Utilities Guide

How to Set Up Electricity, Gas, and Water in Japan

A practical guide for foreign residents who need to set up electricity, gas, and water in Japan — covering how each utility works, what to expect, and common mistakes to avoid.

8 min readUpdated March 21, 2026

Problem

Foreign residents often assume utilities work the same way as in their home country. In Japan, electricity, gas, and water are handled by separate providers with different procedures — and gas requires an in-person visit that catches many newcomers off guard.

In plain English

Setting up utilities in Japan is not usually difficult, but it is easy to get tripped up if you do not know how the system works. Electricity, gas, and water are managed by different providers, each with its own signup process and timeline.

The biggest surprise for most foreigners is gas: unlike electricity and water, gas requires an in-person safety inspection before it can be turned on. If you do not book this in advance, you may move into your apartment and have no hot water for days.

This guide covers the practical reality of each utility — how to sign up, what to expect, and the mistakes that foreigners commonly make. It is written for people who want to get their utilities running smoothly without unnecessary delays or confusion.

1. Why utilities in Japan can be confusing for foreigners

In many countries, utilities are bundled or handled by a single company. In Japan, electricity, gas, and water are managed by separate providers, and each has its own application process. This means three different signups, three different billing cycles, and potentially three different payment methods.

Gas stands out because it is the only utility that requires an in-person visit. A technician must come to your apartment to perform a safety inspection and open the gas valve. This visit must be booked in advance, and during the busy moving season (March to April), slots can fill up days ahead.

Another source of confusion is that some buildings include certain utilities in the management fee (kanrihi). You might try to sign up for water only to find it is already covered. Checking your lease agreement or asking your landlord or real estate agent before contacting providers saves time.

Most utility signups are conducted in Japanese. Some major providers in large cities offer limited English support, but you should not count on it. Having a Japanese-speaking friend, your real estate agent, or a translation app ready can make the process much smoother.

Japan deregulated electricity in 2016 and city gas in 2017, which means you can technically choose your provider. However, for newcomers, sticking with the regional default company is the simplest and most reliable option. You can always switch later once you are settled.

Electricity, gas, and water each require separate signups with different providers.
Gas is the only utility that requires an in-person safety inspection before activation.
Some buildings include utilities in the management fee — check your lease first.
Most signups are in Japanese, though major providers may offer limited English support.
Deregulation gives you choices, but the regional default is the safest starting point for newcomers.

2. How electricity, gas, and water each work

Electricity was deregulated in 2016. The regional power companies — TEPCO in the Tokyo area, Kansai Electric in Osaka, Chubu Electric in Nagoya, and so on — remain the default and most straightforward option. You can sign up online or by phone, and activation is usually same-day or next-day. With smart meters becoming standard, an in-person visit is often not needed. For a single person, expect monthly bills of roughly 3,000 to 6,000 yen depending on usage and season.

Gas comes in two types: city gas (toshi gas) and propane gas (LP gas). City gas is piped in and was deregulated in 2017, while propane is delivered in tanks and tends to be more expensive. The critical difference from other utilities is the mandatory in-person safety inspection. A technician visits your apartment to check connections, open the gas valve, and confirm everything works safely. This takes 30 to 60 minutes and you must be home. Booking is required — during peak moving season (March to April), you may need to reserve several days in advance. Monthly costs for a single person are roughly 2,000 to 5,000 yen.

Water is managed by the local municipal government and has not been deregulated. You apply by calling or using the website of your city or ward's water bureau. In most cases, no in-person visit is needed — water is simply turned on after you apply. Monthly costs for a single person are roughly 2,000 to 4,000 yen.

Electricity: regional power company, online or phone signup, usually no visit needed, 3,000–6,000 yen/month for one person.
Gas (city gas): piped in, deregulated since 2017, mandatory in-person inspection, 2,000–5,000 yen/month for one person.
Gas (propane): delivered in tanks, generally more expensive than city gas, same in-person requirement.
Water: municipal service, phone or online application, usually no visit needed, 2,000–4,000 yen/month for one person.

3. Common mistakes foreigners make with utilities

The most common mistake is forgetting to book the gas inspection before moving in. Unlike electricity and water, gas cannot be turned on remotely. If you move in on a Friday without a booking, you could spend the weekend without hot water or a working stove. During March and April — when many leases start — inspection slots fill up fast.

Another frequent issue is not checking your building's contract setup. Some apartments include water or even gas in the management fee. Others have a specific provider locked in, especially for propane gas. Contacting the wrong provider wastes time and creates confusion.

Many foreigners also delay setting up their payment method. Utility bills arrive by mail with a payment slip that can be paid at convenience stores, but this is meant as a temporary option. If you keep using convenience store payment without setting up automatic bank withdrawal (kouza furikae) or credit card payment, you risk missing a bill and receiving a disconnection notice.

Some newcomers get drawn to deregulated electricity plans promising lower rates, without understanding the contract terms. The regional default company has no cancellation fees and straightforward pricing — a better starting point when you are still figuring out your usage patterns.

Finally, forgetting to cancel utilities when you move out is a costly mistake. If you do not notify each provider of your move-out date, you will continue to be billed for the old address even after you have left.

Not booking the gas inspection in advance — the number one cause of a cold first night.
Skipping the lease check and contacting the wrong provider.
Delaying payment setup and risking missed bills or disconnection warnings.
Jumping to deregulated plans without understanding cancellation terms.
Forgetting to cancel utilities at the old address when moving out.

Step by step

A simpler application path

Step 1

Check your building's contract setup

What to do

Read the move-in guide (nyuukyo annai) provided by your landlord or real estate agent. It usually lists which utilities you need to set up yourself and which are included in the management fee.
Confirm whether your building uses city gas or propane gas. This determines which company to contact. Propane gas is set by the building — you cannot choose your own provider.
If anything is unclear, ask your real estate agent or building manager directly. They deal with these questions regularly.

Why it matters

Knowing your building's setup before contacting providers prevents you from signing up with the wrong company or duplicating a service that is already included in your rent.

What you need

Your lease agreement or move-in guide (nyuukyo annai)
Contact information for your real estate agent or building manager
Your move-in date

Common problems

Assuming all utilities need separate contracts when some are bundled into management fees.
Not knowing whether the building has city gas or propane, leading to calls to the wrong company.
Throwing away the move-in guide without reading it.

Practical tip: Take a photo of the move-in guide as soon as you receive it. Key details like customer numbers, meter locations, and provider contact info are often printed there.

Step 2

Set up electricity

What to do

Identify your regional power company. In the Tokyo area it is TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company). In Osaka it is Kansai Electric. Your move-in guide or a quick web search for your area will confirm.
Apply online through the provider's website or call their customer service line. You will need your address, move-in date, and the customer number or supply point number printed on the meter or the move-in guide.
Activation is usually same-day or next-day. With smart meters, there is typically no need for anyone to visit. If your building has an older meter, you may need to flip the breaker yourself on move-in day.

Why it matters

Electricity is usually the simplest utility to activate and the one you need immediately — for lights, outlets, and your refrigerator. Getting it done early means one fewer thing to worry about on moving day.

What you need

Your full address (including building name and room number)
Move-in date
Customer number or supply point number (from the move-in guide or meter)
A phone number where the provider can reach you

Common problems

Not knowing the customer number and being unable to complete the online form.
Forgetting to flip the breaker on move-in day when the building uses an older meter.
Trying to sign up with a deregulated provider before having the supply point details.

Practical tip: If you cannot find the customer number, call the regional power company's general line with your address and move-in date. They can look it up and process the application by phone.

Step 3

Set up gas

What to do

Contact your gas provider — for city gas in Tokyo, this is typically Tokyo Gas. For propane, the provider is determined by your building and usually listed in the move-in guide.
Book the in-person safety inspection. You must be present at your apartment during the visit. The technician will check all gas connections, open the main valve, and verify that appliances work safely. This takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Book as early as possible, especially if your move-in date falls in March or April. Slots fill up quickly during peak season. Weekend and evening slots may be available but are limited.

Why it matters

Gas cannot be activated without the in-person inspection — there is no way around this. Delaying the booking means delaying your access to hot water, cooking, and heating (if gas-powered).

What you need

Your full address and move-in date
The gas company's contact information (from the move-in guide)
You need to be physically present during the inspection — no one else can substitute unless you arrange a proxy with the provider

Common problems

Booking the inspection for the same day as your move and running out of time.
Not being home when the technician arrives — they will leave and you will need to rebook.
Confusing city gas and propane providers and booking with the wrong company.

Practical tip: Book the gas inspection at least a week before your move-in date. If you are moving during March or April, book as soon as you know your move-in date.

Step 4

Set up water

What to do

Contact the water bureau (suidoukyoku) for your city or ward. In Tokyo, this is the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks (tokyo-suido.jp). Most other cities have their own bureau.
Apply online or by phone. You will need your address, move-in date, and sometimes the water meter number (printed on the meter or the move-in guide).
In most cases, water is turned on without an in-person visit. Some buildings may require you to open a valve yourself — your move-in guide will note this if applicable.

Why it matters

Water is essential from day one. The application is straightforward, but if you forget to do it, you may find the water is already running (left on by the previous tenant or the building) and then receive an unexpected bill later for usage without a contract.

What you need

Your full address and move-in date
Water bureau contact information (from the move-in guide or a web search for your city)
Water meter number if available

Common problems

Assuming water is already set up because the tap works — you still need to register your contract.
Not knowing which water bureau to contact in your area.
Missing the application and receiving a backdated bill.

Practical tip: Water in many buildings is left on between tenants. Even if it flows when you turn the tap, register with the water bureau so billing starts under your name from the correct date.

Step 5

Set up your payment method

What to do

For each utility, choose one of three common payment methods: automatic bank withdrawal (kouza furikae), credit card payment, or convenience store payment (konbini barai) using the payment slip mailed to you.
Automatic bank withdrawal is the most common and reliable method. You can set it up by submitting a form (available from the provider or your bank) or through the provider's website. Some providers offer a small monthly discount for bank withdrawal.
Credit card payment is available with most major providers. Set it up through the provider's online account or customer service. Not all cards are accepted — confirm before registering.
Convenience store payment works with the paper slip mailed to you each billing cycle. It is a useful fallback but should not be your long-term method — it is easy to miss a due date.

Why it matters

Unpaid utility bills can lead to disconnection warnings and eventually service cutoff. Setting up automatic payment removes the risk of forgetting. It also simplifies your finances when multiple utilities all draw from the same account.

What you need

A Japanese bank account (for automatic withdrawal)
A credit card accepted by the provider (for card payment)
Your utility account or customer number

Common problems

Relying on convenience store payment and missing a due date while busy or traveling.
Trying to set up card payment before confirming the provider accepts your card brand.
Not realizing that each utility requires a separate payment setup.

Practical tip: Set up bank withdrawal for all three utilities at the same time. This way you only need to manage one payment method and will not miss bills even when life gets hectic.

Notes

Utility providers, costs, and procedures vary by region and building type. Always confirm the latest details with your specific provider.
Monthly cost estimates are rough guides for a single-person household and will vary by season, usage, and location.
This guide covers the common case. Buildings with unusual setups (all-electric, central heating, included utilities) may differ.
Information in this guide reflects common practices as of early 2026. Check official provider websites for the most current details.

Utilities Guide

Official links

Accepted documents, eligibility, and online steps can change. Check the official page before you visit a counter or submit an application.

TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company)

The regional power company for the Tokyo area. English pages available for starting, stopping, and managing electricity service.

Open official page

Tokyo Gas

The major city gas provider in Tokyo. English information on starting gas service and booking inspections.

Open official page

Tokyo Waterworks (Bureau of Waterworks)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Waterworks. English pages for starting and stopping water service.

Open official page

Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

Official resource from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry explaining electricity and gas deregulation in Japan.

Open official page

National Consumer Affairs Center (NCAC)

Consumer consultation service. Offers multilingual support for disputes including utility billing issues.

Open official page

Related guides

Read the full life setup guide

How to Rent an Apartment in Japan

Your lease and move-in guide are the starting point for utility setup. Read this if you have not signed a lease yet.

How to Open a Bank Account in Japan

A bank account makes automatic utility payments possible. Set this up early so you can use bank withdrawal.

How to Get a SIM Card in Japan

A phone number helps when calling utility providers and receiving follow-up communications.

New to Japan Checklist

See where utilities fit in the overall life setup order and check which steps you should complete first.

FAQ

Guide FAQ

Quick answers to common questions around this guide.

Can I set up utilities before I move in?

Yes, and you should. You can apply for electricity and water a few days before your move-in date, and they will be activated on the date you specify. For gas, book the in-person inspection as early as possible — ideally a week or more before moving in.

What happens during the gas safety inspection?

A technician visits your apartment to check all gas connections, open the main valve, and test that appliances like your stove and water heater work safely. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes and you must be present the entire time.

Can I handle utility signups in English?

Some major providers in large cities have English phone lines or web pages — TEPCO and Tokyo Gas are examples. However, coverage is limited and not all procedures can be completed in English. Having a Japanese speaker available as backup is recommended.

How much do utilities cost per month?

For a single person, rough monthly costs are: electricity 3,000–6,000 yen, gas 2,000–5,000 yen, and water 2,000–4,000 yen. Costs vary significantly by season, usage, and region. Winter heating and summer air conditioning drive higher electricity and gas bills.

Can I change my payment method after I have started?

Yes. You can switch between bank withdrawal, credit card, and convenience store payment at any time by contacting the provider or updating your preferences on their website. The change usually takes effect from the next billing cycle.

What do I need to do when I move out?

Contact each utility provider at least a few days before your move-out date to schedule disconnection. You will receive a final bill. If you skip this step, you will continue to be billed for the old address until the provider discovers the vacancy.

Utilities Guide

Ready for the next step?

Use the checklist to review the overall order, or jump into a related category when you are ready to act.

Read the full life setup guide New to Japan