Setting Up Electricity When You Move Into a New Place in Japan

Starting electricity at a new address is different from switching

If you already have electricity running at your current place and just want a better plan, that's a switch — see our guide on how to switch electricity providers in Japan. But if you're moving into a new apartment where the power is currently off, you need to do something different: apply to start supply, known in Japanese as 電気の使用開始 (denki no shiyou kaishi). This post walks through that process specifically.

The good news is that starting electricity at a new address is usually one of the easiest parts of moving in Japan. In most modern apartments, there's no technician visit required — you just need to submit an application before you move in, and the power is often already there waiting for you.

You don't have to start with the regional utility

A common misconception among foreign residents is that you must open your account with the regional incumbent (for example TEPCO in Tokyo, Kansai Electric in Osaka, and so on) and only switch to a cheaper retailer later. That's not true. Since the retail electricity market was liberalized, you can apply directly to almost any registered retailer for your new address from day one. If you're moving anyway, it's a good moment to compare plans and pick a provider that suits your usage — rather than defaulting to the incumbent and switching again a few months later.

Not sure which company or plan makes sense for your household? Run your expected usage through the electricity cost calculator to compare estimated monthly costs before you commit.

How to apply

Applying to start supply is typically done online or by phone, and most providers let you complete it in a few minutes. You'll generally need to provide:

• Your new address, as precisely as possible (including building name and unit number)
• The date you want supply to start (usually your move-in date)
• Your name and a contact phone number or email
• The 供給地点特定番号 (kyoukyuu chiten tokutei bangou), or "supply point specification number," if you have it

The supply point number is a unique code tied to the property's electrical connection. If you don't know it — and most new tenants don't — that's fine. It's often printed on paperwork left by the previous tenant or your real estate agent, but if you can't find it, just give the provider your full address and they can look it up on their end. Don't let a missing number hold up your application.

At this stage you may also be asked to choose your amperage (contract capacity), which affects your basic monthly charge. If you're unsure what level to pick, our guide on choosing and lowering your amp contract explains how amperage affects your bill and how to estimate what a single person or family typically needs.

Flipping the breaker: the postcard method

Here's the part that surprises a lot of newcomers: in many apartments, once your application is processed, all you need to do is turn on the breaker yourself when you arrive. There's often a postcard-sized application form (使用開始の申込, shiyou kaishi no moushikomi) already sitting in the breaker box or mailbox from the previous tenant's move-out. You fill in your details, mail it in or call the number listed, and flip the breaker back on. Power flows immediately, and the formal registration catches up in the background.

If there's no such postcard, or you'd rather not rely on finding one, simply apply online or by phone with your chosen retailer ahead of time and they'll activate supply remotely for your move-in date. Either way, no one needs to visit your apartment for electricity to come on.

Gas is a different story

Don't assume gas works the same way. Unlike electricity, gas turn-on (ガス開栓, gasu kaisen) almost always requires an in-person appointment with a technician, because safety regulations require someone to check the piping and appliances before the gas is switched on. You'll need to book a slot in advance and be home at the scheduled time — this is one of the few utility appointments in Japan you truly cannot skip. Electricity, by contrast, rarely needs anyone to show up at all.

Putting it all together

To summarize the new-address process: pick a retailer (you're free to choose any provider, not just the regional incumbent), apply a few days before move-in with your address, move-in date, and contact details, decide on an amperage if asked, and either flip the breaker yourself or let the provider activate it remotely. Once service is running, you can start tracking what a normal bill should look like using our guide to reading a Japanese electricity bill.

Electricity is just one piece of settling into a new place. For a fuller picture of everything you need to set up a new apartment — utilities, internet, furniture, and the other move-in costs foreign residents often forget to budget for — see the first-apartment setup costs (utilities, internet, furniture) at Move-In Cost Japan.

If you still have questions about deposits, contract terms, or paperwork, check our FAQ for quick answers to the most common questions from foreign residents setting up electricity in Japan.