Until now I’ve been living in dormitories and shared houses as a student, but it’s time to move on with my life into a more “stable” lifestyle, so I decided to rent an apartment in Kanagawa-ken…
Now I have no idea what kind of electricity, internet, water, gas companies should I contract, how long it’ll take to get them on, or what options (if any) exist.
Is there any difference between those utilities companies? or they offer the exact same things? Are they like mobile contracts (2years and penalty if you cancel before) or??
I’m extremely worried since I only have couple more weeks before moving in and haven’t done anything (not even furniture!!)
3 comments
I just started the process. In the contract packet I received, there was a sheet with everyone I needed to contact to set up utilities. Hopefully they will have something similar.
* Electricity- depends on where you live. Tepco for Tokyo and surrounding regions and Kepco for people in Kansai
* Same for gas unless your place uses propane, and you have to book it in advance because unlike electricity they require your presence to open the gas valve
* Look up your city’s water bureau to sign up for water
* For internet connection the options are endless. Does your new apartment have Cable TV or other options?
Don’t worry too much about it because your apartment agent can tell you which power/gas company your place falls under and so on. You’re not the only person who is starting a new life and those of us who grew up here, speak the language and should know better often don’t know anything about it.
If you can read japanese, try to get company that have contract package. Like for me, I use Tokyo Gas for gas and electric which makes it easier to manage and sometimes they give you discount and point too.