Paperwork & Preparation
Learn more about the procedures necessary before coming to Japan, including your entrance exams and visa application.
Study Abroad Procedures
Here you'll find information about life in Kobe as an international student. Find information to help you solve issues in your daily living, and any problems you might have with the various official procedures required after coming to Kobe.
Before Coming to Japan
About Temporary Housing
It's possible to start living in a student dormitory right after coming to Japan, but until you can find a place to live in Kobe, you may need to secure temporary housing.
Hotels別ウィンドウThere is also a system that can help you lease a place to live in Kobe from overseas, skipping a stay in temporary housing.
Apartment Japan別ウィンドウ How to browse & book online別ウィンドウGetting to Kobe
From Tokyo
*The center of Kobe is the area around Sannomiya Station
From Osaka
From Kansai Airport
From Kyoto
Access Within Kobe City
Map of Train Lines within Central Kobe City
Your First Week in Kobe
Finding housing in Kobe
When searching for an apartment in Japan, it's typical to visit real estate agents, look at housing information and gather various information. Japan has a unique system, so here are some explanations.
See information about "Renting an apartment in Japan"別ウィンドウThere is also a system that can help you lease a place to live in Kobe from overseas.
Apartment Japan別ウィンドウ How to browse & book online別ウィンドウFor information about university dorms, please refer to each university's website.
Getting a residence card
This permit is issued to non-Japanese whose time in Japan will exceed 3 months, who have landing permission, permission to change their status of residence, and permission to renew their period of stay. You will be issued a residence card at immigration screening at Kansai Airport or Narita Airport, but should you end up receiving your residence card at a later date, it will be sent through registered mail to the address registered with your municipality after entering Japan.Once you've decided where to live, you will be required to bring your residence card to the office of your local municipality to be registered within 14 days.
See more about getting a residence card別ウィンドウSign up for National Health Insurance
National Health Insurance is a system in which members pay insurance premiums to help one another so that they can receive medical care with peace of mind when they get sick or injured. Foreign nationals under the age of 74 who have been registered as Kobe residents for more than three months and do not have a public health insurance plan in Japan must apply for National Health Insurance.
See more about signing up for National Health Insurance別ウィンドウOpening a bank account
Take your residence card to a bank or post office (Yucho Ginko) near your school or residence, and open a bank account.
●Things you'll need to set up a bank account
- Residence card
- Health insurance card
- Student ID (For students only)
- Personal seal, or hanko (depending on the bank, a signature may be acceptable)
- Money to deposit (More than 1 yen, may not be required depending on the bank)
Getting a cell phone
In addition to cell phone company stores and electronics stores, cell phones can be purchased and their contracts signed online. Pricing systems and plan will vary depending on the cell phone company, so please be sure before signing a contract.
●Things you'll need for your apartment contract
- Residence card
- Passport
- Credit card *Should you elect to pay by credit card
- Your Japanese bank account (Bank card/bank book) *Should you elect to pay by bank account withdrawal
- National Health Insurance Card
- Parental consent form *For minors
- A copy of your parent's ID *For minors
*Some people do not buy cell phones, and instead buy only a SIM card to use with the phone they used outside of Japan. (For details, please inquire with each cell phone company)
