Your First Week in Tokyo: A Gentle Newcomer's Itinerary (2026)

Updated: 2026-07-25

Quick answer

Hi, I'm Miya — I help newcomers find their feet in Japan, and I'll be your guide for this whole first week. Your first week in Tokyo goes best when you front-load the boring-but-important errands and leave room to rest. Here's the gentle seven-day plan I use with people: settle in, handle the paperwork that unlocks everything else, then start enjoying the city at a human pace.

One thing I always push for on day one or two: getting a Japanese phone number and mobile data. Almost every step below — maps, translation, filling in forms, messaging a new landlord or friend — assumes you already have it.

Day 1 — Land, rest, and get your bearings

Miya, the GetConnectedJapan guide, walking along a quiet residential street pulling a small suitcase on a calm sunny morning. — Day one with me: a short walk to find your nearest station, konbini and supermarket.

Don't over-plan the first day — I mean it. Get to your accommodation, drop your bags, and take a short walk with me around the neighborhood to find the nearest station, convenience store, and supermarket. Those three points cover most of your day-to-day needs.

Grab water, a SIM-friendly plan of attack, and an early night. Jet lag is real; I always tell people a walk in daylight resets you faster than pushing through a packed schedule.

Day 2 — Sort out connectivity and cash

Two essentials make the rest of the week smoother, and this is the day I focus on them: a phone number and a way to pay. If your phone supports eSIM, you can often get connected the same day using just your residence card — no store visit, activation in around 15 minutes.

For cash, I steer newcomers to convenience-store ATMs: many have English menus and accept overseas cards. Carry some coins and small notes too — plenty of small shops and older machines are still cash-first.

Day 3 — Register at your ward office

Miya standing at a public service counter holding a folder of documents, explaining calmly in a tidy bright office. — I'll talk you through the ward-office counter — bring your residence card and passport.

This is the errand people dread, so let me make it simple. Within 14 days of moving into your address, you register at your local municipal (ward) office. Bring your residence card and passport; staff will update your card with your address and enroll you in the systems you'll need, such as national health insurance.

Go in the morning if you can — offices are quieter, and you'll want time in case a form sends you to a different counter. Keep a translation app on your phone for any Japanese-only paperwork; that's my one non-negotiable for this day.

Day 4 — Master your commute and IC card

Spend a low-pressure day with me learning how trains work. Set up a mobile IC card in your phone's wallet, or buy a physical one, and tap in and out at the gates — no need to calculate fares in advance.

Do a practice run of the route you'll use most, like home to work or school. A transit app shows you platforms, transfers, and the last train of the night, so you always know your way home. I never travel without one.

Day 5 — Stock your home and kitchen

Now the fun errands — my favorite day. A 100-yen shop covers cheap kitchenware, storage, and cleaning basics. A drugstore handles toiletries and household items, often more cheaply than a convenience store.

For groceries, remember supermarkets discount fresh food in the evening. Convenience stores stay your reliable backup for a late meal, bill payments, and printing — genuinely useful in a pinch during a busy first week.

Day 6 — An easy neighborhood you can enjoy

Reward yourself with a relaxed day out somewhere gentle rather than the busiest tourist crush. A large park, a temple district, or a riverside neighborhood lets you enjoy Tokyo without a rigid plan — this is where I like people to exhale.

Let maps and reviews on your phone guide you to a café or a small restaurant. It's also a good day to notice which area feels like 'yours' — the one you'll come back to when you need a calm afternoon.

Day 7 — Set up your first connections

Use the last day of the week to plant roots, which is the part I care about most. Look up a hobby group, a language exchange, or a ward international-association event you can attend in the coming weeks. Most of these organize sign-ups and reminders through apps that need a Japanese number.

Message anyone you've met, save your key locations in maps, and jot down what still needs doing next week. A steady rhythm beats a heroic first week every time — trust me on that.

The thread running through the whole week

Look back at the seven days with me and one tool appears in almost every step: your phone. Registering an address, riding trains, paying bills, finding food, and meeting people all lean on mobile data and a Japanese number.

That's why I get people connected early. With Rakuten Mobile you can apply online with just your residence card, and eSIM-capable phones can be running the same day — so the rest of your first week has one less thing blocking it. Check current terms on the official page before you apply.