What to do with internet and phone contracts when moving in Japan
Moving in Japan means deciding whether to transfer or cancel fiber internet, and updating your address on phone and bank accounts. What to schedule and when.
Next step
Check the latest conditions before you decide
Fees, campaigns, language support, and cancellation rules can change. Confirm the official conditions before applying.
See how to set up internet at your new placeQuick conclusion
When moving within Japan, contact your internet provider 2-4 weeks in advance to check whether your contract can transfer to the new address or needs to be cancelled and rebooked - transferring is usually cheaper and faster when your new address is within the same provider's service area, but even a transfer can require a new construction appointment if the new building is not already wired. Your phone contract itself generally does not need to change, but update your registered address with the carrier regardless.
Internet: transfer vs. cancel and restart
| Situation | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Same provider, new address in service area | Request a transfer - often cheaper, sometimes faster than a fresh signup |
| Same provider, new building not wired for their service | Transfer request still needed, but expect a new construction appointment |
| New address outside provider's service area | Cancel and choose a new provider - review how to get home internet for the full setup process again |
| You want to switch providers anyway | Treat this as a good moment to compare, since you are already going through setup either way |
Whichever path applies, start the process 2-4 weeks before moving day - fiber construction scheduling does not move faster just because you are in a hurry, and the February-April moving season in Japan makes appointments even harder to get on short notice.
Cancellation costs to check if a transfer is not possible
If you must cancel rather than transfer, check for the same traps that apply to any contract cancellation: remaining device or construction fee installments, minimum contract period penalties, and campaign conditions that assumed a longer commitment. The detailed breakdown of these traps is in how to cancel a phone contract in Japan - the same logic largely applies to home internet contracts.
Phone contracts: usually simpler
Your phone number and contract are not directly tied to your home address, so moving does not require cancelling or transferring your phone plan itself. Still, update your registered address with your carrier, since it affects billing and can matter for identity verification - and if your phone verification setup matters for other services during your move (bank, new lease), see why a Japanese phone number matters for the bigger picture of why keeping this current is worth the small effort.
Watch for bundled discounts
Some households have a discount tied to bundling home internet and mobile phone service with the same company. If you switch internet providers during a move but keep the same phone carrier, check whether this breaks a bundled discount you were relying on - it is an easy detail to miss until the next bill arrives higher than expected.
Coordinating with your broader move
Internet setup is just one piece of moving - electricity, gas, and water typically move faster and can be arranged closer to your move date, covered in utilities setup after renting in Japan. A reasonable order: confirm internet transfer/construction first since it has the longest lead time, then arrange utilities, then handle smaller address updates like your phone carrier and bank.
This article contains affiliate-related comparisons; the timing and process guidance above applies regardless of which specific internet or phone provider you use.
Service checks
Compare support, costs, and conditions before applying
These service notes are not rankings. Use them to confirm language support, documents, fees, and cancellation rules on the official site.
| Service | Languages | Suitable for | Check before applying | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobal Japan SIMChecked: 2026-06-11 | English | New arrivals who need English support | Check the official plan page for current setup costs, monthly fees, and data limits. | Confirm conditions |
| Sakura MobileChecked: 2026-06-11 | English, Chinese | People who want support in English or Chinese | Check the latest fees, campaign rules, device costs, and delivery fees on the official site. | Confirm conditions |
| GTN MobileChecked: 2026-06-11 | English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Nepali | Residents who need multilingual support | Check current monthly fees, initial fees, and supported payment methods. | Confirm conditions |
Before you apply
- ✓Contact your internet provider 2-4 weeks before moving to arrange a transfer
- ✓Confirm whether your new address is within the same provider's service area
- ✓Update your registered address with your phone carrier and bank
- ✓Check for any early cancellation fees if a transfer is not possible
- ✓Schedule new construction early if your building requires a fresh installation
FAQ
Can I transfer my fiber internet contract when I move within Japan?
Often yes, especially if you stay with the same provider and your new address is in a compatible service area, and this is usually cheaper and faster than cancelling and signing a new contract elsewhere. Contact your provider 2-4 weeks before your move to check compatibility and book any needed construction at the new address.
Do I need new construction for internet at my new apartment even with a transfer?
Sometimes yes - even when transferring your contract to the same provider, if your new building is not already wired for that provider's service, a new construction appointment is still required, similar to a first-time installation. Ask specifically about this when arranging the transfer rather than assuming it is automatic.
What happens to my phone contract when I move?
Your phone number and contract generally continue unaffected by an address change, but you should update your registered address with your carrier since it is used for billing and identity verification purposes, and some carrier-linked services (like certain discounts tied to home internet bundles) may be affected by your internet provider changing.
Should I cancel or transfer if I am moving to a different service area?
If your new address is outside your current provider's service area or does not support the same technology, cancellation is often the only option, in which case check for any early termination fees or remaining device/construction installment balances before deciding on timing - see our guide on cancelling a phone or internet contract for what to check.
How early should I start the moving process for utilities and internet?
Start 2-4 weeks before your move for internet specifically, since construction scheduling can take time, especially during the busy February-April moving season in Japan. Electricity, gas, and water are typically much faster to arrange and can usually be done within a week or so of the move - see our utilities setup guide for the full timeline.
Finished reading?
Take the next step while it is fresh
You now know what to check. Compare the current conditions while they are fresh in your mind, and keep a record of what you confirm.
See how to set up internet at your new placeReferences
- Mobile Phone Portal Site - Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications