2026-06-21·7 min

How to Set Up Utilities in Your Tokyo Apartment (2026)

Electricity, gas, water and internet: step-by-step guide to setting up all utilities in a Tokyo apartment as an expat, with provider names and lead times.

Setting Up Utilities in Your Tokyo Apartment: Step-by-Step

Once you have the keys to your Tokyo apartment, four services need to be activated or subscribed: electricity, gas, water, and internet. Most can be done online in under 30 minutes. Here is exactly what to do.

Electricity: activate your meter online

Electricity in Tokyo is supplied by TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company). You cannot choose your supplier in the greater Tokyo area.

Process: visit TEPCO's website (kurashi.tepco.co.jp) and fill in the move-in registration form. You will need: your move-in date, the meter number (printed on a sticker near your electrical panel), your contact details, and your new address.

The form is primarily in Japanese with English guidance notes. You can also call TEPCO's English helpline at 0120-995-113.

Activation: usually instant if the previous tenant properly cancelled their contract. If not, a technician may visit within 1 to 3 days.

Billing: monthly, by direct debit or at a convenience store. Base subscription: approximately ¥300 to ¥400/month plus consumption per kWh.

Gas: only if your apartment uses it

Gas is only relevant if your apartment has a gas hob or gas water heater. Many modern Tokyo apartments run entirely on electricity (IH cooking hob and electric water heater), in which case no gas contract is needed.

If your apartment has gas, the supplier is Tokyo Gas (tokyogas.co.jp). Activation requires a technician visit. Book online or call 03-3433-7111 (English options available). Lead time: 3 to 7 business days.

Ask your agency whether your apartment is gas or IH before buying a hob or rice cooker.

Water: usually automatic

Water (suidō, 水道) in Tokyo is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Waterworks. In most modern apartments, the meter activates automatically when the lease starts. Your agent or landlord handles this.

If your water is not running after move-in, contact the Tokyo Waterworks Bureau at 03-5326-1101 (English available).

Billing: every two months. Average for a studio: ¥1,000 to ¥2,500 per billing cycle.

Home internet: choosing the right provider

Japan's fibre internet (hikari) is among the fastest and most affordable in the world. Setup involves two steps: choosing the physical network (typically NTT Flets) then an ISP that leases access on that network.

Main options in Tokyo:

NTT Flets Hikari + partner ISP: the most common combination. Flets costs ¥5,500 to ¥6,000/month, plus ISP fees of ¥500 to ¥1,500/month. Total: ¥6,000 to ¥7,500/month.
SoftBank Hikari: single bundled contract, approximately ¥5,500/month.
NURO Hikari: one of the fastest options (2 Gbps download), ¥5,200/month. Coverage varies by area.
au Hikari: strong Tokyo coverage, often bundled with KDDI mobile plans.

Installation lead time: 2 to 6 weeks. Plan a backup solution for your first month.

Internet while waiting for fibre: use your SIM card as a mobile hotspot (tethering), or rent a portable pocket WiFi router from IIJmio, Rakuten, or a SoftBank counter at your nearest station. Pocket WiFi typically delivers 50 to 150 Mbps for ¥2,500 to ¥4,000/month.

Summary: what to do and when

Service	Typical lead time	How to set up
Electricity	Instant to 3 days	TEPCO online form
Water	Usually automatic	Call if not running at move-in
Gas	3 to 7 business days	Book technician with Tokyo Gas
Home internet	2 to 6 weeks	Compare ISPs then order online
Mobile SIM	Instant (eSIM) or 2-5 days	See Japan SIM card guide

FAQ

Do I need a registered Japanese address to subscribe to internet?

Yes, for fibre contracts. A Japanese address is required. For pocket WiFi devices, your passport often suffices.

Are TEPCO and Tokyo Gas forms available in English?

TEPCO has English guidance on its website and an English-language phone line. Tokyo Gas has an English-language phone option. If you are struggling, your letting agency can often assist with first-contact calls.

For a complete move-in checklist, see our [step-by-step guide to moving to Tokyo](/blog/moving-to-tokyo-checklist-2026). For the apartment search before you get to this stage, read our [Tokyo apartment hunting guide for foreigners](/blog/find-apartment-tokyo-foreigner).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up electricity, gas, and water in a Tokyo apartment?+

Electricity and gas require contacting the provider listed by your landlord or the default provider for your area (Tokyo Electric Power for electricity, Tokyo Gas for most of Tokyo). Call or use their English online forms to register your name and move-in date. Water is registered at the ward office during address registration. Setup takes 1-3 business days.

Are there English-speaking utility providers in Tokyo?+

Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has an English phone line (+81-3-6375-9811). Tokyo Gas has an English registration form online. Most providers have moved their registration online. If calling in Japanese is difficult, your landlord or a bilingual agent can register utilities on your behalf on move-in day.

How much are monthly utilities in a Tokyo apartment?+

For a standard studio or 1K apartment: electricity 5,000-10,000 JPY/month (more in summer/winter for AC/heating), gas 3,000-6,000 JPY/month, water is often included in rent or costs 2,000-3,000 JPY/month. Internet (fiber) is 4,000-6,000 JPY/month separately. Share houses and furnished apartments typically bundle these costs.

Do I need Japanese to set up internet in Tokyo?+

Not necessarily. NTT Hikari (fiber) and SoftBank offer English customer support for registration. Pocket Wi-Fi routers (available from Japan Travel SIM or IIJmio) are a faster alternative requiring no setup: plug in on arrival day. Fixed fiber takes 1-4 weeks to install due to technician scheduling.

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