Loading...

May 3, 2025

Moving house process

I've been in my apartment for nearly 7 years. I've got my eye on an apartment one station closer to work. But I forgot what it was like to move in here! It was all a bit traumatic... Have you got some packing tips, suggestions for how to move your household goods, and what to save for last?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

Living between the Tone and Edo Rivers in Higashi Katsushika area of Chiba Prefecture.

7 Answers



  • genkidesu

    on May 4

    It's been a while since we moved, too, but one of the biggest things it forced me to do was a thorough inventory of things we needed and things we didn't. I feel like it's the best push to declutter/reorganize, because you really get that feeling of not wanting to box up and shift stuff to a new place that doesn't really need to go! We donated a bunch and sold other things before our last move that wouldn't be practical in our new home, so that freed up both space and provided some extra cash, too. Full disclosure: we had a moving company move our stuff from Tokyo-Niigata, and honestly they were extremely efficient at both packing/unpacking. Because we originally moved to Tokyo for my husband's job, they paid for us to move to Niigata, so I don't know the breakdown of costs that a moving company incurs. However, it did take a lot of the stress out of the process, and it's something I'd recommend if finances allow for it and you have enough stuff to warrant it. If I was doing it myself, I think labeling everything well and keeping like-with-like for the smaller stuff is key. E.g. books all in one box, kitchen items all in another. Wrap any breakables really well, too. I know that probably sounds super obvious but I think it's one of those things that makes the unpacking process so much easier.

    0
  • helloalissa

    on May 6

    The best advice I recieved for moving last time was about moving companies so it's irrelevant if you're planning to get your stuff to the new place on your own. It's not far so maybe you can move bigger items with a rental car or something. For anyone in the future who might read this I'll share the advice. Before hiring a moving company, be sure to ask a few companies to come over and give you a free quote. This way you can kind of negotiate for the best price with the company you like. There can also be an option to move your things along with another household's at a discount - especially if you don't have much and the timing works out. I don't remember exactly how much this saved us but it was at least a few man so it was worth the extra time to make appointments. The moving companies provide boxes and tape, they roll up and tie any carpets, and tape up any dressers so you can leave everything inside them. It was super easy. Other small things: I would check what the new place comes with and even measure windows so you know if any curtains and appliances you have now will be needed. I set aside one box for items that would be used right away, but forgot that in the time we were waiting for the moving company to arrive, I would need toilet paper to use our new toilet and to drink water we would need cups...

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    on May 6

    @helloalissa Great advice, especially about the starter box! The place I have my eye on has an identical layout to my friend's place, so fortunately, I know exactly how much space is available for appliances and the size of the window coverings.

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    on May 7

    @genkidesu The first time I moved, I didn't have much so I chartered an Akabou truck, those light trucks. The last time, I managed to find an independent "benriya", a handyman with a truck who treated my stuff like it was treasure. I'm off-loading stuff I haven't used in ages, recycling what I can. The purge is ongoing. And thanks for the reminder about like with like, boxing, and labeling!

    0
  • genkidesu

    on May 8

    @TonetoEdo That's one thing I've noticed here -- the movers really do treat your stuff with a ton of care. There's no haphazard stuff that happens, or worries about things being broken on arrival. Just another wonderful thing about life in Japan!

    0
  • Eli

    on May 8

    I would recommend using a moving company if you can afford it. It makes the process so much more smooth and less stressful.

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    on May 9

    I travel / move light! Moving has been easy to date, but I haven't moved in 19 years. If I were ever to move now, it would be a big job. Some great tips here for future reference.

    0

Awaiting More Answers

0 Answers

Database error

Anyone else getting a database error after you log in? So far, it looks like I can still write posts, but I had trouble logging in and after log in my home page looks different to normal with a "database error" message.

BigfamJapan

12 hours ago

8 Answers

Condiments in your fridge?

Just for fun! I was thinking the other day how different the contents of my fridge are to the fridge I grew up with! Just one example, I always have soy sauce in my fridge and usually at least one other unopened bottle in the cupboard. There was never soy sauce in my fridge growing up. And the friends I grew up with don't have soy sauce in their fridges even now. But my Uni friends all have soy sauce in their fridges, because they all lived in Japan for at least a year. I was just wondering what things do you have in your fridge here that you probably wouldn't have in your fridge in your home country had you never lived here.

BigfamJapan

on May 9

7 Answers

Moving house process

I've been in my apartment for nearly 7 years. I've got my eye on an apartment one station closer to work. But I forgot what it was like to move in here! It was all a bit traumatic... Have you got some packing tips, suggestions for how to move your household goods, and what to save for last?

TonetoEdo

on May 3

4 Answers

Golden Week 2025 plans?

This year's Golden Week gives us Tuesday, April 29th, and then potentially a four-day weekend from May 3rd to 6th. How are you intending to spend the break? Will you travel, "staycation", or dare I ask, work through it?

TonetoEdo

on Apr 24