rent (インターネット無料). Ask your real estate agent. Quality varies — some are fast, some are slow shared connections.
- Convenience store payment works without a bank account. If you have not opened a bank account yet, you can pay utility bills in cash at any convenience store using the paper bill.
- Share houses simplify everything. Most share houses include all utilities in the rent, eliminating the setup hassle entirely.
Setting up utilities is just one step.
See all the steps you need to complete after arriving in Japan, in the right order.
Get Your ChecklistSources
- TEPCO (東京電力) — tepco.co.jp
- Tokyo Gas (東京ガス) — tokyo-gas.co.jp
- Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (東京都水道局)
This guide is for informational purposes only. Rates and procedures may vary by region and provider.