Leaving Japan

A Note Before You Start: Leaving Japan is bittersweet. You've navigated a new language, mastered garbage sorting, survived your first earthquake, and made this incredible city your home. This guide is here to make the practical side as smooth as possible — so you can focus on the goodbyes that matter.

Your Departure Timeline

Start early. The full process takes about 2–3 months.

3 Months Before

☐ Notify landlord (check lease for notice period)
☐ Start selling items (sayonara sales)
☐ Research international shipping options
☐ Request employment certificate (在職証明書)

1 Month Before

☐ Submit moving-out notice at ward office (転出届)
☐ Cancel health insurance (NHI)
☐ File final tax return
☐ Cancel phone contract
☐ Cancel internet/WiFi
☐ Ship belongings

1–2 Weeks Before

☐ Cancel utilities (electricity, gas, water)
☐ Close bank account
☐ Set up mail forwarding (転送届)
☐ Final apartment inspection
☐ Return My Number Card
☐ Get farewell gifts for colleagues

Departure Day

☐ Surrender residence card at airport
☐ Check re-entry permit (if planning to return)
☐ Take one last photo of your favorite spot

Checklist Ward Office Money & Taxes Pension Refund Apartment Utilities Shipping Sayonara Sales Airport After Leaving Goodbye

Your Departure Checklist

Tap any item to jump to the details below.

1

Notify Your Landlord

Check your lease for the required notice period (usually 30–90 days) and submit your move-out notice in writing.

3 months

2

Start Sayonara Sales

List furniture and large items early on Mercari and Facebook groups. The good stuff sells fast.

2–3 months

3

Ship Your Belongings

Surface mail takes 2–3 months — send heavy items early. Use EMS or airmail for essentials.

1–2 months

4

Submit Moving-Out Notice

File your 転出届 at the ward office. This also cancels your health insurance and pension.

14 days before

5

File Final Tax Return

File for income earned January 1 through your departure date. Must be done before you leave.

1 month

6

Cancel Phone & Internet

Give at least 1 month notice. Return your router and SIM card if required.

1 month

7

Cancel Utilities

Electricity, gas, water. Schedule gas disconnection on moving day — you must be present.

1–2 weeks

8

Close Bank Account

Visit your branch with bankbook, ID, and seal. Transfer or withdraw remaining funds first.

1–2 weeks

9

Surrender Residence Card

Hand your 在留カード to the immigration officer at the airport departure gate.

Departure day

10

Claim Pension Refund

Apply after leaving Japan. You have 2 years — don’t miss the deadline. Could be ¥200,000+.

After leaving

Ward Office Paperwork

Your first stop — and possibly your last visit to the ward office.

Moving-Out Notice (転出届)

Submit up to 14 days before your departure
Penalty up to ¥50,000 if you forget!
This officially stops your NHI premiums
Can submit online via Myna Portal (if you have My Number Card)

Bring: Residence Card, My Number Card, passport, flight itinerary

National Health Insurance (NHI) Cancellation

Cancel at ward office when submitting 転出届
Return your insurance card
If you forget: you'll continue to be billed even abroad
Settle any outstanding premiums before leaving

My Number Card

Return to your municipality before departure
Card will be invalidated (holes punched through it)
Your My Number itself stays forever — if you return to Japan, you get the same number

Money & Taxes

Close accounts, file taxes, and don't leave money on the table.

Bank Account Closure

Foreign residents are required to close accounts when leaving permanently
Visit branch with bankbook, ID, and personal seal (inkan)
Account must have zero balance before closure
Transfer remaining funds or withdraw in cash
Can't visit in person? Designate a representative in Japan

Credit Card Cancellation

Settle all outstanding balances first
Redeem any reward points before canceling
Warning: Unpaid debts get recorded at JICC — affects future applications in Japan
If you might return: consider keeping card with a foreign address (check with issuer)

Final Tax Return

File for income earned Jan 1 through your departure date
Must file before departure
E-file via National Tax Agency “e-Tax” portal
Bring: 源泉徴収票 (withholding tax statement), residence card
Refund deposited to your Japanese bank account (1–1.5 months)
If filing after departure: appoint a tax representative in Japan

Pension Refund — Get Your Money Back!

If you paid into Japan's pension, you can claim a lump-sum refund. Don't skip this.

This is real money: If you paid National Pension for 3 years, you could get back roughly ¥200,000+. Employees' Pension returns can be even higher. You have 2 years to claim — don't miss the deadline!

Am I Eligible?

Paid pension for at least 6 months
Leaving Japan permanently
Not a Japanese citizen
Haven't received a disability pension
Refund capped at 60 months (5 years) of contributions

How to Apply

Submit after leaving Japan (not before)
Mail application to Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) in Tokyo
Claim form available in 14 languages
Processing takes 3–6 months
Deadline: within 2 years of losing your Japanese address

Documents Needed

Lump-Sum Withdrawal Claim Form
Passport copy (name, DOB, nationality, signature pages)
Pension handbook or pension number document
Bank details: SWIFT/BIC code, IBAN, bank address
Proof of no longer having Japanese address

Tax Trick: Get the 20% Back

Japan withholds 20% income tax on pension refunds
You receive 80% initially
The 20% is refundable since you're no longer a Japanese taxpayer
Requires appointing a tax representative in Japan
Worth it for large refunds — could save you ¥50,000+

Apartment Move-Out

The dreaded 退去. Here's how to get your deposit back.

Giving Notice

Most leases require 30 days' notice
Some require 45–90 days — check your contract!
Notice in writing (email or letter to management company)
Confirm your exact move-out date

Getting Your Deposit Back (敷金)

Deposit is refundable, minus restoration costs
Refund takes 2–6 weeks after move-out
Provide forwarding bank details (can be overseas)
Per Japanese law: “normal wear and tear” is landlord's responsibility
You only pay for damage beyond normal use

Final Inspection (退去立会い)

Be present — document everything
Take photos/video of all rooms before handing keys
Check what the landlord considers “damage” vs “wear”
Negotiate — politely push back on unfair deductions

Before Handing Keys

Professional cleaning may be required (check lease)
Remove all items including curtain rails, hooks
Clean bathroom, kitchen, floors thoroughly
Return all keys (including copies)
Fill any wall holes with putty (100-yen shop)

Cancel Utilities, Phone & Internet

Don't keep paying for services you're not using.

Electricity (TEPCO)

Cancel at least 1 week before move-out
No need to be present for disconnection
Final bill based on meter reading
Can arrange auto-withdrawal from bank

Gas (Tokyo Gas)

Schedule cancellation — you must be present
Technician visit required for safety inspection
Schedule for your actual moving day to keep hot water until the end

Water

Notify at least 3 days to 1 week before
Final meter reading to calculate last bill

Phone Contract

Early termination fee: max ¥1,100 (reformed in 2019)
No cancellation fee for: Rakuten Mobile, LINEMO, ahamo
Give 1+ month notice
Return SIM card if required (check with carrier)

Internet / WiFi

Give at least 1 week notice
Return router/equipment to provider
Early termination fees may apply (check contract)
Some providers offer transfer to new address overseas

Shipping Your Belongings

What to ship, what to sell, and how to get it all home.

Japan Post (日本郵便)

Most popular for price and reliability
Surface mail: Cheapest, takes 2–3 months
Airmail: 1–2 weeks, more expensive
EMS: Fastest (3–7 days), trackable
Max 30kg per package

Yamato Transport (クロネコヤマト)

English-language service available
Full moving services: packing, shipping, unpacking
Air and sea options
Door-to-door international delivery
Best for larger shipments

Shipping Strategy

Sea mail for heavy, non-urgent items (books, kitchenware)
Airmail/EMS for essentials you need quickly
Suitcase for most clothes and daily items
Start shipping 1 month before departure
Keep receipts for customs at destination

Important (2025 Rule): Items shipped separately via international parcels are no longer eligible for tax-free status. You must present tax-free purchases at airport customs inspection on departure day.

Sayonara Sales — Sell What You Can't Ship

Lighten your load and earn some extra cash before you go.

Mercari (メルカリ)

Japan's largest flea market app
Best for: electronics, clothes, books, small items
Secure transaction system
List in Japanese for better reach
Earnings deposited to your bank account

Facebook Sayonara Sales Groups

Search: “Sayonara Sales [your city]”
Best for: furniture, appliances, larger items
Direct buyer pickup — no shipping needed
Popular groups: “Tokyo Sayonara Sales”, “Sayonara Sale Japan”
Peak seasons: March and September

Other Options

Hard Off / Book Off — Walk in, sell electronics, books, clothes
ジモティー (Jimotee) — Free/cheap listings for local pickup
2nd Street — Sell fashion and accessories
Treasure Factory — Accepts furniture and household items

Full secondhand guide →

At the Airport — Departure Day

Last steps before you board.

Residence Card Surrender

Hand your residence card (在留カード) to the immigration officer
This happens at the departure gate
If you forget: must return it to the Ministry of Justice within 14 days

Planning to Return? Re-Entry Permits

Within 1 year: Special Re-Entry Permit — free, automatic at departure (check the box on the ED card)
Over 1 year: Standard Re-Entry Permit — apply at immigration office BEFORE departure (¥3,000 single / ¥6,000 multiple)
Without a re-entry permit: Your visa status expires immediately. You'll need a new visa to come back

Tax-Free Shopping Note

As of April 2025: tax-free items must be presented at airport customs
Keep them in hand luggage or present before baggage check-in
New refund system coming November 2026

After Leaving Japan

Don't forget these — especially the pension refund.

Claim Your Pension Refund (Priority!)

Apply after leaving Japan
Mail to Japan Pension Service headquarters
Include passport copy, bank details (SWIFT/IBAN), pension number
Deadline: 2 years from losing your Japanese address
Processing: 3–6 months
Don't forget to claim the 20% tax withholding refund too

Mail Forwarding (転送届)

Set up before departure at any post office
Free for 12 months
Note: Japan Post can only forward mail domestically
For overseas forwarding: use a mail forwarding service

Documents You Should Already Have

在職証明書 (Certificate of Employment)
源泉徴収票 (Tax Withholding Statement)
Medical/vaccination records
Rental contract and deposit receipt
Pension handbook or pension number

Saying Goodbye

The hardest part isn't the paperwork.

Farewell Gifts for Colleagues

Individually wrapped sweets or snacks are standard
Snacks from your home country are a great choice
Budget: ¥1,000–3,000 for a box (enough for the team)
Avoid: white flowers, clocks (funeral/death associations)
Write a brief thank-you note — even in simple Japanese