Setting Up Electricity, Gas and Water in Japan: A Utility Guide for Foreign Residents

Electricity, gas and water are three separate contracts in many Japanese homes. They may be supplied by different organizations, started on different dates and billed through different systems. A lease does not automatically prove that every service is active.

The safest move-in plan is to confirm what the landlord or management company already arranged, identify the supplier for each service and submit the correct start request before arrival. Gas deserves special attention because opening city-gas service commonly requires a technician visit with the resident or an authorized representative present.

Best practical order: ask what is included in the rent, schedule gas first, submit electricity and water requests, photograph the meters on move-in day and keep every customer number until the final bill after moving out.

Quick Decision Table: What Must You Arrange?

Service	Usually requires a contract?	Attendance commonly needed?	First check
Electricity	Yes, unless included by the building or temporary housing operator	Usually no for an ordinary start, but equipment conditions can differ	Retail supplier, start date, meter or supply-point information
City gas	Yes when the home uses city gas	Commonly yes when gas is opened and safety is explained	Gas type, supplier, appliance compatibility and appointment time
LP gas or propane	Yes when the building uses an LP-gas supplier	Often yes under the supplier’s opening procedure	Supplier designated for the property and deposit rules
Water	Usually yes through the local water authority	Usually no for an existing residential connection	Municipality, service location and start date
Utilities included in rent	The operator may hold the main contract	Depends on the property	Usage limits, billing formula and what happens after exceeding the allowance

Ask the Landlord or Management Company Before Applying

Do not choose suppliers before confirming the property’s actual setup. Apartment listings frequently say little about who holds the contract or whether the building uses a central arrangement.

Ask these questions in writing:

Are electricity, gas or water included in the rent or management fee?
Does the property use city gas, LP gas or no gas?
Is one supplier designated for the building?
Is the electricity contract individual or managed centrally?
Where are the meters and breaker panel?
Is a customer or supply-point number available?
Can a technician enter a locked common area?
Does the landlord require notice before changing an electricity retailer?
Are there move-in forms left in the apartment?
Who handles a leak, outage or equipment defect?

For the wider contract and move-in process, use our apartment-rental guide for foreign residents.

Information to Prepare for Every Application

Information	Why it matters	Common mistake
Full service address	Identifies the exact meter and supply location	Leaving out the building or room number
Contract-holder name	Must match the supplier’s customer record	Using a nickname that does not match payment records
Start date	Determines when service and billing begin	Using the lease-signing date instead of the actual service date
Phone number and email	Used for appointments, authentication and notices	Providing a short-term number that will soon be cancelled
Previous customer or supply number	Can identify the correct existing connection	Copying a number from another apartment
Payment method	Needed for direct debit, card payment or billing slips	Assuming every foreign card is accepted
Authorized representative	Allows another person to attend when accepted	Failing to register the representative before a gas visit

Setting Up Electricity

Japan introduced full retail choice for household electricity, so the company that owns or operates the local grid is not always the same company that sells your electricity plan. Availability depends on the address, meter, building arrangement and retailer.

Before signing, compare:

basic or minimum charges;
per-kilowatt-hour rates and tier structure;
fuel or market-linked adjustments;
renewable-energy and other regulated charges shown on the bill;
minimum contract period;
cancellation or early-termination terms;
bundle discounts tied to gas, mobile or internet service;
payment methods and paper-bill fees;
language support;
how the plan changes after a promotion ends.

Cheap headline warning: compare the full pricing formula, not only the advertised discount. A plan that looks cheaper during one season or campaign can cost more after usage, adjustment charges or bundle conditions are included.

Electricity Start Procedure and Breaker Check

Submit the start request through the official supplier channel. In an ordinary already-connected apartment, technician attendance may not be needed, but special equipment, a disconnected meter or building access can change the procedure.

On move-in day:

Confirm that the contract start date has arrived.
Check the main breaker, leakage breaker and branch breakers.
Switch them on only when the property instructions permit it.
Test lights and one outlet without overloading the circuit.
Photograph the meter and breaker panel.
Contact the supplier when power does not start after the approved procedure.

An outage affecting only your apartment may be a breaker or contract issue. A wider outage belongs to the local grid operator’s outage service. Keep both the retailer and grid emergency details.

Choosing Between City Gas and LP Gas

Point	City gas	LP gas / propane
Supply method	Delivered through a local pipeline network	Delivered to cylinders or a property storage system
Supplier choice	Retail choice may exist in the service area	The property or landlord often has a designated supplier
Opening visit	Commonly requires a technician and ignition or safety check	Often requires supplier-specific opening and safety procedures
Appliances	Must match the gas type used at the property	Must be compatible with LP gas
Price comparison	Review plan and adjustment details	Review basic, usage, equipment and property-specific charges

Never connect an appliance made for a different gas type. Ask the property manager or supplier before bringing a gas stove from another home.

Scheduling the Gas Opening Appointment

Gas is the service most likely to control your first comfortable night in the apartment because hot water and cooking may depend on it. Schedule the visit as soon as the move-in date is fixed.

Confirm:

the appointment date and time window;
whether the contract holder must attend;
whether a representative is accepted;
how the technician enters the building;
which appliances will be tested;
whether an ignition test is included;
which safety explanation will be provided;
what happens if you miss the appointment;
whether the opening procedure has a charge.

Tokyo Gas’s current multilingual procedure explains that a resident or representative must be present when gas is started, while an ordinary electricity start does not generally require attendance. Other suppliers can use different appointment rules.

Gas Safety and What to Do If You Smell Gas

Emergency rule: do not operate switches, flames or electrical equipment when gas is suspected. Open accessible windows when safe, close the gas valve when instructed, leave the immediate danger area and contact the official gas emergency service.

Do not rely on an internet article during an active emergency. Follow the supplier or network operator’s emergency instructions and call emergency services when there is immediate danger.

Keep these records near the kitchen or entrance:

gas emergency number;
contract customer number;
meter location;
main gas-valve location;
instructions for resetting the safety meter;
landlord or management emergency contact.

Starting Water Service

Water is normally administered by the municipality or regional water authority. The correct provider is determined by the service address, not by the company you used in another city.

The application commonly asks for:

service address;
contract-holder name;
start date;
contact details;
customer number when an existing record is available;
payment preference;
the mailing address for bills when different.

Tokyo’s English online service supports applications to start water, stop water or combine a stop and start when moving within supported areas. This is a Tokyo example; residents elsewhere must use their local water authority.

Water, Sewage and Shared-Building Billing

A water bill may include both water and sewerage charges. In some apartment buildings, the management company receives the master bill and charges each resident using submeters or a building formula.

Ask whether:

you contract directly with the water authority;
water is included in rent;
a fixed monthly amount is used;
the building calculates usage from a submeter;
sewerage is shown separately;
the management company adds an administrative charge;
the final reading is automatic or requires access.

Keep the move-in meter photograph. It helps separate your usage from the previous resident’s final bill.

Payment Methods and First-Bill Checks

Method	Advantage	Check before choosing
Bank direct debit	Reduces missed deadlines	Registration delay, account-holder spelling and first paper bill
Credit card	Convenient recurring payment	Supported cards, expiry changes and card-processing rules
Payment slip	Works before bank registration is finished	Deadline, accepted stores and lost-paper procedure
Supplier app or online payment	Provides digital bills and usage history	Language, phone authentication and paperless settings
Management-company billing	Can combine charges with rent	Calculation method, evidence and dispute procedure

A Japanese account can simplify recurring payments. Use our bank-account setup guide before submitting direct-debit forms.

Check the first bill for the service address, customer name, start date, meter period, payment deadline, basic charge and usage. Contact the supplier quickly when the bill includes a period before your move-in date.

Avoid Door-to-Door and Telephone Contract Traps

Electricity and gas retail choice also creates opportunities for confusing sales. A visitor may claim to represent the building, grid company or current supplier while actually selling a new retail contract.

Before agreeing:

ask for the legal company name;
verify the company through its official website;
do not show a bill containing customer or supply information without a reason;
do not share one-time passwords;
ask whether the visit was requested by the landlord;
obtain the complete price and cancellation terms in writing;
do not sign because the salesperson says service will stop immediately;
contact a consumer-affairs service when the solicitation appears deceptive.

The Consumer Affairs Agency explains that consumer contracts can be challenged under applicable rules when they result from unjust solicitation, and unfair clauses can be invalid. Individual remedies depend on the facts and deadlines.

Move-In Timeline

Timing	Electricity	Gas	Water
As soon as the address is fixed	Identify retailer and building arrangement	Identify city gas or LP gas and reserve the opening visit	Identify the local water authority
About one week before moving	Submit start request and payment details	Confirm appointment and building access	Submit start request
Move-in day	Check breaker, meter and supply	Attend inspection and test appliances	Check taps, leaks and meter
After the first bill	Verify dates, plan and adjustments	Verify gas type, readings and charges	Verify water and sewerage period

Stopping Utilities When You Move Out

Do not only cancel automatic payment. Submit a formal stop request for each service.

Confirm:

the final service date;
whether attendance is required;
how the final meter reading is taken;
whether the meter is behind a locked entrance;
the address for the final bill;
how a deposit is returned;
whether direct debit remains active for the last charge;
whether the new address uses the same provider;
the cancellation fee or remaining contract term;
the customer number saved in your records.

Utility bills and contract dates can also matter when organizing departure and tax records. See our Japan tax guide for foreign residents.

Troubleshooting Table

Problem	First checks	Who to contact
No electricity in one room	Branch breaker, overloaded circuit and appliance fault	Supplier, landlord or electrician depending on the cause
No electricity in the building or area	Grid outage information and common-area power	Local grid operator
No gas after move-in	Opening appointment completed, valve and meter status	Gas supplier or network emergency service
Gas smell	Avoid switches and flames; ventilate only when safe	Official gas emergency service immediately
No water	Start date, building valve, maintenance notice and frozen pipe risk	Water authority or building management
Bill for the previous resident	Name, service period, meter reading and customer number	Supplier billing department
Unexpectedly high bill	Usage period, adjustment charges, leak, appliance and plan	Supplier, landlord or repair service

Application Conversation Template

Hello. I am moving into [full address and room number] on 2026/08/04. I would like to start service in my name.

Could you confirm whether this address is in your service area, which information you need, the earliest start date and whether anyone must be present?

Please also explain the plan, payment methods, cancellation conditions and the number to call during an emergency.

Useful Japanese phrases:

Denki no shiyō o kaishi shitai desu. — I would like to start electricity service.
Gasu no kaisen yoyaku o shitai desu. — I would like to book a gas-opening appointment.
Suidō no shiyō kaishi tetsuzuki o shitai desu. — I would like to start water service.
Ryōkin no shiharai hōhō o kakunin shitai desu. — I would like to confirm the payment methods.
Hikkoshi no tame kaiyaku shitai desu. — I would like to cancel because I am moving.

Official Sources

Supplier availability, service areas, plan prices, accepted payment methods and municipal water procedures vary by address. Check the current official page for the actual supplier and municipality before submitting an application.

Final Move-In Checklist

Confirm which utilities are included in the lease.
Identify city gas, LP gas or an all-electric property.
Confirm the correct electricity retailer and local grid operator.
Reserve the gas appointment first.
Submit electricity and water start requests.
Use the complete building and room address.
Keep confirmation and customer numbers.
Photograph meters and the breaker panel on move-in day.
Check gas-appliance compatibility.
Save emergency telephone numbers.
Verify the first billing period.
Register a reliable payment method.
Reject unverified door-to-door switching requests.
Submit formal stop requests before moving out.
Keep final bills until deposits and balances are settled.

Best next action: send the property manager one message asking which company supplies each utility, whether gas is city gas or LP gas, and whether any service is already included. That answer prevents most duplicate, incompatible and last-minute applications.

Arrange Home Internet Separately From Utilities

Electricity, gas and water applications do not activate home internet. Fixed broadband may also require building approval and an installation visit. Read our home internet and fiber guide for foreign residents.

Utilities Come After the Address Is Settled

Electricity, gas and water depend on the actual property. Confirm what the landlord already arranged, whether gas requires an appointment and which services are included in the rent or management fee.

Continue with the relevant next step

Return to the First Week in Japan setup hub — see the complete sequence and choose the next task.
Resident Registration in Japan for Foreign Residents: Address Registration, Moving In and Moving Out
Home Internet in Japan for Foreign Residents: Fiber, Installation, Contracts and Moving
Taxes in Japan for Foreign Residents: Income Tax, Resident Tax, Filing and Leaving Japan

Practical rule:
Keep confirmation numbers, meter photographs and final bills. They can matter when correcting charges, moving again or closing the account before leaving Japan.