Karuizawa (軽井沢町), in Nagano Prefecture, has long been a summer retreat — and it is now an increasingly popular place for international residents and families to settle year-round. If you are moving here from abroad or from another part of Japan, this guide walks you through what to expect when you arrive, and where ERISA can help in English and Japanese.
Before you arrive
A little preparation makes the first weeks far smoother:
- Residence card (在留カード): Keep it with you — you will need it for almost every procedure.
- Moving-out certificate (転出証明書): If you are moving from another municipality in Japan, get this from your previous town or city office before you leave.
- Address confirmed: You generally cannot complete resident registration until you have an address in Karuizawa.
- My Number card or notification: Bring it if you already have one.
Your first stop: Karuizawa Town Hall (軽井沢町役場)
Most arrival procedures happen at the Karuizawa Town Hall. Plan to go within your first two weeks.
1. Moving-in notification (転入届)
File a moving-in notification, in principle within 14 days of moving. Bring your residence card and your moving-out certificate (or your passport if you are arriving from overseas). This registers you as a resident of Karuizawa and is the foundation for everything that follows.
2. My Number & residence card update
Your My Number (individual number) is confirmed, and your address details are updated as part of registration. The address on the back of your residence card is also updated at the Town Hall.
3. National Health Insurance & pension
If you are not covered by an employer's health insurance, you will enrol in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) and the National Pension (国民年金) at the Town Hall. Staff can explain the premiums and payment options — and ERISA can interpret so nothing is lost in translation.
Settling into daily life
Beyond the Town Hall, a few essentials turn a new address into a working life:
- School enrolment: Families with children complete enrolment procedures at the Town Hall, then coordinate with the local school.
- Bank account: Needed for salary, rent, and utilities. Bring your residence card and a personal seal (印鑑) if you have one.
- Mobile phone & internet: Usually requires a Japanese address, bank account, and ID.
- Local rules: Garbage sorting, snow in winter, and neighbourhood associations all work a little differently in a mountain town like Karuizawa.
How ERISA helps
ERISA (有限会社えり紗) is based in Karuizawa and supports international residents through exactly these steps — preparing the right documents, accompanying you to the Town Hall, interpreting at the counter, and helping you set up banking, phone, housing, and school. We work with individuals, families, companies, and schools, in English and Japanese.
Please note: This guide is general information. Procedures and required documents can change — always confirm the current requirements with Karuizawa Town Hall (軽井沢町役場). ERISA helps you prepare and accompanies you in person.