Moving In & Out Procedures

Update date: June 1, 2025

Resident Records

Upon entering Japan, you must submit a document known as a “notification of moving in” to your local municipal/ward office within 14 days of the move. By submitting this notification at your local municipal/ward office, a “Resident Record” is created.

Necessary documents:

1.) Residence Card (a certificate showing application of Residence Card is also accepted as indicated below)

Change of Address

If you change your address within the Sapporo/Hakodate area, you need to notify your new municipal/ward office within 14 days of the move. Please note you must have your Residence Card on your person at the time of notification.
Necessary documents:

1. Residence Card
2. My Number Card.

If you plan to move out of the Sapporo/Hakodate area, you must complete the moving out process at your old address’s municipal/ward office and obtain the “notification of moving out.” This document must then be submitted to the municipal/ward office of your new address within 14 days of moving in.

Necessary Documents

1) Residence Card

2)My Number Card.

When Returning to Your Home Country

When returning home, you need to notify your municipal/ward office.

Necessary documents:

1.) Residence Card.
(Please note that this is not required if you are going home temporarily.)

Sapporo City Call Center

Sapporo City Call Center is a multilingual information service system provided by the City of Sapporo. They can answer questions regarding official procedures at the city office, information on events, public transportation, etc.

Sapporo City Call Center

Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Open every day (including national holidays)
TEL: 011-222-4894
FAX: 011-221-4894
E-mail: info4894*city.sapporo.jp
*Please use “@” in the place of “*” to send an e-mail.

Hakodate City Foreign Resident’s Assistance Desk

Hakodate City Foreign Resident’s Assistance Desk provides professional and multillingual consultations free of charge to all foreign residents living in Hakodate City and surrounding areaes. They can answer questions regarding official procedures at the city office, work, medical care, etc.

Foreign Resident’s Assistance Desk

Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese
( They accept the consultation by other languages through the phone interpretation.)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Closed on Sat. Sun. National Holidays and Dec. 29~Jan.3)
TEL: 0138-86-6065
E-mail: hakodatelife*hif.or.jp
*Please use “@” in the place of “*” to send an e-mail.