Procedures for starting water service in Japan
This article provides specific information about how to start a water contract in Japan. In this article, you will find the procedures to subscribe to a water service, general tips upon subscription, and cautions to look out for.
Procedures for starting water service in Japan
To apply for a water service, you need contact the water bureau or municipality specific to your region.
The application process varies depending on the water bureau, but in general, you can apply by phone, fax, mail, internet, or at the office. For more details, check the website of your region’s water bureau or municipality.
If you are moving within the same water bureau area of where you live now, it is possible to stop the water service and apply for a new water service contract (start using) at the same time.
| Solely applying for a new water service |
|---|
| Stoping your current water service and starting a new service |
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As a general rule, you are supposed to cancel your water service contract prior to moving out. If you wish to cancel your current contract and apply for a new contract at the same time, make sure to follow the deadline set by the water bureau well in advance.
In addition, if you start using the water supply after moving in without signing up for a new contract, the local water bureau may cut off your water supply.
It is recommended to complete signing up for a water contract at least one week prior to your moving date.
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Do I need to be present when the bureau starts or cancels my water supply?
In general, it is not necessary for the contractor to be present on-site. However, in the following exceptions, you will need to contact the water bureau to fix a date and time to be present.
(1) You pay the bill for the month you move out on-site
(2) When the person in charge of opening and closing the water supply cannot enter the premises and cannot work from the outside.
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Information required to apply for a water service
The following information is commonly required by each water bureau when you apply for a water service. It is recommended for you to confirm with your water bureau about the necessary information to make the application process run smoothly.
- Customer number (water supply number / faucet number) - *not required in many cases*
- Contractor’s name
- Contact information (address, phone, e-mail address)
- Where you will start using a water service (new address)
- Start date of water service (moving-in date)
- Payment method
If you are moving in the area of the same waterworks bureau, the following information is required in order to cancel your current water service and sign a new contract at the same time.
- Customer number (water supply number / faucet number) - *not required in many cases*
- Contractor’s name
- Contact information (address, phone, e-mail address)
- The new address of where you will start using the water service
- Date to stop a water service at old address
- Date to start a water service at new address
- Payment method
What are 'customer number' and 'water number/water tap number'?
When you apply for or cancel a water contract, a customer number and water tap number are required. Each of "customer number" and "water number/water tap number" has the following roles.
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| Customer Number | A unique number that each water user (contractor) is given. |
|---|---|
| Water service number/water faucet number | A number that identifies the building where the water service is installed, the meter number, etc. |
You can find the customer number (water number or faucet number) found in the "Notice of Water Consumption (meter reading slip)" or "Delivery Notice (invoice)".
How do I know my water number or faucet number?
The number is indicated on the plate or sticker, which are generally called "water markers" or "water signs". They are usually placed above your front door, mailbox, lid of water meter box, gate post, etc.
In most cases, the customer number and the water number / faucet number is required when you make a contact. However, in some cases, such as Kawasaki city water bureau, you will only be asked for your water and faucet number.
Also, in some areas, such as Sagamihara City and Kanagawa Prefectural Water bureau, the "water number and faucet number" may be referred to by other names such as "user number".
Where should I apply for a water service?
You can apply for a water service at the water bureau or municipality of the area you live.
Normally, each municipality operates their own water supply business in Japan. Some large cities, such as the Bureau of waterworks Tokyo Metropolitan Government or the water bureau of ordinance-designated cities, have customer centers and call centers apart from the waterworks office, where they accept new contract or cancellation requests.
Thus, in such big cities, it is recommended to apply by phone to the customer centers or call centers or online via their websites.
However, in rural areas and other municipalities, many water bureaus do not support online application, so in such cases, you may need to apply by phone or otherwise physically go to the municipalities office.
| How | Note |
|---|---|
| Telephone |
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| FAX |
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| By post |
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| Online |
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| Office counter |
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When should I sign the contract?
How many days prior to the start of the water service (moving date) should I apply for a water service? It varies depending on the water bureau.
For example, some water bureaus, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau and the Kawasaki City Waterworks Bureau, allows customers to fill an online application up to 1 month prior and after the date of starting using a water service, while other water bureaus, such as the Sendai City Waterworks Bureau, specifies that it must be made at least five business days before the start of use.
Other water bureaus, such as the Yokohama City Waterworks Bureau and the Sapporo City Waterworks Bureau do not specify the date. However, they mention that it is required for the waterworks bureau tp open the tap at least one day before the first day of use. This means that you may suffer the risk of not being able to use your water source if you do not complete the application of water service before you move in.
Also, in the event that the water is already turned on without your signed contract and you continue to use the water without applying for a water service, the service may be stopped by the waterwork bureau. In order to avoid such a case, it is recommended that you complete the procedures for the water supply contract at least one week prior to the start of water service (moving date).
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List of waterworks bureaus and contact information for government-designated cities
The following table lists the contact information for water bureaus that handle water contract procedures in Tokyo and 20 other cities designated by government ordinance.
List of waterworks bureaus and contact information for government-designated cities
Hokkaido・Tohoku
| City | Water supply bureau | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo City | Sapporo City Waterworks Bureau TEL：011-211-7770 | 8:00-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Sendai city | Sendai city Waterworks Bureau TEL：022-748-1111 | Mon - Fri：8:30-19:00 Sat：8:30-17:00 （Closed for the national holidays, year-end holiday, and New Year's holiday） |
Kanto・Chubu・Hokuriku
| City | Water supply bureau | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Saitama city | Saitama city Waterworks Bureau TEL：048-665-3220H | 8:00-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Chiba city | Chiba prefecture Waterworks Bureau Fixed telephone：0570-001-245 PHS・IP telephone：043-310-0321 | Mon - Fri：8:45-18:00 Sat：8:45-17:00 （Closed on Sundays, national holidays, the year-end holiday, and New Year's holiday） |
| Tokyo city （23 wards） | Tokyo city Waterworks Bureau（23 wards） TEL：03-5326-1101 | Mon - Fri：8:30-20:00 |
| Tokyo city （Tama） | Tokyo city Waterworks Bureau（Tama） Fixed telephone：0570-091-100 携帯電話：042-548-5100／0570-091-100 | Mon - Fri：8:30-20:00 |
| Yokohama city | Yokohama city Waterworks Bureau TEL：045-847-6262 | Available 24（Open all-year-round） |
| Kawasaki city | Kawasaki city Waterworks Bureau TEL：044-200-3548 | 8:30-20:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Sagamihara city | Kanagawa prefecture Waterworks Bureau Midori-ku（certain parts）、All parts of Chuo-ku・Minami-ku TEL：0570-005-959／045-522-8820 | Weekdays・Sat：8:30-19:00 |
| Sagamihara city （Midori-ku） | Tsukui Waterworks Office Midori-ku（Aone、Some parts of Nagura・Makino） TEL：042-780-8210 | Weekdays：8:30-17:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end holiday, and New Year's holiday） |
| Niigata city | Niigata city Waterworks Bureau TEL：0120-411-002／025-266-9311 | 8:00-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Sizuoka city | Sizuoka cityWaterworks Bureau TEL：054-251-1132 | Weekdays：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end holiday, and New Year's holiday） |
| Hamamatsu city | Hamamatsu city Waterworks Bureau TEL：0120-09-1132／053-476-8100 | Mon - Fri：8:00-19:00 |
| Nagoya city | Nagoya city Waterworks Bureau TEL：052-884-5959 | Mon - Fri：8:00-19:00 Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays and New Year's holiday：8:00-17:15 |
Kansai・Chugoku・Kyushu
| City | Water supply bureau | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto city | Kyoto city Waterworks Bureau TEL：075-672-7770 | 8:30-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Osaka city | Osaka city Waterworks Bureau TEL：06-6458-1132 | Mon - Fri：8:00-20:00 Sat・Dec 29th and 30th：9:00-17:00 |
| Sakai city | Sakai city Waterworks Bureau TEL：0570-02-1132／072-251-1132 | Mon - Fri：8:45-19:00 Saturday, sunday and holidays：9:00-17:00 |
| Kobe city | Kobe city Waterworks Bureau TEL：078-797-5555 | Mon - Fri：9h-17h15 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Okayama city | Okayama city Waterworks Bureau TEL：086-234-5959 | Mon - Fri：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Hiroshima city | Hiroshima city Waterworks Bureau TEL：082-511-5959 | Mon - Fri：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Kitakyushu city | Kitakyushu city Waterworks Bureau TEL：093-582-3031 | Mon - Sat：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Fukuoka city | Fukuoka city Waterworks Bureau TEL：092-532-1010 | Mon - Fri：8:45-17:30 Sat・Sun：9:00-17:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Kumamoto city | Kumamoto Waterworks Bureau TEL：096-381-1118 | Mon - Fri：8:30-17:15 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
List of waterworks bureaus and contact information for government-designated cities
Hokkaido・Tohoku
| City | Water supply bureau |
|---|---|
| Sapporo City | Sapporo City Waterworks Bureau （011-211-7770） 8:00-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Sendai City | Sendai city Waterworks Bureau （022-748-1111） Mon - Fri：8:30-19:00 Sat：8:30-17:00 （Closed for national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
Kanto・Chubu
| City | Water supply bureau |
|---|---|
| Saitama city | Saitama city Waterworks Bureau （048-665-3220） 8:00-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Chiba city | Chiba prefecture Waterworks Bureau Fixed telephone（0570-001-245） PHS・IP telephone（043-310-0321） Mon - Fri：8:45-18:00 Sat：8:45-17:00 （Closed on national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Tokyo city （23 wards） | Tokyo city Waterworks Bureau （23 wards） （03-5326-1101） Mon - Fri：8:30-20:00 |
| Tokyo city （Tama） | Tokyo city Waterworks Bureau （Tama） Fixed telephone（0570-091-100） Mobile and others（042-548-5100／0570-091-100） Mon - Fri：8:30-20:00 |
| Yokohama city | Yokohama city Waterworks Bureau （045-847-6262） Available 24（Open all-year-round） |
| Kawasaki city | Kawasaki city Waterworks Bureau （044-200-3548） 8:30-20:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Sagamihara city | Kanagawa prefecture Waterworks Bureau Midori-ku（certain parts）、All parts of Chuo-ku・Minami-ku （0570-005-959／045-522-8820） Mon-Sat：8:30-19:00 |
| Sagamihara city （Midori-ku） | Tsukui Waterworks Office Midori-ku（Aone、Some parts of Nagura・Makino） （042-780-8210） Weekdays：8:30-17:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Niigata city | Niigata city Waterworks Bureau （0120-411-002／025-266-9311） 8:00-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Sizuoka city | Sizuoka city Waterworks Bureau （054-251-1132） Weekdays：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, the national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Hamamatsu city | Hamamatsu city Waterworks Bureau （0120-09-1132／053-476-8100） Mon - Fri：8:00-19:00 |
| Nagoya city | Nagoya city Waterworks Bureau （052-884-5959） Mon - Fri：8:00-19:00 Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays and New Year's holidays：8:00-17:15 |
Kansai・Chugoku・Kyushu
| City | Water supply bureau |
|---|---|
| Kyoto City | Kyoto city Waterworks Bureau （075-672-7770） 8:30-21:00（Open all-year-round） |
| Osaka city | Osaka city Waterworks Bureau （06-6458-1132） Mon - Fri：8:00-20:00 Sat・Dec 29th and 30th：9:00-17:00 |
| Sakai city | Sakai city Waterworks Bureau （0570-02-1132／072-251-1132） Mon - Fri：8:45-19:00 Sut・Sun・National holidays：9:00-17:00 |
| Kobe city | Kobe city Waterworks Bureau （078-797-5555） Mon - Fri：9:00-17:15 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Okayama city | Okayama city Waterworks Bureau （086-234-5959） Mon - Fri：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Hiroshima city | Hiroshima city Waterworks Bureau （082-511-5959） Mon - Fri：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Kitakyushu city | Kitakyushu city Waterworks Bureau （093-582-3031） Mon-Sat：8:30-19:00 （Closed on Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Fukuoka city | Fukuoka city Waterworks Bureau （092-532-1010） Mon - Fri：8:45-17:30 Sat・Sun：9h-17h （Closed on Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
| Kumamoto city | Kumamoto city Waterworks Bureau （096-381-1118） Mon - Fri：8:45-17:15 （Closed on Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays） |
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Apply for a water service in Japan- Summary
We have compiled a list of important points on the procedures for signing for a water contract (opening a tap) for the new house you are moving into.
In order to avoid unexpected problems such as "No water on the day of moving", it is recommended to complete the procedures for the water supply contract at least one week before you wish to start using the water.
| Water Supply Contract | |
|---|---|
| Contact | Water supply bureau of your new address |
| How |
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| Required Information |
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