How to Move to a New Apartment in Japan is not an easy question to answer. Moving is not easy; there are so many things to think about that it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re wondering How to Move to a New Apartment in Japan, we hope this guide will be useful for you.
Choosing the right transport method
In theory, the ideal and simplest option is to rent a car and do everything yourself. However, that also means taking care of everything: packing your belongings, carrying them, organizing the schedule, etc., and it can be really exhausting. When you’re planning How to Move to a New Apartment in Japan on your own, this method requires a lot of energy and time management.
That’s why a very practical alternative is to hire a moving company. They take care of almost everything: they send you the boxes and tape, handle the heavy lifting, and can even pack for you depending on the service you choose.
That said, it’s usually expensive. If you want to reduce the cost, a good way is to let them decide the date and time of the move; this allows them to organize their routes better and offer you a cheaper price.
When getting quotes, there are websites that let you compare companies easily. However, keep in mind that once you enter your personal information, it’s likely that each company will call you to confirm the details. This can take up a large part of your day and end up being tiring and stressful.
Sending the boxes to yourself
A cheaper option for How to Move to a New Apartment in Japan is to use 宅配便 (takuhai-bin) home-delivery parcel services, such as Japan Post (Yu-Pack ゆうパック) or 宅急便 (takkyūbin), TA-Q-BIN, a service offered by Kuroneko Yamato.
You can drop off the boxes or packages directly at their offices or, for an extra fee, ask them to pick them up at your home. Just make sure to choose the delivery date carefully and to have access to your new house or apartment to avoid complications. Be careful when writing your address: you’ll need to use your current address, and they might return your belongings there even if you no longer live at that place.
If you send boxes by courier, you’ll need to get the boxes yourself.
You can reuse boxes from recent online orders, although the fastest—but more expensive—option is to buy them at home or DIY stores.
In Japan, some supermarkets give away boxes they are going to throw away; they’re usually in a corner near the bagging area, or the staff may give them to you if you ask. Availability varies depending on the city you’re in, so it’s best to check with the staff first. If it’s possible to take some, choose clean and sturdy boxes, and avoid those that are damp or smell like food.
Pack smart, unpack easier
When packing, group items by type and write the contents on each box to make unpacking easier. If you have fragile objects, write 取扱注意（とりあつかい・ちゅうい） (“handle with care”). Also, use kraft paper or old newspaper underneath, on top of, or around the box: on rainy days, water can get in and ruin your belongings, so these layers add protection and reduce worries.
Finally, you can use vacuum bags, since they compress your clothes, helping you save storage space and protect garments from dust, moisture, and insects. Once your clothes are inside the bags, it’s easy to arrange them neatly inside the boxes.
When it comes to How to Move to a New Apartment in Japan with less stress, every day counts. It’s often surprising how much we accumulate, so it’s best to start as soon as possible, even if it’s just a little at a time. Keep moving forward at your own pace.
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