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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Customer number (water supply number / faucet number) - *not required in many cases*
2. Contractor’s name
3. Contact information (address, phone, e-mail address)
4. Where you will start using a water service (new address)
5. Start date of water service (moving-in date)
6. 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.

1. Customer number (water supply number / faucet number) - *not required in many cases*
2. Contractor’s name
3. Contact information (address, phone, e-mail address)
4. The new address of where you will start using the water service
5. Date to stop a water service at old address
6. Date to start a water service at new address
7. 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.

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.

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).

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.

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.