Pre-Arrival Materials Checklist for Studying in Japan

Documents

Beyond originals, some documents need translation or notarization, both of which take time, so gather them well before you leave.

Passport
The core ID for entry, picking up your residence card, and every procedure. Check it has plenty of validity left.
A few photocopies are handy for paperwork. Verify.
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
The core document for your student visa application and entry; always carry the original.
Usually issued via your school. Don't lose it; keep a copy as backup. Verify.
Admission / acceptance papers
May be requested at entry and for various registrations; carry the original plus copies.
Check the required documents against your school's guidance. Verify.
Diplomas and transcripts (plus translation/notarization)
Originals may be needed for transfers, graduate applications, and various procedures. Issuing takes time, so prepare several copies early.
Some countries require a Japanese/English translation plus notarization (especially for applicants from China). Formats differ by recipient; verify.
Proof of funds / bank balance
Visa procedures and school checks may ask for documents showing you can cover tuition and living costs.
Required format, account holder, and validity vary by procedure; prepare early and verify.
ID photos (Japanese sizes)
Used repeatedly for your residence card, student ID, and applications. Bringing several saves a reshoot once you arrive.
Required dimensions differ by use (e.g. 4x3cm, etc.). Confirm the spec for each recipient. Verify.
International driving permit (only if needed)
A backup if you may need to drive in a rural area. Most students won't need it, but it can help depending on the region.
Validity and recognition in Japan depend on the issuing country. Verify.

Personal seal (hanko)

Widely expected for rental contracts, opening a bank account, and various agreements. It's usually cheaper and faster to make one in your home country than in Japan, so prepare before you come. A signature is sometimes accepted, but having a hanko is the safe bet.

Everyday seal (mitome-in)
The seal you'll use most day to day, for signing for deliveries and routine paperwork. One makes daily life smoother.
Around 10-12mm is common (a convention, not a legal size; verify). Usually cheaper and faster to make at home.
Bank seal (ginko-in)
Used to open and register a bank account; best kept separate from your everyday seal. By convention it's made a touch larger than the mitome-in to tell them apart.
Rough sizes: women 12-13.5mm / men 13.5-15mm (convention; varies by bank and shop, verify). Some banks don't require one or accept a signature.
Registered seal (jitsuin), students rarely need this
An official seal registered with your municipality, used for major contracts like buying a car or property. Most students won't need it during normal study life.
Registration happens in Japan after you register your address (no need to prepare before arrival). Sort it locally if you ever need it. Rough sizes: women 12-15mm / men 15-18mm. Verify.

Cash and banking

Opening a bank account takes time (usually after you get your residence card and register your address), and the early days tend to be cash-heavy. Bring enough JPY for the first stretch, plus a home-country card as backup.

JPY cash for the first stretch
Until your account is open, cash is what you rely on; cover move-in costs and daily purchases right after arrival.
Carrying large amounts of cash may require declaration; check the entry/exit rules. Verify.
Home-country card (backup)
Bridges the gap until your Japanese account is ready and backs up unexpected costs. A card that works abroad and at ATMs is safest.
Check overseas-use settings, fees, and limits before you leave. Verify.
Open a bank account after arrival (expect it to take time)
Opening an account usually comes after getting your residence card and registering your address; not instant. You'll need it to receive stipends and part-time pay.
Required documents and which banks work for you vary by area and school; check your school's guidance after arrival. Verify.

Electronics

Japan runs on 100V with Type A outlets (two flat pins). Appliances rated only for 220-240V (some hair dryers, etc.) won't work and can be unsafe, so bring 100V-compatible gear or buy it in Japan.

Check 100V / Type A compatibility
Japan is 100V / Type A. Before you leave, check whether your chargers and appliances are compatible; most laptop and phone chargers are global-voltage.
Devices rated only for 220-240V won't work and can be unsafe; use 100V-compatible gear or buy in Japan. Verify.
Unlocked phone + SIM/eSIM plan
Unlock your phone before leaving so a Japanese SIM/eSIM works right away; essential for contact, maps, and procedures on arrival.
Supported bands and eSIM availability vary by phone; consider arranging a Japanese line in advance. Verify.
Plug adapter / voltage converter (if needed)
Bring a plug adapter if your home plugs differ; consider a voltage converter only if you must use a mismatched-voltage device.
Mind a converter's wattage; generally 100V-compatible gear or buying in Japan is safer. Verify.

Medicines and eyewear

Familiar over-the-counter medicines can come with you for personal use, but quantity and certain ingredients are limited and may require paperwork. Glasses and contacts tend to be pricier and slower in Japan, so bring spares.

Familiar OTC medicines (personal use)
Cold, pain, and stomach remedies you know suit you are a comfort right after arrival; the same product may not exist in Japan.
Roughly, no import certificate is needed for about a 2-month supply of oral meds and up to 24 standard-size units of topical meds; larger amounts or some ingredients may be restricted or require paperwork. Verify.
Prescription meds + doctor's note
Bring enough of your regular prescriptions, with an English/Japanese doctor's note or prescription to ease entry and seeing a doctor here.
Some ingredients require an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei) or advance procedures; check the health bureau/customs rules before travel. Verify.
Glasses / contacts + prescription (spares)
Remaking eyewear in Japan tends to be pricier and slower; a spare pair plus a prescription with your numbers is reassuring.
Buying contacts may require a prescription or eye exam; bring your usual supply. Verify.

Everyday items

Focus on clothing suited to your school's season and region. Large furniture and appliances are cheaper to buy in Japan than to ship.

Season- and region-appropriate clothing
Climate differs sharply between Hokkaido and Kyushu/Okinawa. Pack for your school's region and arrival season, enough for the first stretch.
Bulky items like winter wear can be topped up in Japan. Verify.
A few familiar everyday items
Most things are cheap to buy in Japan, but a few days' worth of items you're used to (a specific toothbrush, cosmetics, etc.) eases the first days.
Cosmetics and similar may have quantity guidelines for import; avoid bulk and verify.

Notes by country

Required documents and how easy things are to prepare vary by where you're coming from. Here are the most common cases.

If you're coming from China

Make seals at home; sort notarization/translation early

Seals are cheap and fast to make in China. Diplomas and transcripts often need a Japanese/English translation plus notarization; prepare these with time to spare before you leave.

Seals (everyday + bank) are cheaper and faster to make in China than in Japan.
Translation + notarization of documents takes time; start early (confirm the format with each recipient).
Bring familiar medicines within personal-use limits; mind ingredient and quantity restrictions.
Bring JPY cash to bridge before your account opens; large amounts may need declaring.

English-speaking country or English-taught J30

Fewer documents, but still bring a seal, cash, and 100V

English-taught programs usually mean a lighter translation/notarization burden. Even so, for daily life you'll still need a seal, cash for the first stretch, and 100V-compatible electronics.

Translation/notarization burden is relatively light (confirm your program's requirements).
A seal is often still expected for renting and banking; prepare one.
Accounts take time to open; bring JPY cash and a home-country card.
Make sure your electronics are 100V / Type A compatible.

Prepare at home vs buy in Japan

The most actionable framing is deciding what to sort out at home versus buy or arrange in Japan. Use this table to decide fast.

Personal sealAt home

Prepare at home

Everyday + bank seals are cheaper and faster to make at home; prepare before arrival.

Buy / arrange in Japan

Can be made in Japan in a pinch, but pricier and slower.

Documents, translation/notarizationAt home

Prepare at home

Originals, translation, and notarization: sort with time to spare before leaving, in multiple copies.

Buy / arrange in Japan

Getting more in Japan means sourcing from your home country, a hassle.

Familiar medicinesAt home

Prepare at home

Bring a personal-use supply for the first stretch; add a doctor's note for prescriptions.

Buy / arrange in Japan

An equivalent may not exist in Japan, or an ingredient may be restricted; verify.

Glasses / contactsAt home

Prepare at home

Bring spares plus a prescription with your numbers, and your usual contacts for now.

Buy / arrange in Japan

Remaking in Japan can be pricier, and an eye exam may take time.

Cash, bank accountBoth

Prepare at home

Bring JPY cash for the first stretch and a home-country card (backup).

Buy / arrange in Japan

Open the account after arrival (usually after your residence card and address registration).

Large / voltage-dependent appliancesIn Japan

Prepare at home

Generally not worth bringing (voltage, shipping); only global-voltage small items.

Buy / arrange in Japan

Buying 100V-compatible gear in Japan is safer and surer.

Furniture and beddingIn Japan

Prepare at home

Shipping these is costly and impractical.

Buy / arrange in Japan

Buy in Japan (secondhand shops help); furnished housing is also an option.

SIM/eSIM (connectivity)In Japan

Prepare at home

Bring an unlocked phone; you can also arrange a line in advance.

Buy / arrange in Japan

Get a Japanese SIM/eSIM, available at airports or online.

SENPAI TIPSTips from senpai

Of the things you notice missing after landing — which are hardest to replace?

Pre-departure mistakes split in two: fixable by online order, and fixable only by flying home. The checklist exists to zero out the second kind — originals, seals, prescriptions. Don't gamble.

Hard-to-replace originals packed?

Diploma and degree originals, transcripts, notarized records — the fly-home category goes first.

Originals first

Three months of prescriptions?

Your medicine may be prescription-only or restricted in Japan; bring a bridge supply plus an English/Japanese note.

Medicine bridge

Cash and cards doubled up?

The first week runs on cash (deposits, seals, procedures). Enough cash plus one card that withdraws internationally.

Dual payment

Photos in the Japanese format?

Residence card, student ID, and part-time resumes all want 3×4 cm photos — print a spare set.

ID photos

Digital backups of key papers?

Scan passport, COE, admission letter, insurance to the cloud — the lifeline when originals vanish.

Backups

Progress saved to your account?

Signed-in ticks persist across devices; run the list a week out and again the night before.

Two passes

What you should really bring when you move to Japan

Documents

Personal seal (hanko)

Cash and banking

Electronics

Medicines and eyewear

Everyday items

Notes by country

Make seals at home; sort notarization/translation early

Fewer documents, but still bring a seal, cash, and 100V

Prepare at home vs buy in Japan

Of the things you notice missing after landing — which are hardest to replace?

What you should really bring when you move to Japan

Documents

Personal seal (hanko)

Cash and banking

Electronics

Medicines and eyewear

Everyday items

Notes by country

Make seals at home; sort notarization/translation early

Fewer documents, but still bring a seal, cash, and 100V

Prepare at home vs buy in Japan

Of the things you notice missing after landing — which are hardest to replace?