One of the final hurdles of moving is getting settled into your new home, and while it looks easy and even fun in the movies, in reality there’s more to it than simply unpacking boxes and throwing a bed sheet over the mattress. 

This article will attempt to highlight 5 ways in which to get settled into your new abode so that you can start the new chapter of your life smoothly and with minimal interruptions. If you are reading this and currently looking for a place to rent, some Village House properties and contracts offer up to ¥30,000 in moving support to make the transition from your old place to your new place easier. 

Clean Rooms 

Your new house or apartment may look clean upon moving in but there’s no harm in giving all the rooms, floors, countertops etc. a quick once over with a wet cloth, vacuum, and mop to clear away that inevitable layer of dust. 

Luckily, living in Japan means that you’ll have access to quality household cleaning products for a budget-friendly price – any of the numerous 100yen shops littered throughout the island have a range of cleaning products, each for 100yen (tax not included). You can get anything from window cleaning spray to mold removal to floor wet wipes at these stores without breaking the bank.  

If possible, try to schedule your move in date a day or two before your move out date so that you can clean your new place easily without having to navigate around all your moving boxes, furniture, and other belongings.  

Unpack 

Ease of unpacking your belongings at your new place will depend highly on your packing and organizational skills prior to moving. The key here is to label your moving boxes with the name of the room they’re supposed to go in. For example, if a box contains all your cutlery, kitchenware, crockery etc., label that box “KITCHEN” and make sure that the movers or whoever is helping you deposit that box in the kitchen area for easier unpacking.  

It’s also best to unpack one room at a time so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Prioritize rooms such as the bedroom and bathroom when you first move in as these two rooms will be used on your first night. The kitchen can be done the next day.  

Explore the Surrounding Area 

The neighborhood and surrounding area a rental property resides in is often one of the crucial factors that will sway a potential tenant’s opinion on whether to rent that place or not. Luckily, real estate organizations such as Village House have over 1,000 properties throughout all 47 prefectures in Japan so if you’re on the hunt for a new place to live; Village House should be able to cater to your wants and needs.  

Now, this may depend on an individual’s personal preference but canvassing the neighborhood can help familiarize you with the surrounding area and its amenities and services. This can be done prior to moving into your new place or after you’ve started settling in.  

Some things to scope out nearby may include:  

• supermarkets 
• Pharmacies 
• Post office 
• Bank 
• City hall 
• Nearest train station 
• Cafes and restaurants 

If you’ve a family, then plotting the safest and most convenient route to the nearest school, park, playground etc. would also be beneficial for you and the children. 

Go Shopping 

Food shopping will probably be high on a new tenant’s priority list, especially since the fridge will most likely be empty. Once you’ve mapped out the route to the nearest supermarket or food store, it’s best to head out to grab the essentials, which depending on your diet can include milk, bread, and eggs or rice, natto, and tea. Foodstuffs such as snacks and drinks can also go on the list, especially if you plan on having a few friends over in the new few days.  

Depending on your personal needs, you may want and need to buy some household essentials such as hangers, a toolkit, kitchen towels, toilet paper, tissue paper, hand soap, toiletries, etc. Depending on what supermarkets and shops are available in your surrounding area, you can either hit up a 100yen store or get groceries delivered to your doorstep. 

Throw a Housewarming Party 

While it’s not essential to getting settled into your new home, throwing a housewarming party provides you the opportunity to celebrate this new stage of your life with your family and friends. It’s also a great way to show your thanks and appreciation if your family and friends helped you move.  

Again, if you do decide to throw a housewarming party, you don’t have to break the bank to do it because many party supplies, food, and drinks can be obtained at a 100yen store.