Setting up electricity, gas & water
Moving into a Japanese home means switching on three utilities that each work differently — and one of them, gas, genuinely requires a person to be home. Get the timing right and you’ll have power, hot water and a working stove from day one. Here’s how each works, from the official electricity, gas and water providers.
Electricity: choose a retailer, flip the breaker
Japan fully liberalised electricity retail in 2016, so you’re free to choose your provider and plan (ANRE) rather than being tied to the regional utility. Apply online or by phone with your chosen retailer (e.g. TEPCO) in advance, giving your new address and start date. TEPCO notes you can even apply on the day you want service, though turning it on “may take 3–4 hours.”
One move-in gotcha: “You will not have electricity if your breaker is off.” Find the distribution panel and flip the amp breaker to ON yourself. Want to switch retailers later? Just sign up with the new company directly — your old contract cancels automatically.
Gas: the in-person “kaisen” appointment
Gas is the one you must plan around. Starting service legally requires a technician visit, and Tokyo Gas states “you (or a representative) need to be present” while the technician does an ignition test and safety check and opens the main valve. So:
- Book ahead — Tokyo Gas asks that start/stop requests be made “at least approximately one week in advance,” and earlier during busy spring relocation season.
- Can’t attend? You may designate a representative (landlord, agent, family member) to meet the technician for you.
- Early requests connect sooner — a morning online request may be handled that same afternoon.
Buildings without a city-gas main use LP (propane) gas from a local dealer; this generally also requires an in-person safety appointment, so confirm the procedure with your building’s LP supplier.
Water: a quick notification to the city
Tap water is run by your municipal Bureau of Waterworks, not a private retailer — and it’s the easiest of the three. You simply submit a start-of-use application by mail, phone, or (in Tokyo) an online app; no technician visit is required. Tokyo’s Waterworks Bureau offers an English online channel, though its English mode covers only starting or cancelling a contract. Give a few days’ notice around your move.
Your move-in checklist
| Utility | Provider | Visit? | Contact ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Chosen retailer (e.g. TEPCO) | No | ASAP (same-day possible) |
| Gas | City gas (Tokyo Gas etc.) / LP dealer | Yes | ~1 week |
| Water | Municipal Bureau of Waterworks | No | A few days |
For all three: contact the provider before your move with your new address and desired start date, and decide a payment method (bank auto-withdrawal, credit card, or paper invoice) when you sign up. Setting up a bank account early makes auto-withdrawal simpler.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick any electricity company, or am I stuck with the regional one?
You can choose freely. Japan fully liberalised electricity retail in 2016, so any household can sign up with any registered retailer and rate plan (ANRE). Switching later is easy — you just contact the new retailer and your old contract cancels automatically.
Do I really need to be home for the gas technician?
Yes, to start service. Tokyo Gas requires you or an authorised representative to be present so the technician can run an ignition test and safety check before turning the gas on. Book roughly a week ahead, earlier in spring.
Is water handled the same way as gas and electricity?
No technician visit is needed for water. It’s run by your city/ward’s municipal Bureau of Waterworks, and you submit a start-of-use application by phone, mail, or (in Tokyo) an online app.
How far ahead should I contact each utility?
Rule of thumb: about a week ahead for gas (to book the technician), a few days ahead for water, and as soon as your move-in date is set for electricity — TEPCO can even process same-day requests. Exact windows are provider-specific.
What if I can’t attend the gas appointment myself?
You can name a representative — a family member, your real estate agent, etc. — to meet the technician in your place; just give the gas company that person’s name and contact details in advance.
This is general information (2026-07-13); exact lead times, hours, fees and contact details differ by electricity/gas retailer and by municipal waterworks bureau. The examples here are Tokyo-area (TEPCO, Tokyo Gas, Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks); look up your own regional providers and confirm current procedures with them.
Sources
- TEPCO Energy Partner — FAQ (English): applying, breaker, switching (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Tokyo Gas — Starting/stopping gas & electricity (English, in-person appointment) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau — Tokyo Water App (English) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Chuo City (Tokyo) — Living guide: electricity, gas, water (English) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (METI) — Electricity market liberalization (retrieved 2026-07-13)