Residence Card (Zairyu Card)
Your most important ID in Japan — issued at the airport when you arrive.
What It Is
- Official ID card for foreign residents with stays over 3 months
- Contains your name, nationality, visa status, and address
- Issued at arrival airports (Narita, Haneda) by immigration
- You are legally required to carry it at all times
Important Actions
- Register your address at your ward office within 14 days of moving in
- Update address at ward office every time you move
- Renew before expiry (apply 3 months before at immigration)
- If lost, report to police immediately and apply for reissue at immigration
Penalty Warning
Failure to carry your residence card can result in a fine of up to ¥200,000. Police may ask to see it during routine checks. Always keep it in your wallet.
My Number Card (Maina Kado)
A 12-digit personal ID number used for taxes, social insurance, and government services.
Notification vs. Card
- My Number Notification: Paper slip with your 12-digit number, sent 1–2 months after registering your address
- My Number Card: Plastic IC card with photo — functions as a proper government ID
- The notification alone is sufficient for tax purposes
- The card unlocks additional convenience services (see below)
What the Card Unlocks
- Get juminhyo (residence certificate) at convenience stores 24/7
- File tax returns online via e-Tax
- Use as your health insurance card
- Verify identity for bank account opening
- Access various online government services
How to Apply
Register Your Address
Visit your ward office (kuyakusho) within 14 days of moving in. After registration, a My Number notification will be mailed to you in 1–2 months.
Apply for the Card
Apply online using your smartphone (take a photo and submit), at a photo booth (ShaShinki), or by mail using the form included with your notification.
Wait for Processing
Processing takes approximately 1–2 months. You'll receive a pickup notification postcard (kofu tsuchisho) when it's ready.
Pick Up at Ward Office
Bring: pickup notification, My Number notification slip, residence card, and passport. Some wards require an appointment. You'll set a 4-digit PIN at pickup.
For Foreigners
- When you renew your visa, you must also update your My Number Card at the ward office
- When moving between wards, submit both a move-out notice (tenshutu todoke) and move-in notice (tennyu todoke) with your card
- The card is valid until your visa expiration date (unlike Japanese nationals who get 10 years)
Driver's License
Your options for driving legally in Japan as a foreigner.
| Method | Cost | Time | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | Obtained in home country | Valid 1 year from entry | Geneva Convention country; no Japan paperwork needed |
| Foreign License Conversion (Gaimen Kirikae) | ¥4,000–¥5,000 | Weeks to months | 3+ months driving experience in home country |
| New Japanese License | ¥200,000–¥300,000 | 1–3 months | Driving school enrollment |
Foreign License Conversion Process
Prepare Documents
Foreign driver's license, Japanese translation from JAF (about ¥3,000), residence card, passport, juminhyo (residence certificate), and 1 photo (3cm × 2.4cm).
Visit a License Center
In Tokyo: Samezu, Fuchu, or Koto driving license centers. Arrive early — applications are typically morning only.
Take the Tests
Eye test (aptitude), knowledge test (10 true/false questions, offered in English), and practical driving test (course test). Some countries are exempt from knowledge and practical tests.
Receive Your License
If you pass, your Japanese license is issued the same day. Valid for 3 years (first issuance).
Test-Exempt Countries
- Full exemption (no knowledge/practical test): UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, Taiwan, South Korea, and more
- USA: Only Maryland and Washington state have full exemption; all other states require the practical test
- Approximately 30 countries/regions qualify for exemption
If You Need the Practical Test
- The test is on a closed course, not public roads
- Focus on exaggerated safety checks (mirrors, blind spots)
- Many people fail 2–3 times before passing — this is normal
- Consider a 1–2 hour practice session at a driving school beforehand
JAF Translation Service
The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) provides official translations of foreign licenses. Cost: ¥3,300. Visit any JAF office or apply by mail. Processing: same day in person, 2 weeks by mail. Tokyo main office: Minato-ku, near Shiba Park.
Other Useful IDs
Health Insurance Card
Issued when you enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI) at your ward office. Required at every hospital and clinic visit. Can now be linked to your My Number Card.
Inkan Registration (Seal)
A personal stamp (hanko/inkan) registered at your ward office. Required for major contracts like apartment leases and bank accounts. Registration costs about ¥300; stamps cost ¥1,000–¥5,000.
Passport with Visa Sticker
Your passport with the residence status sticker serves as a supplementary ID. Useful as backup identification, especially before you receive your My Number Card.